MS-20 kit impressions: 1) Noisy filters, 2) too bright LEDs

[hoegge]

Just assembled and used my MS-20 kit. Nice synth, but have two issues and would like to hear other's opinions

1) The synth is very noisy, i.e. when I play turning both oscillators all the way down a lot of noise comes out (probably from the filters?). It means that a triangular wave sound almost drowns in noise (I can measure the level on a follow up post if you are interested). I have heard complaints about that with the MS-20 Mini, but should not be an issue on the full size MS-20. What should you expect of noise level in this synth?

2) The 3 red LEDs are so bright it is hard to see the controls in a dimmed room. Pretty annoying and seems to be a disease in the electronics industry to use LEDs that can be used as head or tail lights for cars. Please - don't use these super bright diodes for indication lights. Am I the only one, that think this is annoying.

Aside that, it is a fun and interesting synth

Morten

[LivePsy]

Noise
Yes, the old filters are noisy, I never use them. Hardly any different in sound otherwise IMO. Be thankful you have a choice.

LEDs
At least they are red. Kronos is blinding. But it's a blight on synths these days.

B

[hoegge]

Noise
Yes, the old filters are noisy, I never use them. Hardly any different in sound otherwise IMO. Be thankful you have a choice.
B

Couldn't seem to hear a different until I found out that the switching between the filters using the F#3 G#3 A#3 / B3 means the lower left part of the keyboard and not the upper octave. Hard to know, since the manual says you turn "auto off" on and off by using the keys C1 D1 E1 / F1 when turning on. Are these keys then not on the keyboard? Well - with the new filters - yes - much less noise. Thanks for the hint

[LivePsy]

Glad you worked it out because I didn't explain the filters at all

After I heard the new and old filters, I changed the jumper on the main board to always start up with the new filter. I can always power it on with the keys down if I want the old filter for a while. Unless you changed the board jumper inside, you will always get the old filters on power up without the keys held.

I just haven't bothered to switch to the old filters after months of use. I don't think I could stand the MS-20 if it only had the old filters.

B

[channel0]

I'm not sure if you could call the early 'noisy' filters a fault, since they add to the original sound of the early MS-20's. True the new filter available in the kit produces a lot less noise, but to me it doesn't have the character of the early in a sense of being aggressive.
I didn't have the impression that a triangle wave was 'drowned in noise' with the early filter. But I like the screaming mayhem the MS20 kit makes, just like the mini does. Tastes may differ.
As for the LEDS, they are bright, but a well lit front panel from one or more external light sources should compensate for this. Remember, this thing has new lights on, the original MS-20 show their mileage concerning oscillators, and lights.

[LivePsy]

Remember, this thing has new lights on, the original MS-20 show their mileage concerning oscillators, and lights.

LEDs weren't as bright in my day. Seriously, they weren't as bright.

B

[channel0]

maybe a couple of layers of dark varnish on them may help?
I wouldn't want to throw it out solely because of the bright leds
but now that I'm checking, the leds on the mini are far less brighter

[LivePsy]

What? Now I need to get the mini as well! LOL

If the MS20kit wasn't SMT, I'd be putting dimming resistors on the LEDs.

B

[channel0]

it would be nice to adjust brightness of the leds according to volume e.g.
but that's just wishful thinking. wearing shades would probably be overdoing it

[LivePsy]

http://www.lightdims.com/

[channel0]

lol, there's a business in this or everyone it seems
nice tip, but I'll stick with a well lit front panel.
you can't play this box in the dark live unless if you know it by heart

[slug]

I had the same problem with my active Tannoys - little LEDS that are beaming directly into your eyes... I just put a dab of black vivid pen on them and so on direct view Im not getting the intensity but can still see it active.

Now my Prophet 12 - that is a synth that needs a dimmer....