I wanted to try my hand at recreating the MS-20 in VCV rack. This initial patch will give you the full circuit potential of the MS-20, minus the external processing unit. If you want to add modules for the ESP, it’s still possible to add a band-pass filter, Frequency to Voltage Converter, and Envelope Follower to process external audio (I just wanted to keep it tight!)

Here’s a link to the MS-20 manual that I used as a reference: https://imagescdn.juno.co.uk/manual/637508-01U.pdf

Some key improvements:

* Two Full-range VCOs

* Filter 1 is variable! Every possible filter under the sun

* Use the LFO to Modulate the Pulse Width/Ring Mod

* More Slew Options!

* Stereo Spread

* Reverb and Delay on Sends

Quick notes:

* The selection knob on the 8:1 switches change which waveform is in use. The initial patch has the waveforms on the MS-20 panel, but add more, have fun with it :)

* I used an XOR to create the Ring Mod on OSC2, and an offset that controls both the Pulse width of OSC1 and the Ring Modulation of OSC2. Let me know if there’s a more elegant solution to this! I’d love to hear it.

*By default, the Triangle Wave of the LFO is routed to the PW of OSC 1/2 and the Cutoff Frequency of both Filters. Switch up these mod destinations with the envelopes for some flavor.

*Both Envelopes are huge, but the initial patch reduces them to their designations (DAR and HADSR). If you want to stay true to the circuit, only use them how they were intended. If not, who cares? Have a ball.

*Add a SEQ16 and pretend it’s a Korg SQ-10!

I hope you enjoy it!

Here’s a list of all of the modules used in this patch:

MIDI-CV – Fundamental MIDI-CV

Labels – Submarine TD-202 Vertical Text Display

VCO-1 – Befaco EvenVCO + VCV Nois + BogAudio 8:1 Multiplexer Switch

VCO-2 – Befaco EvenVCO + BogAudio 8:1 Multiplexer Switch

OSC Mixer – BogAudio VCM

Filter 1 – XFX F-35 Variable State Filter (All the Filters)

Filter 2 – Lindenberg Research Valerie (MS-20 Low Pass Filter)

HP/HP Switch – BogAudio Switch (use latch)

Mixer – Fundamental Mixer -> Lindenberg Spreader -> Vult Send -> Vult Send -> AS S-VU Meter -> Fundamental Audio

(Honestly, just use a mixer with sends and returns built in like the Rapelzen, Squinky Labs, or MindMeld MixMaster + AuxSpander. It’s easier, and doesn’t have the same gain staging issues. Will update this in v1.2)

Portamento – Stocaudio PolySlew

Master Tune – BogAudio Stack

Ring Modulator – Count Modula XOR Gate

PW/RM Knob – BogAudio Offset

Modulation Generator – BogAudio LFO

Modulation VCA (TOTAL) – NYSTHI Poly LPG (in VCA mode)

FM Knobs – BogAudio VCA-2

Envelopes – BogAudio DADSR (Configured as DAR and HADSR

Sample and Hold – BogAudio S&H

Noise Generator – VCV Nois

Reverb – Valley Plateau

Delay – Alright Devices Chronoblob 2