HX-20: Reviving the MS-20 inspiration in 5 timeless tracks
The Korg MS-20 is an iconic synthesizer with a deep history in electronic, pop, jazz, and rock music. The portable design of a two-oscillator monophonic synth that was perfect for bass and lead sounds really resonated (pun intended!) with musicians and audiences alike. The synth's unique design combined pre-wired routing paths as well as hardware cable overrides to those paths that made sound design not only diverse but convenient – a rare combination for analog synths!
The recent release of HX-20 is the perfect time to take a look back at 5 iconic tracks that likely utilized this portable powerhouse. With HX-20 you can craft sounds that are inspired by these tracks in no time within UVI Workstation or Falcon.
Da Funk by Daft Punk
The MS-20 takes center stage on this track by the legendary electronic Parisian duo. The lead in this tune grabs you right from the beginning, and the filthy saw waves stack up and create a raw distortion that really stands out. The filter grinds it up even more. The tune has a very laid back feel, and the slightly 'laggy' portamento definitely contributes to that. Add in a slightly extended release and you've got a recipe for a synth lead with true swag.
LISTEN
Da Funk by Daft Punk
The MS-20 takes center stage on this track by the legendary electronic Parisian duo. The lead in this tune grabs you right from the beginning, and the filthy saw waves stack up and create a raw distortion that really stands out. The filter grinds it up even more. The tune has a very laid back feel, and the slightly 'laggy' portamento definitely contributes to that. Add in a slightly extended release and you've got a recipe for a synth lead with true swag.
LISTEN
LISTEN
Flat Beat by Mr Oizo
Puppets in the video aside, Flat Beat by Mr Ozio is an absolute banger. The arrangement is incredibly simple by design, and that leaves so much room for the synth bass line to stand on its own. 90% of this song is the backbeat behind the synth bass and there are few synths that could hold up to that much focus when producing a bass line. The tone is a simple square wave bass line, only using a single oscillator. The MS-20's envelope generator takes center stage and modulates both the amplitude envelope and the filter to create the pulse that really punches through the mix.
Flat Beat by Mr Oizo
Puppets in the video aside, Flat Beat by Mr Ozio is an absolute banger. The arrangement is incredibly simple by design, and that leaves so much room for the synth bass line to stand on its own. 90% of this song is the backbeat behind the synth bass and there are few synths that could hold up to that much focus when producing a bass line. The tone is a simple square wave bass line, only using a single oscillator. The MS-20's envelope generator takes center stage and modulates both the amplitude envelope and the filter to create the pulse that really punches through the mix.
LISTEN
ROYGBIV by Boards of Canada
The Scots from Boards of Canada are well known for creating psychedelic and ambient textures, and you can hear a different take on the MS-20's capability in the song ROYGBIV. The bass line is easily recreated on the MS-20 and it's a lot more reserved than some of the piercing lines the MS-20 is often used for. The bass patch is really wide and takes up a lot of space in the low end of the spectrum, giving the ambient sound samples and syncopated piano part a solid grounding.
LISTEN
ROYGBIV by Boards of Canada
The Scots from Boards of Canada are well known for creating psychedelic and ambient textures, and you can hear a different take on the MS-20's capability in the song ROYGBIV. The bass line is easily recreated on the MS-20 and it's a lot more reserved than some of the piercing lines the MS-20 is often used for. The bass patch is really wide and takes up a lot of space in the low end of the spectrum, giving the ambient sound samples and syncopated piano part a solid grounding.
LISTEN
LISTEN
Girls by The Prodigy
Producer Damian Taylor has shared that The Prodigy utilized the MS-20 for many of the lead synth lines on the 'Always Outnumbered, Never Outgunned' sessions. The lead lines do have that class MS-20 wobble to them, although the sound augmented quite a bit by some distortion or overdrive effects. 'Girls' is a great track to hear the diversity of the MS-20 with a bunch of overlapping lead lines all contributing to the chaos.
Girls by The Prodigy
Producer Damian Taylor has shared that The Prodigy utilized the MS-20 for many of the lead synth lines on the 'Always Outnumbered, Never Outgunned' sessions. The lead lines do have that class MS-20 wobble to them, although the sound augmented quite a bit by some distortion or overdrive effects. 'Girls' is a great track to hear the diversity of the MS-20 with a bunch of overlapping lead lines all contributing to the chaos.
LISTEN
Open Eye Signal by Jon Hopkins
If you're looking for a contemporary example of utilizing the MS-20, look no further. 'Open Eye Signal' is an absolute masterclass in utilizing every inch of the MS-20's panel and routing capabilities. From the bass line to the haunting melodies, the iconic synth takes center stage. There are static tones, heavily modulated and filtered tones, and everything in between. Jon reported that he utilized an original 1979 MS-20 for this track and spent months tweaking the panel to make the synth parts sound effortless.
LISTEN
Open Eye Signal by Jon Hopkins
If you're looking for a contemporary example of utilizing the MS-20, look no further. 'Open Eye Signal' is an absolute masterclass in utilizing every inch of the MS-20's panel and routing capabilities. From the bass line to the haunting melodies, the iconic synth takes center stage. There are static tones, heavily modulated and filtered tones, and everything in between. Jon reported that he utilized an original 1979 MS-20 for this track and spent months tweaking the panel to make the synth parts sound effortless.
LISTEN
These 5 tracks are a great place to start if you pick up HX-20. Listening to them will give you a great idea of the capabilities of the instrument and where you can push it in your own productions! With the original sampled waveforms combined with the modeling of the original filter, you'll be able to recreate these sounds in your workstations without ever leaving your DAW.
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