Let’s analyze the tea leaves.
In 2023, Korg announced the "Korg Collection 4." Users begged for the 01/W. Korg gave us the M1 v2 and the TRITON v2.
In 2024, Behringer accidentally leaked a prototype "Korg 01/W Clone" (midi controller with a screen). That lawsuit threat might actually push Korg to finally release a software version to counter the cheap hardware clone.
Prediction: I believe we will see an Official Korg 01/W VST by early 2026. Why? Because Korg has now completed the "big three" (M1, Wavestation, Triton). The next logical step in their "Legacy Collection" is the 01/W and the Trinity.
When it arrives, expect:
In the timeline of synthesizer history, the early 1990s represent a polarizing era. It was the dawn of digital workstations, a time when the warm hiss of analog gave way to the crystalline, pristine sheen of early PCM samples. Standing tall among this revolution was the Korg 01/W series.
While hardware units from 1991 are now aging giants requiring maintenance and desk space, the spirit of the 01/W has found a new life in the software realm. Whether through official Korg Collection plugins or third-party emulations, the Korg 01/W VST represents a specific, highly usable flavor of nostalgia that modern producers are rediscovering. This article explores why this "classic" workstation still matters in a DAW-based world.
The Korg 01/W is a time capsule. It is the sound of a pre-millennium anxiety—digital, yet warm; synthetic, yet emotional. It is frustrating that Korg has relegated this masterpiece to the backburner while churning out yet another ARP 2600 VST.
But the producer's motto is simple: Do not wait for corporations. Use iOS emulations, download sample packs, or buy the aging hardware. The sound is out there.
When Korg finally announces the Korg 01/W VST (and they will), the internet will explode. Until then, keep that chorus cranked, the reverb grainy, and the transpose button ready.
The 01/W is dead. Long live the 01/W.
Do you have a 01/W story? Are you waiting for the VST? Let us know in the comments below.
The Go to product viewer dialog for this item. was a legendary workstation synthesizer produced between 1991 and 1995, succeeding the iconic M1. It is known for its AI² (Advanced Integrated Squared) synthesis, providing a warmer, richer sound than its predecessor, with 32-voice polyphony and 16-track sequencing. While Korg does not currently offer a dedicated, official VST plugin named "01/W," the sounds and character are primarily available through authorized sample libraries or by using newer Korg plugins that emulate its era. Authentic 01/W Sounds via VST & Sampling
Sample Libraries (Best Virtual Alternative): Various third-party libraries, such as those found on Etsy or Walmart/SoundLoad
, offer over 1,600 meticulously sampled sounds from the original korg 01 w vst
in WAV/Kontakt format. These capture the signature 90s digital warmth. UVI Digital Synsations Vol.1: This UVI soundbank is authorized by Korg and includes samples from the
, featuring 641 presets designed to run in UVI Workstation or Falcon.
Korg Collection (Alternative Plugins): Korg has officially modeled other 90s workstations in their KORG Collection , including the Go to product viewer dialog for this item. Go to product viewer dialog for this item.
. While these are not 01/W, they offer a similar 90s ROMpler workflow and sound palette. Key Features of the 01/W
The KORG 01/W VST is a high-fidelity recreation of the 1991 flagship workstation, known for its warm, ambient character and unique "WaveShaping" synthesis. 🎹 Core Synthesis Architecture
The 01/W uses AI2 Synthesis, which expands on the M1's engine with more PCM samples and advanced modulation.
Single/Double Modes: Programs can use one or two oscillators. Double mode allows for complex layers but halves polyphony.
PCM Library: Includes all original waveforms from the internal ROM and expansion cards.
Non-Resonant Filters: The 01/W lacks a resonant filter; instead, it uses WaveShaping and Emphasis to create harmonic resonance and grit. 🌊 Mastering WaveShaping
WaveShaping is the "secret sauce" of the 01/W. It acts as a sophisticated distortion that adds overtones to clean signals based on 60 unique non-linear tables. How to use it: Select a Program: Enter EDIT PROG mode.
Page 1 (Emphasis & WaveShaping): Locate the WaveShaping parameters.
Choose a Type: Select from 60 tables (e.g., Sine, Pulse, or complex textures).
Modulate with EG: Use the WaveShaping EG to change the distortion intensity over time. This creates "moving" textures that standard filters cannot replicate. 🎛️ Combination Mode & Layering
Combinations (Combis) allow you to layer up to 8 Programs across the keyboard. Let’s analyze the tea leaves
Here’s a sample review for a hypothetical Korg 01/W VST (since no official one exists, this covers what a well-made emulation should offer, comparing it to the classic 1991 workstation).
Title: The Nostalgia Box Finally Unlocked – But Is It More Than Presets?
Rating: 4.5/5
The Hook
For years, producers hunting that early-90s ROMpler magic had two choices: track down a creaky 01/W with a dying screen, or rely on sample packs. The new Korg 01/W VST (by Korg or a quality third party like WaveAlchemy or SonicProjects) finally puts the Aeolian and Universe patches inside your DAW—no floppy disks required.
Sound – 5/5
It’s unmistakably 01/W. That grainy, 16-bit, slightly gritty transposed sound is intact. The filters (derived from the 01/W’s unique digital filter, not the later Triton’s) breathe life into pads like Soundtrack and Mystic Dreams. Bass patches have that hollow, rubbery punch that defined 90s house and industrial. If you want pristine, buy a modern synth. If you want tangible character, this nails it.
Features – 4/5
Usability – 4/5
The GUI smartly mimics the 01/W’s layout but with a macro view. Patch browsing is instant, and the randomize button (for wave sequences) is inspiring. However, deep editing still involves digging into tabs—faithful to the original’s complexity, which casual users might find dense.
CPU & Stability – 4.5/5
Efficient. A single instance uses ~3-5% on an M1 Mac. No crashes in testing.
Value – 4/5
At $99 (estimated), it’s cheaper than a used 01/W rack plus maintenance. The factory bank alone (over 300 patches) is worth it for lofi hip-hop, IDM, and retro synthwave.
Downsides
Verdict
The Korg 01/W VST is for anyone who hears Twin Peaks pads, early Prodigy bass, or Aphex Twin’s Selected Ambient Works 85-92 and wants that specific digital soul. It won’t replace Omnisphere, but it’s a time machine in plugin form. Highly recommended if you know what the letters “01/W” mean to you.
Best for: 90s revivalists, industrial producers, sound designers craving non-analog grit.
Not for: Fans of pure analog warmth or one-knob-per-function interfaces.
Here’s a comprehensive guide to understanding and using the Korg 01/W as a VST (virtual studio technology) instrument.
Because the 01/W is a sample-based synth, any sampler can play its sounds. Search for "Korg 01/W Soundfont" (SF2) or "DecentSampler 01/W patches." In the timeline of synthesizer history, the early
Recommendation: Avoid random soundfonts. They lack the velocity switching and resonance behavior that made the 01/W expressive.
The KORG 01/w VST is a hidden gem in the Korg Collection. While everyone buys the bundle for the MS-20 or the M1, the 01/w is often the one that surprises producers the most.
It is the ultimate "Pad Machine" and a secret weapon for Cinematic and Ambient music. It bridges the gap between the romplers of the past and the sound-design tools of the present. If you are tired of the "analog sound" everyone is chasing and want something glassy, complex, and digital in a beautiful way, the 01/w is highly recommended.
Rating: 8.5/10
The most authentic way to experience this synth today is through the Korg Collection, specifically the software plug-in version of the 01/W.
YouTube script — "5 Signature Korg 01/W Sounds (in a VST) — How to Use Them"
Preset pack description (for a market/store page)
Tutorial — "How to Make a Lush 01/W-Style Pad (Step-by-step)"
Social post series (5 tweets/IG captions)
Comparison article outline — "Korg 01/W VST vs. Korg M1 Emulations"
Sound design cheatsheet (one-page)
Indie developer SampleScience created a dedicated instrument called "The 01" (now part of their "Plugin Boutique" catalog). This is a sample-based VST/VST3/AU built from multi-samples of an actual Korg 01/W. It includes:
Verdict: The true "Korg 01 W VST" in spirit. It’s not an emulation; it’s a playback engine for recorded samples. Usually costs around $39. The interface looks modern, but the soul is 1991.