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

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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.

 

Rene van der Wouden

Posted 311 days ago

The M & T series and the Wavestation are the best products Korg have made in their history. Especially those EFX processors were a perfect match to the WAVE sample ROM.

Best value is the T3. 2 times the size of RAM of the M1 and a MIDI output A and B, so a perfect master keyboard.

T. Day

Posted 311 days ago

Check this out: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie wItem&rd=1&item=300286637986& ;ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT&ih=020

planetplayer

Posted 312 days ago

The M-1 cannot be compared to the D-50. Different philosophy and technology. Funny I heard of the T series before the M1. I guess I was busy studying. I like the M1 because it is the start of the T and the 01/W series and that it is still a real workstation. I like to 01/W much better. All of the PCM based Korgs except maybe the OASYS and Wavestations come from the M1. Wow!

KORIKI

Posted 332 days ago

Great synth, I still use it. There are some great pads and string sounds on it. Also in the 90's I bought a card from Valhalla with analog style sounds on it which are still supriosingly good.

Jose Serrano

Posted 334 days ago

The Korg M1 is one of the best keyboard I ever haved, the M1 is not just the name, you need to have one in order to understand why people loved this synth. In my opinion i believe the Korg M1 is the father of all the T's,X's,and the N's Series. But don't get wrong all this new generations of Korg keyboards from X's to N's Korg series, are only 97% similar when you compared the sound quality, the M1, T3 or T2 they have more natural sound.

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