Korg have released a digital version of their famous analog synth MS-20 that can be used on iPads. For those of you who don’t know anything about MS-20, here’s a little history lesson:
The MS-20 was one of Korg’s first major successful portable analog monosynths. MS-20 is the big brother to the MS-10. It is an analog two-oscillator monophonic lead and bass synth with hard wired and patchable connections, which also features two resonant VCF filters, two VCAs, sample and hold, a noise generator, an assignable mod-wheel and lots of knobs.
Korg MS-20 has been used abd abused by William Ørbit, Aphex Twin, Hardfloor, Air, SkyLab, Stereolab, Vince Clarke, Astral Projection, Biosphere, Apollo 440, Mr. Oizo, Jimi Tenor, The Prodigy, OMD, Freddy Fresh, Luke Vibert, Einstuerzende Neubauten, Add N to (X), Daft Punk, Coldcut, Die Krupps, Skinny Puppy, Electronic Dream Planet, Jimmy Edgar, Front 242, Front Line Assembly, The Legendary Pink Dots, KMFDM, Severed Heads, Royksopp, The Faint, The Shamen, Jean-Michel Jarre, and Portishead. – That sais something about it’s sound capabilities and quality.
Now for the digital version… Korg says: “By combining a recreation of the Korg MS-20 analog synthesizer, an analog step-style sequencer, six-part drum machine, Kaoss-style performance, and a mixer to control it all, the iMS-20 will transform your iPad into one way-cool sound studio for the modern musician – and the analog enthusiast as well!”
Feature Hilights
- A complete recreation of the legendary Korg MS-20 analog synth
- Built-in 16-step analog sequencer to control the sound>
- Music production studio with the MS-20 mono synth, a six-part drum machine, and a mixer
- Kaoss Pad function allows intuitive performance and control
- Publish and share your iMS-20 songs online with the SoundCloud music distribution site
Full Technical Specs
- MS-20 monophonic synthesizer: 1 unit
- Analog sequencer: 1 unit
- 6-part drum machine: 1 unit
- Mixer: 1 unit
- Song/Pattern composer: 1 unit
- Analog modeling synthesizer (MS-20 modeled by “CMT” Component Modeling Technology)
- 2VCO / 2VCF / 1VCA / 2EG / Patch Panel
- Additional functions: Modulation Key/Tempo Sync
- Insert effect (selectable from 14 effect types as below)
- 16-step analog sequencer
- Control notes, volume, pan, parameters, and voltages via knobs
- Configurable steps (1-16) and sequence mode (6 types)
- Trigger out per channel or step position
- 6-part/16-step drum machine
- Create sounds by sampling a single note from a built-in MS-20
- Controllable notes, volume and pan by knobs
- Configurable steps (1-16) and sequence mode (6 types) per a part
- 7-channel mixer
- Double needle meter indicates VU level
- Master effect (selectable from 14 effect types as below)
- Compose a song or select a pattern, built-in mixer
- 16 patterns and 256 bars per a song
- Tempo setting (20 – 300 BPM) and Swing function
- 14 effects types: Short Delay, BPM Sync Delay, Reverb 1, Reverb 2, Chorus/Flanger, Equalizer, Compressor, Tube Simulator (Valve Force), Low-Pass Filter, High-Pass Filter, Band-Pass Filter, Talking Modulator, Decimator, Grain Shifter
- Keyboard: Recording function, Variable width (22, 26, or 29 keys)
- Audio export function (Bouncing a song or pattern, and Real-time recording a performance: 16-bit/44.1 kHz stereo WAV format)
- Publish and share songs online with the SoundCloud music distribution site
Also included:
Various template patterns by music genre, and various template sounds by sound category.The Korg iMS-20 is an iPad only app and cannot be used on iPhone or iPods. Also, your iPad needs to run iOS 3.2 at least.
More details available on Korg Website (korg.com)
Demo track crated with the iMS-20 (only!)
