The History of the miniKORG

A mini documentary telling the story of Korg's first synthesizer.
0:00 Background
2:19 The miniKORG 700
5:25 Impact
6:13 Legacy and the 700FS
All incidental music composed with the miniKORG 700FS.
With thanks to:
Korg
www.korg.com/
Nagatsugawa Korg Museum
korg_museum...
Pea Hicks
/ peahix
Sanj Sen isolatedinf...
Simon Bennett
/ electricape
Alamo Music Center
/ @asoundlab
Retro Synth Ads
retrosynthads.blogspot.com/

[@sonjaadamson1714]

Out of the three main synth companies, Korg is the one that has stayed the most pure. Yamaha and Roland are great, but I personally feel like they never did appreciate their customers and fans as much as Korg does.

[@AlexBallMusic]

I love that they're all still around and still creating.

[@carlosserrano3985]

Absolutely agree, somehow they have lost their charm.

[@dionysiaex5538]

Korg never let you down and they make stuff to last. Always thought of them as good honest synth makers.

[@rattenkonig6303]

I mean, Korg manufactures high tier stuff to, but they always have accessible option

[@marsmediapro]

I agree!

[@ZethKeeper]

I hope that this was kinda announcement for upcoming Korg documentary.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Time will tell.

[@Neuri]

Good lord I would honestly make you the best sandwich if you made a Korg doc Alex

[@SarahRWilson]

Tick, tick, tick... In the meantime, I have some service manuals to look for and study. Thanks for planting the seed. A 2SC828RNZ mentioned in the Roland episode. Edit: Interesting that the most predominant transistor in the Mini Pops 7 is the 2SC828. And they used a 2SC644 for the noise generator. Go figure.

[@DarkSideofSynth]

I hope so, too.

[@simonhodgetts6530]

A Doncamentary, if you will……….ahem…….👍

[@Sajxi]

Will the BBC pick you up already?! I can't get enough of your videos, and I feel like they deserve to be shown to a wider audience!

[@AlexBallMusic]

If they need a presenter for BBC 700 then I'm the man.

[@carlosserrano3985]

I vote for that in a heartbeat!

[@muzikman2008]

Ditto!... instead of "Tommorows World"... Alex can present "Yesterdays World" lol.. great presentation skills.

[@bwgti]

Yes. It seems like their should be another tier for someone of Alex”s talent. Widely respected KZbin authority on all things vintage synth. And being a talented and informed musician are nothing to make light of.

[@rishpanjeet7479]

Ball is too good for the BBC. They don’t know what they’re missing.

[@AndyVonal]

Thank you for bringing us these fascinating, historical insights. Wonderful stuff for all synth-heads.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you sir.

[@knobexploitmusicelectronic9218]

Your composition with Korg 700FS sounds amazing!!!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you very much!

[@jakoblaban429]

Awwwww. I love Kitaro's Silk Roads. My Mom had a tape of it and I remember nearly wearing it out on my little tape player as a little kid. Still remember how magical the textures sounded to me :)

[@justincanton]

Many old synths sound haunted to me, like they hold their own energy from the past that plugz and new synths do not posses. ⭕️ Another awesome and informative video bro.👌🏼

[@AlexBallMusic]

There's something evocative about old gear that was hand built in factories by people who are often no longer with us. Especially as often few were made. I guess modern gear is always going to be different in that respect.

[@mattrockwell6214]

I do love an Alex Ball synth lesson! Same as many others here, I'd love a full length Korg documentary.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers Matt.

[@andriealinsangao613]

Oh, aye!

[@fabiang.805]

Man, that Outro song is one of the most beautiful things I've heard in a while. Thanks for making these!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Ah, thanks Fabian.

[@georgeskelcher9174]

I’ll second that. Is there any chance of you putting it out in some form?

[@adambrowne01]

It absolutely blows my mind that they were able to build this thing I the early 60s. It sounds absolutely incredible 🤯

[@SanderAnderon]

700 was my first synth in '75 or so, loved that thing. Then couldn't make rent, always wondered where it ended up all these decades on.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Sorry to hear. Its probably still going!

[@PeterHarket]

Love these documentaries! Fingers crossed that you'll create a full Korg documentary like the one you made for Roland

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers Peter. Let's see what happens. 😉

[@fanbladeinstruments]

Maximum respect for anything composed in 5/4. There's so many more melodic possibilities with it, and you found a very nice one. Looking forward to your next album release😉

[@kaitlyn__L]

5/4 (and 7/8 and 9/8) are so good

[@JoeyFTL]

That outro jam is special...

[@Howdy606]

Love that this guy as an interest in other synth manufacturers as well as Roland. I get bored of hearing endless Roland stuff all the time. Great video Alex.

[@thesequencer4971]

Love the miniKorg with its melancholic Synth Sounds, reminds me on Yellow Magic Orchestra...even I don´T know if they ever used one.....but the Design of the Re-Issue looks like my Hohner Bonanza Organ from 1978....Great mini Documentary of a miniSynthesizer 👍

[@Superlover]

that re-issue sounds so good!

[@AlexBallMusic]

It does indeed.

[@LFOVCF]

I had to come back to tell you this... Last week I was at the Norwich UEA, at a Heaven 17 gig. Afterwards, when the roadie was unplugging, I asked if i could take a closer pic of Martyn Ware's original 700, that he used on being boiled. He takes it to every gig. The roadie actually lifted it down so I could get a better pic. I was then politely ushered from within the barrier by security😂 Totally made my night.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Yeah! That's awesome.

[@althejazzman]

A few years ago I was given a miniKORG 700s, a Hammond tonewheel organ, and a solid state Leslie speaker from a friend who had given up live music. None of them worked any more, and I didn't have space for any of them, so I donated them to a friend who recycles and repairs everything and is also a musician. The Leslie wasn't worth keeping, but he fixed and kept the Korg and Hammond. I had no idea until now how important that model is.

[@justindpeak]

A little late on this video, loved the closing track, Alex. Beautiful!

[@TakeshiMoriwaki]

KORG 700S is a treasure of Japan. Thank you for the loving video!! I was lucky enough to get the 700FS. I will continue to play carefully.

[@needfortweed8734]

I loved the lead in the first jam that Mr. Ball did. It felt kind of unique to me, though I am sure that it is possible to replicate in other synths...

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you. The sound of the miniKorg 700FS.

[@PWMaarten]

My favorite sounding synth!

[@AlexBallMusic]

So throaty.

[@PWMaarten]

@@AlexBallMusic everything out this synth sounds slightly sad or melancholic.

[@user-bb3hm8ur8q]

I'm your fan. I respect you. Thank you for the wonderful video today.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you!

[@wimpkins]

These documentaries are top notch. So much history, and amazing machines I'd never seen before. Great job again!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks for tuning in. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@jamesmeeker6933]

Bought a 700FS. Neat, weird little synth. Shockingly strong and brash sounding when it wants to be. Definitely has a "take it or leave it" attitude. It either does something or not. The ring mod is stupendously awesome.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Yes, it's its own thing for sure. The peculiar behaviour of the envelope, the dual filters that don't self oscillate etc. The ring mod is great, definitely. Especially as it has those three modes.

[@jamesmeeker6933]

@@AlexBallMusic I'll also add: the 700 really opens up if you discipline yourself to avoid adding the "duet" second oscillator. The single oscillator sounds on it are FANTASTIC and strong.

[@CtrlSaltDelete]

The controls for the Mini Korg are so beautiful. I wish those coloured switches and knobs would appear on other, new and affordable synths.

[@lo-firobotboy7112]

I traded two Speak-n-Spells and a Casio SK-1 for a Univox MiniKorg a few years back. The guy was really into circuit bending I guess. Thanks Alex for another nice nice documentary and interesting piece of synth history.

[@AlexBallMusic]

What a deal!

[@lo-firobotboy7112]

@@AlexBallMusic Indeed! That's how I've built my whole home studio. Ever since 1990 or so, I've set a limit of $200 / year to spend on studio gear. I often buy up old Yamaha and Casios a yard sales (boot sales in the UK?) and then trade a two or three of them for a "real" synthesizer. The miniKorg actually started as a Yamaha DD-12 which I bought for $20 then traded away for a couple Casios and a PSR-36. Those were traded up for an Akai AX-73 and a couple old speak-n-spells. Through a few more trades the AX-73 was eventually turned into an Alpha Juno-1 and a Realistic MG-1. Not bad for $20! It's also a lot of fun to meet and trade with local synth nerds.

[@carlosserrano3985]

Good trade there!

[@lo-firobotboy7112]

@@carlosserrano3985 Yes it was! A few years ago you could still find analogue and vintage synths in people's basements and thrift shops. I think Reverb and Facebook has killed that forever.

[@mmrva]

@@lo-firobotboy7112 I wish I had that mindset and was born earlier before all hipsterishinstagramsynthfetish time.

[@theshinylunchbox]

Today I give thanks for this channel

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks for watching.

[@bltrucker]

I like how esoteric the design is. I feel like modern synth makers have something to learn form this. Maybe an instrument tactile fun, and a joy to figure out how to use. This really brings across a special character.

[@zerozeroisland]

I love my 700, and I’m a criminal for not using it on more recordings. That “traveler” filter is the best.

[@thelanavishnuorchestra]

Love these historical stories of synths, with custom songs made on them. It's a great combo.

[@ReadAndReturn]

That outro song though.... Love all of those tones!

[@TheSynthnut]

Great mini documentary Alex and sounding beautiful as ever. Such a sweet sounding synth, love those compositions, that last one especially.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you Neb, much appreciated.

[@nobodynoone2500]

Best Korg ad ive seen.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Quick, grab your Doncamatic whilst stocks last!

[@danpreston564]

Nice to see Rose Morris on that old Korg advert around 5:35. They were the importers in the early 90s when I got my first Korg.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Yes, I understand they were big in the game. Nice to hear from someone who was there.

[@my4trackmachine]

This was a lovely mini doc on the minikorg. It was very pleasant to watch and the closing song was a great tribute. I would love to hear more on korg’s history.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks. Yes, Korg's story needs telling.

[@patrickmichael2968]

I love KORG. My very first synth was a KORG Poly 800 II. I got battery powerd dMIDI sequencer and mad w wn IN + OUT MiDI cables. But could only play one patch (sound) at a time. I figured out how to play Axel F, Jump (Van Halen), Dreams (Van Halen),

[@peter-utrblk]

Maybe a Micro Korg documentary. Thanks for your pretty well done videos. Grüße aus Düsseldorf.

[@AlexBallMusic]

A micro, mini documentary. 😉

[@rodnee2340]

Those old synths sound great.

[@SweetTastyBalls2017]

I really hope we get a Korg history documentary

[@ZethKeeper]

I just love the look of new faders and knobs.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Yeah, quite odd looking at a brand new miniKorg after only ever seeing battered old ones.

[@terrybrown7134]

As usual a great short documentary on a wonderful old relic. The MiniKorg was the first synth I ever played (with) back in 1980. My room-mate, at our student house in Bath, turned up with one. I thought it was amazing but then when you are a 19 year old student most things that are noisy are amazing. My room-mate was really into music and neglected his Electronic Engineering course. But he made the right choice! His name was Rob Fisher and he went on to eventual chart success as Clime-Fisher and was a great force behind the scenes in British pop before his untimely death in 1999. It took until I retired for me to return to playing (with) synthesizers. I still remember the sound of Whitewing in the Sports Pavilion at Bath Uni.....

[@knives_on_static]

miss my Univox mini korg! the thing sounded so awesome!

[@pieknystefan]

That last tune man. Great.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you

[@HOLLASOUNDS]

Top quality content top quality talent with these great musical creations of yours.

[@piperfox74]

That outro tune is dreamy af. Nice!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers!

[@BlaBla-pf8mf]

Alex, you are not only an amazing musician but also an excellent historian of technology. It's kinda shocking to me you can do both so well. Most musicians I know are really bad with words.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you, that's kind of you to say.

[@everybodyhasoul5438]

So dope, and that music at the end was beautiful!

[@till7280]

I will watch your new video after work... always cool to see a new one. Your channel is the best on KZbin!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Screw work, watch the video! 😜

[@djmips]

Excellent. I love your mini documentaries.

[@grogboggoth]

Lovely work, as ever. I found one of these in a second hand shop in the '90s and found it so utterly inscrutable that I gave it a pass. Perhaps if I'd spent more than 10 minutes with it, I could have figured it out and left with a bargain.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Damn, yeah you could! It's an oddball which probably throws people. Especially unearthed in a second hand shop.

[@Mark_Ocain]

Awwwwwwwwwssome!! I love this synth. It oozes with character. I marvel at the kinds of sounds Greg Hawkes of 'The Cars' gets out of his - I think his multi-instrumentalist sensibilities guided him a bit there. Naff synth-pop noises to some pretty lush stringy sounds (through some signal processors, it sounded pretty good in the mix) Thanks for giving us a little taste of this legend, Alex!! Appreciated as always!

[@AlexBallMusic]

I need to listen to more Cars stuff for reasons like this!

[@Mark_Ocain]

@@AlexBallMusic I think too, Fad Gadget got some pretty bizarre sounds out of a MiniKorg 700 series and a couple of other Monos like the ARP Odyssey such as you might hear in this little post-apocalyptic ditty from the early '80s LOL kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXO4q56mra94n68

[@GoodfaYou]

Check out Niagara Falls solo record by Greg

[@nativeVS]

Now I'm just staring at my 700 that has been neglected for some time. It's just such a lovely sounding instrument that also has a surprisingly great user interface (for right handed people).

[@AlexBallMusic]

Yes, such a wonderfully retro sound. So much meat to it. ...and yes, I hadn't considered the left handed thing - ha.

[@kama-kiri6496]

2 bars in, I pegged the C700 sound to my Silk Road LP. Unmistable signature.

[@barryberman563]

Yet another great instrument that I sold years ago.

[@hardwaresecuritymodule]

Beautiful - thanks Alex!

[@aerospatialerecordings]

The original 700 (or Univox MiniKORG as it was known in the US) was my very first synth back in the early 90s. I used it a lot despite my total ignorance of synthesis and sound design at the time. It eventually died and like a fool I got rid of it. This month I finally got my hands on another one, making this video quite timely. Even with a single oscillator it's overflowing with character. It's good to see it getting some love here, thanks for another entertaining and informative video!

[@RengaBeats]

Awesome video, thanks Mr. Ball!!

[@vadimmartynyuk]

Great video, this channel is one of the best on KZbin

[@JJohnkkttran]

Wow I must have read your mind!!! So stoked for this!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers Jack.

[@EverettDudgeon138]

Both the Minikorg and Maxikorg were used for Richard Einhorn's soundtracks Shock Waves and Don't Go in The House.

[@glenesis]

Well done, Alex! I learned a lot, and I LOVE the soundtrack :) What a sweet run that board had! Congrats getting your hands on one.

[@hpneffect]

Awesome video! Thank you!

[@stevedocherty6240]

Another great video Alex I really enjoy your work. Your video on how play funk synth bass inspired me to buy a Moog Grandmother and start getting keyboard lessons again after 30 years(!).

[@VladoT]

Great video as always, thank you!

[@benbauer1065]

thank you for doing all of this.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks for watching.

[@MD_Builds]

OMG that bass coming off the mini korg reissue in your track is utterly sublime!

[@XavierRadix]

I wish all my history lessons were like this back in high school.... Such an amazing story.

[@AlexBallMusic]

You have to go to the school of synthesizers for that kind of education. Professors Jarre and Faltemeyer were my favourites.

[@Iofflight]

I'm second on the list at SW for the reissue. I've been waiting for 14 months.

[@midimoog]

This video made me seriously want the miniKORG 700FS. It is really more effective than the Korg's offcial promotional video. The only thing perhaps missing in the video are bald robots in the background.

[@eatshitgoogle]

The tune at the end is such a killer. Awesome sounds in 5/4. Fantastic!

[@bluetv6386]

Thanks Alex. Excellent, as alaways. Title suggestion for the last track : "Korg Flakes"

[@temporoboto]

Quality content, thanks for sharing.

[@OddManGraham]

Love your videos. Thanks man!

[@foot2]

Another great history and design lesson with custom composed soundtrack. Thank you Mr. Ball.

[@SacSynths_Jack_Z]

Love your history focused videos! Fantastic!

[@gaetan4164]

Thanks so much for this video. I've always been fascinated by this synth ever since I saw a picture of it some 10 years ago. This thing sounds INCREDIBLE

[@creativecomposites6193]

Great video. thanks!

[@andywickham1158]

Great stuff. It’s fascinating to here about the early days of Korg. Thanks for taking the time and your excellent presentation. I also love your videos because each one proves that you can make a great track with minimal equipment. It’s all about having the skills to make the best of what you have.

[@peterkadarmusic9728]

Alex, you’re one of my favourite artists on YT. You know your history, your gear, and you deliver well made videos with a generous helping of wit and humour. Most of all, I know whenever I click on one of your videos that the music is going to be GREAT. Top notch work once again, Sir!

[@ConsoleGlow]

Great docu!

[@EspenKraft]

Perfect video to watch while I'm having breakfast. Well done! Nice change of sweaters during the last music segment. ;-)

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks Espen. It'd funny, I had a conversation and people thought I changed outfits but it's because I film in bits on different days. Ha.

[@EspenKraft]

@@AlexBallMusic I know how it is Alex. I do the same thing. Often several clips shot over many days. I try to wear the same thing and it often goes to the extremes in that sense that I'm grateful people watching can't smell what they're seeing. :P

[@AlexBallMusic]

Haha!

[@carlosserrano3985]

Korg documentary is a must now, this is just a little piece and is so good, I can't imagine a full Korg history made by no other than Mr. Alex Ball. Cheers!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Let's see...

[@NedBouhalassaVideos]

Super well done, comme d’habitude! Love the early story and that first Traveller on the organ! Excellent end track, I especially appreciated the ring mod lead. 👌🏻

[@johnnyresin]

I was given a Minikorg K2 from a buddy a few years ago and absolutely love it! It sits atop my organ(I didn't even know it was designed for that!), and is a huge part of my rig.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Ah, what a coincidence. Yes, there was a market of such synths whilst organs clung on. The ARP Soloist / Pro Soloist were really the first of those but everyone made one.

[@melsonic1463]

Well, Professor Ball, I'm again blown away for that demo tune at the end is so well suited to the instrument you presented before. Thank you for the joyful moment.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Why, Professor Sonic, I appreciate you saying.

[@Wildbadger]

Great research, presentation and playing! I'm impressed.

[@donkeyavenger]

Thanks for all you do Alex! I immensely appreciate your historical insights and presentation on these mini documentaries.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks for saying.

[@chedhead3278]

Cheers Alex, tremendous mini-doc, tremulous sounds. Can only like once etc.

[@GrahamMilkdrop]

You never fail to impress, inform and entertain me. Great stuff!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you Graham.

[@thomasyount7897]

Another excellent doc Alex! Thanks for taking the time do these and do them proper. 🙏🙌

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you sir.

[@hawk194]

Thank you for this Alex. Love these excursions into synth history.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks. Was interesting for me too, I didn't really know the story.

[@Ninosmusic]

You are a fantastic narrator Alex. Your documentaries are real gems

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you.

[@retro-dademusic6403]

Alex, I am thankful for many things today. Your channel is one of them. Cheers, My Friend. 😎

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks to you too.

[@AlainHubert]

Very enjoyable video, both for the history content as well as the beautiful music. Thanks for sharing, Alex!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers Alain. 🙂

[@adrianmccombe625]

Alex I've not even started watching this but here's my thoughts. I cannot wait to see this! The land of the rising sound video you did is the best documentary I've seen related to anything synth. Keep up the good work. Fingers crossed the BBC are watching and give you the money to do a full history on the synthesizer, covering all the bands that ever influenced the sounds created.

[@YearsOfLeadPoisoning]

I think had I started life over again I'd try setting up a synth manufacturer that sells gear that's actually affordable for artists, not collectors or those with middle-age pocket change. Something like a smaller portable unit like a 700S for around $200. It can be done, electronics are cheap, but even the clones are extravagantly priced because there's an established market that's willing to fork over thousands.

[@jeremythornton433]

I have an old Mini Korg that I bought used in the early 70s. It only says MiniKorg on the top but on the back it also says Univox. I still have it but I need to take it into my synth repair shop to have a good going over. I'm afrain to power it up in case something really bad happens.

[@soepil]

Finally a great Alex Ball-video on my first synthesizer MiniKorg 700, which cost me around 30 GBP in 1988. :) Still have it. Thank you.

[@AlexBallMusic]

£30! Wow. The one I borrowed for the video was also bought for peanuts in the 90s.