Surrealistic MG-1 Plus
Key Features
- Ultra-accurate analog modeling of the 1981 Moog-designed Realistic MG-1 with dual oscillators featuring saw and square waveshapes
- Unique polyphonic oscillator bank alongside a monophonic section for chords and layered textures beyond typical mono synth territory
- Classic 24dB ladder filter delivering the fat, warm low-end and resonant sweeps the original hardware was celebrated for
- Tempo-syncable LFO with expanded octave ranges and multiple note priority modes including legato and retrigger
- Ring modulation producing the signature "bell tone" effect, plus glide, auto-repeat triggering, and oscillator sync for sound design
- Over 130 factory presets covering bass, leads, pads, and textural sounds designed by professional sound designers
- Full MIDI assignability, DAW automation support, and one-click UI magnification for flexible studio integration
Description
Cherry Audio's Surrealistic MG-1 Plus recreates the Realistic Concertmate MG-1, a budget-friendly analog synthesizer originally developed by Moog and sold through Radio Shack from 1981 to 1983. The plugin captures the instrument's raw sonic character with ultra-accurate analog modeling that owners of the original hardware rate at roughly 95% authenticity.
The dual-oscillator architecture pairs a monophonic section with a dedicated polyphonic oscillator bank, giving it range most vintage mono synths lack. Both oscillators offer saw and square waveshapes routed through a fat 24dB ladder filter that defines the MG-1 sound.
Beyond faithful recreation, Cherry Audio added modern enhancements including a tempo-syncable LFO, expanded octave ranges, multiple note priority modes, and over 130 factory presets. Ring modulation produces the signature "bell tone" the original was known for, while glide, auto-repeat note triggering, and oscillator sync round out the creative toolkit.
The plugin supports full MIDI assignability and DAW automation for seamless integration into any production workflow. One-click UI magnification keeps the interface readable at any screen resolution.
Available as VST, VST3, AU, AAX, and standalone, the Surrealistic MG-1 Plus runs natively on Apple Silicon and requires an internet connection for activation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Surrealistic MG-1 Plus compare to the original hardware?
Owners of the original Realistic MG-1 have rated Cherry Audio's emulation at roughly 95% accuracy to the hardware. The plugin also adds features the original lacked, including additional waveshapes for the organ section, expanded octave ranges, and a tempo-syncable LFO.
Can the Surrealistic MG-1 Plus play chords or is it monophonic only?
It can do both. The plugin features a dual architecture with a monophonic oscillator section for leads and bass alongside a separate polyphonic oscillator bank for chords and layered sounds. This combination sets it apart from most vintage mono synth emulations.
What is the bell tone feature?
Bell tone is Cherry Audio's name for the built-in ring modulator, which multiplies two oscillator signals together to produce metallic, inharmonic, bell-like timbres. It was a distinctive feature of the original MG-1 hardware and is fully recreated in the plugin.
Does the plugin require an internet connection to use after installation?
An internet connection is required for initial product activation. After activation, the plugin runs offline in your DAW without needing a persistent internet connection.
