Is It Really Worth Getting?

Bertotti · Post by **Bertotti** » Sun Jul 21, 2013 3:13 pm

I can certainly understand getting jonesed about something! I really do need, scratch that, want an analog something just haven't nailed it down. More then likely will be a Moog or DSI. I find it great to hear what drives others though as the different perspectives, in this case the mini, drives a certain level of inspiration for me. Thanks!

DrHoo · Post by **DrHoo** » Sun Jul 21, 2013 4:35 pm

I must admit. The Moog Sub Phatty looks extremely tasteful & sounds awesome too. I'm not a fan of the other Phatty's but i'm cool with the Sub.
An extra few shillings in my pocket & i'd be tempted. An affordable way to get you hands on a real Moog.
Having said that though, the ms20 & the Sub Phatty are simply different creatures. One will not sound quite like the other & they operate differently.

I'm also very keen to hear what people say about the new Novation Bass Station 2 when they get their hands on it. Another different animal & way cheap (£400- u.k) but it looks inviting despite the cheap price. It also ticks a lot more boxes feature wise than any other analogue mono near that price point....Good times !

Since you're asking what drives people, another thing i look for in analogue gear is as near to no computer integration as possible. I want a unit that does what is meant to very well & remains that way. If i wanted updates i would go for soft synths.
I think even with good software suites ,developers should provide a solid environment from the start, a complete package & zero future updates. Get to know a product & then really work it to get everything out that you can, become a good user of it & know it will still be the same.
I don't want my synth parameters to change overnight. I like to get to know my territory (And in no particular hurry) & then just use it. My mono synths have sounds to offer that i pass through at times but havn't yet used in any music. Just knowing those sounds are in there is good, they'll have their day & the synth won't change.

SeedyLee · Post by **SeedyLee** » Sat Jul 27, 2013 7:41 am

Still no sign of these elusive creatures in Perth, or the rest of Australia for that matter.

I've bought Diva instead, and as I already have a Kronos, the Legacy Collection, a Monotron and a Monotribe, I probably won't bother with the MS20 mini.

Ted3000 · Post by **Ted3000** » Sat Jul 27, 2013 6:25 pm

If Korg can get the MS-20 Mini out so cheap, I'd hope they would consider something like this:

A followup to the MS-20 (MS-30?) that would cost US $999

Similar to the MS-20 mini but with another octave of keys, thus longer.
Add a mod wheel
More patch jacks and multiples
A third filter (multimode) with more traditional 24db response
Built-in BBD delay circuit with tape-delay style feedback
Pulse width mod
Korg's ValveForce for overdrive
Something visual, like analog VU meters or backlit OLED or mini CRT oscilloscope display.

It would be like a retro analog "what-if" followup to the MS-20. No patch storage, all analog, maybe some bold colors.

Bald Eagle · Post by **Bald Eagle** » Sat Jul 27, 2013 6:39 pm

Ted3000 wrote:If Korg can get the MS-20 Mini out so cheap, I'd hope they would consider something like this:

A followup to the MS-20 (MS-30?) that would cost US $999

Similar to the MS-20 mini but with another octave of keys, thus longer.
Add a mod wheel
More patch jacks and multiples
A third filter (multimode) with more traditional 24db response
Built-in BBD delay circuit with tape-delay style feedback
Pulse width mod
Korg's ValveForce for overdrive
Something visual, like analog VU meters or backlit OLED or mini CRT oscilloscope display.
It would be like a retro analog "what-if" followup to the MS-20. No patch storage, all analog, maybe some bold colors.

+1 for an "MS30" but I don't necessarily agree with all of the features you listed. I would like to see some patch storage although it may be of limited value due to the patch panel. Another octave of FULL SIZE keys would be nice too. Also full midi control. I could go on but by the time I was done listing features the beast would cost $5000.00

Ted3000 · Post by **Ted3000** » Sat Jul 27, 2013 7:29 pm

Bald Eagle wrote:
+1 for an "MS30" but I don't necessarily agree with all of the features you listed. I would like to see some patch storage although it may be of limited value due to the patch panel. Another octave of FULL SIZE keys would be nice too. Also full midi control. I could go on but by the time I was done listing features the beast would cost $5000.00

Yeah, everyone would have different ideas or what an MS-30 would actually be. Full size and another octave of keys would probably be a damn popular idea though.

I'm thinking patch storage would violate the spirit of the MS series. I like the process of exploration and studio use. But flicking through some presets every 10 seconds when you get bored is better suited to poly digitals, plugins, and really expensive analog/digital hybrids like the Moogs that have digitally scanned analog pots.

Some guy on a YouTube review was actually upset that the Mini's MIDI would not allow him to record all his movements and patches into a DAW.

Not everyone is a tech head, but a 1979 reissue = plain old analog pots for knobs, patchable control voltage on the jacks. No digital encoders, no DSP.

It's fantastic that you can feed MIDI notes into the MS-20 mini from a sequencer or computer. It slightly violates the reissue spirit, but people mod old synths with MIDI upgrade kits all the time. It's basically a pre-mod on the Mini. That's a huge bonus, but kids these days expecting VST conveniences from squeaky old analog circuits...

BobTheDog · Post by **BobTheDog** » Mon Jul 29, 2013 8:52 pm

I ended getting one in a fit of drunken late night Internet ordering.

I really liked the version in the Kronos and the actual mini is pretty good as well.

It's far more limited than the Kronos version but it's easier to find sweet spots with the filter and envs than on the Kronos and its far quicker to knock up a patch.

Bald Eagle · Post by **Bald Eagle** » Mon Jul 29, 2013 9:03 pm

BobTheDog wrote: It's far more limited than the Kronos version but it's easier to find sweet spots with the filter and envs than on the Kronos and its far quicker to knock up a patch.

In what ways do you find it more limited?

BobTheDog · Post by **BobTheDog** » Mon Jul 29, 2013 9:24 pm

Well the Kronos one is polyphonic, 4 more ENVs, four more LFOs, AMS on parameters with intensity and intensity modulation, two mixers and the audio patch points from the oscillators and filters are very usefull

LivePsy · Post by **LivePsy** » Mon Jul 29, 2013 10:18 pm

BobTheDog wrote:Well the Kronos one is polyphonic, 4 more ENVs, four more LFOs, AMS on parameters with intensity and intensity modulation, two mixers and the audio patch points from the oscillators and filters are very usefull

Embarrassingly more capable

But what about the sound? How does the real analog compare with silent and purer digital?

B

roblabs · Post by **roblabs** » Tue Jul 30, 2013 4:12 am

LivePsy wrote:
BobTheDog wrote:Well the Kronos one is polyphonic, 4 more ENVs, four more LFOs, AMS on parameters with intensity and intensity modulation, two mixers and the audio patch points from the oscillators and filters are very usefull
Embarrassingly more capable

But what about the sound? How does the real analog compare with silent and purer digital?

B

Can only be general here, but there is really something to be said about analog compared with digital. Analog has a certain charm, a character...it exudes warmth and realness. So I think any analog synth will always have this one up over digitals.

LivePsy · Post by **LivePsy** » Tue Jul 30, 2013 5:05 am

I'd like a comparison with a direct one for one emulation of an analog synth - and the MS-20, MS20-mini and MS20ex gives us that opportunity. Calling analog generally warm is subjective. If you prefer analog, feel free but I'd like to test that with today's analog and digital.

To give a disclaimer, I have a few analogs but after initially writing and trialling parts in (shock horror) VST's, I am no longer convinced the analogs are as good as they are claimed to be.

B

DrHoo · Post by **DrHoo** » Tue Jul 30, 2013 8:44 am

BobTheDog wrote:Well the Kronos one is polyphonic, 4 more ENVs, four more LFOs, AMS on parameters with intensity and intensity modulation, two mixers and the audio patch points from the oscillators and filters are very usefull

I see. The synth you're describing in your quote i've put here is not an ms20.

BobTheDog · Post by **BobTheDog** » Tue Jul 30, 2013 8:50 am

DrHoo wrote:
BobTheDog wrote:Well the Kronos one is polyphonic, 4 more ENVs, four more LFOs, AMS on parameters with intensity and intensity modulation, two mixers and the audio patch points from the oscillators and filters are very usefull
I see. The synth you're describing in your quote i've put here is not an ms20.

No you are right it is much better!

BobTheDog · Post by **BobTheDog** » Tue Jul 30, 2013 8:53 am

LivePsy wrote:
BobTheDog wrote:Well the Kronos one is polyphonic, 4 more ENVs, four more LFOs, AMS on parameters with intensity and intensity modulation, two mixers and the audio patch points from the oscillators and filters are very usefull
Embarrassingly more capable

But what about the sound? How does the real analog compare with silent and purer digital?

B

I have not compared them directly yet, at a guess the LP filter on the mini seems to be always slightly on so the OSCs sound a bit duller than the Kronos version. The EG1 acts differently with sustain on the mini which made me think it was faulty to begin with. The mini also has a bit of noise which I do quite like.

I will knock a patch up with both and do some sound clips when I have some time....