Surrealistic MG-1 Plus Synthesizer

In my opinion, this is an overly basic sounding synth, reminding me of old synth emulations made with Synth Edit. (No offence intended.) While I'm sure people can find use for it, I feel there are just so many better synths out there. So the Surrealistic sits at the bottom of my drawer, so-to-speak.

You'd get way more variety, quality and mileage out of a Jupiter, Juno or other well-known classic synth. For example, the Mercury 6 (Jupiter 6). After all, even a Jupiter or Juno can do bare, basic sounds, while also being able to do sounds with amazing warmth and depth. True, the Surrealistic is free.

I was first introduced to Cherry Audio by searching for high quality synth emulations and came across their Surrealistic MG-1 Plus (love the Surrealistic name). Just seeing the image of your synth brought back such fond memories of high school as my piano teacher had just one Realistic Concertmate in the class. Since I previously had this teacher for drums and guitar class, he knew me quite well and assigned the only synth to me!!!! So after I snap back to the present time... I had to download this immediately!!.

Though I don't have the hardware on hand to compare it to, and had to rely on my fading memory.... although clicking the New button and starting from scratch took me back to the joy of playing my first synth!!!! I thought it was absolutely amazing!!! The sounds are so rich, deep and expressive. Love how every knob and switch is MIDI Learn capable! I can't believe they are giving this away for free!!!!!! Thank you Cherry Audio.

Pat.

https://patcotillojr.com/the-sounds.

I had one of these in the early 90's. This takes me right back to that time. It was like riding a bike knowing what all the various settings would do. It sounds great and as far as I can remember just like the real thing. Thanks so much for creating this plugin. Using it on a Mac with Reaper.

I don't know the original, this one sounds authentic though and reminds me of several synths I've had or played through the years. It's not an emulation of one the great classic synths though, so it might not fall into everyones expectations. It's fun to play around with and useful to have in your toolbox for retro- or synthwave.

Authorization was no big deal. Super simple, and pretty common for computers in 2021.

I've tried every free MG-1 VSTi out there that exists, seeing as I have a real one sitting right next to me here. Ran this plugin through the same amp, through the same monitors, and it was 99% perfect, true to my real one. (1% is EASILY the typical differences between same model synths) Only issue is my real one is a LOT more twitchy: Oscillators jump around in a BAD way, not the GOOD way, the sliders are jerky and unrealiable - and my was even serviced! But, the SURREALISTIC is way better than that. plus it adds some enhancements that the real MG-1 doesn't do, like different wave types to the "Organ". The MG-1 is quirky, and odd with its set of limitations compared to the better synths out there, but this Cherry Audio version is THE VERY BEST free version of this synth. That and it is very fun to play with, and has a standalone version. It woke me up to the company, and I've since bought every new synth they've come out with, and had zero dissapointment in any of them.

EASY five stars for this awkward Moog stepchild synth. It is the ONLY version of the MG-1 I will be keeping. (and I recommend all their other plugs too and no, I don't work for that company)