Korg miniKORG 700Sm Mini 37-Key Analog Synthesizer

Released in 2021, the miniKORG 700FS was a spectacular revival of the legendary 1970s miniKORG 700S analog synthesizer, enhanced with additional functionality that wasn’t possible in the original. The miniKORG 700FS was so popular that its limited production run sold out so quickly, creating significant demand for increased production.

Korg has a long history of groundbreaking analog synthesizers, and has recently gained recognition for faithfully reproducing some of the rarest and most sought-after models. The miniKORG 700Sm is a tribute to the sound of the iconic miniKORG 700, the very origin of Korg’s analog synth history, while being enhanced to meet the needs of today’s musicians.

Downsizing the miniKORG 700FS
The new miniKORG 700Sm retains all the features of the 2021 miniKORG 700FS (which was manufactured in very limited quantities) while offering a slimmer keyboard and a size reduced to approximately 86% of the original. Additionally, the miniKORG 700Sm weighs just 5.8 kg (12.8 lbs), making it easy to transport.

The elements vital to an analog synth
The true beauty and richness of the sounds produced by the miniKORG 700 could not be realized through analog modeling technology that uses computational integrated circuitry such as DSPs and other devices to model analog circuitry.

Although it’s possible to replicate a circuit by using the same parts and copying the design schematics or circuit board, there’s no guarantee that this will reproduce the original sound. This is because the components deteriorate over time, dramatically altering the sound. To accurately recreate the original sound, we must rely on the experience and memories of the technicians who worked on the original product.

We were able to bring the original sound to life thanks to our team of technicians, who have gained invaluable expertise over the years through their work on numerous synthesizer revival projects. This team was guided by the legendary Fumio Mieda, a KORG engineer since the early 1970s and one of the designers of the original miniKORG 700S. Working closely with Korg’s sound designers, they meticulously reproduced the original sound as faithfully as possible.. We hope that those who play the miniKORG 700Sm will experience it as a beautifully crafted and authentic recreation of the original.

Beautiful synth leads, thick bass – and more
The miniKORG 700 was KORG’s first synthesizer, and produced some of the most recognizable, rich and fattest analog sounds of all time.

The new miniKORG 700Sm features oscillators with a penetrating tone and an authentic recreation of the Traveler controller– a signature element of the miniKORG 700–  designed to add extraordinary color and expression to performances.Its sound fits seamlessly in today’s music, especially with its standout lead and bass synth tones.

The possibilities as a sub keyboard
The miniKORG 700 was originally designed as a sub keyboard, often placed atop organs (frequently used in the 1970s) to expand their sound palette. The miniKORG 700Sm, with its compact and portable form factor, stands out as a powerful solo instrument but also complementsstage keyboards like electric pianos and organs seamlessly.

The controls on the miniKORG 700 were laid out below its keys in a row, allowing players to easily access them when the instrument was placed on top of an organ. This intuitive layout remains unchanged, offering simplicity, ease of use, and a unique look that sets it apart from any other instrument.

Added Functionality
When the original miniKORG 700 was originally released, electronic components were larger in size, limiting functionality due to the small space inside. Thanks to advancements in technology, we now have room to include a spring reverb as well as a joystick for pitch bend and modulation. The new version also features aftertouch for added expressiveness, as well as an arpeggiator, USB port, MIDI IN connector and a CV/GATE IN jack.

We’ve also added memory programs to store settings, something that wasn’t available in the early 1970s.

Traveler controller
A unique feature of the miniKORG 700, the Traveler controller, consisted of two parallel sliders located 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 a lower cutoff frequency and higher cutoff frequency than the frequencies set by the sliders, all frequencies are filtered and thus 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 address this, the original miniKORG 700 featured protrusions on the sliders to physically prevent them from crossing.

The design was both a benefit and limitation of analog circuitry. In the past– and even today– it’s impossible to design a filter with perfect characteristics. During the time that the miniKORG 700 was sold, some players would shave off the protrusions on the sliders to allow them to cross, in an attempt to create new sounds. In fact, some models sold internationally did not even have the protrusions to begin with.

The miniKORG 700Sm also does not have the protrusions, opening endless sound design possibilities and allowing players to create patches in unique ways.

A second oscillator
The miniKORG 700 was a single-oscillator mono synth. One year later 1974, the miniKORG 700S was released with more space added to the left of the keyboard for a controller. This version also introduced a second oscillator, a ring modulator, and other enhancements. The new Sm model we are releasing is a revival of the 700S, with its expanded functionality, including two oscillators that deliver powerful detuning and thick, penetrating sounds, particularly for bass and lead sounds.

Includes a made-to-fit soft case
The miniKORG 700Sm comes with a made-to-fit soft case that's handy for taking the instrument wherever you go.

Free music software bundle
The miniKORG 700Sm 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, “miniKORG 700S” from the KORG Collection software, as well as a wide range of software synths from KORG and other developers.

The miniKORG 700Sm comes with these great tools to help you take your music to the next level.

Reminiscing about the miniKORG 700──Fumio Mieda
(Original developer of the miniKORG 700 and miniKORG 700S)

The production of the miniKORG 700S had to proceed in a roundabout way after the initial prototype was created.

We made an announcement regarding the very first synthesizer created in Japan at the 19th All Japan Audio Fair on November 12, 1970. It was 50 years ago. This instrument, the theme of which was "innovative organ," was a 2-stage keyboard instrument, and equipped with two units: the organ section of the polyphonic sound source, and what is now called the monophonic synthesizer section. It is known as the "first prototype" in our company.

I thought about two directions to commercialize this prototype. I contemplated whether to make it a polyphonic organ product or a monophonic instrument that can only create one sound at a time but can significantly change the timbre. I could not foresee that the era of synthesizers would arrive, therefore, I dropped the monophonic synthesizer characteristic and marketed this product as a combo organ with a "Traveler" manual filter attached to the polyphonic sound source. This was the “Korgue” organ (or the “Decakorgue,” as we called it) that was sold at the time under our previous company name, “Keio Electronic Laboratories,” which eventually led to our existing company name, KORG.

This was our first keyboard instrument; however, it did not sell well despite the hard work the founder Tsutomu Kato put into it because, besides being expensive, a distribution network both inside and outside Japan had yet to be developed. However, when American buyers saw the prototype of the miniKORG 700/700S they placed surprisingly large orders. Three or four years had passed since the first prototype was released. We traveled a lot of extra distance to get where we were.

This instrument was completely different from other companies' products in terms of its appearance, specifications, and internal electronic circuits. The reason for this was that we did not want to imitate western synthesizers.

First of all, the purpose of use was different. During the design process, we assumed that this instrument was to be used as the third keyboard placed on an electronic organ, not as a solo instrument.

Therefore, we thought about the specifications and layout with a focus on ease of understanding and operation for organists. The operation panel had to be under the keyboard for organists to be able to easily reach it. The frequently used octaves and waveforms selection switch knobs were given special shapes so that they could be recognized and switched instantly. For players who were touching a synthesizer for the first time, we also devised a system that ensured that the sound would not be lost regardless of what operation was performed.

For example, a mechanical restriction was applied to the two knobs of the Traveler so that one knob's function did not overtake the function of the other one. I thought that this was a good idea, however, this restriction was removed from some models in order to satisfy a request from musicians overseas to widen the variable range. This reintroduced model includes two types of knobs: one with the restriction added and one without. Please try playing both models.

The "Traveler" function was installed in many of our products ranging from the first prototype, Korgue, and this miniKORG 700 series to the effectors. The name, "Traveler", signifies two travelers who travel back and forth on a long journey, and is used for the low-pass filter and high-pass filter knobs.

The control panel on the left side of the keyboard of the first prototype was equipped with a long Traveler with a special structure in which a knob moved back and forth on the same track. In the illustration, next to the Traveler, you can see a joystick for pitchbend, vowel switching buttons for A, I, U, E, and O, and some letters of "Reverb" in the upper column, which will be applied to the one after the next and subsequent products. This reintroduced model additionally provides a joystick and reverb that were abandoned in the 700s for miniaturization purposes.

The pitch of a general synthesizer at that time was very unstable, so when we built the original miniKORG 700 we followed the same Hz/Volt system as the first prototype. Speaking of how stable the pitch of miniKORG 700 was, this sound source circuit was also used for the world's first meter-type handy tuner, WT-10, which was released not long afterward.

The Hz/Volt system was developed by taking an idea from the principle of the attenuator of an electric measuring instrument; however, we had to additionally provide a separate converter to connect to instruments produced by other manufacturers that use the Oct/Volt system. This is a behind-the-scenes story that I can tell you now!

The number of knobs was minimized so that anyone could operate easily. The envelope generator was designed so that the sounds of most instruments could be generated using only two knobs: ATTACK and SINGING/PERCUSSION. This was not the ADSR system. After it was put on the market, some people in the industry commented that KORG's (Keio Giken at that time) synthesizers had unique specifications and function names that were different from those used for instruments marketed by other manufacturers, and that KORG should have matched them for standardization reasons. General names and functions were adopted in the synthesizer MS-20 that was released a few years later, however, this was a painful choice for me. I have always thought that musical instruments are interesting because each of them has individuality.

The miniKORG 700, miniKORG 700S, and 800DV are sibling models. The basic circuit of these models is the same. 700s is a 700 model with VCO added, and 800DV is a 700 model equipped with a dual voice function. It was often said that this series had a deep sound. As a designer, I did not have any special know-how of how to produce a deep sound. However, when I look back, it rings a bell.

For example, the shape of the triangular wave that is used as the sound source may have been the reason. When I tried to make a cleaner waveform during my initial experiments, I repeatedly found that the sound was weak. A sound is sound. A sound is not a form of waves. I learned that I should not look into an oscilloscope to produce a clean waveform.

miniKORG 700S taught me what is important for a musical instrument creator – the sound.

Specifications

• Keyboard: 37 keys (Slim-key, with aftertouch, no velocity sensitivity)
• Range: 7 octaves
• Waveform: Triangle wave, Square wave, Sawtooth wave, Chorus I, Chorus II
• Programs: 14
• Input: USB connector (Type B), MIDI IN connector, SYNC IN and SYNC OUT jack (3.5mm monaural mini phone jack), CV IN and GATE IN jack (3.5mm monaural mini phone jack), AUDIO IN jack (6.3mm monaural phone jack, TS unbalanced)
• Output: OUTPUT L/MONO and R jack (6.3mm stereo phone jack, TS unbalanced), Headphones jack (6.3mm stereo phone jack)
• Power supply: AC adapter (DC 12V)
• Power consumption: 9 W
• Dimensions (W x D x H): 641 x 228 x 107 mm/25.24” x 8.98” x 4.21”
• Weight: 5.8 kg/12.79 lbs.
• Included items: AC adapter, Traveler knob (without protrusions type) x 2, Soft case
• Accessories (sold separately): SQ-CABLE-6 (Patch Cable)
• *​Specifications and appearance are subject to change without notice.
  *​All product names and company names are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.