At the 2025 NAMM Show, scheduled for January 21–25 in Anaheim, California, Korg will debut the miniKORG 700Sm, a compact variation on the reissue of the classic miniKORG 700, the company’s first mass-produced analog monosynth.

The new miniKORG 700Sm retains all the features of the 2021 miniKORG 700FS (which was manufactured in limited quantities), but with a slimmer keyboard and size reduced to approximately 86% of the original. Additionally, the miniKORG 700Sm weighs just 5.8 kg (12.8 lbs.), making it easy to transport.

KORG miniKORG 700Sm Intro Video:

Here’s what Korg has to say about the new KORG miniKORG 700Sm:

“The true beauty and richness of the sounds produced by the miniKORG 700 could not be realized through analog modeling technology that uses computational integrated circuitry such as DSPs and other devices to model analog circuitry.

Although it’s possible to replicate a circuit by using the same parts and copying the design schematics or circuit board, there’s no guarantee that this will reproduce the original sound. This is because the components deteriorate over time, dramatically altering the sound. To accurately recreate the original sound, we must rely on the experience and memories of the technicians who worked on the original product.

We were able to bring the original sound to life thanks to our team of technicians, who have gained invaluable expertise over the years through their work on numerous synthesizer revival projects. This team was guided by Fumio Mieda, a KORG engineer since the early 1970s and one of the designers of the original miniKORG 700S.

Working closely with Korg’s sound designers, they meticulously reproduced the original sound as faithfully as possible.”

The miniKORG 700 was originally designed as a “sub keyboard”, often placed atop organs to expand the player’s sound palette. The miniKORG 700Sm, with its compact and portable form factor, can be used as a powerful solo instrument, but also complements stage keyboards like electric pianos and organs.

The controls on the miniKORG 700 were laid out below its keys in a row, allowing players to easily access them when the instrument was placed on top of an organ. This intuitive layout remains unchanged.

Added Functionality

When the original miniKORG 700 was originally released, electronic components were larger in size, limiting functionality due to the small space inside. Thanks to advancements in technology, we now have room to include a spring reverb as well as a joystick for pitch bend and modulation.

The new version also features aftertouch for added expressiveness, as well as an arpeggiator, USB port, MIDI IN connector and a CV/GATE IN jack.

We’ve also added memory programs to store settings, something that wasn’t available in the early 1970s.

Traveler Controller

A unique feature of the miniKORG 700, the Traveler controller, consisted of two parallel sliders located below the keyboard.

With these controls, players 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 adjust the expressive character of the sound according to the position of the levers. By moving the levers to the left and right while playing the keys, wah-wah and muted sounds could be created along with the iconic “traveling” sound.

Since the sound passing through the filter has a lower cutoff frequency and higher cutoff frequency than the frequencies set by the sliders, all frequencies are filtered and thus no sound is heard when the positions of the two sliders are inverted. In other words, making the two sliders cross would in theory produce no sound. To address this, the original miniKORG 700 featured protrusions on the sliders to physically prevent them from crossing.

The design was both a benefit and limitation of analog circuitry. In the past– and even today– it’s impossible to design a filter with perfect characteristics. During the time that the miniKORG 700 was sold, some players would shave off the protrusions on the sliders to allow them to cross, in an attempt to create new sounds. In fact, some models sold internationally did not even have the protrusions to begin with.

The miniKORG 700Sm also does not have the protrusions, expanding its sound design possibilities and allowing players to create patches in unique ways.

A Second Oscillator

The miniKORG 700 was a single-oscillator mono synth. One year later 1974, the miniKORG 700S was released with more space added to the left of the keyboard for a controller. This version also introduced a second oscillator, a ring modulator, and other enhancements.

The new Sm model is a revival of the 700S, with its expanded functionality, including two oscillators that deliver powerful detuning and thick, penetrating sounds, particularly for bass and lead sounds.

Includes Custom Soft Case

The miniKORG 700Sm comes with a made-to-fit soft case that’s handy for taking the instrument wherever you go.

Pricing and Availability:

The Korg miniKORG 700Sm is available to pre-order, with a street price around $1,300 USD.