Vintage Synth Explorer

Korg • M1

The M1 was and still is a popular and widely used digital synthesizer and music workstation. The M1 features built-in AI Synthesis for full digital generation and processing using 4MB of PCM sampled and synthesized waveforms which can be shaped using analog-style editing. The M1 is capable of creating acoustic instruments with clarity, nice digital sounds and good buzzy techno sounds. The M1 is sort of like a workstation-version of the Roland D-50.

In addition to its acclaimed sound, it has a somewhat sophisticated 8-track sequencer. It holds 10 songs and 100 patterns and up to 7,700 notes, and offers full quantizing and editing. Full MIDI implementation suites the M1 ideally for studio production and MIDI system use. Up to 8 parts of multitimbrality with the 8 track sequencer makes for a powerful machine. Add to that a host of digital multi-effects and you've got one of the most widely and professionally used Korg synthesizers around.

UPGRADES: The EXK-M1 optional ROM expansion kit doubles the PCM waveform memory to 8MB (275 multisampled sounds) for even greater sonic possibilities. The M1R-EX is the same upgrade but designed for the M1R (rack version). That's right, there's a rack version of the M1 available as the M1R as well. The M1 has been used by 808 State, Banco De Gaia, Ken Ishii, Depeche Mode, Fluke, The Cure, The Orb, The KLF, Plastikman, Bomb The Bass, Gary Numan, Robert Miles, Mike Oldfield, Kitaro, Rick Wakeman, Rod Argent, Joe Zawinul, Patrick Moraz, Pet Shop Boys, Vangelis, the Cranberries, Sin and Jellyfish.

VISITOR COMMENTS (48)

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Posting Rules: Please keep your comments relevant! Do not post requests for help, do not use for sales, do not post unless you have something interesting to say about this instrument, or we may delete your post.

 

lamster

Posted 15 days ago

Have to agree. got the m1r in its day was the successer to the DX7 but havn't used it for years got the soft version on vst and guess what havn't used it too much there either.
The sounds were done to death in he 90's programing is a b*****d so only really used the presets so nothing original there then

RoB

Posted 43 days ago

Queen also used the Korg M1 in the album "Innuendo". If I remember exactly, the strings intro in "Show Must Go On" has been recorded using the "Low Orchestra" preset.

Denva

Posted 54 days ago

I owned one in the mid 90's. Nice performance synth, especially back then. Smooth piano sounds for its time. There are a lot better pianos on newer synths. For the money, $400 to $500, sounds good. Nice strings, and atmosphere sounds. Lots of effects and a nice sequencer. Still pretty good for performance but not for in depth programmers.

P6

Posted 86 days ago

Crap. Seriously. Great in it's day while it was raped for it's stock sounds (that were on everything) but has so little scope as a SYNTHESIZER (rather than a sample playback machine) that it's next to useless in a modern context.

The synth lacks deep architecture, so you can't 'invent' new sounds like you can on say A D-50, or SY77. They may all appear like 'romplers' to the untrained eye but those 2 synths are REAL synths. The M1 was just a successful packaging of 'quality' (for the time) PCM sounds. dated now.

I bought one for next to nothing and then parted it out making 3x the value back - it's all they are good for. Do NOT believe the asking prices on Ebay - they aren't worth over £100 let alone the £300 some are asking!

It lacks decent filters. Will always sound like stock patches slightly tweaked rather than brand new worlds.

rickyd

Posted 87 days ago

Although the sounds are dated, and I wouldn't dare use any acoustic sounds from it, the "Fantasy" sounds - for lack of a better word - can still be very useful today. I use them all the time in my current music. If you have an old M1 around and you're in need for some ethereal type sounds, you can put this baby to use while using a more modern ROMpler for your acoustic or analog type stuff.

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