Reviewing the new M-Vave FM-1, a tiny and portable hardware FM synthesizer! We’re breaking down the 128 presets, 32 FM algorithms, built-in effects, and the onboard sequencer to see what this budget synth can actually do.
Here’s everything you need to know
Links:
AliExpress:
Amazon:
M-Vave website:
M-Vave Official Facebook discussion group:
M-Vave Youtube channel:
#mvave #fm1 #synth #synthesizer #review #ableton #live #music #production #howto
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Sold!
I just got two of these, one for an injured friend of mine who can't get around much right now and one for myself. I love it.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Beetlejuice!😂
Can you make a tutorial on how to use this synthesizer for beginners?
does it have BT midi ?
You had my upvote at ''banana for scale'
Hello! Thanx for the cool video!!! Excellent explanation 👌
By the way, I have 2 important questions:
1) Does it REALLY support MIDI? Can I use it with ABLETON/MAC?? Which USB Midi cable??
2) Is it polyphonic? Can I play CHORDS?
THANK you very much for your time.🎹🖤
Version 15 update problems for Mac users: September 8, 2026
There are three different versions of the update software on the M-VAVE web site.
Two don't work, at all, the other one does.
The one that didn't work was labeled M-UPGRADE, and is located under the PC SOFTWARE tab on the Download page.
The other one that does not work for updating to Ver 15, is labeled FM-1 (Mac), and is located under the Major Update tab on the Download page of the M-VAVE website.
The one that DOES work was located in the Product section for the SMK-37 ELITE.
The software for the smk-37 detects the fm-1, and when you point it at the firmware update file, it works great.
Complete update instructions for Mac users…
This is a link to a webpage that has a working M-VAVE FM-1 update app, for Mac users.
The update app on the DOWNLOADS > PC SOFTWARE page of the M-VAVE website is nonfunctional.
First you download the Mac version of the M-Upgrade app here.
https://www.m-vave.com/product?id=smk-37-elite
Then you download the FM-1 update file here:
https://www.m-vave.com/download
Then launch the update app, which requires you to open Mac system preferences > security & privacy, then unlock with your password, then choose Allow downloaded app.
Once you have the update app running, plug in your FM-1with USB-C cable and turn on.
The app will detect your FM-1, then select the downloaded FM-1 update file, press Update, wait for the update to finish (it will tell you when) 🙂
M-VAVE please fix the app so we don’t have to disable security features on Mac, to use it.
It also supposedly has BLE Bluetooth midi, but I haven't seen anyone use it yet
I have been thinking about buying this synth, but I wasn't shure of its what I want. Thanks to you and your video, I'm now certain that this is the device for me.
Thank you, and I hope you have an amazing day.
are you russian
It’s very good priced when you are in china. Currently sells for 279rmb ~40€
The clock is transmitted via the effects channel
Does it support MIDI Volume (CC007)?
Lazies review in the world 😂
How to record a song ? When I record patterns, they all use the same instrument . I want to record separate instruments and make a song
Can I set the velocity curve at global settings? I want to Connect It to my USB keyboard.
Absolutely for budget synths player
Look a great synth, would be a great vídeo making a compare with Korg Volca FM❤❤❤
"and voilà" !!
No midi out?
This was a great review of this little synth! Very informative!
Hello! I received mine yesterday and it’s a really fun synth, the only downside I noticed is the output volume too low, I connect it to my sampler like any other synths I have and at max volume I only reach 0,2db. How is the volume output on your fm1? Thanks
Great video! That was more informative than any other review I've seen for this little synth, thanks!
there's a lot of your voice and not a lot of the sound of the synthesizer
No drum sounds with a sequencer is ludicrous,….
Yooo, cool addition and for people's price. Black-grey option looks good too. I think I can pair it with M-Vave MIDI.
Latka
Is Smk 25ii can connect to it or not? Or is there any posible to connect with a third party device using m-vave Smk 25ii??
I'm confident the firmware is based on Dexed, which is modeled after the Yamaha DX7. It's compatible with DX7 presets, you can load and create them from the free Dexed VST/app. Thousands of cool presets are freely available. SMK 37 Pro and Elite are same firmware. Also because of SMK 37 pro/elite this FM-1 isn't actually the first synth by M-Vave. Cool little machine anyway, cheap cool machines are great in general I think. Just wish M-Vave would be more upfront in communicating what their stuff is actually based on and provide more after sales and firmware fixes.
How to record it in FL or any other daw? Can you make such video? Bra!
No BLE midi in, right?
No control of the operator feedback?
@4:42. Choose an egg. 😊
Adventure Island II
I always love these form factors, but if ur not going to make the battery replacable, they need an external power supply option. And with these usb c type devices, its always a crapshoot on whether or not its "disposable gear". Sonicake took the note from the pocketmaster pedal and added a dc barrel port to the smarbox follow up which i really appreciated. Overall this seems like a great value tho. Real competition for the sonicware xfm. Especially the effects section.
Cool video, but I wish showed more of the sounds.
Just got one through the door, unbelievable bit of kit for £50
m vave needs to update their software it wont download on windows
God bless the Chinese. Seriously, without them, lots of things…tools, electronics…all sorts of stuff would be forever out of people's price range. The closest thing I can think of to this would be from Teenage Engineering and that hardware is like, 30x the price.
are you a vampire?
Thank you so much for your detailed review of the FM-1 synthesizer!
We really appreciate the time and effort you put into creating such a thorough and informative video. Your clear explanations and in-depth demonstration will be very helpful for musicians who want to learn more about the FM-1.
Thank you again for your support of M-VAVE. We truly appreciate your professionalism and look forward to working with you again in the future!
Thanks 🎹😊✨