Korg MS-20 FS Black Analogue Synthesizer

General

A few moons ago, Korg unleashed their miniature reworking of the MS-20. Now, they offer us all the opportunity to get our grubby mitts on a full-sized version of the sensitively modernised, insanely popular '70s classic, in the form of the MS-20 FS (FS = Full Size). Like the mini MS-20, this vintage analogue synth comes complete with DIN-MIDI and USB-MIDI support for seamless studio integration and delicious mono lead-synth sound.

The Features of the MS-20 FS

The left bank of the control panel houses modules that generate or alter the signals, as well as two oscillators and two filters. While this is maybe more than enough tweakability to get to grips with, it really is just the start. The right bank is just as essential, since this is where a small army of patch ports can be played with to directly and completely redesign the architecture of the synth by dictating the routing of each module. As such, the MS-20 is definitely not a simple synthesizer that just drives one or more oscillators through a filter and amp and, while this means that those less familiar with the art of synthesis might need a few nights to master the patch panel, the result will make all of that hard work and lack of sleep well worth it.

Analogue from Head to Toe

The MS-20 is analogue (the patch bay alone kills off any doubt about this) and, while in most situations it doesn't really matter if you're working in digital or analogue, if you want forceful and extreme modulation, then you're in the right place. Here, an oscillator hitting more extreme frequencies can be patched in such a way that it's modulated, and since it's a purely analogue signal, it remains clean and uncoloured by a digital clock with a limited sample-rate that's struggling to keep up. Whether extreme or subtle and whatever you might think of throwbacks, the MS-20 is a deeply welcome reworking of an undeniable classic, whether on stage or in the studio.