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KORG M-500 SP MICRO-PRESET

Offered for sale is this Korg M-500 SP Micro-Preset in superb cosmetic condition and excellent working order. It...

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PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

Offered for sale is this Korg M-500 SP Micro-Preset in superb cosmetic condition and excellent working order.


It is in very clean condition for a synth that’s over 30 years old (they were made from 1977-80): the ‘wooden’ casing is in good order overall and all pots/sliders work as they should (please see detailed photos below). The only blemishes are where the ‘wood’ has rippled slightly around the music stand (see detailed photos below).
 
There are no known faults with this synth – it is working 100% as it should. In use, sliders, pots and buttons move smoothly and noiselessly.  (Please note: it is always possible with vintage equipment that some crackly pots/sliders may develop over time when equipment has not been used – even during shipping – this can usually be easily rectified either by use or with a bit of switch-cleaning spray).
 

This is the more sought-after version of the Micro-Preset with the built-in speaker underneath.

On the face of it, this is a simple little preset synth, but it is capable of a wide range of classic sounds and is very expressive – it’s a really enjoyable synth to play, and very easy to achieve great results. Contains the classic Korg35 filter chips that were used in the MS series synths, and certainly this can sound very like an MS-10. Experimentation can yield surprising results (particularly that you can press two preset buttons at once to mix the sounds) – the two Synthe buttons allow further tonal shaping using the manual filter and modulation depth controls. The repeat button is very cool: a very inspirational vintage synth to play.
 
OMD used it extensively, as did Human League – add a little delay/reverb/phasing and this little synth can sound very big.
 
Below are a couple of YouTube clips that demonstrate what this synth can do (with thanks to the uploaders); they aren’t using the built-in speaker for these demos, and some effects have been added.
 
Controls are:
Volume control / power switch
Pitch tune
Attack
Sustain
Modulation rate / lfo
Vibrato
Travel Vibrato – Filter control from the LFO
Modulation depth
Portamento
LFO random and repeat
Portamento Momentary – off – on
6 x selection switches which select various sounds – these can also be mixed together
5 octave range selection
 
It is a UK 240v model: the plug will be removed before shipping abroad unless the buyer requests otherwise (will be left on for USA/Canada/Japan for use with a step-up transformer – not included).

We are passionate about supplying high quality vintage gear to our customers and go the extra mile to ensure complete satisfaction.

Shipping discount available if paying by bank transfer.

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