All user reviews for the Korg Ms-20

- (See below)

UTILIZATION

As indicated by its looks, it's the cables that prevails on this synth and therefore sound research, while both in the context of analog sound, vintage and quite powerful.
Obviously one can not quite re-create with this synth, but this constraint can also be more subtle in the search. The mono will not fit many pianists, I'm not.

SOUNDS

- The sounds they agree your style of music?
Do buy an MS20 that if you love the sound and of a suitable style of music, do not buy it for its looks or buttons. If you love it, you will love it right away for a long time. with MS20, MS20 are made of.

- Are they realistic?
The best for the realism of the instrument. In this case with the MS20, may be funny.

- What are the sounds that you prefer, that you hate? ...
I like the sound of the saxophone of the synth because it is not the sound of saxophone.

OVERALL OPINION

6 months now.
I like the constraints and the potential of this synth that encourages creativity.
It's not a synth that you buy on the fly, you have to listen to the sound, play with it a little, unless you find it for less than 300 euros, because you will resell without problem.
Finally, it's like an R4, it is indestructible.
I bought it knowingly and I'm obviously very pleased. 

Keyboard 3 octaves 1 / 2, pretty average quality, noisy (poor design of the springs placement).
All analog, a knob for a function on the left, taken by one or more jacks by function on the right. Semi-modular.
Among the twenty analog synths I use, none meets my sound ideas with such power. It is a tool for amazing creations!

UTILIZATION

Simple, simple ... It's modular, you know. Must be somewhat aware anyway. When I bought it new 15 1 / 2 years ago in 1979, it was my first synth and I still felt a bit shit coming back with empty pockets with it at home. It took me a good week to get around it and to make the beginning of something. What you see here, back then, this contraption was the cutting edge of technology. Too bad the French manual was poorly translated from English which was poorly translated from Japanese, so ...
After one time that you're in the bathroom, I'd say it's more than easy: This thing is running with great natural entoryillement the sound of your desires. Magic!

SOUNDS

This machine, unfortunately widely used by many penguins who call themselves' producers' suffered over the past fifteen years an unfair reputation without justification: "woâââ the MSeu20, filters that déchiiiirent low '! Waaa, the wild sound! Weee the small brute! "
etc ...
In truth, if you understand anything at patch panel, this synth is extremely versatile, a true chameleon of sound. It can do everything (if you're not too low ceiling).

OVERALL OPINION

I use mine since 1979. Excellent reliability. 2 small breakdowns and some cleaning of the keyboard contacts in 32 years. Which says it all?
Today, given the AF rating (absurd), the value is grotesque: Few people are really made for crushing sound that way. It is a rather a unique way of thinking. I do not see the Arp 2600 that really comes close. It means that all around this stinking bizness bike is maintained by rats who try to scrape the dough, and morons who liked to let it tell with between pognes they would be able to call it grâââv '
We live in a world, my poor lady ...
It's still a lot of old tired condensators, let's be reasonable.
Personally I will not pay more than 500 € (in good condition).
I will continue to make progress in the maintenance of all these old useless things.

3 octaves.

UTILIZATION

the manual is essential for a beginner.

SOUNDS

It has analogue characteristics, but with his own signature.

OVERALL OPINION

The MS20 is the best gift my father gave to the 16 year old teenager 16 that I was ... 3800 francs back in 1980 it represented a healthy sum! I did not know very well exactly what was a synthesizer, and the MS20 introduced me to this world of such beautiful electronic instruments. Of course this is not a MOOG, it has no punching power to lead or bass. But it's a great synth that can draw fascinating sounds, for anyone who will lean on. Ah, I've spent hours trying to route signals through the "patch bay"! It deserves to qualify as a "Learning" synth, but it also has specific sonic qualities that make it recognizable. It's a real boy wizard, the MS20! Like all analogies, it works wonders as soon as it assists some reverb or delays, so do not be disappointed at first by its "dry" side a bit, if you listen to with no effect. It was in the belly! No wonder it is still sought after today ... on the other hand, its going second hand price seems excessive.

we are here with a monophonic 3 octaves synth that back in the days was called  a research synth.... Wow Mr professor!
At same time as this can make you smile, this as such, says it all.

UTILIZATION

For those who are lucky enough to have a copy or original, the manual comes with leaf patches made with the found sounds such as game arrow and the result is not always convincing, it was necessary to use a little imagination in 1980, to find a piano sound at the time, but hey it was not for that either.
This machine has just a huge sound, it's pure analog snores bass ... to try it is a good experience. When I compose and I'm missing powerful color, it is there, quietly, to give grain and it works in the mix. We play this machine as a guitar, triturated (attention to the speakers as still there are frequencies that are very very very low) and it sometimes takes us where we do not send it, but it's really instinctive, very nice.

SOUNDS

As soon as we managed to set it the analog is a pure pleasure for those who love the sound, it's intuitive and very typical. Keyboard is solid and pleasant, a little patch .... ... experimental.

OVERALL OPINION

I've had synths for over 20 years and this machine is in the studio from a friend who got rid of it for 500 francs (€ 75) to buy a DX7 ... I had the nose at the time. It is a machine to treasure, I've never had a problem with it.
Try it, do yourself a favor if you can. Do not buy without trying .An MS20 likes it or not, and given the weight of the market price is not a trivial purchase. The fingers work the sound and the ear will do the rest, it's an experience ... very pleasant and very musical.

Rubbish prices for MS20 and other analog instruments ... I bought mine for 80 euro ... And that is what it is!! Certainly no more! I do not sell it because it's my first synth (I want) but I do not use any of the compositions.

On stage, I think it's great to modulate a white noise with the LFO, but nothing more ...

UTILIZATION

... You know the subtractive synthesis sound and read the books (which are unfortunately out of print ...) Jean-Paul Verpeaux "Complete technical synthesizers" Volumes 1 and 2 ... But for sure above Volume 1!

SOUNDS

Sounds: Japanese: quite hard ...

OVERALL OPINION

With prices now, I'd rather buy a Prophet VS or a3  DX 7 !

modular and repatchable as you wish
Monophonic
no connection

UTILIZATION

Not so simple compared to today's beasts,
You need to understand subtractive synthesis and some basic electronics will be a plus!
If you know of solder jack, you can make cables in Y for more possibility still (eg to send a signal on 2 inputs).

Clearly this is something for connoisseurs- if you are not, you will not make it.
Of course, no memory, no midi, nothing like what makes the beloved charming (?) keyboards of today. 

SOUNDS

Much interest is in modularity, the ability to tweak the cabling in all directions to find the sounds.
Searching carefully you can create great sounds with many harmonics.
If not for the musicality, bof! the monophony no longer amuses me.

OVERALL OPINION

I bought one in 1979, I do not know the price of a new one at the time and then after 3 years I made the mistake of selling it to buy I do not know what other beast!

2 days ago my daughter brings me a borrowed one from a friend. A MS20, 1982 that slept in an attic for over 20 years and saw the dust ...
After cleaning I reconnect it and I find myself 31 years ago.
The sounds are really good although a little cold compared to a Nord Rack, so it is a bit tight.

When I see the prices of second hands, really I want to  scream with laughter, for 800 euro (Audiofanzine argus) run to buy something else (a prophet 5) for 200 euro it's worth it!

Analog synthesizer-70s.
-Connection: 1 output audio (mono), Control CV / Gate
-Polyphony: 1 vocal ... yes, it's monophonic roots.

UTILIZATION

Confuguration-base although it is fairly simple, it is better to know about analog synthesis.
The manual is minimalist but not that bad
With patch-jacks ... for all configurations wildest ...
Limitless possibilities.

SOUNDS

-Style AIR MrOizo, Azzido Da Bass ... big bass techno dirty ...
Super filters....grain nice characteristics 
-Can be used in lead ... but it's harder ... (like AIR).

OVERALL OPINION

-Use it for 6 months already
-Strong point: the sound, filters, grain, the configuration possibilities.
-Weak point is the Cv / Gate, so you have to use a converter midi / CV (1500F) for the controller or sequencer ... CV / Gate...on can also use a midifier, but it's expensive .
-To make good ltechno sound, it is very useful ... but not much versatility as all analog synths ..