Korg MS-20 compared to Arturia Minibrute

Ksynth · Post by **Ksynth** » Fri May 10, 2013 6:32 pm

I like both but can only fit one into available space.

The Brute has CV In and Out, Midi In and Out and an Arpeggiator. The MS-20 has limited Midi Out.

Also Audio In (as does the MS-20).

The MS-20 has two filters? The Brute has one?

Any other pros and Cons?

Added the following - thanks.

MS20 - 37 mini keys, no velocity or aftertouch

The Minibrute has PWM

Bald Eagle · Post by **Bald Eagle** » Fri May 10, 2013 7:41 pm

Keyboard ...

MS20 - 37 mini keys, no velocity or aftertouch

vs

Minibrute - 25 full size keys with velocity and aftertouch

Ksynth · Post by **Ksynth** » Fri May 10, 2013 7:43 pm

Bald Eagle wrote:Keyboard ...

MS20 - 37 mini keys, no velocity or aftertouch

vs

Minibrute - 25 full size keys with velocity and aftertouch

I'd overlooked those points Thanks.

X-Trade · Post by **X-Trade** » Fri May 10, 2013 11:13 pm

MS20 is semi modular. As such it allows for much more expressive and experimental modulation.

Also, this is not 'Latest News', so I'm moving it to the MS20 Section.

MarPabl · Post by **MarPabl** » Sat May 11, 2013 2:42 am

MS20 mini has two oscillators and two filters. Minibrute just has one... And MS20 mini is semi-modular. Clearly, you get more synth power with MS20 mini

magikroom · Post by **magikroom** » Sat May 11, 2013 6:03 am

I tried the Minibrute, but have the MS20 on order. Having that classic sound is more important to me, plus...it's an MS20...you've got to have one!

Ksynth · Post by **Ksynth** » Sat May 11, 2013 2:50 pm

X-Trade wrote:MS20 is semi modular. As such it allows for much more expressive and experimental modulation.

Also, this is not 'Latest News', so I'm moving it to the MS20 Section.

I think the CV IN /Out on the Minibrute offers some modularity as well. Aa the more complex midi I/O.

I'd love to have both of these.

DrHoo · Post by **DrHoo** » Sat May 11, 2013 4:58 pm

Really, the two synths are very different creatures. Sure, they're both analogue & have some standard synthesis routing but that's where the similarity stops.
The minibrute is a great size if you need to save space & it is capable of some diverse sounds. You can get cool retro highs like flute or piccolo & they sound great with it's glide. It shines in the 'Gnarly ,mean, aggressive department where you can get really dirty with it.Especially with that brute factor feedback.
The filter often warbles !..Bizarre.
Despite having that wave mixer section at the oscillator there is still only one (Oscillator) & by mixing the waves together you can't get more than one.
It serves more to blend waves & produce odd mixed timbres, some really nice & some horrid. In the end it is a character on its own & that is the single most important element with a mono synth if you plan to have more than one.
Bravo to arturia & i plan to keep my Minibrute.

The MS 20 Mini differs right from the top. Just the two oscillators make a big difference. Add to that the legendary unique sound they can produce & again it has a character all of its own. It's quite distinct.
Those TWO filters are way cool. High pass first & then low pass means you can create & kind of third 'notch'.
Very distinct e.g's where they can be made so you can hear the steps of their shape.Then add the entire patching options & external plug in possibilities. Cripes, there's years of discovering to be had.
It seems to me to be the more diverse unit of the two & its long lived legacy is proof of its diversity.

I wouldn't put one up against the other but instead just get one or both !
A win win situation.

Bald Eagle · Post by **Bald Eagle** » Sat May 11, 2013 5:25 pm

Now I'm mad at the OP for starting this thread. This has made me look more closely at the Minibrute and I think now I will have to get both the MS20 and the Minibrute. Hell, I might as well get a Sub Phatty and Bass Station II too while I'm at it.

As DrHoo said, they really are two different creatures with different capabilities.

I keep thinking to myself that Korg should have added this feature or that feature to the MS20 Mini but in the end if they had made any changes it just wouldn't be an MS20 anymore. And even though it might be better it would somehow loose some of its appeal.

But Korg and those mini keys just bug me. I wish it at least had full size keys. I'm estimating that the width of the MS20 white keys are 0.79 inches compared to Korg full size keys at 0.92 inches. I haven't played one yet so I don't know how much of a difference it will really make. Anyone have any thoughts on key size?

Ksynth · Post by **Ksynth** » Sat May 11, 2013 8:26 pm

The Minibrute has PWM as well. The Korg MS-20 does not.

It is difficult to pick which if you just get one of them.

DrHoo · Post by **DrHoo** » Sat May 11, 2013 9:06 pm

Bald Eagle wrote:Anyone have any thoughts on key size?

I have seen a demo or two when it's been said regarding the keys....They are not mini keys & after a while you won't even think about them that way.
Marc Doty said that at the beginning of his demo series. (Great series Marc)

At this stage i havn't touched the ms 20 mini yet so i can't say for real but it doesn't bother me, i still want one. I can see me using the keyboard fine rather than plugging in an extra midi keyboard.

I'd say ,just like any other purchace, it's got to be the thing you desire to make it the right buy.

When i bought my minibrute i was really in two minds over it Vs a doepfer dark energy. I wanted the dark energy big time & then i tossed the ideas around until i made sense of it all & decided on the arturia.
No regrets there, minibrute is a winner. (I still want the doepfer D A though. ha ha)

X-Trade · Post by **X-Trade** » Sun May 12, 2013 6:28 pm

Ksynth wrote:
X-Trade wrote:MS20 is semi modular. As such it allows for much more expressive and experimental modulation.

Also, this is not 'Latest News', so I'm moving it to the MS20 Section.
I think the CV IN /Out on the Minibrute offers some modularity as well. Aa the more complex midi I/O.

I'd love to have both of these.

The CV I/O may give you some control capabilities, but it won't let you do nearly the same stuff you can do on the MS20, for example taking the Envelope and passing it through Sample&Hold to create a stepped envelope.

mm-pro · Post by **mm-pro** » Fri May 24, 2013 10:47 am

If space is an issue, the MiniBrute will fit on a 19" sliding rack shelf and tuck away when not in use.

Ahnyxrik · Post by **Ahnyxrik** » Tue Jun 04, 2013 9:12 pm

My favorite store just got the MS-20 mini in, I love it! They both have a ton of bass power, but for some reason I like the MS-20 mini better. Seems I like the old school look.. maybe it's just me!

Jackofallfunk · Post by **Jackofallfunk** » Tue Jun 04, 2013 10:16 pm

Like I posted in my MS-20 keyboard question thread, I bought a minibrute last week out of impatience and the keyweights were all over the box and inside the synth.

If their Chinese manufacturing solution can't even get keyweight glue right what else is gonna fall apart? Arturia is also aware of the problem and has put up a guide on how to re-glue them, no thanks.

I know everything is made in China but at least the MS-20 is a known product re-made and not version one of a new synth from a company that hasn't made analog for a while from my knowledge, or at least in China.

Minibrute is cool, but now that I have the patchbay or the MS-20 mini in front of me it ain't EVER going back.