Korg M1: 46 Iconic Riffs & Sounds You’ll Know Instantly

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Andy Whitmore recreates 46 iconic riffs, hooks and sounds using the legendary Korg M1, featuring music associated with Madonna, Queen, Robin S, Black Box, Crystal Waters, Snap!, OMD, Aerosmith and many more.

In this episode of Synth Icons with Andy Whitmore, I recreate 46 iconic riffs, hooks and sounds using the legendary Korg M1.

The M1 helped define the sound of the late ’80s, ’90s and beyond, appearing across house, dance, pop and rock records.

You’ll hear some of its most recognisable presets and sounds, including Piano 16', Organ 2, Universe, Symphonic, Choir, Pick Bass, Slap Bass, Pan Flute, Solo Sax, Lore and Ooh/Ahh.

Some of these sounds became so familiar that an entire generation heard them without necessarily knowing they came from one of the most important digital synthesizers ever made.

FEATURED TRACKS

Bobby Brown – Two Can Play That Game
Strike – U Sure Do
Congress – 40 Miles
Gat Decor – Passion
Baby D – Let Me Be Your Fantasy
FPI Project – Rich in Paradise (Going Back to My Roots)
Nightcrawlers – Push The Feeling On
Alison Limerick – Where Love Lives
Kym Sims – Too Blind to See It
Kym Mazelle – Was That All It Was
Praga Khan – Injected With a Poison
Sabrina Johnston – Peace
Nightcrawlers – Surrender Your Love
N-Joi – Anthem
Robin S – Luv 4 Luv
Madonna – Vogue
49ers – Touch Me
Law & Order – Theme
Aerosmith – Janie’s Got a Gun
OMD – Sailing on the Seven Seas
Black Box – I Don’t Know Anybody Else
Kraze – The Party
Sandra – Hiroshima
Tasmin Archer – Sleeping Satellite
OMD – Pandora’s Box
OMD – Call My Name
Awesome 3 – Don’t Go
Dream Frequency – Feel So Real
M.A.N.I.C. – I’m Comin’ Hardcore
Jaydee – Plastic Dreams
Playahitty – The Summer Is Magic
Whigfield – Gimme Gimme
Enigma – Sadeness
Robin S – Show Me Love
Double You – Please Don’t Go
Queen – The Show Must Go On
Londonbeat – I’ve Been Thinking About You
The Family Stand – Ghetto Heaven (Strings)
The Family Stand – Ghetto Heaven (Bass)
Black Box – Ride on Time
Crystal Waters – Gypsy Woman
Queen – I’m Going Slightly Mad
CeCe Peniston – Finally
Beyoncé – BREAK MY SOUL
Queen – Don’t Try So Hard
Snap! – Rhythm Is a Dancer

NOTE

“Sadeness” is an M1-style recreation/approximation. The original flute is widely believed to have been sampler-based and derived from more than one source rather than being a single Korg M1 preset.

Which Korg M1 riff or sound is your favourite — and which important one have I missed?

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