PS-20

Cherry Audio's PS-20 is a polyphonic soft synth built around meticulous emulation of Korg's MS-20, the legendary semi-modular synthesizer that defined aggressive, industrial sound design for decades. The instrument's core strength lies in its dual highpass and lowpass filter architecture, which captures the MS-20's characteristic squelchy, resonant character with impressive accuracy. These filters exhibit the unpredictable, sometimes extreme behavior that made the original hardware so compelling for adventurous sound designers.

Beyond the filters, the PS-20 distinguishes itself through an extensively reconfigured patch panel that improves upon the original's usability while preserving its modular flexibility. All major signal paths - oscillators, filters, and VCAs - expose patch points that encourage deep exploration and unconventional routing. The addition of a three-layer, eight-step sequencer with CV outputs transforms the synth into a capable generative tool, capable of complex, evolving timbral changes.

The plugin's effects suite - distortion, modulation echo with stereo spread, and reverb with spring and plate emulations - integrate seamlessly without bloating the interface. Sixteen-note polyphony with optional random panning provides adequate voice count for most contemporary production contexts, while single-key chord memory and unison detune offer practical performance enhancements.

The PS-20 appeals primarily to sound designers and experimental producers seeking hardware-authentic sonic character with extended patch capability. It occupies a compelling niche between straightforward virtual instruments and fully modular environments, making it valuable for anyone pursuing provocative, deliberately unpredictable textures rather than polished, predictable results.