14 minutes and 41 seconds of absolutely indispensable advice for anyone who owns either a hardware or software version of this iconic, idiosyncratic , unique, and beloved vintage synth. I've owned my MS-20 Mini for two weeks now, and although I've been able to get some incredible sounds out of it just based on my raw beginner's knowledge of the principles of subtractive synthesis, this video explains at an appropriate, digestible level of detail the function and purpose of every control on the left-hand side of the control panel. Todd, you are a magnificent, knowledgeable, and highly engaging instructor; so genial and pleasant to watch and to listen to. Again, a massive thank you from this newbie for helping us users get the best out of our prized synths.
Awesome. Thank you so much for those words! I remember not even getting a sound out of it when I first bought it. It isn’t easy, but the learning process is worth it.
Would you consider doing something similar (perhaps a bit longer) for the impOSCar2 and the wave ppg? These are amazing synths but the layouts and workflow is really unintuitive (and the manuals are not very helpful). I’ve looked and looked but just can’t seem to find any tutorials for these, just lots of Delos of the presets - which isn’t really the point! Thanks again.
@@jamesalbert1376 I’d love to do that with the hardware Wave PPG but don’t have one. As for software, I might do some more VST synth reviews in the future, but for now have been keeping my software instrument walkthroughs exclusive to Softube. But check some of those out. I think you like them. 😊
Thanks for the video. It was helpful. Question…how do I get sound to two monitors with using the signal output? Do I need a mixer? The only way I can seem to get a stereo sound to my monitors is by using the phones output instead.
The phones output would work. But typically you would run a mono out into either a mixer or directly into an interface, both of which would have a stereo output. Another option could be to run into something like a stereo effects processor by running mono in and taking the stereo output
Do you need a computer to power it or just USB, so you can use an iPad or Power Bank to charge it? I was wondering if you need software to run it or standalone with it's own speakers. Thanks so much. You are a great teacher!
The MS-20? It is just a standalone synth. So it has its own power supply. Then you can just use a 1/4” out to run into an amp, or you can use the headphones out for headphones.
Definitely the best thing I've found yet for a beginner with this killer instrument. Thank you. Do you ever run delay/reverb out of this? Any recommendations to sweeten the sound when playing live? Cheers -
I don’t dare use it live. 😉 I typically use it in my studio and add effects in the DAW afterward. I recently purchased a Plethora 3x and am super happy with the effects for dry analog keyboard. Give that a look! Thank you for watching and the kind words.
hi mate, ive just recently bought an ms20 mini and im curious what cable you have for the signal out and what does the signal out cable connect to? my first time with a hardware synth im abit confused. cheers
You can use any unbalanced 1/4” guitar or instrument style cable for this to run it into an Amp, PA, or into your DAW for recording. 😊 Have fun playing around. And don’t worry, it has a learning curve. But watch the videos a few times and you’ll get it! I also have videos on the ARP and MS-1, which are different products, but just understanding synthesis on different instruments will help you get better on the MS20.
the mini actually uses a 1/8th" output -- aux cable sized -- which is a bit frustrating, but you can use a 1/8th to 1/4th instrument cable, or something like an LTIBLOX laptop interface by rapco, which is what i'm using. from there, you can run it into any audio interface, an amp, or whatever. best of luck!
Ah, thanks. I missed the key word “mini”. Good catch. 😊 but yes, an 1/8-1/4 cable will work fine. Just get a solid quality one, as I find some of the cheaper ones are more prone to breaking after using them a while.
Of course. Most synths can be plugged in directly. Some modular setups can get more complex, but even then, there are ways to output 1/4” to an amp. The real question is whether there is a keyboard or you need an external sequencer.
Hmm. I’d you followed my basic steps from the beginning and have the volume up on the unit, something sounds wrong. Did you try both the headphone and the 1/4” line output?
