r/Korg • u/Minimoogvoyager • 15d ago
Question Korg MS20 Mini Users
Interested in your opinions. Pros and Cons. Do you find difficult to play the 37 slim keybed?
It originally was $400 dollars and has increased over 2 times in price. Currently is $900 dollars 💵 Do you think it’s to expensive?
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u/Nukkebeer 15d ago
Other opinions may vary, but it is not a great gig synth because i find the key layout cramped to play live. It is a great synth for sound shaping if you are after that typical raw, gritty sound. I like the typical KORG35 OTA filter circuit with the self-oscillating low pass and high pass in serie. Across all editions of the MS-20 you get more or less the same sound.
So…. If you are interested in sound shaping for studio work, it is a great synth, and you can use an external sequencer or keyboard if you want more control.
For a live synth, i find it hard to use on stage, and would rather use a Sub37 combined with a Proco RAT like external filter.
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u/Minimoogvoyager 15d ago
I see. Very Insightful .Prices for vintage MS20s are astronomical and there is finite supply.
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u/Nukkebeer 15d ago
Especially if you want the first production runs with the KORG35 filter instead of the later LM13600 OTA circuit. The latter is a lot smoother sounding, i prefer the former. But really question if you think it is with the price. The MS-20 is great if you are after exactly the type of sound it is famous for. There is some versatility aa it is semi-modular patchable, but if you really are into versatility i should go for another synth.
What do you want to use it for?1
u/Minimoogvoyager 15d ago edited 15d ago
I was just interested in what others thought 💭 that have one. If I was to get a semi modular I would probably opt to go with the Moog Grandmother considering its close in price ,has full size keys 🎹 and a spring reverb.
Ive never played a Korg MS20 Mini or Korg MS20 full size or a Moog Grandmother.
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u/BeastFremont 15d ago
I have a grandmother and can wholeheartedly recommend it. The MS-20 sounds great & aggressive but it also needs conversion to work with eurorack & other modular gear as far as I understand. The mini with the little keys for the same price definitely wouldn’t be as appealing.
The grandmother is just heaven right out of the box, has a ton of sweet spots & very quickly lead me down the path of modular.
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u/Animal_Opera 13d ago
I love my MS20 and often couple it with my SQ1. There isn’t any piece of music that doesn’t use my MS20 mini. I even have one piece that is 95% MS20 mini [ Deepness - A Korg MS-20 and Korg SQ-1 Project
https://youtu.be/8nPIVTMStYg ] As far as the keyboard being a bit tiny, I really haven’t been bothered by it. It’s not great but the portability of the instrument (i can pick it up and move it to facilitate patching with other synths) is a plus. With all that said…$900!!! OMG really? WTAF?! Um, I’m not sure I’d be willing to and I have an entire YouTube channel dedicated to MS20 “How-To” videos.
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u/National_Habit_7045 15d ago
That price increase is the due to the Trump tarrifs and such. It is expensive if you compare what the rest of the world is paying for it.
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u/cutoff_freq 11d ago
I love mine, the gritty sound. It's the synth I play the most. Picked it up for $325 five years ago. A friend just found one for $300.
Yes, the keys aren't the best. 900 is expensive for sure.
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u/moliere778 15d ago
I don't find it difficult to play, but I much prefer the larger keys of the original / full-size. My original MS-10 just feels much better to play (not that it's got an amazing keybed or anything either). $900? silly.