Thursday, May 16, 2013

A close up look at the new Korg MS-20 Mini






I got fed up with the waiting times and managed to pick up an MS-20 Mini from Japan, so I figured I'd run through some of the things that haven't yet been mentioned in previous videos. Also I show how to make a cheap V-Trig to S-trig converter so that you can use normal gates to trigger the Mini. Finally a trick to use a standard cv/gate sequencer with the Mini with something unexpected as the converter!

Overall I'm very pleased with the unit, the build isn't as solid as the original but the keybed is better for sure. Still at this price there's really nothing to grumble about.

So here's the pics of the partial teardown I did, doesn't seem to be any magic points marked on the silkscreen like on the monotron/tribe but it's always possible there is something on the component side, i'll let someone else discover that ;)





























13 comments:

  1. many thanks for the teardown photos !!!

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  2. thanks for your post! Just wanted to know... You' ve shown how to make a gate to s-trig converter. is it possible to use it as a s-trig to gate converter? I have a monotribe (updated to the latest OS) and I'd like to control it via cv/ gate using the ms-20 mini. I know monotribe accepts even Hz/v signals but I don't know if the gate in would accept the Trig out coming from the ms! anyway thank you very much, your contribution is as precious as always!

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  3. it will work directly if you have the monotribe set to hz/v which is what comes out of the ms20 patch panel, so you could then take the monotruibe out into the mini and have a 3 voice monster ;-)

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  4. Great post! I'm a big fan of this synth, but I want to Mod it if I get it. Couple of questions for you, if you don't mind: First of all, is it possible to completely remove the keyboard and mod it so it still stands upright? Second, how feasible does it seem to completely gut it and install all the parts (minus the keyboard) into a new case, possibly using the same faceplate? And third, is it possible to patch the Mini to play itself like a drone? I assume there's a way to do it with patch cords.

    Thanks again for the great post. I'm hoping more might be coming. ;)

    -E

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  5. you probably could remove the keyboard i'm sure, and sure why not put it in a new case, it should work in theory.

    You can patch the MG square output to the KDB TRIG IN and it would fire notes or alternatively you could just patch the negative out of EG1 into INITIAL GAIN and it would open the vca fully

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  6. Well, that helps my decision to get one a lot. Thanks for the quick answer. I'll have to check one out in person now. I'll show you the results if/when I do it.

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  7. I'm having an issue with my unit where the patchbay bolts are loose and some even spin. I've looked at the teardown you did and saw how the main board for the patch panel is situated, can you possibly give me a reason for the patchbay bolts on my unit being loose?

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    Replies
    1. they arent actually bolts but chome plated plastic caps, they dont screw on but instead snap in. If they are spinning then the retaining tabs are broken

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    2. Thanks for the quick reply. Most of them are loose, is that enough to warrant sending it back or does it really matter other than aesthetically.
      Thank you

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    3. mine are loose also, as long as they dont fall off i wouldnt worry

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  8. hey there, I recently purchased a mini with a broken off high "f" key. I haven't seen any replacement parts for the MS-20 listed on korgs recommended part site. do you know of any alternate parts that would work?

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