KORG MS-20 V
Primal black monolith
KORG MS-20 V is a virtual instrument for sound explorers in search of the meaner side of analog. From punchy analog textures to abrasive screaming sounds, explore a flawless emulation of a primal instrument overflowing with attitude and streamlined for modern production.
The analog
elemental
KORG MS-20 V unites screaming oscillators and filters with a semi-modular architecture and cutting-edge upgrades for a monstrous virtual instrument that transcends subtractive synthesis.
Explore the darker side of analog and effortlessly immerse your mix in the unearthly sounds of a machine that takes no prisoners - shuddering detuned basslines, snappy resonant thuds, and howling hard-sync melodies await.
Harnessing chaos
If raw energy had a sound, this would be it. KORG MS-20 V channels the high-voltage sound and hacked-circuit quality of an iconic beast of a synth, and the resulting sound is every bit as primal and fearsome as it always was. Do you dare tame it?
The test of time
A machine that’s remained unchanged since its release four decades ago, yet remains a production go-to for screaming leads, seismic wobbling basses, and edgy pulse width textures. KORG MS-20 V virtualizes this ageless analog monster for your DAW workflow.
Semi-modular
KORG MS-20 V already sounds impressively gnarly from the first note - but when you patch into its circuitry and manipulate its signal path, you’ll unleash its true mind-bending potential. Twist, transform, and torment its sound by creating your own connections.
Streamlined, sharpened
We didn’t stop at making the most authentic MS-20 emulation possible; this instrument has been retrofitted with modern functionality, including 6-voice polyphony with unison, a built-in sequencer, expanded voicing, and FX, perfectly suited to contemporary EDM, urban, and pop production.
A meaner
monosynth
KORG’s original MS-20 was released in 1978, during a period considered by many to be the golden age of analog synthesizers.
This was a blessing and curse; these instruments had never been more in vogue, but there was also plenty of competition.
Surprisingly, the MS-20 was preceded by a range of polyphonic instruments, KORG’s PS Series. The company wanted to cram as much functionality into as little space as possible, something that was notoriously difficult with analog polysynths. It was this design principle, however, that led them to creating an accompanying monosynth - enter MS-20.
The MS-20 did what the PS Series had struggled to do. It was functional and flexible enough to satisfy the synth aficionados of the time, rivaling well-established instruments; but it was also small enough to fit on your coffee table, with enough limitations to keep it both affordable and accessible. KORG wanted this instrument to appeal to as many people as possible.
The MS-20 was part of a breakaway movement of instruments that combined the compactness of desktop synthesizers with keyboard playability and semi-modular sound design. This, coupled with its notoriously abrasive and raw sound, secured its place among synth royalty. Favored by everyone from Depeche Mode to The Prodigy, Aphex Twin to Autechre, this synth is as popular as ever - and now it’s at your creative disposal.
Embrace
the scream
Many analog synthesizers are known for their warm, organic response. Semi-modular machines are often associated with sound design flexibility.
KORG MS-20 V’s namesake ancestor combined both with surprising results: a signature red-hot sound that refused to get old.
Korg MS-20 V brings the coveted aggressive sound of its glorious ancestor to life by meticulously emulating every component in extreme detail. The ultra-fat oscillators, the rule-breaking external signal processing, those screaming filters that remain unmatched to this day. Every non-linear nuance in the original hardware’s circuitry has been remade, streamlined, and enhanced for an unhinged analog machine aimed at punchy modern production.
Preset library
Enjoy an expertly-crafted selection of 200 presets, spanning vintage synth patches to cutting-edge sounds for modern production, giving you instant creative results in a few clicks.
Bass
Dark Roller
Classic, dark, rolling Reese bass. Aftertouch controls highpass filter cutoff. Mod wheel controls lowpass filter cutoff.
Le Adda
Heavily distorted acid bass. Use time to control envelope times, and Movement to add tape echo. Mod wheel controls HPF frequency.
Leads
Super Fedback
Supersaw unison through ESP. Push drive with Timbre macro. Brightness controls HPF, and Movement detunes the voices. Feel free to tweak Total amounts to modulate VCOs / VCFs with feedback from "Signal Out".
Drunken Lead
Rough lead sound uses filter FM and the External Signal Processor to insert a filtered feedback loop resulting in random artifacts at the beginning of each note. Mod wheel adds vibrato while controlling its rate.
Pads & Strings
Rings Of Saturn
Cinematic, analogue pad with sweeping filter. Mod wheel controls highpass filter cutoff.
Pulse Concert
Violin with slight PWM. Mod wheel adds vibrato.
Sequences
Basik Tekno Sekence
Hold a note to make this easy techno patch play. Brightness adds rhythmic noise, Timbre controls VCO level, and Time makes the bass drum drop.
EBM Seq 1
Melodic sequence best suited as a bassline. Mod wheel increases the HP filter, for buildups or breaks.
Keys
Keys Tracked
Ambient plucked keys. Movement adds feedback from master out to filters frequency. Increase Time to turn preset into a pad. Brightness increases HPF frequency.
EP Chorus
Simple velocity sensitive EP. Timbre adds a bit of EG1 modulation on VCO2 ring. Time controls reverb size, and Movement affects reverb mix.
SFX
CPU Anxiety
Dark unison bass perfectly suited for dark bass music. Taking advantage of the highly non-linear MK1 filter, this patch is exigent on CPU processing, but sounds scary good. Sweet spot between C2 a C5.
Not Nyquist
Evolving SFX uses a complex set of modulations to produce harsh-asymmetric harmonics. Timbre Macro controls FM. Mod wheel controls the amount of filtered feedback inserted by the External Signal Processor.
Authentic MS-20
experience
We partnered with KORG to re-engineer the most faithful emulation of this iconic instrument yet. KORG MS-20 V captures the accessible layout and intuitive controls of the original hardware, putting you in total command of this machine’s captivating sound.
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What
we added
KORG MS-20 V goes beyond just adding 6-voice polyphony to the mix: its expanded features give you the modern softsynth flexibility you need without compromising the classic elements of its sound.
We went several steps further and modeled the original KORG SQ-10 sequencer, letting you craft perfect melodies, basslines, and rhythmic components without ever leaving the instrument’s interface. With 3 tracks of 12 steps and a series of authentic controls, this sequencer can be routed via the patch bay to animate almost any aspect of KORG MS-20 V.
Artist
Corner
Robert Dudzic
Sound Designer (Bad Boys: Ride or Die, The Tattooist of Auschwitz, Carry-On)
"I have the origina, now having VST version makes it convenient to use and most importantly I can save my presets and it sounds fantastic!"
Zach Cooper
Jon Batiste
"It sounds amazing and HUGE! The utility is unmatched - this instrument is a technical workhorse and an explorative engine all in one. The semi-modular characteristics and sequencer really blast this thing wide open."
Saige Rakoski
Bonobo, Tycho
"The MS-20 V sounds just as warm as the real thing. Super easy to integrate into any live show and use with your favorite midi controllers."
Matt Robertson
Producer - Composer
"The MS-20 V is the most fun sounding, gnarliest software MS-20 I have used. The complex way that the filters interact with each other is modelled really well, and because it’s Arturia you get all the extras like a sequencer and polyphony. I love it!"
Chambray
"The MS-20 V is incredible! The sound is stellar which is very close to the original. Just brilliant sounding."
Sonar Traffic
"I love the MS20 V for its ability to sound lifelike and gritty with the half modular concept giving just the right amount of extra options by way of the half modular concept."
Sonar Traffic
"The MS20V is so close to the original, not only in sound but also in the user interface. The fact that there's not a huge extra set of capabilities limits you in a good way. Then of course the patch gives you a lot of possibilities already. I also hoped Arturia would include the sequencer in the package and they did! So that opens up the possibility for those characteristic underground techno / EBM / new wave basslines and more."
New Loops
"With the MS-20 V, I was immediately struck by the sheer massiveness of the sound. It has real depth and thickness. The filter models have loads of character and the whole thing is oozing with analogue nuance. Being able to play polyphonically with great sounding, modern effects opens up this classic synth to all kinds of sounds, whether keys, pads, leads, or bass. This one is sure to be a favourite of many producers."
New Loops
"I wanted to make a preset that sounded alive and with raw character. For the pad sound, the attack and release were set first, then the filter, filter envelope, and finally a decent amount of effects. Everything else is tweaking until it's just right."
Tobias Menguser
"I owned an original MS-20 and SQ-10 in the '90s and when designing sounds for KORG MS-20 V I definitely was feeling the sonic details of the original - super fun to use with endless patching possibilities! "
Tobias Menguser
"I was clearly focusing on the unique filters with their different modes and also made use of the polyphony of KORG MS-20 V, not possible with the hardware at all."
Klaus Baetz
"What I love most about the KORG MS-20 V is its raw power. You're always a little bit afraid because this little monster could start screaming any time and there are plenty of ways to make it do so. This, combined with the great FX section to shape the sounds, creates an immensely powerful combination that is really fun to use."
Hear it
in action
Experience the inspiring, formidable sound of KORG MS-20 V in the hands of world-class sound designers; these demos have been exclusively produced to show this mean machine’s true colors.
A Darker Kind Of Torch
Industrial EBM track using several presets from the KORG MS-20 V's "Circuit Slayer" bank.
Airy Drop
Visages
Punchy Drum & Bass track using the MS-20 V to create airy ambience and melodies.
Busy Trip
Breakbeat track showing the MS-20 V's affinity for acid and distorted sounds.
French Syndrome
Electronic track in a french-touch fasion, showcasing some sounds of the "French Connections" MS-20V bank.
MS-20 Intro
Introdcution track of the MS-20 V, showing its potential for punchy cinematic soundscapes.
Old Dreamer
Smooth trap-drill beat using several instances of the KORG MS-20 V's Factory library.
Included in
V Collection 11 Pro
This instrument is part of V Collection Pro - a premium suite of software instruments designed for unparalleled sonic exploration.
From authentically modeled keyboards to hybrid synth engines and beautifully captured acoustic sounds, every instrument is enhanced for today’s production workflow - V Collection delivers the greatest keys of all time.
The features
you need
In-App Tutorials
Integrated in-app tutorials guide you through every aspect of the instrument, from individual parameters to tips from our sound designers, so you can focus on the creative stuff. It shouldn't be this easy, but it is!
TAE® Powered
The exclusive analog modeling technology that makes our emulations indistinguishable from the originals.
By accurately mimicking the characteristics of analog oscillators, filters, and soft clipping, we can provide astonishing component-accurate detail and authentic analog charm in equal measure.
Gallery
Main Features
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MPE compatibility