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 EX-M1R 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.

Pug

October 7, 2010 @ 5:45 am

The M1LE VST is a perfect reproduction of this beast.
The PCM samples have been used on countless hits. From the pan flute in incidental music to the piano and organ stabs within many house dance tracks. And so many many others.

The keyboard action was fabulaous too. light and playable.

Grab a M1LE and go down memory lane.

Still think it sounds good even today.

BenRecordin"

September 28, 2010 @ 4:39 pm

Ohh i have done a ton of work on my m1. The amazing thing though is the new Korg Legacy Digital PLugins that came out...I have had the M1, Poly6, and the wave station. The plug in version nailed it on all the synths. I cannot tell the difference...actually i think the Software version of the poly6 sounds better that that p.o.s poly6 i had with the melted battery and then...bad logic board. Kudos to Korg for helping me reuse my old M1 patches i saved on disk all the way back to 1995. Plus the T1 stuff and the legacy addons make it a great new plugin. Also I like the filter addition they added to the M1. Only thing i would like to figure out is how to Midi the leslie effect to were it can be switched on and off like i could on the keyboard m1...i think it was assigned to pedal 2 or soft pedal. Anyone know that trick for the software plugin version?

AFyn

September 23, 2010 @ 2:09 pm

the m1 is a massive instrument, way too much underrated nowadays. guess, what many folks made feel they had heard the m1 sounds to death, was that typical smooth reverb/cathedral fx inside, which was used nearly with every patch and voice.
put this off!!! be patient with programming the 2 osc, try the cutoff at high rates. you'll hear much better sounds. the inner distortion fx is great when driving it to the open end, the m1 reaches its limit which sounds very interesting.

AFyn

September 23, 2010 @ 2:02 pm

it's under the big mainboard inside, just what you see when opening the m1 metal outer bottom case. you must losen the 5 screws that hold the board there too -> swing open the board carefully after plugging out the small power supply flat cable that connects mainboard with power board. on mainboard's backside, you'll see the battery plugged in the typical ring-holder. you can pull it off. the battery is a typical button cell CR 2032 (3V) available on every corner.
after having replaced the battery you have to initialize the factory presets again by midi dump.

don't forget to save all your prog, combi, seq, sysex midifiles before you do the battery change.

William Day

September 22, 2010 @ 6:46 am

Hi!
Does anyone know anything about where the internal battery is located on the Korg M1 Workstation? I opened it and looked but could not find the little 'coin shaped' battery.
Happiness to all of you helpers!!
Billy

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