images via this auctionvia Tuan c/o Drone Studios
"The Korg M500 Micropreset is a funky, underrated little analog synth with a very warm resonant filter and cool retro wood enclosure. Many people do not know this, but the "Korg 35" VCF found on the M500 is also found on the Korg MS10, MS20 and Sigma synthesizers. It's a very unique sounding filter and is considered by many synth enthusiasts to be the best sounding 12db analog filter ever made. The M500 is basically 30 different preset sounds, and each sound is selectable via a matrix consisting of a knob and six push buttons. Each preset will allow a different mix of parameters to be edited, and some presets don't. And I think that is one of the reasons why it is labeled as a "preset" synth though there is a certain amount of control over some of the parameters onboard. Some presets allow direct control over attack, sustain, modulation rate, modulation depth, vibrato, LFO, portamento and the filter (which is interestingly labeled "Traveler"), and it varies to what degree some of these parameters can be edited depending on which preset is selected.
The M500 is structured on a matrix composed of six main families of sounds, and five variations for each (often just playing an octave up or down). The M500 also has this neat ability to layer two sounds from different families for a fatter, composite sound!
Several expressive controls make this an excellent "players" synth. Especially cool is the momentary Portamento switch that allows you to add portamento only when you need it -- great when adding slides to a brass preset. There is a Random Repeat switch that allows a random vibrato effect which is both subtle and chaotic. This synth nails down the Theremin sound perfectly and most all the presets sound warm, full and vintage. If you are a fan of early synth music from the 70's to the early 80's, this is a perfect synth to obtain those sounds, simply because the M500 was used on countless records from that early synth period. OMD used the M500 on their first four albums, and their lead singer/synthesist Andy McCluskey still cites the M500 as his favorite synth. Most apparent uses of the M500 are the lead synth part from "Enola Gay" and the intro white noise swooshes from "Electricity". Also Vangelis, Jean Michel Jarre and Brian Eno are also avid users of the Korg M500."
There are a ton of samples linked at the auction.
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