Hey I’m looking to buy another synth to work well with my access virus (B).
I was considering a MS-20 mini but can’t seem to make my mind up.
I’m a bit limited for space and my budget is €550 max.
What would be your recommendations?
If you want beautiful classic analog for that price and tiny space, you should take a loot at Vermona Mono Lancet 15"
I also see lot of people amazed by Dreadbox typhon and MicroMonsta 2. You should look at them too.
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In side-to-side comparison videos I’ve seen the MS-20 Mini sounded better than the K2. The MS-20 Mini is a classic and I would go with that one.
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Thanks for your input, I’m looking into them now.
I am mainly making harsh / ambient techno.
Is the MS-20 mini a synth that would work well with the virus?
Sure it will. MS20 already proved his quality. I may have not understand well the main question. If you just hesitate between ms20 and behringer and want opinions, I personnaly will go for the original brand 100% -> MS20 Mini.
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I really appreciate your feedback, I guess I’m just looking for something around that price range and I’m willing to create more space if the sound is right for me.
I have looked into many of the Behringer recreations (Neutron / Odyssey etc), but the sound for me is a bit flat compared to the MS20 mini. Also, the K2 will mean I would have to use my midi keyboard which is really filling up space that could be used for another synth in the near future.
Is there anything else that I could look into before I consider buying the Korg tonight?
The Virus B is already a pretty capable synth so I’d think about what you think is missing. I love the MS-20 mini and really wish I still had one. You can do some interesting things with the patch bay and it is certainly capable of making weird/noisy techno sounds. The ring mod is gorgeous. It doesn’t have any patch memory which might be one thing to consider : )
I also really like the Novation MonoStation. With its sequencer it is quite powerful. Each step in the sequencer can be a totally different synth patch from the synth’s memory. It also has pre-filter (?) overdrive and post-filter distortion in three flavors.
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Get a Korg MS-20 mini and don’t look back, yes it is a dirty quirky beast but that is part of its charm.
IMHO one of the best monosynths available.
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Maybe Moog DFAM can also do the job
Having owned & sold a Mini, I would 100% buy a K2 rather than a Mini. The mini is awkwardly shaped, the mini keys suck and it doesnt sound any more like the original than a K2 does.
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I’d watch a few more Neutron vids if I were you. It’s more versatile than the K2, has got more patch points (and it’s V/Oct) so you can get more modulation and routing options per patch. The whole B thing aside it’s a synth that has a lot of fans from both camps… it’s respected for what it is and what it can do. I’ve got one (and an K2) and it’s deffo not flat sounding. My fave of the bunch is the Cat. It just sounds so good. Got the Boog and the Wasp too but the Cat is my fave. Not sure it would get dirty enough for what you want to do tho?
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I bought the K2 because of some nostalgia for an original that I owned and loved 40 years ago. But it made me realize that the big MS-20 was much more fun to play with because it is big. Sure, it has a crappy keyboard, but twisting those big spaced out knobs is where its at - and its not the same on the fiddly little K2. So I’ll probably have to get one of the new korg FS models. Also, the K2 patch sockets are starting to fail on mine (even though its only 6 months old and I dont use it that much).
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Ive got an Original MS20, a mate has the mini.
Get the Korg, they build stuff properly, it wont wear out, mine is 40 years old, and has been bashed around, patchbay is rock solid.
For techno, MS20 is a great sound source. I really enjoy making drum sounds on mine. The resonance on the HPF can punch holes in spacetime.
Mini if space is an issue. Personally I wouldnt get the Beh, you’d need a keyboard, or some other way to get midi into the machine, which Beh are renowned for not doing very well.
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Side note. If your going for dirt and harsh sounds, look up Perc on YouTube. There are a couple of videos where he goes over his process, and how he’s able to get the grimey sounds on his albums.
Ms20mini.
It s better sounding than K2. A bit rounder.
The K2 has both filters though.
I had the mini, bought K2 and then another mini , so u get what I m saying.
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But I would go Evolver, Pro 1 pr model D instead if u got a Virus… u have a list of analog monos here to choose from
I’d go for the K-2, because the external input pitch tracking is apparently much better.
Maybe I can find that review video…
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Here it is: https://youtu.be/9t4M13LL8Rc?t=843
Starts at 14:03 where the guy plugs a guitar into both versions.
MS20 is useless in this regard, K2 pretty cool.
This specific use case is what pulled me over to the dark side, haha.
I’d plug a bass guitar in there or a mic, see what happens.
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Wow, for external input pitch tracking a guitar the K2 is definitely better. That example sounded nice. Still prefer the MS-20 Mini overall though.
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Granted, the originals look better!
And probably sound more vintage due to circuit patina. ; )
I’ve been eyeing the full size MS20 for almost 20 years now.
The mini is just too small for me.
I really might go for the K2 at some point this year.