Find out how you can control your Korg MS-20 with MIDI using Kenton MIDI Retrofit Kits or MIDI to CV converters
The Korg MS-20 doesn’t have MIDI, but does have a patch panel with plenty of sockets. Kenton offers a variety of options to get your MS-20 connected to MIDI.
- Fit a MIDI Retrofit Kit
- Use the Korg MS-20’s patch panel with a MIDI to CV converter
Fitting a MIDI Retrofit Kit is a skilled job which should be undertaken only by a competent synth service engineer or fitted by us at our premises in Tasworth, near London (UK customers only).
1. Fit a MIDI Retrofit Kit to the Korg MS-20
You can fit a MIDI Retrofit Kit which will allow you to control the Korg MS-20 directly using MIDI from your DAW, MIDI Sequencer or other MIDI controller. Fitted inside your MS-20, our MIDI Retrofit Kit adds MIDI IN and THRU sockets to your synth.
With the Retrofit Kit you’ll have MIDI control of Notes, Pitchbend, Modulation, Filter cutoff (both High Pass and Low Pass), Portamento / Glide, Sustain. Note that the retrofit is MIDI IN and THRU only, there is no MIDI Out.
Find out more on the Korg MS-20 MIDI Retrofit Kit page.
2. Using the Korg MS-20’s patch panel with a MIDI to CV converter
As a semi-modular synth the MS-20 has a patch panel that you can connect to a MIDI to CV converter to control notes and filter cutoff.
Which products do I need for the Korg MS-20?
Our MIDI to CV converters have CV and GATE outputs, and a number of Aux outputs that can be configured for your specific requirements.
The Pro Solo Mk3 has sufficiently flexible Aux outputs to provide the 4 signals required to play notes and modify the high pass and low pass filter cutoffs. You will need 4 x 3.5mm to ¼ inch mono jack leads to connect it to the MS-20.
The USB Solo (not currently available) has less flexible Aux outputs: you will be able to control the notes and one of the filter cutoffs. You will need 3 x 3.5mm to ¼ inch mono jack leads to connect it to the MS-20.
Connecting the MIDI to CV converter
The Pro Solo Mk3 has sufficiently flexible outputs to provide the 4 signals required to play notes, and modify both filter cutoffs. Connect it to the Korg MS-20 as follows:
| Pro Solo Mk3 | MS-20 | Using |
| CV (Hz/V) | VCO 1+2 CV IN | 3.5 to 1/4” mono jack lead |
| GATE (S-TRIG) | TRIG IN | 3.5 to 1/4” mono jack lead |
| Aux 1 | LPF CUTOFF FREQ | 3.5 to 1/4” mono jack lead |
| Aux 2 | HPF CUTOFF FREQ | 3.5 to 1/4” mono jack lead |
Notes
Connecting the MIDI to CV converter to the MS-20 will disable its keyboard
The USB Solo has less flexible Aux outputs. Aux 2 and 3 are not suitable for controlling the MS-20, so you will have to connect Aux 1 to either LPF CUTOFF FREQ or LPF CUTOFF FREQ. CV and Gate can be connected the same as the Pro Solo.
MIDI to CV converter settings
The Pro Solo Mk3 has sufficiently flexible outputs to provide the 4 signals required to play notes, and modify both filter cutoffs. Set it up as follows:
| Output | Parameter | Setting |
| CV (Hz/V) | P15 – CV/Hz | [Hz] Hz per Volt |
| GATE (S-TRIG) | P16 – Gate Type | [S__] S-trig with no pull-up |
| Aux 1 | P20 – Aux 1 Controller Number | whichever CC you wish to use1 |
| P21 – Aux 1 Minimum Value | -27 | |
| P22 – Aux 1 Maximum Value | 50 | |
| Aux 2 | P30 – Aux 2 Controller Number | whichever CC you wish to use1 |
| P31 – Aux 2 Minimum Value | -27 | |
| P32 – Aux 2 Maximum Value | 50 |
Notes
1. The Pro Solo Mk3 will also allow you to use its own ADSR Envelope Generator to modify the filter cutoff.
The USB Solo has can provide 3 signals required to play notes, and modify one of the filter cutoffs. Set it up as follows:
| Output | Parameter | Setting |
| CV (Hz/V) | P15 – CV/Hz | [Hz] Hz per Volt |
| GATE (S-TRIG) | P16 – Gate Type | [S 00] S-trig with no pull-up |
| Aux 1 | P20 – Aux 1 Controller Number | whichever CC you wish to use |
| P21 – Aux 1 Minimum Value | -27 | |
| P22 – Aux 1 Maximum Value | 50 |
Korg MS-20 Settings
You can use the two EG 2/EXT knobs to control how the external signals from the MIDI to CV converter affects the cutoff frequency.
Learn more about MIDI to CV
If you don’t know anything about MIDI to CV converters and would like to know more, read the following page on our website:
