Surrealistic MG-1 Plus is a free virtual synthesizer developed by Cherry Audio and inspired by the Realistic Concertmate MG-1, an analog instrument sold through Radio Shack during the early 1980s.

The original hardware combined a monophonic synthesizer section with a simple polyphonic oscillator bank. Cherry Audio recreates this unusual architecture while adding modern improvements such as expanded octave ranges, tempo synchronization, MIDI control, preset management and full DAW automation.

Its analog character, immediate interface and distinctly retro tone make it particularly suitable for synthwave, Outrun, darksynth, Electro, cinematic scoring and other styles built around sounds associated with the 1980s.

Vintage Oscillators for Retro Sounds

The main synthesizer section provides two oscillators that can be combined to create thick basses, cutting leads and resonant electronic effects. Oscillator sync adds brighter harmonics and sharper movement, making it useful for aggressive synthwave leads and dramatic melodic hooks.

The instrument also includes a polyphonic oscillator section. This can produce simple chords and organ-like textures that sit naturally behind a monophonic bass or lead layer.

Unlike a conventional modern polysynth, the monophonic and polyphonic sections have different roles. Combining them is one of the easiest ways to create the layered tones associated with early electronic soundtracks and affordable analog keyboards from the 1980s.

A Fat 24 dB Ladder Filter

The 24 dB ladder filter is central to the sound of Surrealistic MG-1 Plus. It can soften bright oscillators, shape rounded basses and add resonance to leads, sequences and electronic percussion.

Closing the filter while using a short contour creates punchy synth basses suitable for synthwave, Electro and dark electronic music. Increasing the resonance produces sharper sweeps and more animated effects.

The polyphonic oscillator bank can also pass through the filter, allowing chord layers to take on a warmer and more unified tone instead of sounding like a separate instrument placed on top of the patch.

Bell Tone Ring Modulation

The Bell Tone section uses ring modulation to create metallic and inharmonic textures. It can generate bell-like sounds, robotic effects, unstable leads and unusual percussion.

Used subtly, it adds brightness and complexity to a standard oscillator patch. At stronger settings, it moves the instrument into more experimental territory that works well for darksynth, science-fiction cues and retro game-inspired sound design.

This section is especially useful when a production needs something more distinctive than another conventional saw-wave lead.

Tempo-Synced Modulation

The original hardware was limited by the technology and price expectations of its era. Cherry Audio expands the modulation section with a tempo-syncable LFO, allowing rhythmic movement to follow the DAW project.

The LFO can animate pitch, filter cutoff and the polyphonic section. Slow settings create movement in pads and sustained chords, while faster synchronized values are useful for pulsing basses, repeating synth patterns and rhythmic soundtrack effects.

Automatic repeat triggering provides another method for generating repeated notes without programming every event manually. Combined with filter modulation, it can quickly produce sequences that feel at home underneath neon-lit highways and suspiciously permanent sunsets.

More Than 130 Presets

Surrealistic MG-1 Plus includes more than 130 factory presets. The collection covers basses, leads, polyphonic tones, effects and recreations based on settings documented for the original instrument.

The preset library makes the plugin approachable for producers who do not want to begin every sound from an initialized patch. Presets can be modified, saved, marked as favorites and controlled through MIDI mappings.

For synthwave production, start with a bass or lead preset, then adjust the filter, oscillator balance and modulation rate. Adding an external chorus, delay or plate reverb can provide the wider stereo image commonly heard in retro electronic music.

Official Overview

The official Cherry Audio overview demonstrates the instrument’s oscillators, polyphonic section, filter, modulation controls and preset sounds.

Compatibility and Installation

The Windows version requires a 64-bit installation of Windows 7 or later. Cherry Audio recommends a quad-core computer with 8 GB of RAM.

The macOS version requires macOS 10.13 or later and supports compatible Intel and Apple Silicon systems. It is available in Audio Unit, VST, VST3, AAX and standalone formats.

Users must create a Cherry Audio account and add the free instrument to their library. An Internet connection is required for product activation.

Main Limitations

• No official Linux version
• A Cherry Audio account is required
• Internet access is required for activation
• The monophonic architecture is less flexible than a modern polyphonic synth
• No large integrated effects section
• The vintage interface may feel unusual to complete beginners

Final Verdict

Surrealistic MG-1 Plus is an excellent free instrument for synthwave producers who want authentic early-1980s analog character without navigating a complicated modular system.

Its dual oscillators, polyphonic tone generator, ladder filter, ring modulation and tempo-synced LFO cover many of the sounds required for retro basses, leads, chords and electronic effects.

The absence of a large effects section is not a major problem because chorus, delay and reverb can easily be added inside the DAW. Its free price, generous preset library and broad plugin compatibility make it a practical addition to Windows and macOS studios.

For synthwave, Outrun, Electro and cinematic retro music, Surrealistic MG-1 Plus delivers a convincing vintage personality without requiring a vintage repair bill.