Looking to buy used MS20 Mini

[HalfLife22]

Sorry if this isn't the right section, or if this is just a dumb question, but I was looking to buy a used MS20 Mini for around half the price of a new one? Ebay isn't working too well on this right now, there are 0 auctions for one. Is there anyone here selling one, or does anyone here know where I could find a used one for a price range from around $200-$325?

[Bald Eagle]

Good luck on finding a used one for that price. It's hard to even get a new one at any price. This is so new that they can't fill all the pre-orders.

[Pepperpotty]

I was just about to post what Bald Eagle said. I guarantee that you won't get a used Korg product for half of it's new price until it has been out for many many years.
For example, the PA800 was released in 2006. It's current retail price in the uk for a new model is £1600. The price most used models are going for is between £900-£1000, and that's for a board that's 7 years old.
No one is going to be selling a used MS20 mini at half price for a very long time. Especially as it's only just been released and most people can't even get hold of a new one.

[HalfLife22]

Lol okay so I guess I was being a little unrealistic. Maybe a used one around $400? I guess you can't find them used at the moment since they aren't even on Ebay...

I think I might settle for the Microkorg then. I see people selling them for around $200 on eBay. Would you guys recommend that product? This is going to be my first synth, I'm not too knowledgable with them at the moment.

[csteen]

I am quite sure we can make some very good selections for you to choose from but first tell us a bit about your expectations and what it is you wish to do with your synth so that we can best give ideas.

[Bald Eagle]

The MS20 and microKorg are two very different machines. You need to step back and think about what you are trying to accomplish. If you just buy any "synth" because its inexpensive you may end up very disappointed as it may not perform to your expectations. For example, the MS20 is an analog mono synth while the microKorg is a virtual analog.

If you are new to synths then maybe an entry level virtual analog synth with some presets would be a good starting point. It would provide you with some good examples that you could study to see how different sounds are created. But as csteen has said you may want to tell us a bit more about what you are trying to do so we can make better suggestions.

[csteen]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Korg-TRITON-LE- ... 2326wt_960
This looks quite interesting and would keep you busy for quite some time and having owned one I can certainly say it would be a very good first synth.

[HalfLife22]

The MS20 and microKorg are two very different machines. You need to step back and think about what you are trying to accomplish. If you just buy any "synth" because its inexpensive you may end up very disappointed as it may not perform to your expectations. For example, the MS20 is an analog mono synth while the microKorg is a virtual analog.

If you are new to synths then maybe an entry level virtual analog synth with some presets would be a good starting point. It would provide you with some good examples that you could study to see how different sounds are created. But as csteen has said you may want to tell us a bit more about what you are trying to do so we can make better suggestions.

Thanks so much for your feedback everyone! Very helpful.

And the synth is going to be basically another instrument for a guitar focused band I'm in. So I don't want it to have a cheap, or gimmicky sound to it, if that makes sense. I don't need anything that crazy just something that has some real nice tones to it.

Something that can have a sound like in these videos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfQyHZjpCGQ

http://youtu.be/2uGEKB5BJo4?t=1m18s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPKO49hOnJI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smqNtBXN5Mc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlJ27Dcv4fc

I know those are all pretty diverse sounding! But yeah, those are some of the sounds I would be going for.

[phattbuzz]

Got as far as the first video - that's a polyphonic keyboard - the MS20 is strictly monophonic (unless, of course, it's a polyphonic engine in a Korg Kronos!).
I think you need to go out to a music store and try some various synths to figure out what you really need. The MS20 is a wonderful synth, but it really isn't what you want or need.


...and on an unrelated note, I've past the 500 posts mark and went from Senior to Platinum. WooHoo!

[Bald Eagle]

Definitely check out some keyboards at a music store as phattbuzz suggested. That will give you a good idea of the types of sounds you can expect from the different types of keyboards available. I would focus on what's classified as a workstation or performance synth. Those are very capable of many diverse sounds and will usually have many presets so you won't have to do much programming.

Once you get a feel for what you want you can search for a used board in your price range. I think csteen's Triton LE suggestion is a very good one based on what you have said.

[Bald Eagle]

...and on an unrelated note, I've past the 500 posts mark and went from Senior to Platinum. WooHoo!

Congrats ... What's next? ... Double Platinum, Diamond?

[HalfLife22]

Thanks for the tips everyone, seriously. You guys are super helpful.

I'm definitely going to a Guitar Center this weekend to pick up some gear. They should have some synths to play around with. I'm a guitar guy though, I know a lot about guitars, but really nothings about synths though. This is a start though!

[mariachisocial]

Thanks for the tips it is very useful to us.