Korg MS-20M Module Kit with SQ-1 Step Sequencer

No longer available at zZounds
Assemble your own analog monosynth with this DIY kit from Korg! The MS-20m module lets you create fat sounds, while the SQ-1 sequencer lets you build beats.

The Korg MS-20m Monophonic Synthesizer Kit and SQ-1 Step Sequencer represent the evolution of the Korg MS-20 -- delivering even more powerful synthesis. Easy and fun to assemble with this DIY kit, the MS-20 module lets you patch cables to route signals and switch between two sets of filters, while you tweak the new Frequency Modulation control. The SQ-1 step sequencer -- powerable by battery or USB -- lets you create and play back patterns, with Glide mode for smooth steps, or Step Jump mode for choppy effects. Between its cool wooden side panels, this tiny synth packs some serious fun.

Based on the 1978 Original

The classic MS-20 analog synthesizer that appeared in 1978 has been reborn as a perfect reproduction of the original circuit, first in 2013 as the mini-sized MS-20 mini and now as the MS-20 Kit that you can assemble yourself. These products were designed by the engineers who developed the original MS-20. At its introduction, the MS-20 was developed by just a few people with the goal of creating an interesting product in a short time; the result was an enormous hit, but there were actually a few things that the original designers had left undone. Now, after 37 years, the MS-20M Kit has been completed.

Plays Nice with Other Gear

The MS-20M Kit is based on the MS-20 with additional improvements; it's an analog synthesizer module that you can assemble yourself. In addition to greatly enhanced synthesis possibilities provided by oscillator sync, FM, two filters (pre read more and post), and PWM, there are jacks such as a CV IN that supports both Hz/V and V/Oct, making it play nicely with other equipment. You'll be able to immerse yourself in synthesis, and since the SQ-1 step sequencer is also included, you can also create and play sequences.

Fun and Easy to Assemble Yourself

In conjunction with the revival of the MS-20 series, the designers wanted to take one additional step. And now, Korg brings you the flagship model of the MS synthesizer series as a user-assembled kit. Carrying on the distinctive synthesis of the MS-20, the Korg MS-20M features additional improvements. Extending to detailed aspects of the design, the sound-creating possibilities have been dramatically boosted, making this sound module even more attractive and raising it to an even higher state of completion.

SYNC ON/OFF switch allows oscillator sync

Oscillator sync forcibly synchronizes the phase of VCO1 to the phase of VCO2, producing a powerful sound with complex overtones.

FM ON/OFF switch allows frequency modulation

The VCO1 waveform can be used to frequency-modulate the VCO2 waveform (FM or cross modulation), creating vibrato effects or extreme metallic sounds.

FILTER TYPE switch lets you select two types of filter

The original MS-20 used two different VCF circuits depending on the date of production, and now you can choose either of these with a single switch. The earlier model (REV.1) has an aggressive character with distinctive distortion and self-oscillation, while the later model (REV.2) has minimal noise and a sweet, mellow sound.

PWM IN jack allows pulse width modulation

The PWM provided on the MS-10 of the past is now possible on the MS-20. By cyclically modulating the pulse width of the VCO1 square wave, you can obtain a distinctively fat sound.

EG2 NORMAL OUT jack expands your sound-creating potential

In addition to the previous EG2 REV OUT, we've provided a normal EG2 OUT that varies in the range of 0V--+5V.

TRIG SW button lets you conveniently audition the sound

Even on this keyboardless unit, the trigger switch lets you smoothly audition the sound while you edit the parameters.

A rich array of jacks to control a variety of devices

Numerous jacks have been added to the MS-20M, letting you connect it with any type of device.

All CV/GATE specifications are supported: Hz/V and V/Oct, S-Trig and V-Trig
From the time when it was originally produced, the CV standard used by the MS-20 was not the commonly used V/Oct standard, but rather the Hz/V standard that provided superior pitch stability. However, like the MS-50 of that time, the MS-20M Kit provides CV IN jacks for both the Hz/V standard and the V/Oct standard.

For the TRIG IN jack that receives gate signals, jacks are provided not only for the S-Trig standard as on the original MS-20, but also for the widely used V-Trig standard. The MS-20M Kit supports any sequencer or controller that's equipped with CV/GATE output.

Three JUNCTION jacks

Three sets of the junction jacks once provided by the MS-50 are also provided. Output signals from the SQ-1 step sequencer or similar device can be converted from a mini-phone plug to a 1/4" phone plug, or those signals can be distributed to multiple destinations for a variety of possibilities.

MIDI IN connector and USB connector

There's a MIDI IN connector that can receive note messages, and a USB-MIDI connector that can transmit and receive note messages. You can perform using a taktile or other MIDI keyboard, or perform sequences that you've recorded on your DAW.

User-assembled kit with luxurious wooden side panels

The full-sized body supports 1/4" plugs and projects an aura of solidity. The side panels are luxurious wood, giving this unit some serious presence on your desk.

The MS-20M is a user-assembled kit. There is no need for any tricky soldering or knowledge of electronic circuits. Just by installing screws and fitting parts together, you'll get your very own analog sound.

SQ-1 step sequencer is included

The 2 x 8 step SQ-1 step sequencer is included. From the day you assemble the unit, you'll be able to immerse yourself in a limitless world of synthesis and sequencing.

Package contents of MS-20 Kit

Top panel, Bottom panel, Left side pane, Right side panel, Spacer sheet, Junction circuit board (small), Junction circuit board (large), Rear jack circuit board unit, VR circuit board (small), VR circuit board (large)

Features:

- Significantly powered-up synthesis
- SYNC ON/OFF switch allows oscillator sync
- FM ON/OFF switch allows frequency modulation
- FILTER TYPE switch selects two filter types
- PWM IN jack allows pulse width modulation
- EG2 NORMAL OUT expands your sonic possibilities
- TRIG SW button is a convenient way to audition the sound

- Plentiful connectors to control the sound from various devices
- Supports all CV/GATE specifications: Hz/V and V/Oct, S-Trig and V-Trig
- Three JUNCTION jacks
- MIDI IN connector and USB MIDI connector

- User-assembled kit with luxurious side panels
- SQ-1 step sequencer included
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- Connectors: Signal IN jack (1/4" phone jack), Signal out jack (1/4" phone jack, 2Vp-p output impedance 3.5kO), PHONES jack (1/4" Stereo phone jack, 33O 48mW), DC12V jack, MIDI IN, USB typeB
- Power supply: DC12V
- Dimensions: 587 mm (W) x 215 mm (D) x 104 mm (H) /
- 23.11" (W) x 8.47" (D) x 4.09" (H)
- Weight: 4 kg / 8.82 lbs.
- Included items: Ten #6.3 mm patch cables, three #3.5 mm
- patch cables, AC adapter (12V)

MS-20M Kit Specifications in details


- 1. Voltage Controlled Oscillator 1(VCO 1)
:Scale (32', 16', 8', 4') (6 octaves, +cent, -cent)
:Wave form(Triangle, Sawtooth, PW-Square, White Noise) (4 modes)
:Pulse width adjust 1:1 - 1:infinity
- 2. Voltage Controlled Oscillator 2(VCO 2)
:Scale (16', 8', 4', 2') (6 octaves, +cent, -cent)
Wave form(Sawtooth, Square, Pulse, Ring modulator) (4 modes)
Pitch(# 2 octave)
- 3. VCO Master control : Master tune( +/- 100cent)
:Portamento(max. 10sec)
:Frequency modulation intensity by MG/T.EXT(-5V - +5V)
:Frequency modulation intensity by EG1/EXT(-5V - 0V)
- 4. VCO Mixer
:VCO 1 Level
:VCO 2 Level
- 5. Sync
:On/Off Slid SW(VCO1-->VCO2)
- 6. FM
:On/Off Slid SW(VCO1-->VCO2)
- 7. Voltage Controlled High Pass Filter (VCF HPF)
:Cutoff frequency(50Hz - 15,000Hz)
:Peak(flat - self OSC)
:Cutoff frequency modulation intensity by MG/T.EXT(-5V - +5V)
:Cutoff frequency modulation intensity by EG2/EXT(-5V - +5V)
- 8. Voltage Controlled Low Pass Filter (VCF LPF)
:Cutoff frequency(50Hz - 15,000Hz)
:Peak(flat - self OSC)
:Cutoff frequency modulation intensity by MG/T.EXT(-5V - +5V)
:Cutoff frequency modulation intensity by EG2/EXT(-5V - +5V)
- 9. Filter Type
:Select Slide SW(REV.1 / REV.2)
- 10. Envelope Generator 1
:Delay time(10sec)
:Attack time(10sec)
:Release time(10sec)
- 11. Envelope Generator 2
:Hold time(20sec)
:Attack time(10sec)
:Decay time(10sec)
:Sustain level(0V - 5V)
:Release time(10sec)
- 12. Modulation Generator (LFO)
:Wave form(Negative Sawtooth - Triangle - Positive Sawtooth, Wide Pulse - Square - Narrow Pulse)
:Frequency(0.1Hz - 20Hz)
- 13. Power switch and Volume
:Volume
- 14. Indicator
:LED(Power On, EG1+EG2 trigger, Modulation Generator rate)


- 1. Control section
:Input signal level
:Low cut frequency(50Hz - 2,500Hz)
:High cut frequency(100Hz - 5,000Hz)
:CV adjust
:Threshold level
- 2. Input and Output
:Signal In
:Amplifier Out
:Band pass filter Out
:CV Out(0 - +8.4V)
:ENV Out(0 - +5V)
:Trig Out(+5V-->GND)
- 3. Indicator(LED)
:Peak indicator
:Trigger indicator


- 1. CV IN(Hz/V)
:VCO 1+VCO 2 control voltage input(Hz/V 0 - +8V)
- 2. CV IN(V/Oct)
:VCO 1 + VCO 2 control voltage input (V/Oct 0 - +5V)
- 3. CV OUT
:VCO control voltage output(Hz/V) (0 - +8V Caution: only MIDI IN)
- 4.TRIG OUT
:Trigger output(+5V-->GND Caution: only MIDI IN)
- 5. VCO
:VCO 1 + VCO 2 external frequency control input(V/Oct -5V - +5V)
- 6. PWM IN
:PWM for VCO 1 PW-Square
- 7. VCF
:External signal input(3Vp-p max.)
:External High pass filter cutoff frequency control input(2OCT/V)(-5V - +5V)
:External Low pass filter cutoff frequency control input(2OCT/V)(-5V - +5V)
- 8. VCO + VCF
:Total external modulation input(T.EXT)(-5V - +5V)
- 9. VCA
:External initial gain control input(0 - +5V)
- 10. EG
:EG 1 envelope signal normal output(0V - +5V)
:EG 1 envelope signal reverse output(+5V - 0V)
:EG 1 + EG 2 trigger input(GND-->+5V - +15V)
:EG 1 + EG 2 trigger input(-->GND)
:EG 1 trigger input(-->GND)
:EG 2 envelope signal normal output(0V - +5V)
:EG 2 envelope signal reverse output(+5V - -5V Caution: Sustain Level=0V)
- 11. MG
:Triangle output(Negative Sawtooth - Triangle - Positive Sawtooth)(5Vp-p)
:Rectangle output(Wide Pulse - Square - Narrow Pulse)(0 - +5V)
- 12. Noise Generator
:Pink noise output(5Vp-p)
:White noise output(5Vp-p)
- 13. Sample and Hold
:Clock trigger input(-->GND)
:Sample signal input(5Vp-p max.)
:S/H ou

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 631-390-6800
Web: https://www.korgusa.com/support

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