Korg miniKORG 700Sm

The Korg miniKORG 700Sm is a compact homage to the iconic miniKORG 700, the foundation of Korg's analogue synth legacy, updated to suit the needs of modern musicians. Equipped with two oscillators for rich, detuned tones, it reintroduces the signature Traveller controller for dynamic filter manipulation. Enhanced with features such as aftertouch, spring reverb, an arpeggiator, and versatile connectivity options including USB and MIDI, this synthesiser serves as both a powerful standalone instrument and a versatile complement to stage keyboards. Supplied with a custom soft case and a free software bundle, the miniKORG 700Sm delivers vintage analogue sound with contemporary functionality.

• Authentic recreation of the original miniKORG 700, developed with legendary Korg engineer, Fumio Mieda
• Equipped with a second oscillator for a more powerful sounds
• Signature Traveller controller for expressive performance
• New functionality including spring reverb, joystick for pitch bend/modulation and an arpeggiator
• Aftertouch for enhanced expressiveness
• Memory programs for saving settings
• Slimmer, more compact design for portability
• Free music software bundle including Izotope, Skoove, and software synths from Korg and other developers

The original sound was brought to life by a team of skilled technicians with extensive experience gained through numerous synthesiser revival projects. This team was led by Fumio Mieda, a renowned Korg engineer since the early 1970s and one of the original designers of the miniKORG 700S. Collaborating closely with Korg's sound designers, they meticulously ensured the sound was as true to the original as possible. The miniKORG 700Sm stands as a beautifully crafted and authentic recreation of its predecessor, designed to offer players a faithful experience of the original instrument.

The miniKORG 700 featured the distinctive Traveler controller, comprising two parallel sliders positioned beneath the keyboard. These sliders allowed players to adjust the cutoff frequency, with the upper lever controlling the low-pass filter and the lower lever managing the high-pass filter. This provided the ability to shape the sound’s expressive character by varying the sliders' positions. Moving the levers left or right while playing produced effects such as wah-wah, muted tones, and the iconic “travelling” sound.

When the sliders were set to inverted positions, the sound passing through the filter would have cutoff frequencies that completely eliminated all frequencies, resulting in silence. To prevent this, the original miniKORG 700 incorporated protrusions on the sliders to physically stop them from crossing over.

This design reflected both the strengths and limitations of analogue circuitry. Filters with perfect characteristics remain unachievable, both then and now. During the miniKORG 700's era, some players removed the protrusions on the sliders to allow them to cross, experimenting with new sound possibilities. Interestingly, some international models of the original lacked these protrusions entirely.

The miniKORG 700Sm embraces this creative potential by excluding the protrusions, unlocking limitless sound design options and enabling players to craft unique patches in innovative ways.

The miniKORG 700 was Korg's first synthesiser, renowned for producing some of the most distinctive, rich, and powerful analogue sounds of its era. The new miniKORG 700Sm features oscillators with a unique tone and an authentic recreation of the Traveler controller - an iconic feature of the miniKORG 700 - that enhances performances with exceptional colour and expression. Its sound integrates effortlessly into contemporary music, particularly with its exceptional lead and bass synth tones.

The miniKORG 700 was initially designed as a secondary keyboard, typically positioned on top of an organ to broaden its sound range. The miniKORG 700Sm, with its compact and portable design, not only excels as a powerful solo instrument but also complements stage keyboards such as electric pianos and organs.

The controls on the miniKORG 700 were arranged in a row below its keys, making them easily accessible when placed atop another instrument. This intuitive layout has been retained, offering simplicity, ease of use, and a distinctive appearance that distinguishes it from other instruments.

The miniKORG 700 was a mono synth with a single oscillator. In 1974, the miniKORG 700S was released, featuring additional space to the left of the keyboard for a controller. This version also introduced a second oscillator, a ring modulator, and other improvements. The new miniKORG 700Sm revives the 700S, offering enhanced functionality with two oscillators that produce rich detuning and thick, powerful sounds, particularly suited for bass and lead tones.

The miniKORG 700Sm includes all the features of the miniKORG 700FS in a design that is approximately 86% the size of the original. Weighing only 5.8 kg (12.8 lbs), it is highly portable and convenient for transport.

The miniKORG 700Sm includes a custom-designed soft case, tailored to fit the instrument perfectly, offering both protection and portability. This case makes it easy to transport the miniKORG 700Sm, whether performing, recording, or travelling, while keeping the synth safe and secure.

Additionally, the miniKORG 700Sm comes with a wide range of music software, including iZotope's "Ozone Elements," which allows you to create and master tracks using AI, "Skoove" to help enhance your keyboard playing skills, the "miniKORG 700S" from the Korg Collection, and a variety of software synths from Korg and other developers.

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

• 9W

Dimensions (W × D × 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, Traveller knob (without protrusions type) x 2, Soft case
• Accessories (sold separately)
• SQ-CABLE-6 (Patch Cable)