Korg MS-20

The Korg MS-20 has long been associated with abrasive textures and direct, physical sound design. Released in 1978, its aggressive filters, semi-modular patch bay, and tendency toward instability made it a favourite for artists looking for friction rather than refinement.

In IDLES' live sets, the MS-20 often reads less as a “lead” instrument and more as pressure: noise, movement, and raw electronic texture that locks in with distorted guitars and pounding rhythm.

Used this way, the MS-20 becomes a source of tension and presence—sound you feel as much as you hear.