The Rare KORG MS-50 from 1978

[@erroneousbosh]

The MS20 Korg35 filter, the OTA filter, and the MS50's diode ring filter are all just different ways to implement a Sallen-Key 2-pole filter and make it voltage-controlled, though. They do the same job in slightly different ways.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks for the info. The sound is definitely different, though. Presumably down to the approach and components used?

[@erroneousbosh]

@@AlexBallMusic The Korg35 is particularly distinctive because of the way the control part works - it's not "just" controlled by the current into the bases of the two transistors used to set the cutoff because the voltage going into the filter changes, and that changes the current between base and emitter. So if you stick a sawtooth in, good and loud, the sawtooth sweeps the cutoff at audio rate! If you stick a squarewave in and look on a fairly accurate audio spectrum analyser you can see the resonance peaks move apart as you make the square louder.
The diode ring filter kind of balances the control and input voltage between the two "legs" of the ring, and a similar thing is used in the Steiner Synthacon filter (which loads of us have in Arturia synths now) - just like in a ladder filter as one side goes up the other goes down and they cancel out. The MS50 diode ring filter is a very similar layout to the "traveller" filters as you say, but also the Yamaha CS80 and friends.
Finally the OTA based ones are stable no matter what input you stick in, because the inputs of the opamps are always balanced and the gain is set by the current into the bottom of the input pair - the cutoff is totally uncoupled from the input signal.
I should do a video on them some time.
Edit: I forgot to mention, the Korg Monotron filter is basically a Korg 35 filter but super affordable. They're easy to build, too!

[@AlexBallMusic]

​@@erroneousbosh Brilliant - thank you.

[@klinkske]

@@erroneousbosh i wonder what kind of filter is in the monotribe and volca keys. would gamble 35 and traveller.

[@erroneousbosh]

@@klinkske The service manual for the Volca Bass and Volca Keys are out there, and it's a diode bridge S-K filter kind of like the "Traveller" filter. The diode biasing comes off opamps rather than transistors making it more like the MS50 filter than anything.

[@echodub81]

Ah yes, here they are again, the fantastic demos of alex ball ❤

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks!

[@Mouxbar]

70's synths still sound like the future. I love 'em. Unlike the ladies who give me a funny look when I offer to show them my expander module. 😆

[@AlexBallMusic]

Matron.

[@HOLLASOUNDS]

Your music is some of the best sythersizor music around in My opinion, you get the groove going from the most unlikely sounds.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you!

[@fruduroc]

It's crazy how each demo you do is a killer track on which I would love to dance all night long ...

[@Skarlet_Overdrive]

Not only am I blown away at how incredibly enticing your documentary style video production is, but I am thoroughly impressed at your song writing. It's groovy as hell

[@NedBouhalassaVideos]

Woah, that first jam is KILLER! This series of synths certainly inspires you - good for us! Thanks again for your outstanding music, and knowledge.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks Ned!

[@bengarland]

Thank you Alex. You're a gem for taking the time to make all of these informative synth videos. It's hard work, and very much appreciated.

[@AlexBallMusic]

My pleasure! I can think of worse things to do. 😀

[@dreamhyperdrive]

Very true. Well said 👍

[@AdrianDunevein]

The smirk on your face doing movie tension, Ping Ponging filters like Zeppelins what is and what should never be Absolutely frikkn brilliant demo

[@carlosserrano3985]

I'm glad that the MS-50 is in good hands Alex, the collection is GROWING, looks like your place is getting small. Excellent jams!

[@grenoblica]

Korg always makes Alex go nuts with the jams :)

[@AlexBallMusic]

Korg will do that to you. 🙂

[@erichobbs4042]

Totally digging the sounds, as well as the retro filter on the video as well.

[@barnabynorman157]

That was a good keep - such a lovely sound. Thank you for sharing.

[@thema3v6]

Alex, thanks once again for yet another brilliant video. In 1979 I got my first synth, a MS10. Followed by a MS20. I remember gazing at product folders from Korg, containing pics of the MS50. In the early nineties a music shop placed an ad saying that they planned to sell old forgotten stock, collecting dust. One of the items was a MS50. Took me only half a second to decide to get it right away. Never regretted that decison. A rare piece indeed and once you get your head around the technique, it is a true gem. An expander, as well a synth and an effect unit, all in one.

[@ISLAInstruments]

Only just saw this. It gave me fizzy knickers! So glad it’s gone to beat home dude! Thanks for the shout out! ❤

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks for letting my have it! Amazing thing.

[@Hxs28]

You are always my number1!!! top demoes top sounds. So tempted to click on Reverb....

[@macronencer]

I have a small handful of channels whose videos I always eagerly await, and yours is one of them. You put so much effort into making quality music during your demos that I sometimes wonder whether this channel is secretly just your portfolio and the vintage gear reviews are merely a cunning cover story :D Not that I'd mind, as I enjoy both elements.

[@AlexBallMusic]

I'm a salesman living in 1978. I use a worm hole to access UA-cam.

[@GizzyDillespee]

Someone on GS was like, "AB needs to make music instead of gear demos" and I was thinking, "what if you viewed them as music videos instead of as gear demos?" Then the complaint would be "these music videos aren't very comprehensive video manuals!" "Well, what if you viewed them as guides to what makes these synths special?" but really, expectations tend to make all experiences worse, not better.
Also, 1978 UA-cam kicks 2022 UA-cam's ass. Even tho there wasn't YT in 78, there's just no room for doubt (and no CGI clickbait, except for on George Lucas' channel)

[@Finn.Diesel]

Yes I admit I'm quite jealous now because Alex is doing exactly what I always wanted to do with the MS Synths but never managed. Getting the sick sounds into a harmonic structure is an art. Hats off Alex! Grüße aus Berlin.

[@justindpeak]

Loved the filters when you blended them. So nice.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Absolutely, like recording two different guitars and panning.

[@Mark_Ocain]

How good is this thing??!! Amazing sounds abound! Thanks, Alex for taking us into the less-known corners of the Korg--Verse !

[@AlexBallMusic]

Always wanted one, wasn't disappointed. 😀

[@Mark_Ocain]

​@@AlexBallMusic 😃 enjoy, man!! It's certainly wound up in the right hands!

[@h2o1969]

Man you make that synth sound good. Never heard of it before, but what a great sounding line of synths. Really tops.

[@chillbitz]

the footsie jam is DIIIIRTYYYY 😩😩😩 some just amazing demos in this video. killer as usual!!

[@kabongpope]

Once again, Korg proves to be my fave Japanese synth maker for just the sheer weirdness they made

[@AlexBallMusic]

Indeed!

[@knasterask1]

Excellent sound design and I love the track in demo 5!🎉❤😊
Dreaming of getting a MS-50 to my old MS-20😊

[@Crabe05]

What a GORGEOUS instrument! And beautifully showcased in your jams :o

[@Flat8G]

Madness! Love love love all your overly ring-modulated, over-vibratoed quirkyness! 💯💢💯

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers. Korg does that to a guy. :)

[@xa1a]

Fantastic man! Once again, you nailed it!

[@tomfenn7149]

I used to own an MS50. Alex, well done for coaxing so much more out of this beast than I ever could! However the two things I loved on it were the ring modulator, which if fed with the the VCO set at a fixed frequency and the filter swept by one big knob (can't remember its name) on the panel but just through 15v to 0v with the filter in self oscillation, sounded exactly like the beginning of the theme to Dr Who. The second, the filter itself which was just really fat and gnarly, way nicer (dirtier) than that on my MS20. Brilliant video btw. You have definitely mastered the way of the funk!

[@Hainbach]

Beautiful video, such a gem of a synth.

[@AlexBallMusic]

I was thinking that I need to take it up to Sam as he's not only Mr MS-10/20, but I saw he got the accompanying SQ-10 sequencer recently.
Would be fun to put that all together with a phone exchange and furbie organ. 😃

[@erlannderrantem6972]

@@AlexBallMusic I‘d love to see that! But don‘t let him touch the circuits or might throw flames at the end or something!😁

[@thelanavishnuorchestra]

I love these so much, beautiful gear, explained and demonstrated beautifully.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you kindly!

[@happygolucky2231]

almost had one in 2001. got sick and couldn't pick it up. then it was gone 😱 thanks for the great review and catchy grooves!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Ah shucks, bad timing!
If it's any consolation, I've missed MS-50s by small amounts half a dozen times over the past five years. Hard to get hold of.

[@shkeni]

These demos rocked! Love to see that you're still making good use of the Superdrums xD

[@AlexBallMusic]

The Superdrums are so bad, they're somehow good. Scientists are still researching why.

[@HOLLASOUNDS]

Alex has some of the best sythersizor music around to be honest.

[@limitedresource]

this channel should be part of the national curriculum - and it's funny to boot

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers!

[@TDRKB]

Wow that was fun. The mini Korg certainly is getting some use as it’s original appearance was in a similar time period. There’s a lot going on in this video - thanks for being the first to demo!

[@AlexBallMusic]

That's the new miniKORG. Use it all the time, it's such a fun synth. 😀

[@klinkske]

@@AlexBallMusic how is it compared to the OG 700S?

[@AlexBallMusic]

@@klinkske I've only played the original 700 next to it and I'd say that the vintage one has less bass and top, but is more forward in the mids. The FS has wallop in the bottom and more sizzle.
But when doing bandpass stuff, they both sound awesome and very Korg. The ring mod on the new one is awesome and the spring reverb and extra stuff is very handy indeed.

[@t3hjnz]

Holy shit, Alex. This was amazing from start to finish. Great work, and thanks for sharing the MS-50 with us!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers!

[@DivKid]

Some fabulous sounds in this, lovely stuff!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers Ben. You'd have fun with this chap.

[@edjones3390]

wonderful piece of Kit! loved all the other vintage gear along side! Makes my evening, whenever you release new content!

[@strangersun7721]

Some fantastic compositions and arrangements in this video. Wow!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you very much!

[@johnmiddleton4291]

This is one that Korg really needs to reissue.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Or a combined stereo 20/50 in a box with an extended patch panel. The MS-70.

[@PWMaarten]

Congrats! The MS-50 is an awesome instrument!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Should have thanked you for the filter info btw, apologies but I forgot to say.

[@PWMaarten]

@@AlexBallMusic no worries! Information is and should be free! :)

[@bahbisscobb]

A lot of of really cool jams. Great demo!!!!

[@timandtheocean]

Lovely how the synthesjizer says "die" :) lovely sounds Alex

[@grrlpurpleable]

I thought that first hand clap in "Oh My Mod!" was celebratory at such a funky bass line at first... outstanding work on this video again Alex!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Just applauding the synths.

[@edwallace3704]

Hi Alex
I love your videos I've had a korg ms 10 since 94 and around that time I always wished there were videos like this to watch but there weren't, I remember buying copies of future music and thinking how cool would it be to put this cd rom in and there's a guy explaing exactly how to use all my equipment .
I don't watch the BBC or ITV anymore , just amazing videos like yours and various other people produce for free for us all to enjoy and learn from .
Ps this Ms 50 video is class and will probably be the best video about it on the Internet forever 👏

[@AlexBallMusic]

The joys of UA-cam. Niches within niches. I only watch TV for live sport basically.

[@fredsavagegarden698]

thank you for the example's of using the MS-50 with guitar and bass. For someone like me that may likely never get to try one that was amazing to see.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Had to be done!

[@BBfanfun]

very kling-klang sounding to my ear.
Love it !

[@ervinpoljak8332]

Absolutely lovely tune!!!!

[@TheUnfinishedSynth]

There’s something about those mid to late 70s synths that still sound so futuristic.
I’m also very happy when you do jams that have a 79-80 vibe; catchy but threatening! :)

[@AlexBallMusic]

Catchy but threatening - sounds like covid.
And yes, the future is coming and it was 45 years ago. What a sound.

[@dreamhyperdrive]

@@AlexBallMusic I call it " Future Noir " but that's just me. LOL 😆

[@darthtrucker489]

Great intro song. Great video. Keep em coming Alex!

[@CommunityGuidelines]

Great presentation of this unique module. Your sound design is excellent, as always. Crisp and funky compositions.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you!

[@mauriceleysens9520]

The filter comparison section is done nicely. And really appreciate you playing as much as talking.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers Maurice, always striving for the talk/music balance.

[@thomaskenneally219]

Always appreciate your videos and the level of effort you put into the compositions. They really push the extremes of what the instruments range can offer without being clinical - it's great.
On another note, I've been pining for a MS-50 video from someone for so long... always wanted to hear one in action. To any MS-20 fan they certainly look like a killer piece of kit.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks Thomas. It's a joy to play around with this stuff.
And yes...the 50 completes the 20. For starters it has PWM that the 20 inexplicably doesn't. 😃

[@Da-Freaks]

What a crazy little thing - love it ❤❤
You got it Alex 👍👍

[@AlexBallMusic]

Quite the naughty box of tricks.

[@etbonz3499]

Damn dude these were some of my favorite jams ive heard in yo videos and they are always sick!

[@LousyFacelift]

Doing it justice - what an understatement, I can't imagine anyone ever made this thing shine like you did since its release. Congrats on this purchase, Alex! Looking forward to more, it sounds incredible!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you!

[@Arkansya]

most likely Trent reznor played with it at some point !

[@marsmediapro]

Educational, informative, and entertaining as always! Were you using that SQ-1 I see there? Wow, that MS-50 stays with you? Excellent! Thanks, Alex!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers! Yep, SQ-1 to sequence and also for 2 channels of MIDI to CV, which is very handy indeed. I have the 50 hooked up to my computer basically.
And yes...it's mine! (Evil laugh)

[@marsmediapro]

@@AlexBallMusic Ex-cell-ent....

[@NuisanceMan]

@@AlexBallMusic You made very nice music on that thing!

[@orztirr1417]

Lovely sounds from these pieces. Well done!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers

[@dr.feelicks2051]

Congrats on korg kit addit.✌️
Rockin’ Roland
Korgchestra

[@marslightsnoise]

The Pure Naughtiness demo is fiiiiiiiiiirrreeeeeee

[@mattkaz9604]

I didn't know this existed, looks great. Your tracks sound amazing too.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers. Yeah, quite rare.

[@bennyshambles]

Very cool. You always make great videos that are informative, but also very entertaining, concise and enjoyable to watch. The MS-50 (and MS-20, MS-10, and SQ-10) always makes me think of Chrislo Haas (DAF mk II, CH + BB, Liaisons Dangereuses), who was the Korg MS master/mad scientist, rivaled only by Kurt Dahlke (DAF mk I, Pyrolator, Der Plan).

[@danselmix]

amazing musical demos Alex, they really shine!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks Daniel.

[@VEsound]

Nice video as usual Alex! The left/right filter demo reminds me of the "Lucid Dreams" track from Franz Ferdinand on which they play 2 Moog Voyager left/right like you for an exciting stereo madness.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Didn't know that one, thanks for the tip off!

[@VEsound]

@@AlexBallMusic If you can listen to it (until the end...) and tell us what you think about this stereo madness... That would be cool as well. :)

[@dreamhyperdrive]

Thanks for the video 👍 it's inspired me to expand on my MS 20 mini ! 😀🎹🎵🎶

[@Mchannemann]

Awesome video and what a rare beast, loved the pedal section. You rock Alex!

[@tmtmtmtmtmtmtmtmtm]

I had a dream that Geert Van Schlänger did a review of the MS-50. Instead I get this Alex guy telling me all about it. I have heard Alex described as "Geert, but sleazier... and British". We will have to make do.

[@Mouxbar]

The British Empire has produced the finest sleaze on the planet. Matron. 🤣

[@mynameistechno]

top notch demo material

[@kevinbatchelor9566]

You really are the best at this.

[@leeselectronicwidgets]

Glorious stuff Alex, love it. The filter is so raucous!
As a complete side note, I like your sequencer step being event related rather than a regular measure beat :-)

[@AlexBallMusic]

That's exactly what I love about the MC-4. Each step is an event with two CV values, a step time and a gate time. The step can be any value you want, as can the gate and there is no rule as to where you punch in "measure end".
Tight as hell too. Awesome machine.

[@amphitheatre]

Thank you. ms20+ms50=time machines, one of my favorite albums ever. I'd watch a full length video on just patching the ms50 (or the two together), since as you say, there isn't many who can afford or find these. Hint hint!

[@aboveaxis]

wow that thing sounds so good!

[@hendrikboser8238]

Amazing like always, think that filter makes sense, it sounds brighter and gives an expanded range of posibilities. Huge!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Yeah, my guess was that it was a unique selling point to persuade people to get the expander to partner their 10/20.

[@Somewhere_sometime_somehow]

One of the coolest things i heard you do

[@ElectronicazMusic]

What a racket (7.30) I FLIPPIN LOVE IT ! ! ! ❤🎹😎

[@cerebralkaos2385]

Another great video Alex, and you always do justice to the instruments you demo!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks!

[@sawsquaresinetube]

Epic ending. This is on my list but I am officially out of space … for now lol. I’m downsizing by priority 😊 thanks for the deets!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Yeah, my Odyssey went to make a space for this. I know the problem well.

[@steviox]

Good work Fella!! Always wondered how that would cook!

[@ChaosEngineMusic]

Thanks Alex, just stumbled on your channel, great stuff; informative, cool tunes and filming - glad to find another real one, keep rowing man!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Howdy! Thanks.

[@DestroyER82]

Thanks for introduction, thats amazing. And oh myyyy, KORG35 sounds awesome, but that diode filter - that is really something else.
And looking forward for more.
All the best!

[@AlexBallMusic]

And now I have both! Sexy times.

[@DestroyER82]

@@AlexBallMusic And MS-10 and SQ-10 to go for full set. ;-)

[@AlexBallMusic]

@@DestroyER82 I had the opportunity and after weighing it up, I decided not to open that worm hole. 01, 02, 20, 50 and SQ-1 are enough.
(famous last words)

[@DestroyER82]

@@AlexBallMusic It... is... Inevitable ;-)

[@electronictiger]

This is rather excellent Alex! I just love the sound of those old Korgs. Such mighty sound. Congratulation on your MS-50. Seems like a fun toy and powerful tool, especially in your capable hands.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers. Yeah, they definitely have a sound. A fully modular family member really opens some doors in that world too, so I'm loving it.

[@supadupahilton6848]

I was working at Korg when this came out. I remember wiring it up to an SQ-8 and people's jaws dropped.. ...should have picked them up.

[@greatheightsu]

Your second or third dates sound thrilling and interesting! :D

[@AlexBallMusic]

I usually save signal gates and voltage processors until the 3rd date. Really hots things up.

[@johntammaro]

Only 19 seconds in and I'm loving it

[@AlexBallMusic]

Matron.

[@movraptor]

I came for the shnasty synth jams and I was more than satisfied

[@HalonOfficial]

what an awesome synth! 😀

[@LFOVCF]

Well I learned something about the type of filter (Traveller) on my micro preset.
Great video, as per.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Played one of those once. Fun little synth.

[@klinkske]

o yes, straight in my deepest likes.That 700S is such a wonder, and your guitar part is da bomb

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers!

[@timtrzepacz3452]

I really like the music you play in all of your videos. Are there CDs for sale anywhere?
You should do a video megacut with all of your music bits strung together for background listening; I'll bet you have hours!

[@AlexBallMusic]

I'll stick it on my Bandcamp in the UA-cam doodle album next week.

[@mrdayvidjon]

Wow great example of the 50 I had a similar rig w/ the Mc-4 ms20/50 A-2600 memory moog Jupiter 6 and few others ms-03/04 the hz-1v.oct converter thingy was the real expander as it allowed the the 50 to communicate to almost any synth ,it was a labor of love to patch it all up and then program the Mc-4 in about 30min+ from scratch! But I always suspected the 50 filter was different than the 20 thanks for clearing that up , damn 40+ years wondering about that filter cheers Alex.yippies

[@AlexBallMusic]

Glad to bring back your past. 😀

[@DaveG207]

Brilliant video, and dating advice. What more could one ask for.

[@DaveG207]

…and good grief, the sound of this thing!

[@lugeroaccordion9957]

Thanks forsharing bro. Cheers.

[@h_ymusicgroup5051]

Alex Ball please drop an album with all your synth demo songs UA-cam eats alot of battery and also you cant turn the screen off while watching and my phone taps the back of my leg in my pants at work while listening, causing me to constantly stop and hit back to continue listening to what is arguably the most unique, listenable and refreshing synth music on UA-cam and maybe of all time! I just want to work and listen at the same time so I need it on Spotify or SoundCloud or something! Thanks for your work

[@AlexBallMusic]

I'll stick them on Bandcamp next week. 🙂

[@h_ymusicgroup5051]

@@AlexBallMusic thank you your work should be recognized it's not your average sound it's a style all your own

[@rejectedsynths]

Most musicians back in the day probably checked this synth out and were all WTF 🤨 It sounds super contemporary to my ears, lots of grit and grime 👌

[@AlexBallMusic]

It is a mad thing, yeah.

[@rejectedsynths]

@@AlexBallMusic Also thank you very much for providing us with one rare synth treasure after another. You are the Supercar Blondie of the synth world 😍

[@TheSynthnut]

I so miss my MS20/MS50/SQ10 stack, this really brings that home! Great demonstrations with your usual excellent musicality Alex, making these videos so enjoyable. Glad you are getting to keep this unusual beasty too!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Ah, the classic trio. Might grab am SQ-10 if I ever see one for a reasonable price. Have the SQ-1 in the meantime.

[@MrFunktone]

Wow! Never knew these existed, great video as always sir, awesome addition to the studio and I do love the filter on 50 adds more to the MS sound palate with both. Top tracks as always 🎶🚀🔊

[@Bendy2K]

Keep 'em coming, Alex - the more obscure, the better!

[@InVacuo]

Always a joy to watch your videos, Alex! Love the jams!

[@Ceviche4K]

Another day another banger

[@mcdosia420]

Damn dude. You can bust out a jam man! Great video and the best synth channel out here.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers!

[@iskandertime747]

You've outdone yourself again. Bravo!