miniKORG 700FS Limited-Edition Full-Size Analog Synthesizer

As a throwback to the analog synthesizer that started it all, KORG revived the miniKORG 700 with a familiar intuitive layout, oscillators with a penetrating sound and an authentic recreation of the Traveler controller with this limited-edition full-size miniKORG 700FS. 

The miniKORG 700 was KORG’s first mass-produced monophonic synthesizer released in 1973, at a time when the form of synthesizers as musical instruments had not been fully established. After a lot of experimentation, the miniKORG 700 arrived, offering simple operations that could produce dramatic changes in sound, and it was championed by a loyal base of admiring musicians.

The miniKORG 700FS is an authentic revival of the miniKORG 700S, (an improved version of the miniKORG 700) that was released the following year. The revised miniKORG 700FS offers added functionality, such as an arpeggiator, spring reverb and aftertouch. The miniKORG 700FS is a fully realized analog synthesizer that was developed in conjunction with the original designer, Fumio Mieda.

(Note: To avoid confusion in the following text, both the original miniKORG 700 and the miniKORG 700S are listed as “miniKORG 700” for the most part.)

Why revive the miniKORG 700 now?

The real beauty and awesomeness of sounds produced by the miniKORG 700 could not be realized through analog modeling technology. Although KORG continues to produce analog synthesizers, such as the prologue, the minilogue and many others, these instruments owe their existence to the miniKORG 700.

KORG’s ultimate goal is for players to experience the beauty and awesomeness of the authentic analog sound through the miniKORG 700FS. Under the supervision of Fumio Mieda, who designed the original circuitry, KORG analog engineers have ensured that the elements that go beyond the circuit schematics would be faithfully represented.

Beautiful synth leads, thick bass—and more

While the miniKORG 700 was KORG’s first synthesizer, it also produced some of the fattest and densest sounds of all KORG synthesizers. The miniKORG 700FS features oscillators with a penetrating sound and an authentic recreation of the Traveler controller, one of the key features of the miniKORG 700.

The volca keys and volca bass use the filter circuit from the miniKORG 700, because the clear and penetrating characteristics of this filter were a perfect match for products that specialize in lead and bass synth sounds with a strong presence. The miniKORG 700 is well suited for today’s music, particularly with its lead and bass synth sounds.

The possibilities as a sub keyboard

The miniKORG 700 came about as a sub keyboard that players would set atop their organs (frequently used in the 1970s) to augment the organ’s sound palette. Nowadays, the beautiful lead synth sound of the miniKORG 700FS works well with stage keyboards, such as electric pianos, organs, etc.

The controls on the miniKORG 700 were laid out below its keys in a row, so that players who set the instrument on top of their organ would find them easy to access. Even today, this layout is intuitive and easy to understand, with a unique look that no other instrument offers.

Functionality added to the original

When the miniKORG 700 was originally released, electronic components were larger in size, limiting its functionality due to the small space inside. Thanks to changes in technology, there’s now enough space to add a spring reverb effect, as well as a joystick for pitch bend and modulation. The new version also features aftertouch for added expressiveness, in addition to other important features, like an arpeggiator, USB port, MIDI IN connector and a CV/GATE IN jack.

KORG also added a memory program button, so there’s no need for you to write down the positions of the knobs and levers to re-create your favorite sounds.

Traveler controller

The most characteristic feature of the miniKORG 700, the Traveler controller, consisted of two sliders situated below the keyboard. With these controls, players could adjust the cutoff frequency, with the upper lever controlling the low-pass filter and the lower lever controlling the high-pass filter. This gave players the freedom to adjust the expressive character of the sound according to the position of the levers. By moving the levers to the left and right while playing the keys, wah-wah and muted sounds could be created along with the iconic “traveling” sound.

Since the sound passing through the filter has lower and higher cutoff frequencies than the frequencies set by the sliders, all frequencies are filtered—no sound is heard when the positions of the two sliders are inverted. In other words, making the two sliders cross would in theory produce no sound. To deal with this, the original miniKORG 700 featured protrusions on the sliders, so that they could not physically cross.

The miniKORG 700FS does away with the slider protrusions, letting players adjust the settings as they wish, to get that iconic vintage-style sound.

A second oscillator

The miniKORG 700 was a single-oscillator mono synth. One year later, in 1974, the miniKORG 700S was released with more space added to the left of the keyboard for a controller. A second oscillator, ring modulator and other features were also added. The FS model KORG is now releasing is a revival of the 700S with its expanded functionality, and includes two oscillators that bring you the added enjoyment of powerful detuning and thick, penetrating lead synth sounds.

Specially made hardcase

To commemorate the revival of the miniKORG after nearly half a century, KORG is including a hardcase with their limited-edition miniKORG 700FS, designed especially for this product.

Free music software bundle

The miniKORG 700FS comes with a diverse variety of music software, including Izotope (featuring Ozone Elements, which lets you not only create songs, but also master them using AI); Skoove, which will help you improve your keyboard playing skills; “Reason Lite” DAW software; as well as a wide range of software synths from KORG and other developers.

The moment you get your hands on the miniKORG 700FS, you'll have a variety of tools to help you take your music to the next level.