Other Features

OTHER FEATURES

PORTMENTO: Also known as a slew limiter or (in the case of the MS-50) an integrator. It's hard wired between the keyboard CV and the VCO and produces this kind of effect. Also, portamento is output via the KBD CV OUT, so it can be used when controlling another MS series instrument (or whatever is being controlled).
EXTERNAL SIGNAL: This is the level control for the input of a signal from, say, a drum machine, another keyboard, a vocal, etc., for signal processing within the MS-10. The input is labeled "EXT SIGNAL IN" and is located in the VCF section of the patch panel. Note the signal flow diagram: the external input goes directly into the LP Filter, then into the amplifier.

Use is fairly simple: plug in an external input, then adjust the level control. The catch is that VCA is still hard wired to the Envelope Generator, which is triggered by the keyboard or by an external trigger input (must be a Korg trigger, like from another MS series instrument). In other words, to hear an external signal input, a key must be played or an external trigger provided.
There is no way to disable or turn down the VCO level. So, even if using an external trigger source, it's not possible to hear the external signal without also getting the VCO. This design oversight potentially severely limits the MS-10's functionality as an external signal processor (unlike the MS-20), BUT THERE IS A WAY TO GET AROUND THIS! Here's how:

In the VCO, select the Pulse (Square) waveform.
Turn the PW/PWM knob all the way clockwise, or until the note can no longer be heard. Presto! You have disabled the VCO and can process your external signal without interference. (Why does this happen? If the pulse width is adjusted to the extreme, the period of the waveform becomes less and less until it effectively disappears.)

In addition to the noise waveform available in the VCO, there are two additional noise sources available in the patch panel: pink and white. (In the case of both these samples, the respective "noise" is patched from the output on the patch panel to the EXT SIGNAL IN.) Pink is basically a filtered, darker form of white. These noise outputs can be used as a modulation source for just about anything, but they're probably most useful when used to modulate the VCF cutoff frequency, to produce anything from explosions, to thunder, to sizzling bacon.

VCF Cutoff Frequency modulation with pink noise--PINK patched to VCF CUTOFF FREQ as cutoff frequency knob is swept; resonance to self-oscillation; using noise as the VCO waveform.

MODULATION WHEEL: A modulation source for manual control of modulation during live performance. The wheel is not pre-patched to anything, so in order for it to be used, it must be patched via the patch panel to a modulation destination.

Possible modulation destinations include all the usual suspects, keeping in mind that the wheel outputs from -5V to +5V:

VCO, to add a touch of vibrato.
Pulse Width Modulation, to manually control the Pulse Width.
VCF, to control the filter.
VCA, to add volume (note: the VCA accepts inputs of from 0 to +5V, so any adjustment of the wheel from center on down is ignored).