Precisionsound Analog Performer SFX User Manual
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© Copyright Precisionsound 2014
unfairly criticised for this ‘parameter access’ system, which on paper looks like the same kind of
nightmare as a DX7!)
Korg MS-20 and MS-50
The MS series was produced originally from 1978 to 1983. The MS-20 was one of the most popular
monophonic analog synths ever made. In contrast to the widely acclaimed sound of the Moog, the
Korg sound is much more ‘brittle’ or ‘cutting’. Just as unique in its
own way, this sonic characteristic has recently been gaining
popularity partly due to its ability to fit more easily into a crowded
mix.
The MS-20 is a fully analog synthesiser, with each module hard-
wired in a fairly conventional configuration. An extensive patch bay
allows this architecture to be customised and tapped into for
integration with the MS-50, SQ-10, etc. Features include an
external signal processor, pitch to voltage converter, two
oscillators, HADSR and DAR envelope generators, a modulation
generator, sample and hold, and white and pink noise generators.
Most importantly it also features two voltage-controlled filters – low pass and high pass, 12dB roll-
off. Both filters go into self-oscillation with high resonance settings. This is, I believe, at the heart of
what makes this synth produce such unique sounds!
The MS-50 is a fully modular analog synthesiser featuring a single oscillator, low pass filter, ADSR and
HDAR envelope generators, two voltage-controlled amplifiers, sample and hold, noise generator,
inverter, integrator, divider, ring modulator, and a very useful voltage controlled modulator. For this
project, the filter was not used on the MS-50, because the dual filter sound of the MS-20 is more
interesting by comparison.
Korg Wavestation WS1
This is a digital PCM-based wavetable/vector polyphonic synthesiser. It was used for some thick,
evolving pad-type sounds.
Korg Monotron delay
This is a very basic analog synthesiser that features an audio input and a very dirty sounding delay
effect, which I used to process the above Wavestation performances.