Cherry Audio - PS-20

PS-20 is Cherry Audio's polyphonic tribute to the Korg MS-20, built for acid lines, squelchy basses, screaming leads and noisy, patched-up experiments in techno, electro and industrial music.

The filters

The MS-20's character lives in its dual high-pass and low-pass filters, which go from smooth to ragged and screaming as you push the resonance. PS-20 recreates that behaviour closely, including the slightly unpredictable edge that makes the original so much fun. Run audio through the External Signal Processor section and it doubles as an effect, with a sidechain input normalled in, and a separate effect plugin version is included.

The patch panel and sequencer

Cherry Audio has reworked the MS-20's patch panel with more in and out points for the oscillators, filters and VCAs, and cleaned up the original's confusing labels, using the cabling system from Voltage Modular. On top of that sits a three-channel, eight-step sequencer with CV outs, plus up to 16 voices of polyphony, unison, chord memory, distortion, mod echo and reverb with spring and plate options.

The sound

Raw, rude and very good at cutting through. Basses are thick and growly, leads scream, and the filters reward riding the cutoff in real time. Polyphony is a real bonus over the hardware, though PS-20 is at its best when it's being slightly nasty. If you want polite pads, look elsewhere. If you want an MS-20 that never needs servicing, this is just the ticket.

Features

• Modelled MS-style high-pass and low-pass filters
• Up to 16-voice polyphony with random voice panning
• Expanded full-function patch panel
• Three-channel, eight-step sequencer with quantiser and tempo sync
• External Signal Processor with normalled sidechain input
• Instrument and effect plugin versions included
• Single-key chord memory and unison detune
• Distortion, mod echo and reverb effects
• Four interface colour themes
• MPE support
• Over 320 presets
• Full MIDI control and DAW automation

System requirements

• Version: 1.4.0
• Mac: macOS 10.13 or later, native on Apple Silicon. AU, VST2, VST3, AAX and standalone (64-bit)
• Windows: Windows 7 or later, including Windows 11. VST2, VST3, AAX and standalone (64-bit)
• Quad-core CPU and 8GB RAM recommended
• Internet connection needed for activation

SOUND7 is an authorised Cherry Audio reseller. Digital delivery: licence activation code sent by email. See How to Activate Your Cherry Audio Plugins.

Demo