Kurzweil ME-1

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Kurzweil ME-1 (No Longer Available)

Item ID: ME1

Micro-Ensemble Multitimbral Sound Module

Sorry, the Kurzweil ME-1 is no longer available. We've left this page up for reference only. Check out the great alternatives on this page or call toll-free (800) 222-4700 to speak with a Sweetwater Sales Engineer about similar products.

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From Our Research Team:

Mighty Sounds - Mini Package!

The affordable Kurzweil ME-1 Micro Ensemble module features a wide variety of piano, keyboard and synth sounds, along with strings, guitars, basses, voices, and drums - a total of 256 programs in all. The samples and synth programming is taken directly from Kurzweil's PC2 series instruments, including the stereo triple strike acoustic piano sample, and the multi-strike electric pianos (both Rhodes and Wurlitzer).

The Kurzweil ME-1 Micro Ensemble has 32 voice polyphony and is multi-timbral on all 16 MIDI channels. You can choose from one of 9 different effects, along with the wet dry settings for reverb and chorus, directly from the front panel, or via MIDI (the effects are applied the same for the programs on all MIDI channels). The Micro Ensemble can also be transposed up or down up to an octave.

Kurzweil ME-1 Features:

1/2 Rack Module
MIDI: Receives on all 16 channels, In and Thru jacks
32-voice polyphony
Internal Voices: 256 programs include Grand Piano, Tine E. Piano, FM E. Piano, Ensemble Strings, Voices, Organ, Harpsichord, Clav, Vibes, Marimba, Electric Bass & Acoustic Bass (with and without layered Ride Cymbal), Acoustic Guitar, Drums, Percussion, Synth Pads.
Effects: 9 preset effects, featuring 8 different reverbs, plus chorus, with separate controllable wet/dry levels for reverb and chorus components.
Outputs: 2 Analog Outputs (1/4 in. jack Left/Mono and Right), Stereo headphone out

Specification	Detail
Manufacturer Part Number	ME1LS

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Reviews

Didn't know what to expect, but...

by Kas from Wash. DC
August 21, 2007
Music Background: Pro Studio Engineer, Concert Pianist

I had my qualms about buying this, but I did it anyway. It's my first piece of Kurzweil gear, and I'm a satisfied customer. I currently have a fantom-x and an alesis qsr (old rack qs module). I liked ... read more [+]the fantom-x pianos, but they lacked inb the bass response. The QSR was too bright. The ME-1 is very solid and sounded like the Fantom-X piano samples, but with the lid half closed on the piano. I still use my QSR for all the synth stuff, like pads, and its e-pianos and organs, my fantom for everything else, but the ME-1 for the pianos. All the other sounds are great, just not as good as the strings, guitars, sound effects, and brass of the Fantom X.
Highly reccomeded...Go sweetwater close [-]

Amazing - Beautiful Piano in Mix

by Randy Stanton from Centennial, CO USA
February 8, 2007
Music Background: Songwriter, Guitar Player, Keyboard, Singer, Bass... Demo Studio

I never really liked Kurzweil keys just sitting down and playing them. However, I kept hearing Kurzweil on live (church bands) and was impressed how musical the piano sounds were. It was explained t... read more [+]o me that it is how a sound mixes and cuts through the mix that matters and not just how it sounds by itself. I went ahead and got the ME-1 and was blown away. I combine and control this with an Alesis QS synth. I can't believe how good the piano sounds! It has been the single best studio upgrade that I have made in terms of quality recordings. Sounds like I have a $100,000 grand piano perfectly miked in the perfect room - right on my music! Blows the very good Alesis bosendorfer piano away. I wouldn't even think of using the Alesis piano at all now. close [-]

Still Killer After All These Years

by Joe Muscara from Houston TX
December 16, 2007
Music Background: Hobbyist, Band Leader

I had just bought an inexpensive 88 key graded action controller, but found the piano sound to be very poor. I needed something with good piano sounds and wanted to delve into electro-mechanical keys ... read more [+]as well (Rhodes, Wurly, Clavinet). I already had a VK-7 for organ. I was considering something like the Electro, but the organ would have been redundant. My sales engineer Brendan suggested the ME-1 and he was absolutely right (and saved me big bucks!). I use the ME-1 all the time with my band and it sounds great. The reasons I don't give it five full stars is a) because I have Ivory and very little even compares to those pianos, b) I wish it would remember settings after power-down, c) I don't know what to do with some of the sounds.

Overall, I'd say that even after being around all these years, the ME-1 is still a killer module. close [-]

Some good sounds

by Ryan S. from Jackson, MO, USA
October 1, 2005
Music Background:

If you looking for something simple and easy to use yet top quality piano sound, this is your answer. This thing has very few features. Just your basic bells and whistles. That was fine with me since ... read more [+]I don't need something complicated to work with. Everything this unit offers is all I need. Sound quality, well most of the pianos are too mellow. I recommend Bank A Piano 7 and Bank B Piano 4. They are bright and sound more like a Kurzweil keyboard. Also it wouldn't hurt to wire this into a mixer where you are EQ the sound a bit. EP's, Strings, Voices, and a couple of Vibes are very nice. Other than those, I don't find any of the other sounds very useful. I would definately buy this thing again though if something ever happened to the one I own now. It was worth it. close [-]

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See Also: MIDI Modules , Kurzweil , Kurzweil Sound Modules