KORG MINIKORG 700 FS 37-Key Analog Synthesizer

37-Key Analog Synthesizer

The KORG MINIKORG 700 FS is an authentic, limited-edition reissue of KORG's first analog synthesizer produced in 1973. It comes equipped with additional features such as an arpeggiator, spring reverb, aftertouch, joystick for pitch bend and modulation control, MIDI via USB and DIN ports, CV/GATE inputs, analog SYNC I/O, and 14 Program memories.
Korg's goal is to allow users to appreciate the beauty and magnificence of authentic analog sound through the KORG MINIKORG 700 FS, an instrument designed by KORG's team of analog-specialized engineers under the supervision of Fumio Mieda, who created the original circuit and ensured that all elements of the circuit diagrams were correctly represented in this reissue.
The KORG MINIKORG 700 FS features powerful-sounding oscillators and an authentic reproduction of the Traveler controller, one of the predominant characteristics of the original instrument. The Volca Keys and Volca Bass employ the same filter circuit as the miniKORG 700, because the clarity and characteristic power of this filter are essential elements for instruments dedicated to generating lead and synth bass sounds. The iconic sound of the miniKORG 700 perfectly complements current music production.
Nowadays, the fantastic lead synths and basses generated by the KORG MINIKORG 700 FS are the perfect complement to a keyboard setup consisting of electric pianos, organs, workstations, or other instruments. The controls of the miniKORG 700 were located under the keyboard, so the keyboardist could easily access them when placing it on top of another instrument. The new version respects this characteristic by providing an intuitive layout with a unique and particular design not found in other instruments.
When the first miniKORG 700 was introduced, the electronic components of the time were larger, thus limiting the instrument's functionality due to limited space. Thanks to current technology, the footprint has been reduced, making room for the introduction of a spring reverb and a joystick for pitch bend and modulation control. This new version also includes aftertouch for greater expressiveness, an arpeggiator, MIDI via USB and DIN ports, and CV/GATE inputs. We have also added dedicated program memory buttons, to prevent users from having to write down potentiometer positions to manually recall their favorite sounds later.
One of the miniKORG 700's features is the Traveler controller with its two sliders located under the keyboard. With these, the keyboardist can adjust the cutoff frequency of the low-pass filters (upper lever) and the high-pass (lower slider). This section gave the instrumentalist complete freedom to adjust the expressive character of the sound according to the positions assumed by the sliders. Moving the levers from right to left while interacting with the keyboard made it possible to generate wah-wah and mute effects, as well as the distinctive "traveling sound."
When the sound passing through the filter has a frequency lower than the cutoff and higher than that set in the sliders, the sound will not be audible. In other words, when the sliders cross, no signal should pass. To remedy this, the original miniKORG 700 sliders had a protrusion that prevented them from reaching this position. At the time of the miniKORG 700's release, some keyboardists removed the protrusions on the sliders to cross the levers in order to generate new sounds, which is why the KORG MINIKORG 700 FS is devoid of protrusions on the sliders, so that the user can freely experiment with the combined use of filters to reproduce the distinctive sounds of the best artists of the era.
To commemorate the return of the miniKORG after half a century, a hard case for transport is included with this limited edition of the KORG MINIKORG 700 FS.

Specifications

• Keyboard: 37 keys (with aftertouch, not velocity-sensitive)
• Range covered: 7 octaves
• Waveforms: triangular, square, sawtooth, Chorus I and Chorus II
• Programs: 14
• MIDI connections: USB "B" port and pentapolar DIN input
• SYNC IN and SYNC OUT 3.5mm TS minijacks
• CV and GATE inputs on 3.5mm TS minijacks
• AUDIO IN (mono) input on 6.3mm TS jack
• Audio outputs: OUTPUT L/MONO and R on 6.3mm JACK
• Stereo headphone output on 6.3mm jack
• Power supply: AC adapter (DC 12V)
• Power consumption: 9 W
• Included: AC adapter, hard case, and Traveler controls with protrusion