MS20 V

Here’s a step by step guide to setting up a sequence patch in Arturia’s Korg MS-20 V VST…
You can get the 7 free MS-20 V presets in the downloads section below.

1. Engage the Sequencer

   Click on Sequencer button to show the old school Analog Sequencer that looks like a Korg SQ-10. You can use this to sequence the pitch and other modulations.

2. Add some pitch values

   enter in a pitch sequencer on the third row (channel c) and make sure it is set to ‘pitch’. You don’t need to run a cable to pitch, it is automatically set up. Just turn some of the knobs for now.

3. Shorten the loop length for rolling techno sequences

   Turn the Sequencer Length knob down so it loops much short than the bar and you get rolling techno sequences. I like 3, 5 and 6 best.

4. Use a short filter envelope for a stabby, staccato feel

   Make tight percussive notes by turning the Low Pass Filter down and sending it to Envelope 2 by turning up the EG2/EXT knob under it. And then making all the knobs for envelope 2 fairly short so you get short notes poking through the filter.
   

5. Set the oscillators up

   I like keeping the pitch low on the first osculator and using the Pulse and Square waves and adding harmonics with ringmod. tweak the oscillators, filter and row c of the sequencer until you get something you like.

6. Add in modulation with another sequencer row

   Add another sequencer row: You can try plugging Channel B into the Lowpass Filter input, then you can sequence the filter with row B. Make sure row B is using the +/-5V row.

7. Add in distortion, delay and reverb in the Effects section

   use the internal effects – click on the Effects button at the top right of the screen. You can use 4 effects units in total and there are loads to choose from there is a Juno style Chorus which is great for detuned sounds, I use this, Distortion, Delay and Reverb to taste.
   

8. Add analogue distortion with the Signal processor

   other things to try: one thing that is great on the MS20 is the ability to process other synths with the MS20 filters, but a way to get really nasty distortion is to take the MS20’s own audio and feed it back into it’s self and you get some really nice heavy distortion. All you need to do is to take the ‘Signal Out’ and put it in ‘Signal In’ then take the first Out and put it back into ‘Master In’.

9. Add more modulation

   Also try using a third sequencer row – you can modulate anything, I like to modulate the high pass filter cut off for really screeching filter sequencer. You can see this in action in my sequence ‘Distorted Filter Seq2’ which is free in the downloads section.

10. Try Pulse Width Modulation

    Arturia also included Pulse Width Modulation which did not come as standard on the MS20, but did on the earlier MS10. And it was later added as a mod and then Korg released it officially with the MS20m.You don’t need to use cables on this software version as they have hardwired it in to the synth. You use need to make sure you have the pulse wave selected on Oscillator 1 and then turn up the ‘PW MODUALKTION’ knob and then adjust the LFO speed until it buzzes nicely. I’ve made a patch with this in the free MS120 patch pack which you can get in the downloads section below.