Korg miniKORG 700Sm Synthesizer

Miniaturization of the miniKORG 700FS

The new miniKORG 700Sm retains all the features of the miniKORG 700FS (which was produced in limited numbers), while its size has been reduced to about 86% of the original, partly thanks to the use of a slim-key keyboard. Additionally, the miniKORG 700Sm weighs just 5.8 kg, making it much easier to transport.

The Key Elements of an Analog Synthesizer

The true beauty and richness of the sounds produced by the miniKORG 700 cannot be fully replicated by analog modeling technology, which uses digital circuits like DSPs and other devices to emulate analog circuits.

Although it is possible to rebuild a circuit with the same parts and copy the circuit design or corresponding boards, there is no guarantee that the original sound can be recreated. This is because components age over time, significantly affecting the overall sound. To get as close as possible to the original sound, we also relied on the experience and memories of our technicians who worked on the original instrument.

Dreamy Synth Leads

The miniKORG 700 was not only KORG's first synthesizer but also produced some of the fattest and densest sounds of all our instruments. The new miniKORG 700Sm features two oscillators with a penetrating sound and an authentic reproduction of the Traveler Controller. The Traveler Controller is one of the miniKORG 700's main features, designed to give performances extraordinary color and expressiveness. Its sound fits perfectly into today's music scene, especially due to its outstanding lead and bass sounds.

The Possibilities of a "Sub" Keyboard

The miniKORG 700 was originally designed as a "sub" keyboard, often placed on organs (typical for the 1970s) to expand their sound palette. The miniKORG 700Sm stands out with its compact and portable form factor as a versatile solo instrument as well as an ideal complement to instruments like electric pianos or organs.

The miniKORG 700's controls were arranged in a row below the keyboard, allowing easy access when the instrument was placed on an organ. This intuitive layout remains unchanged in the current model, offering easy handling and a unique look that sets it apart from any other instrument.

Expanded Features

When the miniKORG 700 originally hit the market, electronic components were larger than today, limiting its functionality due to the small internal space. Thanks to new technologies requiring less space, we now have more room to include features like spring reverb and a joystick for pitch bend and modulation. The new version even offers aftertouch for additional expressiveness, as well as helpful features like an arpeggiator, USB port, MIDI IN, and a CV/GATE IN jack.

Moreover, the new miniKORG 700Sm allows saving sound programs and recalling them at the push of a button—a feature that was not available in the 1970s.

The Traveler Controller

The miniKORG 700's most distinctive feature, the Traveler Controller, consisted of two sliders located below the keyboard. With these sliders, the player 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 shape the expressive character of the sound depending on the lever positions. Moving both levers together from left to right while playing the keys could also coax Wah-Wah and muted sounds, as well as the iconic "traveling" sound from the instrument.

If the two sliders are inverted, no sound is heard because all frequencies are filtered out by the high- and low-pass filters. To prevent this, the original miniKORG 700 was equipped with special detents on the slider knobs that prevented the two sliders from crossing over.

A Second Oscillator

The miniKORG 700 was a mono synthesizer with one oscillator. One year later, in 1974, the miniKORG 700S appeared, offering more space on the left side of the instrument and thus room for a controller. A second oscillator, a ring modulator, and other features were also added. The new Sm model is a reissue of the 700S with extended functionality and also includes two oscillators, allowing you to enjoy powerful detuning and fat, penetrating bass and lead synth sounds.