DeepDive: Synth Edition - Korg MS2000, Review And Guide

In this episode of Deep Dive, I examine the ins and outs of a polarizing synth from Korg that was released in the year 2000. I'm talking of course about the Korg MS2000. Some people hate it, some people love it. I was always interested to see why, and in which group will I fall into, when I finally have the opportunity to get my hands on it!
00:00 - Introduction
01:36 - History And Specifications
03:37 - Design And Build
05:17 - Layout Overview
07:09 - Menu Navigation
12:45 - Utilities
13:29 - Oscillators And Mixer
27:29 - Filter And Amp
35:46 - Envelopes And LFOs
40:21 - Voice Modes
45:22 - Patch Bay
46:22 - Arpeggiator
50:36 - FX Section
55:25 - Timbrality Options
1:00:15 - The Sequencer
1:22:59 - Conclusion
1:26:49 - Patch Examples
Grab a cup of coffee, tea or whatever you prefer and join in this in-depth exploration of the Korg MS2000 :)
Subscribe & Follow
-------------------------------------------------------
WEBSITE: www.mydeepguide.com
INSTAGRAM: / mydeepguide
TWITTER: / mydeepguide
FACEBOOK: / mydeepguide
-------------------------------------------------------

[@vvveenn]

23 minutes in “ok, let’s get to oscillator 2”😄 Superb level of detail, thank you! 🙏

[@MyDeepGuide]

Heheh, thanks :) Well, it's a very powerful Osc 1 :D

[@bernhardhochenauer2733]

wow, simply the best video on the internet about the Ms2000, i love it, thanks!

[@georgecarlin5047]

I've had two of these for years now and I still learned some new things today. Thanks!

[@bcomplexproductions2003]

Just was gifted a ms2000b and this is the video I was looking for!

[@curtc6563]

This is perfect tutorial. Well thought out and organized. Smoothly delivered. subbed. Thanks!

[@SteveDavee]

Wow, what an entertaining, inspiring and educational video. Extremely well done! You’ve helped me breath new life into my MS2000R, and you have a new fan and subscriber. Thanks!

[@TheDavidKettle]

Thanks for this man, super clear. Mines been under my bed for the last 6months and I just dug it out. Amazing bit of gear

[@TheLazyGeneTV]

Thank you for giving such a clear tutorial to help me use my MS2000B the way it deserves :)

[@buttercupfrancis]

I just purchased one of these and am waiting for its arrival. Thank you for this video!! I know that it will be invaluable once it arrives.

[@CharlesFerraro]

This is the best MS2000 video manual out there. Well done!

[@MyDeepGuide]

Thank you! :)

[@christaylor839]

THANKS for this deep dive-had one of these beasts for years and YOUR video unlocked some mysteries for me!! 👍 🎹

[@MyDeepGuide]

Thanks for watching and glad you are enjoying this gem :)

[@dakoiaa]

Amazing comprehensive explanation, thank you and congratulations!!!

[@notafriendofyours4475]

Should be more views. Amazing video. Do more classics synths from this time period!

[@Zwiesel66]

I watched this video out of curiosity, and i have to say that i felt totally lost, but it was still incredibly interesting. I find it very impressive what you can do with such a synthesizer if you know how to use it - it reminded me a lot of the german band Kraftwerk.

[@christianlamalle8758]

Thanck you very very much for this usefull and cool review ! The last patches at the end show in a few seconds the spirit and the power of nostalgy of this wonderfull machine !

[@freddiesamples]

I bought and sold this synth and bought it again cause I missed it. ~ You have discovered the strengths. Very good tutorial of the MS2000. :-)

[@gilm677]

Excellent coverage. Thanks very much

[@paulcurreri5265]

Wonderful! Thanks so much. This was a super-informative watch, and quite pleasant as well. And man oh man, that first patch example at the end is the business. I can't quite imagine how you got the sequencer to dish that top half -- the fast wobbles for so long and THEN the extended higher note. Wild.

[@paulcurreri5265]

Wow. Well, an excellent destination! (Ps. my apologies for the duplicate replies... iphone went bonko!)

[@e-conrecords4665]

Thanks for this deep dive on the MS2000. As far as I know this is the first and only one. I thoroughly enjoyed this and find it very helpful even though we’ve had one for 19 years.

[@timforan1502]

Outstanding video! Thank you.

[@marksteinhauser3779]

Totally impressive review 🙏🙏🙏

[@Expectaz]

Amazing and in depth!

[@banksideleopards2791]

Thank you for this tuto. I really had some good time and learn a lot. I just get the MS2000 2 weeks ago and i must said i quiet impress

[@robadlers6668]

Interior board/jack design - I agree. I've re-soldered the power adapter jack three times... and that was with the keyboard being just in the studio AND using the cord support mount.

[@miekwavesoundlab]

I love MS2000! Thanks for doing this video. Bravo on Oscilliscope while presenting. I kind of use it like a pseudo moog. I particularly enjoy using it for making unison patches and mapping PB/Wheel/Velocity and Foot Pedal and togging arp/sequencer. It’s really good for doing that. :) it really shines when you map velocity and wheels and play away! 🎶

[@synthswithpedals8917]

Hello and first of all thx for this great video! I love trading synths and somebody offered me this one. I was a bit lazy and only looked up the price if the trade was a good deal for me, it was so I accepted. I’m known to subtractive synthesis and really love to explore synths. So this was kind of a blind date for me. After only an hour with this synth I was already blown away, the front panel has almost the same layout as the ms-20, super intuitive. For me key points are sound and programmability, it’s so easy to use and has this character and futuristic sound to it. Your video really helped me with the menu diving and multi part. Really love to set it up 3:1 unison pad with mono arp. Good thing the weekend is almost upon us!! Thx a lot for this great deep dive!

[@Tinmar_Isation]

Best MS2000 video on KZbin

[@moogdome2562]

An excellent presentation .I am fortunate to have one. Haven't used it for years but will now. Thank you. subbed

[@myboxand]

Vojislav, tank you for your video.)

[@fathersonband]

Thanks for this! what a great work through!

[@MyDeepGuide]

Thank you for watching! :)

[@rossknowles5608]

great piece of work.

[@josephjones2410]

I bought my MS2000B for $200 off a co-worker. It feels like I stole it. Great video!

[@Melanholix]

Nice tutorial, very detailed.

[@DomAllen17]

Thank you so much for this video

[@emperorbingo]

I’ve had this since it came out. Used it live for many years. I never knew how fragile the connections were, so I’m grateful I always took great care with it. Thanks for the video. Every now and then I think of selling it, but then I find another use for the Euro-synth patch which, to me, justifies this synths entire existence. I’ve been meaning to get back under the hood of this synth and your great video gives me a great refresher.

[@MyDeepGuide]

Thanks for watching, and I'm happy if the video helps :)

[@emperorbingo]

@@holygeneration7 I spent a lot of time at the beach when young. :). If you have the original patches, I believe it is bank C patch 6. Nice pad with sparkles.

[@emperorbingo]

@@holygeneration7 that would be amazing - a Eurotrash switch.

[@djohnson2449]

I truly enjoyed this very in depth look at the MS2000 - Review, Guide, Tutorial, Demonstration. Terrific. This synth, along with the Radias, intimidated me enough that I did not purchase them even when encountering a fantastic deal, time and again. I hate the "organic" cliche, but I believe it applies here: patch creation and play on this beast is obviously capable of evolving, ephemeral music in an organic way that is unattainable with the romplers, samplers, vectored and ai synths within my comfort zone. Instructive. Thank you! Also, enjoy your dry wit and humor - I didn't miss the Grim Reaper chase "Easter Egg." Lol. :)

[@xdeville1]

i fucking love my 2000br... with this virual patch and mod sequencer you can make such lively sounds

[@OrignialDublix]

thanks! really helpful :) got one for 450 yesterday

[@meilstone]

Great video! One thing I noticed, during the first half of the video, it would have been interesting to see the parameter changes in Edit mode, so they would have been displayed real time on the display. It also shows how, in edit mode, the menu automatically jumps to the parameter you tweak, which I find really useful. Also, there is a powerful real-time record button for the step sequencer. On the rack unit, the seq/menu buttons can be used as keyboard.

[@eladorian1317]

you should change the name of the video to master class, you've really went deep on this amazing and underrated synth, opened my eyes on a few things that i wasn't aware of in my 2000B, if the distortion is a bit meh for your taste try and see how looping back the output back to the input to saturate works, also i'd love to know which oscilloscope software you used in the video, cheers and keep'em coming man!

[@fuckcensorship69]

I'm glad he didnt. I avoid all videos with trendy, clickbait titles

[@brandonderman6508]

Fantastic. Thanks so much

[@SanFranciscoFatboy]

right on !!!!!! just bought my 2nd one so count me in on i love it............ i been seeing some guitarists using this as an effect peddel....

[@Paulcvids]

Your speeeeed in the menus!

[@spel2024]

Amazing , I've received so much clearance, I don't understand the clocking yet though, but I'll find out.

[@EstebanRodriguez-lr6oo]

Thanks!

[@markolijus]

Liked and subbed cause of this one.. you made me fell in love and remember my first beloved synth... the one i had most fun with in compared to all the others i got and thought they will be better for me.. thank you for saving me some money and killing my GAS

[@markolijus]

Haaa pa sad vidim na kraju Dimitrijevic :). Ziv bio, stvarno fenomenalan review!

[@MyDeepGuide]

Hvala, hvala! Pa, fenomenalan synth :))

[@mtomnimedia]

This deep dive is above and beyond! I just did a solder job and got my ms2000 up and running. The wave visualizer seems key, is that through software? This video was exactly what i needed! Thanks so much!

[@bepec1431]

super erklärt - vielen dank und liebe grüsse

[@bepec1431]

servus! ich habe meinen ms2000racksynth schon seit einigen jahren - aber mich nicht näher mit dem sequencer befasst. dank deiner ausgezeichneten und mich somit motivierenden erklärung hab ich vorhin meine erste selbsterstellte modsequenz erstellt. ein grosses dankeschön nochmals für deine zeit und dieses grossartige video! liebe grüsse aus dem alpenvorland und einen schönen advent sendet dir pecb🎹🎹🎹🎩🎩🎩🎵🎵🎵

[@alessandromorandi419]

Hey really nice video: I have one and I am trying to learn all about this magic sinth. I was wondering what software did you use in order to check the wave form . Moreover , it could be really amazing if you provide a video with examples about how to use the midi controls ! thanks in advance !

[@yiannisdseq2794]

Best ms2000 user video!! I would to ask, if you sync the ms2000 externally with your daw, will the ms2000 sequencer run with your project in the daw regardless if you send midi notes from your daw to the ms2000?

[@VilleOikarinen]

It's a long time since programming this, but I think I used the edit button in a different way. I don't remember pressing it together with another button. Instead I just kept myself in edit mode permanently until saving the patch. Meaning I also never lost a patch the way you did and said is easy to do.

[@emperorbingo]

I was just looking to see if somebody mentioned this. Keep it in edit mode as you say. Also, if you keep it in edit mode, you get the benefit of seeing the display update with the parameter you are editing and you can easily click around to see if there any of the non-knob parameters in the edit view.

[@amrowahbymusic]

Nice Demo

[@marktsuts.4251]

Maybe somebody already mentioned it, but you could actually name patches more effectively: when on "Name" page of the menu, press "Edit" and (still pressing it) use knobs 1-12 to select letters. Rather quick and convenient.

[@MyDeepGuide]

Sweet, thanks! :)

[@marktsuts.4251]

@@MyDeepGuide Thank you for this super nice tutorial!) A lot of great stuff I overlooked for half a year of using the synth!

[@meilstone]

So glad I never sold my 18 year-old MS2000BR 🥰 and trust me, after all those years, I don't miss the "printed manual" of the keyboard version, for beginners it surely is very useful, though...

[@jnthnEvers]

Legend

[@Memory_Blanks]

The distortion characteristics can be changed with the osc amp section.. rudimentary but can achieve nice touch.

[@Melanholix]

CAn you give some details how to do it? When I try it just changes the volume of oscilators.

[@shanejb2121]

I'd like to know this as well! There are so many little deep hidden areas on this synth, as well as the MK. Much more versatile synth engine than what is presented on the surface.

[@garyleister]

Hi, thanks for you Video. I have a question : Is it possible to link both timbres for apply same setting on? For example if i want open the release on both timbre how can i do? Thanks

[@thierrymeuris8042]

Is there a printable version of the workflow as printed on the right side of the ms2000 on the net? I didn't find it yet....

[@AZ-zf1eu]

A couple questions about that sequencer. I’m sure you stated somewhere in the video but I missed it. Is the sequencer length a max of 16 steps? And does the sequencer only run when you have a key pressed? Btw fantastic video. I wish you had a video this in depth for every synth. Could watch this forever. Actually just got to patch example #2. Do you trigger the sequencer with a key then it latches?

[@MyDeepGuide]

Thank you :) I no longer own this synth, but if I remember correctly the sequencer is a 16 step, doesn't send out MIDI data, and is triggered by a key press. Yupps, on patch example 2, I just latch the notes I wanted in an arp and then have fun with the controls.

[@shineonfloyd2469]

I am thinking of getting one ...🤔🤔🤔

[@imsorrydaveimafraidicantdothat]

Could someone take a hi res photo of the menu diagram and upload it somewhere? We have the rack mount version and can't seem to find it anywhere. Thanks!!

[@zodiatube]

I really need to know this for education purposes, and I appreciate this video by the way, but what is that exact "oscilloscope" looking thing you're using to display what's going on? Thank you. It's at 13:32

[@thierrymeuris8042]

Great review! Which tools are you using to show the waveform shape and the frequency spectrum? Is that a regular scope and spectrum analyzer or something else????

[@MyDeepGuide]

Hi and thanks :) These are just VST plugins that i like, so nothing special. I think the plugin is called JScope, though i'm not sure. Check the internet and find the one you like best :)

[@thierrymeuris8042]

@@MyDeepGuide ok thanks, I already Found some. I'm Willing to discover my recently bought ms2000r by means of these tools and your reviews!

[@shaft9000]

Best things about the MS-2000: - Bi-timbral, you can double up and get 4 oscillators and 2 (parallel) filters/voice - 16-step KNOBBY sequencer on a synth this price is unheard of, and takes this far beyond the abilities of other budget VAs. From Speak&Spell drums to wavesquencing to moog960 imitations - you can do it. - very good delay and PHASER....the best emulation this synth does of anything that's analog is an old STRING MACHINE, and it is because of this section of the synth. - cheap, reliable and still quite plentiful.

[@jamessisson3703]

Absolutely brilliant. Thank you for this video. I'd love to sample some of your speech and incorporate your voice into some deep electronic music, only with your permission of course and credits due. Hopefully, revenue as a final gesture. The sounds you're creating are wonderful. Cash up front is also possible

[@MyDeepGuide]

Thank you :) Feel free to do so, just send me the link to the song once it's done 👍

[@jamessisson3703]

@@MyDeepGuide If we make a track, it would be good to keep it secretive until you approve. I'm going to search for ways to keep everything private. If you like what we make, a good group name would be great. Maybe share ideas on that if you have the time

[@elifan2523]

Wonderful turorial! 🤩 The rack version have been on my wishlist for long due to lack of space, but now I consider the kb. What’s the keys like?

[@MyDeepGuide]

Thanks for watching :) Keys are standard, not horrible, not great, but certainly not a high point of the synth. I'd say they are adequate. Keyboard version wins for me, if you have space, because of the stenciled "menu map". This isn't present on the rack version and it does make a difference when using the synth, since as you can see, there is some menu diving involved.

[@nilespeterclemens8328]

Keys really aren’t that great & feel cheap but usable. Hard to be disappointed since it’s inexpensive!

[@HiGlowie]

Is control 2 of the Sine wave routed to the Lfo affecting cross mod?

[@anoniconoclast2030]

The global button area is so dam counter intuitive it makes me want to smash the synth!

[@joupacabra]

This is really dumb of me but I'm not sure you mentioned it--i played around with this for a couple years sparingly before I noticed the 'initial value' light. Haha--that was key!

[@fuckcensorship69]

Took most of us 30 seconds of editing

[@joupacabra]

​@@fuckcensorship69🍪

[@meilstone]

Are you sure the distortion button has no LED? The one on my MS2000BR has one. Maybe it's just broken on your unit.

[@vitorcarvalho5716]

Is that a fine synth for psytrance?

[@Memory_Blanks]

In 2005 I was confronted with a hard choice. To purchase an SH-101 or the MS2000R. I had just begun using a doepfer system and the modulation capabilities influenced my decision to choose this gun metal blue unit. This synth has been my best friend since 2005 .. a real keeper... there are some clever assignable front panel configurations which can add serious performance...there is more than meets the eye...think of the cc generated from the arpeggiator Syncpulse...and how you can re-reroute it back into itself ;) that's just scratching the surface.

[@ctambrosi]

Hey I have another issue with the synth, regardless if I'm running midi or not, the MS2000B's arp and mod sequence drift out of tempo. I can see this specifically when I line up the first note on my daw, the proceeding notes just don't stay on the grid properly. I did some research and noticed that this has always been a pretty common problem with the synth. Also I noticed a function in Global mode that says "Calib (AP)" is that to calibrate the arp? Any thoughts on how to fix this problem? I got this synth mainly because of its sequencer and it sucks that I can't record it properly now that I have it

[@donaldpriola1807]

This is a known problem with the MS2000, and B. Mine does the same. The best solution is to clock the synth externally. You tell the synth to listen to external clock in global settings, and clock it with your DAW or drum machine. You set you drum box/daw to send out clock. I've done this with a digitakt, and even a Korg ER-1, and it works just fine.

[@ocpourvoir]

Hi, maybe there's some expert here. if you sequence the MS2000 with the Keystep on one specific bank preset, can you play the MS2000 keyboard on another bank preset, making a layering in a same time ?!? i guess that there's an issue with master and slave state, between, on board keyboard and external sequencer... ?!? no ?

[@nilespeterclemens8328]

Nice video. I have one of these why am I watching this 😂

[@MyDeepGuide]

Because we love our synthesizers! :D

[@ezassegai4793]

How is the ms2000 holding up so far? any major repairs needed?

[@davidgeppert5763]

Nice Cat

[@ctambrosi]

Hey I just got the synth and I've been trying to sync the sequencer with my drum machine (TR8S) via midi. The tempo is synced but I'm wondering if there's a way to start the sequencer on the ms that would instantly start my drum sequencer at the same time. The tempos are sync but I can't get them to start at the same time. Right now I have to press start on my drum machine and try to perfectly press the keyboard note for it to sync which is pretty fidgety, any ideas?

[@ctambrosi]

@@MyDeepGuide ah yeah I see, so there's no way for me to press a key down and have the drum machine start in correspondence with the synth unless I have an additional sequencer?

[@ctambrosi]

@@MyDeepGuide thanks! kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3ucamurnK2ajpo just found this video that might help

[@anoniconoclast2030]

@@MyDeepGuide This stuff is all to complicated!

[@vincentm.258]

I got mine and plugged it into an amp but no sound. Is there anyone who knows why?

[@yojimboliferow]

"you can do things, for sure"

[@lamename5290]

What software do you use as an oscilloscope? Much appreciated if you actually reply! :D

[@MyDeepGuide]

here it is :) www.jthorborg.com/index.html?ipage=signalizer

[@fickfehler3866]

Very nice hairstyle. Which shampoo do you use ?

[@MyDeepGuide]

Thank you, that was a long time ago, so I have no idea, sorry :)

[@Pamberjack_]

Hmmm. Could you mod the arp swing amount using another source? LIke (say) a very slow LFO? 🤔

[@MyDeepGuide]

Hmmm, don't know, but would be fun if you could. I no longer have the synth, so I can't test that, unfortunately.

[@Pamberjack_]

@@MyDeepGuide Great video, BTW. I just got mine and I have been watching the video for tips. Thanks!

[@godzilla42698]

What program do you use to see the waves?

[@MyDeepGuide]

here it is :) www.jthorborg.com/index.html?ipage=signalizer

[@veganstevenmusic]

Hey this is hard core korg

[@donaldpriola1807]

The biggest issue is MIDI clock drift. I love my MS2000, but have to clock it externally, because the MIDI drift is terrible.

[@1849ad]

But how do I save custom sounds???

[@MyDeepGuide]

It is covered in the video. Use the timestamps in the video description.

[@Agronomkleptoman]

firmware update may open filters?

[@MyDeepGuide]

Which firmware update?

[@davidgeppert5763]

Miez, miez:-)

[@konstadinosp.]

🐱😍

[@amonster8mymother]

I thought this was mono synth?

[@MyDeepGuide]

You probably confused it (somehow) with Korg MS-20?

[@amonster8mymother]

@@MyDeepGuide no. I thought it can do ms20.

[@fuckcensorship69]

4 note poly

[@chadpescod-realtor3308]

Very quirky. The synth has character too.

[@HOOKmusicUK]

you made it sound rather complicated to use

[@MyDeepGuide]

How exactly did I do that?

[@HOOKmusicUK]

@@MyDeepGuide Prob too in depth, but an excellent review

[@MyDeepGuide]

Well, it is a complex and deep synth :)

[@dokudicted]

90% Blah yblah 1% sound

[@MyDeepGuide]

Yes, because, read the title of the video. This is an in-depth review and guide, not a "sound examples" type of a video. Also, the video chapters are there for viewers convenience, so that they can skip over the parts that they may not be interested in.

[@HiGlowie]

There are tons of videos solely documenting the MS2000’s sounds. I’d far prefer a deep dive to get a better grasp on the synth.

[@superguitarras111]

can you store your own sounds on this synth??

[@MyDeepGuide]

Of course.

[@superguitarras111]

@@MyDeepGuide thanks

[@kurtzmenabrea]

It's a nice synth to look at, but it's essentially a toy without substance. Very little polyphony, and often monophonic. Toy sounds. After all, it has the same engine as the Mikrokorg. Maybe it's good for kids under 12 who love techno, house, and various stupid things... for a barely decent entry level, start at least with a SEQUENTIAL Prophet 10 (the minimum) otherwise don't buy the synths.

[@MyDeepGuide]

Barf.

[@HiGlowie]

So electronic music is stupid? A true musician can coax interesting sounds out of any synth even if it’s a $20 Casio. Imagine thinking to make good music you need at bare minimum a Prophet 10. A beginner wouldn’t even know what to do with a Prophet.