Vintage Synth Explorer Forums

A Korg rep came to the store where I work and said there were two reasons for the delay: First, there was a supply constraint on a particular component (I dunno. Gelfling glands, perhaps?). Secondly, after assembly, each one must be hooked up to an oscilloscope for manual calibration. Apparently this step takes much longer than planned.

Yep, I thought that would be the case - that's one thing that does take a lot longer than digital, cause of course they need to be calibrated manually, which means labour and time.

Manufacturers have been spoilt with digital "cookie cutter" copies, analog ain't like that it breathes and needs to be tamed, or so to speak

Called today and was told "not to hold my breath". AT LAST SOME HONESTY.

I had a good go on one of these today in a store in Dublin. I have to say I was somewhat underwhelmed. For a start it looks like a toy, the 82% (or whatever) reduction really doesn't do it for me. It's also built like one. I know it's relatively cheap, but so is the minibrute and it's anything but toy like. As for the sound, it sounded good, though not particularly special to me. I didn't find it as intuitive as I'd have liked either. It certainly didn't scream 'buy me' in the way I was expecting it so, (and that other synths have), so I didn't. I don't have an original to compare it to, but Maybe that wouldn't be for me either. I'll probably give it another go at some stage, but for now I'm left thinking that just because something seems to be universally lauded, it doesn't mean it's for everyone.

14% reduction, nothing about it says toy except hater-aid... pairing it with my minibrute is the bestest thing ever.

mute wrote:14% reduction, nothing about it says toy except hater-aid... pairing it with my minibrute is the bestest thing ever.

I'm loving the MS-20 mini myself. But to quantify the t-word as the size/scale is built to the proportions of a teenager. I feel the price point justifies this design. I'm an adult male with large hands, but it has not stopped me from enjoying this synth. To the contrary, I can do arpeggio runs in a wider range with one hand that is not possible with full size keys. So the smaller size does offer some advantages. I do want to again emphasize the powerful and gritty sound contained inside this smaller package is serious business and I would definitely buy again if there was a choice.

I didn't say the keys themselves were too small to play and even if they were it has midi in. It's that the unit itself feels so cheap, i'd probably get over the size if it felt sturdy. They obviously had to make it so to meet the price point and make the profit they wanted. Personally (if the sound/ interface excited me) I'd have been happy to pay a bit more if it was better built. It seems to be the way with modern korgs, Roland's and yamahas though, even more expensive ones. It makes the minibrute seem an even bigger bargain.

I received mine today - the result of a fine deal with the inestimable Sir Ruff.....

My first reaction is, though I never swear in public, f**k YEAH. Actually, the ms-20 was my first synth. I had no idea what I was doing back then, and so, other than some vague memories of both positive and negative experiences, specific brain mappings have deteriorated with time.

But my instinct was that this would be very worth the money, and my first session with it was really great fun. I'm not sure that I will use it for 'pure synthesis', but the combination of that, + external input, and various improvisations along with the ekhdahl moisturizer as additional fx processor, was great fun.

This was one of the results. Sorry if the cacophony offends (not really): http://soundcloud.com/ancient-eyeball-r ... ad-finally

sound is always better if you download....

anyone recommend a place to pick up some 1/8" piggyback cables? they exist don't they? currently resorting to Y cables and rca piggies.

mute wrote:anyone recommend a place to pick up some 1/8" piggyback cables? they exist don't they? currently resorting to Y cables and rca piggies.

http://www.tiptopaudio.com/stack.php

http://www.analoguehaven.com/tiptopaudio/stackcable/

thanks man, i should've checked ah before even posting so thanks for the soft hand ;]

I was just told in the local retail store that there have been some financial problems with one of Korg's subcontractors that make the MS-20 minis and ship them around the world. So they are now basically in limbo.
Korg doesn't produce them themselves, they licensed it to subcontractors, and they can't deliver. So this is why most stores just push back the date month after month.

The store owner got the message yesterday. Those who already got it got from the batch they did manage to get out the door, I guess. I frequent the store quite often, and I know he isn't telling stories..

The kid who works in the electronics department at Best Buy told me his uncle is the janitor for Korg's US distributor and he told him some guy at the factory stole all the yellow patch cables and is selling them on the black market. Unless Korg can source more yellow patch cables the MS-20 Mini will cease production.

Joke all you want, the synth is still nowhere to be seen other than those first orders that went through, so I'm going with the explanation the synth store owner got from the EU importers.

Yeah I'm starting to seriously consider that I won't actually ever get one.