The Z1 is like a polyphonic Prophecy in a workstation! It does all the analog sounds and more. This is a great analog modeling synth with 12-voice polyphony, thirteen waveforms, four LFOs, two resonant filters, two effects units and more. The ability to create unique sounds is endless. The factory patches could use some help, but overall the sound is very nice! It has a fully polyphonic arpeggiator that blows all others away. It has five preset arpeggio patterns and fifteen user patterns. Unfortunately there is no on-board sequencer. There is incredible real-time control available with knobs to control the two resonant filters, and a touch controlled 'XY' pad for tweaking patches in real-time. The Z1 is used by KMFDM, Gary Numan, LTJ Bukem and Orbital.

Jan Ancic

June 8, 2011 @ 9:05 pm

No, this board is not hard to program - because of possibilities, features and Guru inside. It's been designed for those , who is interested in sound creating. Presets are less then 1% of what is Z1 able to do. Be careful with using dangerous filter by programming - always keep low resonance setting, than tweak..

Dave

May 23, 2011 @ 10:19 pm

Be careful getting a lower serial number Z1. They were know for transmitting all midi messages at once causing it not to function I.E. send and receive midi. I have to get a new mainboard or a whole other Z1 for harvesting.

ObscureRobot

May 20, 2011 @ 10:59 am

I picked up my Z1 last weekend and am very positively impressed with it. A 16MB memory card in a PCMCIA adapter seems to work fine for patch storage, and it is really nice to not have to overwrite the factory patches. Now I need to find a supply of cheap MB-class memory cards.

One of the persistent complaints about the Z1 is that it is hard to use and program. I think this misconception comes from people who ultimately end up happy with Tritons, Fantoms, or Motifs. I find that it is easier to get at the exotic synthesis options on the Z1 than on a Virus.

brandon

April 27, 2011 @ 4:27 pm

I bought my z1 when it first came out. It is a great machine, and its good to see people enjoying them.
I am v pleased with mine.I have owned many synths since the early 80's .This is a great piece of kit (except for very occasional clipping sound!!)

Angels In Bondage

April 1, 2011 @ 8:04 am

@gridsleep: The MOSS board is only 6 voices and the Trinity version of the board i believe is just a monophonic module (could be wrong but im pretty sure).
Anyways Korg Z1 is a beast of a synth, takes forever to program but it is very rewarding once you get something out of it - i am pretty sure Frontline Assembly's implode album is a good 33% Korg Prophecy/Z1.

The only bad characteristic for this synth to me is the horrible aliasing it does especially on the high end notes.

Great for Bass/Leads.

<151413121110987>

 

Post Comment!

Your Name: (Required.)

Email Address: (Required, not published.)

Image verification: (required)

Message:

 

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.

I have read and understand the posting rules.