27 Artists Use This
- Laidback LukeOne of Laidback Luke's preferred synths is the Korg M1.more
- Nicky RomeroAt 29:46 in this video from *Future Music Magazine* Nicky brings up the M1 and says “I use this a lot because the piano sounds different than the [Nexus](http://equipboard.com/items/refx-nexus-2) ones, which many people use already. So I was like I want to use a different piano that nobody else uses.”more
- Eric PrydzEric uses the sample 'Hoover Hit' in his track Gobber, under the alias Cirez D.more
- Max Vangeli'For Pad sounds I personally love the Korg M1'more
- Fehrplay“I love the Korg M1. I’ve got to say it’s the most beautiful-sounding soft synth I’ve ever had – it almost sounds like the real thing! It’s quality, and it doesn’t crash. Other than that I use some of the u-he synths – ACE for example is really good – and I’m trying to get into Xfer Records Cthulhu. It’s an arpeggiator and chord generator, and it’s pretty fun, but it’s still kind of Greek to me!more
- Marc KinchenRight at the start of the video (0:08) you can see Marc Kinchen using the M1 plugin. Marc Kinchen is well known for the organ sounds of the M1.more
- Stephen WalkingIn the description of his twitch channel [http://www.twitch.tv/stephenwalking/profile], Stephen Walking lists the vsts and daws he uses, which includes Korg M1.more
- Don DiabloDon mentions the Korg M1 as one of his favorite synths to usemore
- Kenny Dope35:35 Louie Vega: '[Kenny Dope] would come to the Bronx and had a drum machine and a keyboard. Just an M1 Keyboard and an SP1200 and he had what, the Akai, right? Kenny Dope: S950, yeah.more
- Antoine ClamaranAntoine Clamaran uses the Korg M1 synthesizeurmore
- Jeremy OlanderDuring Jeremy's [Reddit AMA](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/1k1k20/hi_we_are_djproducers_fehrplay_jeremy_olander_of/cbkhtsk), he says that his favorite VST is probably Korg M1.more
- San HoloAt 17:16 (and many other times in the video) you can see on his Tracklist M1, and in his AU folders you can see one of the developers ois Korg, which I assume means he used the M1 VST.more
- Felix JaehnListening to new ideas from my #studio sessions in #Amsterdam last week! ????more
- Xymox'Later, with money from records sold, the studio grew with the Korg M1, Juno-106, Akai S900, a bigger mixing board from Yamaha, Oberheim DPXs for sample playback, a MIDIed Minimoog, an Atari computer using Creator, an Oberheim Matrix 1000, newer guitars and amps, and a Shure mic. This was enough to record demos and to play live. Later the studio got fuller with Akai samplers, Yamaha DMP11 digital mixing desks, and an Akai 12-track linked to the Atari.”more
- RenardRen uses the M1 at around 1:01:43 in this stream.more
- Joe StoneJoe Stone mentions the use of the Korg M1 in the comments of this IG postmore
- James HypeThis Plugin can be seen in this Instagram video, uploaded by the artist himself.more
- TennysonLuke on his twitch stream uses Korg M1 Software Synthesizer on 1:17:08more
- Eric PersingSpectrasonics Studio List The equipment list for the Spectrasonics studio reads like a gear-head's dream. Favourites amongst Eric's sizeable synthesizer collection include the Access Virus, the Prophet VS, his collection of Waldorf synthesizers, and a 1976 Yamaha CS80. 'It's my favourite axe to play, because of the awesome polyphonic aftertouch and that sensuous ribbon,' explains Eric. For effects processing Eric is a fan of the Roland SRV330 reverb, an item that 'gets missed by most people, mainly because it doesn't say Lexicon on the front panel.' For distortion tricks Eric often uses a rare Boss GL100 guitar preamp: 'It's basically the history of Boss pedals in one rack space.' Mixing, until recently, was done on some 'very odd, custom-made analogue mixers made by a guy named Mo West,' reveals Eric. He recently purchased a Roland VM 7000-series mixer, however, taking him one step closer to an all-digital setup. SAMPLERS • Roland S760 and S770 • Kurzweill K2000 • Bitheadz Unity DS1 (running on an Apple Macintosh G4) SYNTHESIZERS/DRUM BOXES • Access Virus • Clavia Nord Lead • Doepfer modular synth • Emu modular synth • Moog Minimoog (modified by Studio Electronics) • Oberheim SEMs • Polyfusion modular synth • Roland JP8000 prototypes & production units • Roland JP8080 • Roland JD800/990 • Roland Jupiter 8 • Roland JV1080 and 2080 • Roland MKS50 Alpha Juno • Roland MKS80 Super Jupiter • Roland System 700 and 100m modular synths • Roland MC303 • Roland MC505 • Roland TB303 • Roland TR808 • Roland TR909 • Korg EX8000 • Korg M1R • Korg Mono/Poly • Sequential Circuits Prophet VS • Waldorf Wave, Microwave, Microwave XT • Yamaha CS80 SOFTWARE • Alchemy • Arboretum HyperEngine • Arboretum Hyperprism plug-in pack • Arboretum Ionizer • Arboretum Raygun noise-reduction plug-in • Antares Infinity • BIAS Peak audio editor • BIAS SFX machine effects • Emagic Logic Audio Platinum • Emagic Sound Diver synth editor/librarian • Fireball • GRM Tools plug-in pack • Metasynth • Opcode Vinyl, Vocode & Filter plug-ins • Propellerheadz Rebirth soft synth • Prosoniq SonicWorx Artist effects • Steinberg Magneto tape-saturation emulator • Steinberg ReCycle sample editor • Thonk soft synth • RAIFF • Region Munger • Transfer Station • Samplifier sample transfer software • Saturator • Sound Morph • Sound Hack audio editor • Unisyn synth editor • Waveboy Voder SIGNAL PROCESSORS • AMS RMX reverb • API 5502 equaliser • Boss GL100 guitar driver • Boss SE70 multi-effects • Dimension beam controller • Euphonics mixing console • Eventide DSP4000 & H3500 harmonizers • GML stereo parametric EQ • Innovonics compressors • Langevin passive equalisers • Lexicon PCM70/80/480 reverbs • MXR Distortion Plus • Quest custom mixers • Roland Dimension D & C processors • Roland RSP550 multi-effects • Roland RSS10 3-dimensional effects • Roland SDE330 delay • Roland SDX330 chorus • Roland SRV330 reverb • Roland SVC330 vocoder • TC Electronics Fireworx multi-effects • Summit tube mic preampsmore
- Sergey MavrinIn the attached video at a certain point, Sergey talks about the instrument. He has been actively using it since 1997-98.more
- M-22At 2:54 M-22 are seen using this. Frank said 'must be an M1' then Matt comments 'great sound'more
- Callum BowenAt 17:53 Mostly use software emulators...I never really use hardware stuff. Use entirely software instruments and midi 'change things the whole way through'. 'halfway between real and unreal sounds' Korg M1 (drums) FM8 Native Instruments Massivemore
- Rémi GazelAlso can be found in Betilla the Fairy's theme by using the universe preset. (edited) Overall, i made a mistake on adding the software version of the M1, if any mods can improve upon this will be helpful. he also recorded it on a studio Studios de la Seine which he sadly don't own back when but use it when recording at Studios de la Seinemore
- Tocadisco
- Freddy See
- DJ Orkidea
- Aiden Jude
Korg m1 le 'M1 Le' is a limited edition of the M1 software synthesizer (included in the KORG Collection) that conveniently brings the sounds of the ground-breaking M1 music workstation to your computer. I'm wondering are there FREE VST or AU plugins (for mac) which emulate Korg M1, Roland JD 990, JV, XV etc. I don't need 100% emulation, just something not so big, not resource intensive & not complicated, in other words just a simple ROMplayer with an ability to layer and tweak sounds a little.
The Korg M1 Software Synthesizer is a 16-voice, 8-part multitimbral sample-based synthesizer. It’s the software version of the legendary keyboard music workstation manufactured by Korg from 1988 to 1995.
The original hardware keyboard version of the Korg M1 is officially labeled “the all-time best selling synthesizer” by SoundOnSound.
And for good reason. The soundscapes and tones of the Korg M1 keyboard not only revolutionized the synth-making industry after its 1988 release but continue to be used to this day!
The keyboard revolutionized the industry through presets like 01 Piano16’, which became the house-style piano sound of the 90’s era, and was featured on many top 90’s house hits. This is only one of the massively popular presets from the original M1 that found its way into a wealth of top radio tracks.
But since the hardware version was discontinued in 1995, a digital version was made due to popular demand. This digital version quickly became widely used throughout the industry, since it was much more accessible.
Like the hardware version, the VST achieves organic realism and high-quality sounds by doing away with typical analog subtractive synthesis, in which only simple waveforms are used.
![Korg M1 Vst Korg M1 Vst](http://bobbyblues.recup.ch/korg_m1/images/LW_Dreams2.jpg)
Instead, it uses complex digital samples of real-world instruments and sounds as the base.
This technique creates rich, colorful, beautiful, and full tones that are hard to replicate!
Due to this massive popularity of the original Korg M1’s presets, many industry legends still love to use the digital emulation, which vastly expands beyond the previous boundaries of the original!
Transcendent artists like Laidback Luke, Nicky Romero, Eric Prydz, and many more are known to have used the software version of the Korg M1.
So, without further ado, let’s dive into why the Korg M1 Software Synthesizer is so popular!
We’ll be going over:
- Pros and cons
- Key features
- Other functions
- Advantages to the VST version
- Skill level
- Final thoughts
First, let’s check out the pros and cons of the VST.
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Pros
- 2,700 premade factory presets
- Thousands of complex and malleable waveforms
- Emulates legendary sounds that defined entire eras of music
- Sophisticated 8-track sequencer
- Individual and global effects racks
![Korg m1 vst buy Korg m1 vst buy](/uploads/1/2/4/8/124819335/122798462.png)
Cons
- Some presets sound overused and outdated
- Costly
- Must be purchased along with the Korg M1 Legacy Collection
There aren’t many cons to the M1 VST besides how some of the original presets, naturally, will sound overused and outdated, and that the only way to get it is to purchase the entire Korg M1 Legacy Collection.
The Legacy Collection costs $199, and along with the M1, you get other old hardware keyboard emulations such as the MS-20, Polysix, Mono/Poly, WAVESTATION, and MDE-X.
Despite these cons, the M1 synth plugin is phenomenal due to its wealth of incredible stock sounds beyond the original 100, the wide array of adjustable waveforms, and full customizability in sound design.
Next, we’ll look at some of the main features of the Korg M1 VST.
Key Features
Presets
The 100 original hardware factory sounds, which the VST does a fantastic job of emulating, are what defined the M1’s legacy.
Mostly used for pianos and pad sounds, many of the available presets became staples of electronic radio hits in the 1990’s and beyond.
The opening preset on the VST, 00 Universe, known as one of the most famous presets of all time, is a lush choir sample with a cascading percussion line in the background. It’s generously washed in reverb and delay and has been used extensively in electronic genres.
The next preset, the 01 Piano 16’, contains the typical fullness and richness of the M1 sound and became one on the defining pianos of the 90’s house era!
Perhaps even more recognizable is the 17 Organ 2 preset. It works well in the deep tonal area, as well as its original purpose as a jazz organ.
Because of these famous stock sounds and many more, it becomes easy to understand why the software version of the now-discontinued Korg M1 keyboard is so popular!
Although the hardware synthesizer came with only 100 premade tones, the VST version comes with a wealth of extra sound banks that were released later by Korg, totaling over 2700 new noises to play with.
For a full list of the original 100 presets and short examples of each one, click here.
Other Functions
Effects
Built into the M1 synth plugin is a wide-ranging effect unit. Effects built into the unit are as follows:
- Reverb
- Delay
- Chorus
- Flanger
- Phase shifter
- Tremolo
- Distortion
- Overdrive
- Exciter
- Equalizer
- Ensemble
- Rotary speaker
There is a wealth of different preset types for each effect! You can also intricately adjust every effect’s individual parameters.
Each effect can be assigned separately to every available program, combination, and song track. You have the option of using multiple effects in either a serial or parallel manner.
Advantages To The VST Version
As technology in general has advanced since the original M1’s release in 1988, there are a myriad of features to the M1 VST that you’ll be able to take advantage of!
First, the sound quality. Not only will you get a cleaner, high-fidelity digital sound, but you’ll hear some subtle differences such as a more pronounced reverb and a wider stereo image.
As always, these more pronounced effects are fully adjustable on the VST to suit your tastes.
Second, you also get a nice preset browser where you can search based on instrument type and tonal character, making it easy to search through the wealth of sounds!
Next, you get a completely redesigned user interface that emphasizes ease of operation. Many parameters can be seen at once, unlike the original keyboard.
Once you select a sound, you can easily navigate to the “Easy Edit” or “Performance” page for fast tweaking of the preset.
Along with all of this, a couple of completely new features were created for the M1 VST that were commonly requested for the original M1. Korg first added an adjustable resonance to their filters, which opens up endless filter possibilities for deeper sound shaping.
For further sound customizability, two individual effects processors were added to each of the eight multi-timbral parts, as well as two possible master effects! On the original, only two effects at a time were possible.
Because of the exponential advancement of technology over 20 years, massive improvements and many new features are available on the M1 VST!
Skill Level
What’s wonderful about the M1 synth plugin is that anyone, of any skill level, can find incredible value from it!
For beginner producers, 2700 presets are available that are playable straight out of the gate, including the legendary 100 that made the hardware M1 so famous.
Tweaking is not necessarily required as the quality of the presets is so high, and they can be placed into most tracks for immediate use.
After using presets for some time, an easy sequencer interface enables beginners to start digging under the hood and adjusting the knobs to design sounds to their exact liking!
For experts, the tweaking options are nearly endless! The customization of the waveforms, oscillators, effects, and effect types allow you to create a wide array of sounds and timbres.
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Conclusion
What’s not to love about the Korg M1 VST?
Many legendary presets that defined entire eras of music are emulated within.
It has a cross digital and organic sound that is incredibly tough to emulate.
After decades of being available to the public, it’s still used by many industry legends and expert music producers in software form due to its endless customization options and unique sounds.
The only downside to the M1 is its price of $199 and the bundle you have to purchase it with. But, as the M1 VST perfectly imitates some of the most legendary electronic sounds of all time, we believe this is a price worth paying.
Not to mention that the hardware keyboard was one of the best selling synthesizers of all time!
We think it’s a fantastic plugin that will add something special to your tracks though it’s tough-to-emulate sound and both the original and brand new stock sounds.
To hear some of the M1 VST’s sounds in action, check out this video.