Korg's MS-20 EG1 & 5 Oscillators Creates Sonic Motion for a Patch

In this demonstration, we look at integrating Korg's MS-20 and its super handy EG-1 into a patch to create interesting sonic motion. We patch together the 4 oscillators found on Moog's Matriarch along with a fifth from the Moog's Mother 32 - to bring us to a total of 5 Oscillators. I discuss why 5 oscillators is key (special thanks to Wendy C!) and show how these oscillators, along with aftertouch, LFO of filter cutoffs and EG-1 from the MS-20 offer a fantastic and ever-changing patch to create really great modals and tonic note progressions. I take you through every step of the way to create similar patches with whatever hardware you might have. As always - I'm happy to answer any questions you might have on this demo vid. At the end I have a special note about Ukraine too. All the best! Ha'dlbaH

[@entropydisorder6359]

Watching this lecture with huge excitement... wish I could travel back in time and not study in business school, but in your class instead.

[@hadlbah]

Awwww, shucks! So kind!😊

[@mauriciomandara5946]

Nice to see another video from you ! … thanks for sharing!

[@hadlbah]

My pleasure! Always a challenge to find the time to post new content.

[@haroldpalmer3245]

Always educating information! Thank you very much.

[@K00LD00D]

Love it!

[@tshou520]

Good stuff. I live in Eurorack, mostly, and I'm also pretty handy with DIY. I made a little module from schematics on the Internet to convert v-trig to s-trig. It was very easy to do, just drilled some holes into a blank plate, installed jacks, and soldered a transistor and resistor directly to the jack lugs, IIRC. I made four converters in 4 HP because I have an MS-20 FS and three K-2's. Fun stuff. With an NLC Resonator, I'm close to a four voice PS-3300. Now, that's fun if you have the patience to patch it 4x's.

[@hadlbah]

Nice! Ya know, you touch on a interesting point. If one would choose to use the external signal in with v-trig and no DIY skills…what would that look like? I mean you and I know, but most folks…? This might be a great lecture 8 topic. Do you mind if i credit you in a future lecture for this idea?

[@tshou520]

@@hadlbah By any and all means. Sharing is caring, as they say.

[@Cysubtor_8vb]

I have a MS-20 mini (as well as a Behringer K-2 and several non-modular synths) and have been pondering ways it could work with a semi-modular Moog. Leaning towards adding a Subharmonicon at the moment, but have been considering the Mother-32 as well. Still, considering the pitch voltage differences, I was interested in potential modulation options and was focusing on LFOs, having completely ignored the delay of the EG1. Gonna have to mess around with that on my MS-20 and K-2 paired up or maybe even make use of both EG1s' delay in a drone with my Monologue.

[@hadlbah]

Exactly, right? The EG-1 delay is totally a hidden gem. Getting it to trigger with a Moog requires a voltage inversion which my Matriarch handles easily. Hmmmm, maybe that’s a possible lecture topic! 🤔. Thank you for your post and sharing your experience @Cysubtor_8vb!

[@klinkske]

Hi. I love your videos. I have a question… could you do a test? See if the ms20 stays in tune if you use a sequencer, and transpose the sequence with the ms20 keyboard? How good does it stay in tune over the keys? How far goes the usable range, in tune?

[@hadlbah]

Hi! Super great question and thanks for asking. I do cover much of your question in lecture 4 wherein we use the MS20 keyboard as the CV to transpose the output from the SQ1. Because the voltage steps change over the span of the MS20 keyboard, one has to be very mindful of how to set up the MS20. And even with that, the useful “in tune” keyboard range is not great. Remember too that once using the MS20 keyboard as a CV means that C3# is not really gonna be C3# but instead 2.050 Volts. Armed with your voltage chart and your chosen scale (Locrian, Mixolydian, etc) you can construct certain transpositions. It’s a puzzle that I think is kinda challenging to solve, but once it’s working it will stay in tune and you are rewarded with a great Korg, punch thru the mix, modal sound. It’s a nice way to build a strong base line. I’d say give Lecture 4 a listen and then bounce me back a note and we can sort out next steps.😊

[@klinkske]

@@hadlbah o yes i forgot about that video. I just received a new MM that can do the job working out those tables. Will watch it again soon, often. Will also try to transpose with a beatstep pro; unless that gets me into the wrong v/hz vs volt/oct thing.

[@hadlbah]

@@klinkske Sounds like a good experiment! Would love to hear the results.😊

[@drydessert4198]

What series MS20 are you using? Rev 1, Rev 2, or one of the re-issues?

[@hadlbah]

MS-20 mini Rev 1. Circa 2018, purchased new from Guitar Center in the States. Your question has my curiosity up! Why do you ask?😊

[@drydessert4198]

@@hadlbah They don't all sound the same. I listened to a comparison of the original Rev 1 and Rev 2. The Rev 2 sounded boring in comparison. People say about the Mini that it is noisy with many subtle sounds where the filter cutoff is not fully open.

[@hadlbah]

@@drydessert4198 She is a nasty little beast to be sure. I named my MS20 Tonya Harding. Such incredible sounds that certainly can punch thru a mix. Definitely a happy MS-20 owner. Not too sure what to say about gen 2. A bummer if all that gnarly sonic goodness is somehow tamed.

[@drydessert4198]

@@hadlbah The comparison video was for the original Rev 1 and original Rev 2 built from 1978 to1983.