Korg MS2000B

[Mattias]

Fuck me that EQ Curve on a kick is something I would never have. In 99% of ALL cases I cut freqs on kicks / bass instead. Now I dont see how far the range is on that EQ but if it's anything like ±6 dB it's crazy if you ask me hehe.

[Mattias]

John, I recorded a 4:30 min demo of my MS2000. I made a one timbre sequence which I constantly modulate, first form 1 OSC then to the other, tweaking lots of stuff along the way.
All you hear is MS2000, I only applied a transparent limiter to catch any peak when I recorded.

[Críoch]

Cool - Appreciate the thought. Nice!

Sounds really deep as well as being gritty as fuck. Really cool.

Does the sound change & drift much like real analog? I know its VA - but is there some kind of "random algorithm" built in?

It sounds filthy.

[Mattias]

It doesn't drift like analog. I dunno if any if the competitors it had did actually. Much of the synths around the time that came out was cool but many of them were very trancy and clubby. This one was more raw Korg style (not as the MS20 though worth to mention). The competing synths from Roland & Novation & Clavia are all good but they're kinda plastic or too "sounds good right away" based. I like Rolands old stuff, but from this generation of synths, VA or not, I personally like the Korg MS series best. Micro-Korg is a killer as well by the way, same sound but not as many ways to tweak the sound.

Also...the Vocoder...the VOCODER! Man it's worth the price alone.

You can modify the filter in the MS2000 to the same the MS20 used by the way!

Oh yeah the Sequencer is killer as well.
It's a good synth for much music, Juan Atkins used this on many live performances.
I guess it's a cool synth if you wanna sound anything between Juan Atkin, Mattias Fridell and Iori haha

[Críoch]

Cool. But it doesnt sound "static" though?



I was looking at MS's ages ago, but decided to get a JP8080 instead. It was mainly just to fk about with & learn a little about synthesis / having something tactile to use. I liked it cos it was set up the same pretty much as sylenth ( with the A/B pages - or vice-versa).. but it didnt sound dirty.

I read that the MS was from around that time too - but god, from that example, the sound is completely different. The presets were pretty trancy on the JP - obviously - but the pads and some of the atmospheres were F'ing incredible. Beautiful.

Theres always a load of microkorgs for sale. I've never really considered one cos I've read that the parameters are hard to access.. and thought that they must be frustrating if so many are unloved. I think I'd probably enjoy its bigger brother better.

Dom / Melville was telling me about the DIY filter. That would be cool. I think Ronny was talking about a plugin thats coming out based on a MS20 filter. That might be interesting.

Whats the best way to route it into the computer? You probably have it going through a desk?

[Mattias]

Doesn't sound static. No worries.

Yeah I was into getting a JP8000 myself back then actually but the Trancy stuff kept me away from it in the end haha.
Korg is usually the dirty little nasty synth among the lot. It works for pads etc but it's not king in that department.
As you say the parameters are hard to access on the microkorg hence why the MS2000 rocks. There are still much stuff that you cant do on the MS2000 on the front-panel so you have to consult the display sometimes. But nearly never unless you do more complex synthesis.

I route it via desk to soundcard > DAW.

[Críoch]

Cool. That sounds great Mattias. You've given me a great idea of what to expect.

I think it sounds like it has a bit of character to it, so it'll be a good choice. I love sequencers too, so happy days. haha.

What is the bonus of having it go through the desk? Is it just simply about levels / workflow with limited in's on the soundcard, or does the desk impart a sound?

[Mattias]

Yes it has a Korg character and a some pretty good all-around solutions and sounds too for when you need it.
It's not the best at creating massive pads or atmosphere sounds but in turn its good to create nice stabs and crunchy dirty bass-synths or subs and total madness. The two timbre thing is good as well, I dont think the Novation & Rolands have that, I dont remember.

For me running it through a desk it's all about my work-flow & analog desk character. No problem to line it right through a soundcard though as you know.

Anyway before you decide you should probably get some input about other synths like the Novation ones.

[melville]

Novations I love! Had a basstation rack for years, bought a Nova for £849!! the day they came out, never regretted that money, you can run anything through the filters, FX etc. Also owned Supernovas, drum stations. Most they've made over the years. Just sound big. It's so subjective, but I A/Bed a novation and a Korg MS when they first came out and just didn't think the Korg had the same weight to it's sound. But it's each to their own, try and hear in person as many as you can. Again though, I have to say AN1X!! Oh what a synth! Next synth I'm buying and out of all the kit I've sold over the years my biggest regret. That should say a lot.