This guide shows you how to get the famous “Show Me Love” organ sound.
I will also show you how to enhance the sound to fit modern electronic music (+ a small gift for you at the end of the guide)
Enjoy!
The history of the Korg M1 Organ sound
I bet you have heard the song “Show Me Love” by Robin S.
And in that wonderful track is an iconic sound: An organ bass sound.
That sound was made on the Korg M1 workstation. Released in 1988, it defined especially the dance scene in the late ’80s and the 90’s.
It has been used on a ton of classic dance tracks and is still in many modern tracks today.
And it has a plugin version perfect for your DAW.
Getting the Korg M1 VST
Okay, now the scene is set.
But before we can continue with this guide, you have to pull out some money from your wallet.
The KORG M1 is unfortunately not free, but believe me: it is a good investment.
Especially, if you enjoy the classic 90’s and 80’s house sounds. The M1 VST is full of them!
You can get the VST for $99.99 at the official KORG webshop.
NOTE: if you want to use samples instead, then jump to the Bonus section below ;-)
Creating the famous sound
Awesome. We are ready to get the organ sound.
Once loading up the VST in your DAW, locate the BROWSER section.
The KORG M1 VST is divided into two parts: Combi and Single-mode.
To get the organ sound we have to use the VST in Single-mode.
In the browser select “PROG” and navigate to the ORGAN category.
Here you will find the legendary “Organ 2” sound. Select it. Press a note on the keyboard.
You can find the "Organ 2" preset in the browser
And there you have it: All of your favourite 90’s Classic House Anthems in one sound.
BUT…
We are not done yet. We can get more out of the plugin.
Adjusting the volume level
In the M1 plugin, you should see a level meter. Turn it up to your liking, to make the organ sound louder.
Then navigate to the EASY section and also turn up the level there.
Adjust the volume of the organ sound
Have a listen:
TIP: Be careful not to increase the volume so much that your audio starts clipping (going above 0 dB)
Playing with the built-in FXs
In the MASTER FX section, we can apply some effects to the organ.
Personally, I like to add some stereo chorus 1 to the sound at 36% wet. It widens up the organ sound in a cool way.
And then followed up with some Hall reverb at 1.8 sec reverb time and at 17% wet.
The Korg M1 plugin has many cool built-in FXs
Now you should have a really awesome and spacious M1 organ sound ready to spark life to your music productions.
Have a listen:
You can start creating your M1 Organ melody now.
However, if you want to enhance your sound even further, then follow the next steps in this guide.
Layering the Korg M1 Organ with a pluck
At this point, we already have a super dope organ sound.
But, in some cases, the M1 Organ, straight out of the plugin, does lack a bit of a transient attack. This can mean that the sound will have a more difficult time cutting through the mix.
We can solve that with some layering.
Layer the M1 organ with a simple pluck
Create a simple “Deadmau5-styled pluck” (look it up on YouTube, if you have no idea what it is ;-) )
You can use whatever soft synth is at your disposal. I use Serum because it is dope.
The trick here is to create a really short sound and then modulate the pitch with a short envelope. It almost makes it sounds like the “click” of a kick drum.
Add an MG Low 12 to filter away any high frequencies and assign a short envelope to the filter.
Cool!
And that is the thing we are after.
Check out my Serum settings here:
Make your envelopes have a short decay
That “tick” or “click” is the transient we can add on top of our M1 Organ sound. It will provide some more transients and make the organ sound cut through the mix.
Balance the two sounds with volume so that the “click” sound is not dominating the organ sound. And voila! You have created a really tight M1 Organ sound.
Have a listen:
Buuuuut, we can do a bit more to the sound ;-)
How to mix the Korg M1 organ
Adding some basic EQing and an Exciter can make the Korg M1 organ sound fit the rest of your track.
Oh and remember: this is just my approach.
You do not have to use the same plugins or effects as me. Try to experiment and add character to your M1 organ sound.
Let’s get started.
Using a bit of EQing
First, assign the two sound sources to your mixer track.
Then add an EQ - I use the Neutron 3 plugin from iZotope. Roll off the low end with a Highpass filter. I set it to around 180’ish Hz.
Then I make a small dip at the 400 Hz area to remove some muddiness.
And then boost around 4000 Hz to add some more presence to the layered M1 organ sound.
You can also use your DAW's stock EQ plugins
Adding harmonics with an Exciter
Add an Exciter for a more “Exciting” sound (See what I did there haha)
I use the Exciter module in the Neutron 3 plugin. Split up the frequencies so you only affect the upper frequencies with the Exciter.
I use the Tape setting in the Exciter plugin by iZotope
It gives the Korg M1 organ some nice upper harmonics that also help it better cut through the mix.
Stereo rhythm with a Ping Pong Delay
I am a sucker for a good 8th-dotted Ping Pong delay. Especially on the M1 organ sound.
Adding a small amount of feedback and a 10-20% wet can really add some nice stereo imagery to your sound.
A Ping Pong delay creates a cool stereo effect
I have to control myself, not adding too much of this effect haha :-)
NOTE: Remember to add a Highpass after the delay to remove any unwanted low-end rumble.
Listen to the final result:
Bonus: Use M1 Organ oneshots
If you are like me in the beginning, when I first started making music and do not want to pay a lot for a plugin. Luckily, there is an alternative for you!
You can use Korg M1 Organ one-shots in your DAW’s sampler.
Neat right?
You can find great M1 organ one-shots on Splice.
But I actually have a Free Sample Pack with Korg M1 Organ one-shots, that you can download.
Setting up the one-shots in FL Studio 21
Load up the M1 organ one-shot in the sampler.
NOTE: Make sure the one-shot sample is in the key of C - it is easier for you to map it to the keyboard notes.
Then go to envelope settings.
Load up the M1 organ one-shot sample in FL Studio's Sampler
Enable the volume envelope and turn up the “Hold” knob to 100%.
Turn down all other envelope knobs. Expect the “release” knob. Have a tiny amount of release so that the sample does not create any “clicks” and “pops”.
Play with the length of the Release
Now the M1 organ one-shot sampler is ready for you and your awesome melodies.
Have fun!
[Also read]: Why use Field Recordings in House Music?
Finishing up
I hope you enjoyed my little guide on how to get the Korg M1 organ sound - and also how you could enhance it.
If you want more production tutorials, then have a look at my YouTube channel. I share a lot of tips and tricks for electronic music.
Thanks for reading :-)
