Opinion-New Korg MS-20 with Legacy Software

jukingeo

Hello,

I am curious as to what the opinions are on the New style Korg MS-20 with Legacy Collection software.

As I understand it, the Korg Legacy Collection is still available, but the new style MS-20 controller can only be had used.

I been wondering why Korg did this, but at the same token I am interested in those that have the complete collection and what their opinion is on it. Particularly I am interestedin the MS-20 controller and what it can do.

Thank You,

Geo

EdisonRex · Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 1:13 pm Post subject:

My understanding of the controller is that it is an accurate representation of an MS-20. The software is a bit too clean for my tastes, but does accurately mimic the original circuitry of the MS-20. I saw one of these controllers a couple years ago, it looks just like an MS-20. Why did Korg discontinue it? Probably only sold to a niche market. Or they want to come out with the next thing. Who knows. It's Korg. Lucky it wasn't Roland.

v-un-v · Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 4:00 pm Post subject:

It's a lot cheaper to put out software than hardware.

That controller was a bit of a gimmick too. Now imagine if Arturia put out hardware controller interfaces for their plug-ins?? Shocked

elektro80 · Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 4:09 pm Post subject:

The official reason they pulled it off the market prematurely in Europe is supposedly a RoHs issue with the controller. It was however intended to be a limited run as well( supposedly ).

I have the KLC+ the MS20 controller. The software is excellent. Obviously it lacks the grit of the original. The controller is really cool, but i hate the small keys.

jukingeo · Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 4:30 pm Post subject:

blue hell · Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 4:33 pm Post subject:

jukingeo · Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 4:33 pm Post subject:

elektro80 · Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 4:36 pm Post subject:

elektro80 · Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 4:42 pm Post subject:

The KLC is really cool, but there are more interesting digital clones around. The Creamware ABS series is really excellent.

http://asb.creamware.com/

elektro80 · Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 4:46 pm Post subject:

This is one of the ABS units:

Posted Image, might have been reduced in size. Click Image to view fullscreen.

A pairing of the Pro12 and the Minimax. Personally I´d rather preferred something else in the place of the Pro12.

The ABS units have more of the grit the originals had. I´ve briefly used the Minimax and the Prodyssey. Both were brilliant.

jukingeo · Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 4:54 pm Post subject:

jukingeo · Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 4:59 pm Post subject:

elektro80 · Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 5:16 pm Post subject:

I found these to be pretty cheap. I cannot remember the price though. they are around one K USD here in Scandinavia and might be approx 25-35 % cheaper in the US.

elektro80 · Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 7:01 pm Post subject:

EdisonRex · Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 1:31 am Post subject:

MS20 has linear voltage control, not exponential. It's a cool little (and I stress "little") instrument. I think the draw is the pitch to CV converter, which sorta works, and the funky little filter. The linear VC limits what you can add to the sound generation.

elektro80 · Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 1:34 am Post subject:

Little is right. It looks more substantial than it really is. Very Happy

jukingeo · Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 6:55 am Post subject:

Hello Elektro, Edison:

Keep in mind when I am talking about the MS-20 above, I am referring to the NEW MS-20 that originally came with the Korg Legacy package...NOT the original MS-20.

It is true the the new MS-20 does have a couple things that it doesn't have going for it which is the 1/8" patch cords and the mini keyboard. BUT it has the controls which I believe can control a computer program as well as CV.

Another thing is that I have seen this MS-20 sell on Ebay for less than $200.

Now I am not 100% sure if it produces sound on it's own. I doubt it. I believe you need the program for it to run. But the patch points are still real and this unit could be patched into other modules later on and that is what interests me...especially if I can then interface the whole shebang with my computer.

Perhaps this is a good way to go...then again maybe not. It's disadvantages could be the reason why it was discontinued in the first place. For one the mini-keys are next to impossible to use for someone with large hands (raises large hand here). To interface to outside modules would require 1/8" to 1/4" adapter cables.

Elektro:

The Macbeth is another beauty, very Odyssey-ish. It looks very expensive too.

Guys...keep in mind I do want to keep my project below $500. I have kids to think about AND a move on the horizon.

I just got my oats up when I saw that you can build your own synth on the Music From Outer Space site for less than $300.

I guess what my intentions are does warrant an explanation.

What I really want the synth for is to create sounds for a haunted attraction that I am planning for '08. The sounds I am after are those that you hear in the movie Close Encounters (the 5 note sequence), from the TV series Dr. Who (various sounds including the theme song), and pretty much the standard theremin sounds you hear in the 50's sci-fi flicks.

The attraction I am planning is going to be mostly Sci-Fi / alien based. Think a demented Area 51 / Roswell and you get the idea.

One of the central attractions will be a mad-lab room and I have thought of making the synth part of the attraction (a functional as well as artistic piece...in the event I do build it instead of buy it).

Finding the Music From Outer Space site, was kind of a funny pun...as that is what I am exactly looking for and that eventually led me to the forums here.

Now mind you I don't want to use an analog synth for JUST this purpose, and I know I can achieve what I want through sampling. But why? It is MUCH nicer to trigger voltage based sounds through microprocessor control and have the real thing generate unique sounds. Further, something is lost in the sampling and it just doesn't sound as good as analog. The heavy bass sounds that analog offers I could easily incorporate into a low frequency soundtrack.

So far in my searches I found that the ARP Odyssey comes the closest to what I am after. This synth was in fact used to partially create the DR. Who theme of the 80's. So I know it can do the theremin type sounds and Close Encounters should be fairly easy on this puppy as well.

The bottom line...I am looking for an ARP Odyssey-ish synth that could be had for around $300 or I will end up building one as I do have a strong audio electronics background.

Ok, so that is the long story in something larger than a nutshell, but it should get you guys up to speed at what it is that I am doing.

BTW, thanx for the good chat on synths. It has been a while since I messed around with this stuff. All this re-kindled interest in old synths was sparked because I got a MiniMoog in my shop the other day. I had fun playing around with it Smile

.

Geo

EdisonRex · Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 7:52 am Post subject:

egw · Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 8:08 am Post subject:

That mini-MS-20 is kind of a novelty product for people with some nostalgia for the original, but don't want to deal with it for whatever reason. It does NOT produce sound (without software), and I don't believe it produces real control voltages but has some kind of internal signaling that detects which patch cords are connected. Perhaps someone who has one can verify or correct this. As a stand-alone midi controller, it is less than ideal. Others have mentioned the mini-keys, also the layout is somewhat peculiar to the MS-20 and certainly not what one would come up with if designing a generic controller. If you want to capture the best part of the MS-20 in a small and affordable box, I recommend the Frostwave Resonator. However that is a filter only, not a complete synth.
For a small, affordable analog synth (apart from DIY), check the MFB-lite.
I'm sure there are others out there. I find that a Nord Micromodular does the job pretty well ($300-$400 used).

elektro80 · Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 8:21 am Post subject:

There is no CV out or in anywhere on the MS20 controller. The unit is a midi controller built for the KLC software. It makes no sense to use it for other softsynths.
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jul04/articles/korglegacycollection.htm

jukingeo · Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 11:07 am Post subject:

egw · Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 11:50 am Post subject:

jukingeo · Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 2:01 pm Post subject:

EdisonRex · Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 2:10 pm Post subject:

elektro80 · Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 2:17 pm Post subject:

OK, your most cost effective option for an ARP Odyssey is the digital clone made by Creamware/Soniccore. If you really want an ARP Odyssey, but don´t feel like paying shitloads of dollars for something you will have to refurbish and repair anyways, then the Creamware Prodyssey is the only choice. You won´t be able to build anything thing like this for the same money anyways if it is an Odyssey you really want. The bonus is getting something pretty stable, polyphonic and you can store patches in the internal memory.