Korg MS-20 Kit – Monophonic Analog Synthesizer Kit

The MS-20 Kit from Korg is a kit for self-assembling a real MS-20 synthesizer according to the directions given in the owner’s manual. Assembly does not require knowledge of soldering or electronic circuitry, since most of the steps consist of simply tightening screws or fitting parts together. The MS-20 Kit is a full-size unit with a standard-sized keyboard, and full sized 1/4″ phone plugs. A development team led by the original engineers strove to painstakingly replicate the MS-20, both in sound and form. The sound comes from an architecture featuring two oscillators (one with ring modulation) and envelope generators with hold and delay. The VCA (Voltage Controlled Amplifier) maintains the basic design of the original. The original MS-20 used different VCF circuits depending on the date of production, with earlier units featuring a filter noted for its distinctive distortion and self-oscillation, while the filters used in later units had a low-noise design with a mellower character. The kit includes both filters allowing you to switch between the two by moving a jumper on the circuit board. The External Signal Processor (ESP) allows for using the pitch or volume of an external audio source to control the synthesizer. You can input an electric guitar and use the MS-20 kit as a guitar synthesizer, or connect a microphone for use as a vocal synthesizer. A flexible patching system is provided that allows for creating different modulation routing, and by following the front panel printed flow chart, even beginners can take advantage of these patching possibilities right away. The synthesizer features a MIDI In jack for receiving note messages, and a USB-MIDI connector that can transmit and receive note messages (there is no velocity information). Connecting the unit to a computer allows it to be triggered from a sequencer.