Overview of Specifications  ^

2 VCO monophonic patchable (semi-modular) synthesizer;
37 note keyboard, C-C

Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO) 1 -
- Scale: 32', 16', 8', 4'
- Waveforms: triangle, saw, pulse (variable width), noise

VCO 2 -
- Scale: 16', 8', 4', 2'
- Waveforms: saw, square, narrow (25%) pulse, ring modulator
- Variable pitch control of VCO 2

VCO mixer: independent level controls for VCO 1 & 2
FM controls: level controls to MG and EG1

Voltage-controlled high-pass filter -
- Fc & peak (resonance) controls
Voltage-controlled low-pass filter -
- Fc & peak (resonance) controls

Frequency modulation of VCO's & VCF's Fc by MG or external cv

Modulation Generator (LFO)-
- Triangle/variable pulse waveform & frequency controls

Envelope Generator 1: delay, attack, release
Envelope Generator 2: hold, attack, decay, sustain, release

External Signal Processor; amp, filter, cv, env & trig outputs
Master tune, control wheel; momentary switch; portamento; headphone output

External Signal Processor: *
Signal level; low cut level; high cut level; cv adjust; threshold level
jacks - input; preamp out; BPF out; F>V out; env out, trig out

Patch panel, with independent white & pink noise sources, an additional VCA, sample & hold,
VCO's & VCF's cv/fm inputs, EG & MG cv outputs, EG trigger inputs, keyboard cv & trigger out,
keyboard trigger in, pre-VCF's external signal input etc.

You get two VCO's, two VCF's, two VCA's, two EG's, an MG (LFO), an S/H circuit, and extra noise generators. Plus, the MS-20 has an external signal processor (ESP) that lets you turn it into a guitar synthesizer, drum synthesizer, vocal synthesizer . . . you name it. This unit does everything you ever hoped for in a synthesizer, and some things you'll have to discover for yourself.

Voltage Controlled Oscillator x2
On top of the two complete VCO's, you have both linear CV input, and a nonlinear (1 OCT/V) input for compatability with any other synthesizer in the world. There is a noise generator, and a ring modulator for percussion effects. Each VCO has an independent volume control so you can mix them at will.

Voltage Controlled Filter x2
You can use the high-pass and low-pass modules separately, or together as a band-pass filter. Use external or internal signals to modulate one or both VCF's for a new level of complex music synthesis.

Modulation Generator
Use this low-frequency oscillator (LFO) to modulate other modules of the MS-20. Waveform and frequency are continuaously variable to give you a variety of effects impossible with conventional units.

Envelope Generator 1
Create pitch bends, delayed vibrato, and other modulation effects with this envelope generator. The internal patch connects this EG to most modules, but if you use the patch panel, the sky's the limit.

Envelope Generator 2
Control changes in volume and tone color (attack, decay, sustain, release) with this envelope generator. Besides the conventional "ADSR" parameters, you also get a HOLD TIME control.

Patch Panel
Bring out the full potential of the MS-20 by using the patch panel. Set up a complex patch by following the flow chart on the panel. Here you'll find VCA, sample and hold, noise generators (pink and white), and other modules.

External Signal Processor (ESP) *
This gives you the freedom to use external music signals to actually control synthesizer operation. In other words, if you plug in an electric guitar, you have a guitar synthesizer; plug in a microphone and you have a vocal synthesizer. The ESP is an interface that converts both pitch, volume and other parts of the sound into voltages that control the synthesizer modules.

Momentary Switch
This manual switch is conveniently located for easy triggering of pitch bends and other effects while performing.

Control Wheel
For continuously variable control of pitch, tone color, volume and other effects, while playing the keyboard."

The MS-20 is so advanced that it features a built-in External Signal Processor (ESP) which lets you "play" the synthesizer using an electric guitar, bass, microphone, or any other external instrument. The front panel is divided into a rationally laid out control section and a large patch panel for free creative control of signal paths and module functions. Located right by the keyboard, the programmable control wheel and momentary switch can be patched for quick variation of any synthesizer modules."

"Plug a guitar, microphone, or other signal into the external signal processor and use the MS-20 as a guitar synthesizer, vocal synthesizer, and soon." (sic)