I didn't vote for the M1 as my favorite, since I tend to use the Bechstein, and find myself experimenting with the parameters on all of the presets, but I do like the M1 sound because:
1. It sounds really good in the octaves below middle C and the middle C octave. Great for playing slow blues. At low and middle velocities, there's that nice, hard to define sound--maybe a combination of the sympathetic resonance, the cabinet, and the slight detuning of the unisons. Almost a rattle. Love it.
2. It's "ambiance" is good: not too distant, not too close.
3. Has more wood in the sound than some of the other presets.
4. Has some bite, but is not too crisp or metallic.
5. At the same time, it can sound fairly liquid, without becoming too smooth and entering into the sine tone realm.
6. Maybe 3-4 above mean that the dynamic range is good. There are distinct changes in the timbre at different velocities, so the the low velocities are neither too crisp nor too sine-tonish and the high velocities are bright without getting too crisp\metallic too fast.
7. It's good for fast jazz playing--has enough body to sound good, but it still lets you play solos without the notes dying too fast or lingering too long.
Last edited by Jake Johnson (04-01-2008 16:43)