My heart leapt with joy when I saw Korg’s newly announced KORG miniKORG 700Sm.

I’ve been fascinated with the design of electronic musical instruments since teenage. I haunted musical instrument stores trying this and trying that — perpetually short on cash.

KORG miniKORG 700Sm [Source: Korg]

So, imagine wondering into a music store in a downtown Cleveland organ store (1973?) and seeing the Korg Minikorg 700 monophonic synth (Univox K1). It was like encountering an alien life-form for the first time. I didn’t know what to make of it and neither did the music store. I was hooked on synths thereafter.

Yes, you are feeling deja vu. Korg reissued the 700S in 2021: the full-size 700S FS. The 700Sm is a smaller, full-phat version of the reissue. Check the video. Korg set the shrink ray to 86% with the 700Sm weighing in at 12.8 pounds (5.8kg). Uh, yeah, that’s lighter than a KRONOS 3. 🙂 Cheaper, too: $1,199 USD.

The 700Sm uses new electronics, but quoting Korg:

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 the legendary 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.. We hope that those who play the miniKORG 700Sm will experience it as a beautifully crafted and authentic recreation of the original.

This instrument is clearly a labor of love. I can’t wait to read Gorder Reid’s (SOS) take on it.

KORG miniKORG 700Sm [Source: Korg]

Look at the close-up above. My soul rejoices! Exactly what I remember — only better.

Copyright © 2025 Paul J. Drongowski