The MS-20 is a much-loved vintage analog monosynth - and was a huge success for Korg due to its flexibility, amazing sounds, and portability. The MS-20 has a patching system and two oscillators, plus two filters - high and low pass. The bass sounds are particularly hefty. The two envelope generators give you everything from delay and attack to decay. The frequency modulator means you can bend the notes, and you can also detune. You can generate pink and white noise, and connect to a step sequencer. It was launched in 1978 and production finished in 1983.

This gem of a synth is used by diverse artists including Daft Punk, Goldfrapp, The Prodigy, Neon Indian, Foals, Portishead, Ladytron and Ty, as well as synth heroes Deutsch-Amerikanische Freundschaft, Fad Gadget, Depeche Mode and Vince Clarke.

In 2013 Korg issued a new MS-20 Mini which replicates the circuitry of the original MS-20, and has MIDI in and a USB MIDI in and out connector. It has a smaller keyboard and uses mini plugs instead of patch cables. There is also an iMS-20 app for the iPad.