Korg MS-20 Synthesizer

Korg MS-20 mini: The 1978 Analog Legend Reborn at 86% Scale

The Korg MS-20 mini is a compact monophonic analog synthesizer that faithfully reproduces the circuitry of the original MS-20, first introduced in 1978. Overseen by the original engineers, this reissue preserves the thick voice and iconic filter behavior that made the unit a studio staple. The body has been shrunk to 86% of the original size. This instrument is the right choice for musicians who want authentic analog tone in a portable format.

What Makes This Synthesizer Unique

The self-oscillating high-pass and low-pass filters carry the distinctive distortion of the early MS-20 production run, the circuit Korg's engineers chose for its more radical sound. The External Signal Processor (ESP) lets the synth act on outside audio: feed in an electric guitar and it becomes a guitar synthesizer. You will find that the semi-modular patch bay opens up signal routing beyond the front panel, especially with the 10 included mini-jack patch cables.

Two Oscillators, Two Filters, Two Envelopes

The voice architecture keeps the original 2VCO / 2VCA / 2VCF / 2EG / 1LFO structure intact.

• VCO 1 waveforms provide four modes for raw tone generation including Triangle, Sawtooth, PW-Square, and White Noise.
• VCO 2 Waveforms: Sawtooth, Square, Pulse, Ring Modulator — metallic textures and cross-modulation
• LFO Frequency Range: 0.1 Hz – 20 Hz — slow sweeps down to audio-rate modulation

Filters and Keyboard — Where the Personality Lives

Both filters sweep from 50 Hz to 15,000 Hz with peak resonance that pushes into self-oscillation.

• Polyphony: 1 voice (monophonic) — one note at a time, classic lead and bass behavior
• Keyboard: 37 mini-keys, Synth Action — compact footprint with dedicated mini keybed
• Control Wheel: Center-click pitch and modulation — expressive performance control

Patching, MIDI, and Build

A 5-pin MIDI IN jack receives note messages, while a USB Type B port handles USB-MIDI in and out. The patch bay uses 1/8" (3.5 mm) mini-jacks instead of the original 1/4" plugs.

• Dimensions: 493 × 257 × 208 mm — 86% of the original MS-20 footprint
• Weight: 4.8 kg — portable enough for live use, stable on a desk
• Power Supply: DC 9V / 1.7A, 9 W consumption — included AC adaptor

Ideal for Sound Designers, Producers, and Analog Enthusiasts

The MS-20 mini is the right choice for producers, sound designers, and electronic musicians who want hands-on analog sound shaping without committing to a full-sized modular system. Its semi-modular patch bay makes it an excellent teaching tool for students learning subtractive synthesis, while its aggressive filter character suits industrial, techno, and experimental electronic styles. Guitarists will appreciate the External Signal Processor, which turns the synth into a guitar processor with no extra modules required.

Legacy of the MS-20

Korg was founded in 1962 and has been at the forefront of analog synthesizer design for decades. The original MS-20, launched in 1978, became one of the most coveted monosynths of its era, prized for its thick sound and powerful filters. Over 300,000 musicians have experienced MS-20 sounds through the original hardware and the iMS-20 iPad app.