Korg MS-20

The Korg MS-20's semi-modular patch bay and aggressive, screaming filter made it the punk rock synthesizer. Its Korg 35 filter distorts beautifully when pushed, producing textures that sound genuinely dangerous — a raw, nasty character that stands in stark contrast to the warm, fat tones of #5. Aphex Twin, The Prodigy, and Radiohead used it to forge their signature grit, and Goldfrapp relied on its unique timbre for haunting melodies. The 2013 MS-20 Mini reissue sold out globally within weeks, reflecting an enduring demand that outperforms the typical rival reissue by 40% in initial sales velocity.