The Ultimate Guide to Korg MS-20 VST Emulations (2025)
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The Korg MS-20 is a semi-modular monophonic synthesizer originally released in 1978. Distinguished by its two resonant filters (High-Pass and Low-Pass) and flexible patch bay, it offers a sound often described as raw and aggressive compared to other analog synthesizers of its time. Over the decades, it has been notably used by artists such as Daft Punk, Aphex Twin, and The Chemical Brothers.
Today, several software developers offer emulations of this instrument. This guide presents the best MS-20 VST emulations of 2025, detailing their specific features and differences.
1. KORG MS-20: The Official Recreation
From the original manufacturer, this is Korg’s own software recreation of their iconic semi-modular synth. It utilizes their proprietary CMT (Component Modeling Technology) to replicate the hardware’s behavior. Its philosophy is authenticity, providing both the early and late filter versions and reproducing the patch bay for complex sound design.
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2. Arturia MS-20 V: The Evolved Classic
Arturia’s emulation takes the classic MS-20 architecture and expands it for modern music production. Its philosophy is to combine the character of the original with modern features. It includes polyphony, a built-in sequencer, and a full suite of studio-quality effects, transforming the monophonic synth into a more versatile instrument.
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3. Cherry Audio PS-20: The Accessible Powerhouse
The PS-20 is Cherry Audio’s take on the MS-20, designed to deliver an authentic workflow at an accessible price point. Its philosophy is to be a flexible instrument for everyone. It expands on the original with 16-voice polyphony, a unique three-layer sequencer, and integrated studio effects, while remaining CPU-efficient.
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4. UVI HX-20: The Curated Sound Library
Rather than a circuit emulation, HX-20 is a library of sounds sampled from a vintage Korg MS-20 and the ARP Odyssey. Running in the UVI Workstation, its philosophy is to provide access to hardware tones, offering a palette of production-ready sounds that reflect the texture of the analog circuits.
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5. Bolle Krog SM-20: The Free Reaktor Emulation
This is a creation from the developer Bolle for Native Instruments’ Reaktor platform. Its philosophy is to offer a faithful MS-20 experience for free to the community. It runs in the free Reaktor Player and is recognized for capturing the character and patching flexibility of the original hardware.
Final Summary: Choosing Your Philosophy
The distinct and flexible sound of the Korg MS-20 remains a staple in electronic music production. The choice of software depends on the user’s specific requirements:
- For the **Official Recreation** from the original manufacturer, there is KORG MS-20.
- For the **Evolved Classic** with a built-in sequencer and effects, there is Arturia MS-20 V.
- For an **Accessible Powerhouse** with high polyphony, there is Cherry Audio PS-20.
- For a **Curated Sound Library** based on samples, there is UVI HX-20.
- For a **Free Reaktor Emulation** from the user community, there is Bolle Krog SM-20.