Bad Gear - Korg MS2000

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Welcome to Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools. Today we are going to talk about the Korg MS2000. Is this virtual analog synth and older sibling of the Microkorg still worth getting or is its compact successor the more convenient option? Is it the Macrokorg?

Thanks to Frosties Amp Garage for lending me this piece from the collection.

Chapters:
00:00 Intro tune
00:58 Overview Korg MS2000
01:25 Sound Examples, Polyphony Limitations
02:05 Oscillators 1 (VA, PWM, Cross Mod, Vox Wave)
02:40 Sample Based Waveforms (Korg DW-8000)
02:50 Oscillator 2 (Sync, Ring Mod)
03:03 Mixer, Filter
03:21 Modulators (Envelopes, LFOs)
03:32 FX Section (Distortion, Modulation, Delay)
03:40 Virtual Patch Matrix
03:58 Multitimbrality
04:05 MS2000 vs. Microkorg
04:31 Modulation Sequencer
04:51 Arpeggiator, Vocoder
05:01 What else???
05:39 Hate
06:09 Jam 1 (Pseudo Analog Sounds)
06:58 Jam 2 (Digital Funk)
07:58 Finale (Drum & Bass)
08:31 Verdict

[MagicMusicAdam]

I bought one second hand for £100 in 2007 to use live in an 80s synthpop band. It did 8 years on the road and is still going strong in my studio. Love it.

[tronovand]

I can say it perfectly synchronized: Welcome to bad gear. The show about the woooorld's most hated audio tools.

[vitaliiandronov]

That day has come! Now all my gear is a bad gear

[NEOROADER]

Something about these 90s and noughties VA synths tickles my "flawed, quirky, but full of soul" bone. Please do more of those

[MetaMicroLabs]

The MS-2000R is a Bread n' Butter goto synth in my studio. I love twisting MS2K knobs and they're all MIDI CC readable for real-time recording and even assignable as a psudo MIDI controler if you want. My favorite trick is to use its MIDI OUT to duplicate sequences to another simple synth like a Behringer Crave, then loop-back that audio into the MS2k's Audio Input jack to blend the synth sequences together in interesting ways.

[thelanavishnuorchestra]

I loved my MS2000. Great sounds from it and so many things to modulate.

[quentinwilliams]

Jam 2 is easily the best one I've heard on the show so far! Bad Gear really highlights you can make magic with anything if you lean into its quirks.

[SparklesofGold]

I would appreciate a BONUS 10 hr video loop of the last cat jam.

[EduardoRohdeEras]

Still one of my favorites synthesizers of all times. I don't care it can't sound "like an analog", it's simple a cool synth that looks like a lab instrument! I'm in.

[baksagimm]

I had this, and sold it, and then bought the used B version with premium price. no regret. it's simply the best synth i've owned.

[WVandellHarris]

Seriously speaking…. This episode proved one thing in the end. It’s NEVER the synth, it’s THE USER. You’re demonstration brought the best out of this unit.
Happy freaking FRIDAY!!!! 🍾🍾

[Shiirai]

I love this little beast. It's my main digital synth and I don't think I'll ever get rid of it.

[shaft]

For a long time this was one of the best bang-for-the-buck synth to learn the ropes on.
Still have mine since ~2002. Even with walls of modular and many vintage bits I've added since, it's still good to just throw the MS in the back seat for an impromptu chillout jam, or to drop it into a writing session as something like a "poor-mans OB 2-voice".

[brandonharris]

That last song was so healthy. This show makes me happy 😁

[FluxFreeman]

I love your channel man…every time I think about buying something I come and see your take for not just the lolz but the insight

[TachyBunker]

Dude, you make the perfect content for me. Exploring classic synths and explaining their history, then making tasteful jams... heaven!

[tedstahl]

Florian - This came out at the same time as the JP-8000 and I was seriously considering the JP-8080 vs the MS-2000R (mostly because of polyphony). However, I grew to really love the raw nature of the engine in the MS-2000 (and so many others did via the MicroKorg). I finally saw my chance to acquire an MS-2000R when Korg released the Minilogue. Quite a few people dumped their MS-2000s in order to grab the new 4-voice all-analog Korg offering. I was able to get a near mint MS-2000R for $250 (shipping included). Sure, I'd love if it had eight voices instead of four, but I really do enjoy the engine. And, as you noted, it's outstanding for bass and lead sounds that don't require polyphony. Having said that, it's amazing how full the pads on this can sound with only four voices.
Thanks for another great episode!
Peace.

[dangerbird]

I just realized: you haven’t done an episode on the Access Virus. That would be a winner!

[masu]

The only channel where i need the space bar 200 times in one video...

[SqueakPip]

I have the MS2000R - it's a keeper! Thank-you for this review