MIDI Retrofit
We can retrofit your MS-20 with MIDI . All you’ll see on the outside are MIDI In and Thru sockets, and a red push button, these fit on the back of the MS-20. With the retrofit you’ll have MIDI control of Notes, Pitchbend, Modulation, Filter cutoff, Portamento / Glide, Sustain. Note that the retrofit is for MIDI In only, there is no MIDI Out. We can fit the retrofit for you at our workshops in South-West London, or if you have the requisite skills, you can buy a kit.
Click here for Kenton MIDI retrofit for the MS-20
Use with a MIDI to CV Converter
If you want to control your Korg MS-20 using a MIDI to CV converter then you need to consider all of the following:
1) Sockets – locating and connecting to the appropriate sockets & possibly an additional socket.
2) MIDI to CV converter and the correct settings for it
3) Leads – selecting the correct ones
4) Setting the Korg MS-20 to accept the incoming signals
1) Sockets
The Korg MS-20 is already fitted with CV & Trig control sockets, which is all you need for control of the notes, it also has many other input sockets on 1/4″ mono jacks which can be driven using the Aux outputs of our products. The three most relevant sockets are as follows:
CV INPUT ( for controlling the pitch of the notes)
Labelled:
VCO 1+2 CV IN
Socket type: 1/4″ mono jack
Connections: Tip = CV (Hz/V) input signal, Sleeve = Ground (to screen)
Setting: Hz/Volt – this needs to be selected on our converters (refer to the converter manual for how to do this)
GATE/TRIG INPUT (for controlling when the notes play)
Labelled: TRIG IN
Socket type: 1/4″ mono jack
Connections (Jack): Tip = trig input signal, Sleeve = Ground (to screen)
Setting: S-Trig – this needs to be selected on our converters (refer to the converter manual for how to do this)
FILTER / VCF INPUT
Labelled: LPF CUTOFF FREQ
Socket type: 1/4″ mono jack
Connections (Jack): Tip = input signal, Sleeve = Ground (to screen)
Setting: Input range 10V
2) MIDI to CV converter (or USB MIDI to CV converter)
Use this link to see the range of Kenton converters suitable for this model
Use the following settings on the converter for this synthesiser:
CV – This synthesiser requires Hz/Volt control. Set the CV
select parameter to Hz/V – this requires a change from the Kenton
default
Gate/Trig – This synthesiser requires s-trig with no pullup – this requires a change from the Kenton default
Aux1/Filter – LPF cutoff frequency socket can be connected to the AUX output of our converters using their default setting
If you don’t know anything about MIDI to CV converters and would like to know more, read the following page on our website:
3) Leads
You will need the following leads for your Korg MS-20:
3 x 3.5mm mono jack to 1/4″ mono jack lead
3.5mm to 1/4″ mono jack leads are available in several lengths.
GO TO OUR SELECTION OF LEADS (opens in new tab)
4) Settings to change on the Korg MS-20 itself
There are no settings to change on the MS-20.