Korg MS-10

Korg MS-10 Image

The MS-10 is a cool & classic analog synth known for its great bass and percussive sounds. It was released by Korg in 1978 as an entry-level, simple monophonic single-VCO analog synthesizer. With the authentic look of a mini-modular its single VCO is patchable using standard 1/4 inch patch cords to the VCF and VCA. It really is a powerful little mono-synth with plenty of knobs and a compact 32-note keyboard. It is CV/Gate controllable. A very cool feature is its external input to filter which allows you to filter external sound sources! Following the MS-10 came the double-oscillator version, the MS-20. The MS-10 is used by The Orb, SkyLab, the Chemical Brothers, Astral Projection, Autechre, Juan Atkins, Underworld, Sneaker Pimps, Luke Vibert, JunkieXL, and Add N to (X).

56 Visitor comments
Rob Ocelot
April 25, 2013 @ 8:50 pm
@Andrew: I'm 100% that keyboardless MS-10 is a custom chop job.

BTW, his MS rig looks incredible. I also see a chopped Korg guitar synth and the MS-02 in there as well.
andrew
February 21, 2013 @ 3:28 am
Swedish musician Erik Hemme has a keyboardless version of the MS-10, similar to the larger MS-50 module. Does anyone know if that was a standard, if perhaps limited, release of this synth from Korg? I've not seen any mention of it elsewhere, nor ever seen such a unit for sale, but I have a vague recollection of perhaps seeing one myself back in about 1979/80.

You can see a picture of it on his website: http://hem.bredband.net/elmuced/ms_sys.htm
Bruce Chapman
February 15, 2013 @ 1:12 pm
Had one from 80 or so to 84. Fell off my stack at the top of a clavinet + string ensemble on a stand up stand at least 3 times- took a licking and- well you know how it goes.
BeN-HuR
January 16, 2013 @ 10:27 am
Use the filter on the white noise, It's a dancefloor killer tried and tested with guarantee. Low freqs are unbeatable especially on Kick sounds. It sounds really good on the mixing stage no matter the genre. Modular options are also great on any source and can be used for an external sound processing.
distanceresearch
December 6, 2012 @ 12:50 pm
This was my first analog synth, I have gigged with it for over 15 years. Never had a single problem, no scratchy pots nothing. I love it for it's simplicity and amazing sounds! Great introduction to analog synths machine.
 
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  • Demos & Media
  • YouTube Thumbnail
    Video 1
    - A really nice demo track made with the the MS-10

    Audio Clip 1 - Filter sweeps, bass, melodies and noises by Roland Schaefer.

    Manual - PDF of original owners manual, submitted by Niels Kloes

    Patches - PDF of setting examples, supplement to original owners manual, submitted by Niels Kloes

    Brochure - PDF of 1980 Korg Brochure, submitted by Niels Kloes

  • Specifications
  • Polyphony - Monophonic
  • Oscillators - 1 VCO with mixable white/pink noise generator
  • LFO - One LFO w/ multiple waveforms
  • Filter - One lowpass VCF
  • VCA - ADSR with Hold
  • Keyboard - 32 keys
  • Arpeg/Seq - None
  • Control - CV/GATE
  • Date Produced - 1978
  • Resources & Credits
  • Images from Korg product brochure and Tone Tweakers.

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