The first time I sat in front of an M1, being a teenager. It was like being in front of the most futuristic thing ever. Absolutely mind blowing at the time. I had experiences in front of Hammond and Yamaha Organs and of course Pianos, and CASIO crappy keyboards before so you can imagine my state of awe in front of the M1. Later on, to work on my own stuff, I got an i3 workstation, came from a second-hand ESQ-1 which was hard to learn but still had a lot of fun with. The i3 was a 1993 model, engineered after the M1 and the 01Wfd models with an 8mb samples ROM for its GM bank. It was a powerhouse. I made so much music on it and learned everything MIDI with it, down to NRPN values (I remember vividly literally eating the manual and trying things on the KB). It had a 20.000 events sequencer which allowed me to compose full pieces for science documentaries (they previously used Jean Michel Jarre, so you can imagine how cool of a job that was). Good memories 30 years ago.
Guys, it's the great series, please don't stop! It's like a synth geek documentary, love it, love it so hard! Please continue, I bagging you! :) This kind of content are extremely rare on RUclips, and again, we all really appreciate what you are doing.
For beginners, where can we find tutorial videos on the M1? I have a copy of the original manuals but I’m so confused and I can’t find any videos online on how to program it
I have the rack version, since 89... i just love it. I'm a korg addicted. I have: poly 800 mk2, 707, microKORG, microX, triton LE, wavestation, etc. But i just love my M1R. Great episode.
Always loved electronic music... ALWAYS. I remember watching videos and commercials, at the age of 7 to 8 years old and seeing the letters... KORG M1. I always saw this synthesizer. All I knew is whatever that beautiful black box is... it must be some type of powerhouse.
I really enjoy designing interesting sounds out of its PCM, DWGS , and digitized analog waveforms. Granted, it's not real Analog or FM synth, but lots of time you can get pretty close, and that speaks for its versatility!
Fantastic demo guys - Really appreciated things like the magazines and historical context, and the KLC:DE plugin comparison. I've seen loads of M1 videos and still got a ton out of this. Great job.
The waverex refill pcm card from synthastix enables adding new samples to a real m1. No hardware mod. Plug the waverex card into a mac or pc via usb, use their app to load in your samples and structure as m1 multisounds for musical notes or percussion. Or upload a ready made sample set, e.g. 909 drum kit from their site. Then plug the waverex card into the pcm card slot at the back of the m1. Switch on the m1, go into edit program and select the pcm sound from the card for that program. The m1 with the waverex card can be used standalone without a pc or mac attached just like with any other pcm card. If you want to put other sounds on the waverex you can delete the previous sounds on it and put these by connecting it back to a mac or pc and using their app. So the waverex is behaving like a sd card in the shape of a pcm card physical form factor. There's a limit to how many samples can be on it presumably due to limit to how much memory the m1 can address. But this is an amazing invention to be able to your own samples. Inside the waverex is a arm based embedded computer/microcontroller with flash memory and all this does the job of receiving samples via usb from the host computer and presenting them to the m1 via the physical pins in the slot. No affiliation no incentive or referral from me just a genuine fully purchased owner of waverex back in 2018/9 and an m1 for 30 years.
Could you transfer the patches/files from the additional M1 cards of the 80's/90's (presuming they can be found online), onto the Waverex & then load those onto the M1?All I seem to see mentioned is loading PCM samples to it, what about actual M1 banks/patches from back in the day ??
@@Stevaside It's a great question and in theory yes because waverex is effectively writeable Korg M1 PCM sample card. And if there are image files of the Korg M1 PCM ROM cards online, then in theory such an image file could be loaded onto the waverex card. By image file, it's a term used in computing referring to an identical copy of an original physical storage medium. In reality, the waverex PC/mac based software - provided for writing samples onto the card - would need to understand the data structure and format of an image file of an original PCM card, to import them and then write them onto the waverex card. At the moment, the waverex software provides an editor to construct samples as Korg M1 multisounds to be written onto the card. Such construction information can be saved as files. I don't know if the waverex editor can import a PCM card ROM image. The answer could be on the waverex site and the manual documentation available there. If not, then contact waverex via their site or via their Facebook page, which has been responsive in the past. It's a great idea and one I considered but wondered about copyright but it's over 30 years since the M1 was launched and I might doubt there is much commercial interest to enforce it, apart from the software based Korg M1 virtual emulations continuing to be on sale. In meantime, the worst case and most realistic approach would be to build a PCM card setup in the waverex editor manually if access to the samples but this might be painstaking and exact like for like with the original PCM might not be guaranteed if going on guesswork, unless there's written info about the PCM cards as well getting hold of the original samples - that could be challenging. Still a potentially rewarding exercise creating a new PCM card on the waverex, something not possible before. 2 further things to consider: The Waverex card would only have capacity for one PCM card at a time, because it follows the original spec. Secondly, what might be the official standard of PCM card ROM images be? And would there be documentation on the structure? On that 2nd point, if that were known and the waverex editor file format known (if waverex publish the format), then one could write their own utility to convert image files to waverex editor files. Another route with such a utility or editing in waverex editor is to reverse engineer PC/mac virtual Korg M1 software because I think that includes original PCM cards in virtual form.
@@Stevaside and, apart from the PCM card, accompanying it is the separate patch card counterpart. I have a couple of such original card pairs myself. The patch side of it is potentially a much more simpler affair because the patch data can be loaded and saved to the M1 via MIDI sysex commands. Myself I bought a standard Korg M1 RAM patch card off a well known marketplace site. They are slightly rare and like the M1 itself require a button battery power the memory to retain the data, as flash memory wasn't mature, abundant or cheap in any case back then. I got this card to create patches on it, using the PCM data on the waverex PCM card. I wanted to keep that work separate and instead of editing patches in the M1s built in memory - I wanted to keep these as per factory set. Waverex once also suggested making a modern patch card that doesnt require a battery, when I asked. Watch this space! With regard to the sysex patch dump and receive commands, worth checking if they support the patch card as a location to read write from to as well as M1 internal memory. One would also need to find the patch card data as well as the PCM card data. Closest bet on this that I can think of is to reverse engineer the virtual M1 software.
I remember when this came out and I had saved $2000. And a friend said to me why don't you get this? Or a car? I bought a car instead. The car lasted about three years, and I bought an M1 a few years ago for about $400...still running. :)
Great stuff! Thanks for the walk back in time. The Korg M1 was a beast for its' time. No doubt. It was the perfect convergence of technology in a synth and needs in the marketplace. I, like most people, love a good analog board. Nothing like it. And the hybrid analog/digital boards of the early to mid 80s were nice too. But the Korg M1 was a dream for live keyboard players who needed bread-and-butter sounds for gigs. It was portable yet well made. For studio guys it let you write songs, sketch out ideas, works with effects. In fact the sequencer was highly usable and even had loop-based pattern recording. Those patterns could then be inserted into your sequences. It worked well with computers and MIDI, and it came with the ability to expand the sounds. It was also a highly programmable synth. It just had a lot of features that fit a lot of needs. When you consider the times (1988 - 1995) it's no wonder it became the all-time greatest selling synth.
had mine since new in 88. just the m1 sounds if thats all i had now i would have been tired of them, but 2 years after i bought it i bought the ex expansion for it (all T1 sounds added) that makes all the difference for this keyboard and makes it a total keeper
I have a M1REX , T2EX & T3 Plus I have the iM1 and the software version on my computer with the Legacy series Till this very day I'm still amazed at the technology inside the M1 more than any other workstation or synthesizer Since I have the T-Series if I ever gig out with them I can instantly turn the T3 into a M1 and use the T2 as a standard regular T series workstation Every time that I am traveling on a plane train or bus I always use my iPad version iM1 and my Korg MicroKey Air 61 it comes in real handy especially when you're out of state and you can't take this little keyboard and your iPad with you anywhere you go
I absolutely loved using my T3EX for over 25 years and milked everything I could from its limited 16 note polyphony, low resolution 8 track sequencer and 2 fx processors. It's everything that the M1 should have been with the extra 4mb of much improved acoustic and drum waveforms. I really liked the T series piano and EP samples as well as the warmer strings and choirs.
I lusted after the M1 for so long that by the time I could afford one, Korg had already released the T series. The T series was essentially the guts of the M1 but with more memory, more samples, a larger display and a floppy drive. So I bought the T3 and was floored by how great it sounded. After years with a Yamaha DX27 (not the DX7) with its mono output and lack of velocity, the T3 made me feel like I could do anything. Korg ruled the 90s.
I remember Guitar Center told me there was a back order on the M1. That it would take 6 to 9 months before they could get anymore in 1989. It took them 10 months get one and it sold within an hour. So you just had to wait to see if they would get anymore and you could not buy one ahead of time back in those days. Number one iconic synthesizer of all time. Then Yamaha DX7, Roland D50, Roland Juno 60, etc.
I got my M1 in '89 or '90. And, today I still use it as my main master keyboard: excellent keybed, though it's almost impossible to make it produce MIDI velocities above 120. In the 90s I had occasions where I had to carry the M1 around in a flight case: it was heavy!
I've seen (and touched, smelled) it in a shop last year, i was impressed by the object. I'm advicing a friend to buy it for House, or even just as a piano controller just for the keyboard quality, for the cheap price (around 150 second hand).
David Boura $150? Take it! Wish I could find them that cheap here. The M1 was my first and main keyboard. I left it behind many years ago when moving, and I'm eventually going to pick one up again, as it has my favorite feel of an unweighted keyboard. It could be because I'm so used to it, but I just love the way it feels. I don't like most of the factory sounds these days, and that house piano drives me nuts, but as a controller, it's worth $200-$300 to me. And really easy to use sequencer, too! Lots of fun.
Keep enjoying, with the waverex writable pcm card for m1 for synthastix you can add your own sounds or new ready made ones like 909 kit. No incentive affiliation or referral benefit from me just want to share the news on this amazing invention. I'm a fully paid up waverex and m1 owner.
the vst is brighter and possibly more compressed, you might be able to get around the brightness to get it more faithful though. I think the exact same samples were used but in the older hardware you probably had a lower fidelity? that might explain some of the differences in sound.
I m lucky to own the M1. Found it recently in nearly mint condition. it sound mutch better than the vst version. It more like you say 3D. Now I use it as master sound when I need piano. I Hooked a Studiologic VKM 72 to it with fatar keybed. The best piano feel I ever had. better than some newer electronic pianokeybeds.
Thanks for your respect of older gear instead of just the "latest and greatest". Could you also give some insight on the Roland Fantom X? I own a couple and I'm a huuuuge fan of this piece!
Yes! Your are totally correct! I forgot about the K4. It does have a digital resonate filter. The K4 is a dirty sounding 16bit instrument that I do love. Thank you for reminding me!
sweet finally a video on my baby the m1 ♥ its beyond beautiful and i love the DAC's on it. Oh and that amazing keybed(tho it was pretty common one, same as in dx7 :p)
@davidcogan9936 partially yes, its lower resolution causes some interesting aliasing and some phasing in the bottom end compared to the vst. Noone in a mix would notice but i think it ads to its charm.
"Boy, I bet they regret that" I don't see why, I could have just a rack full of M1R's and some eBay roll up keyboard/drums & make modern music to this day
Yea people USED to think that synthesizers were for making the sounds of other instruments. The M1 was usually the instrument they identified as for making the sounds of other instruments.
Great, so you guys covered FM synthesizers (D-50, M1) and FM synthesizer (DX7). Any plans to discuss an additive synthesizer? Kawai K5 is an amazing machine in this respect. Some other interesting synthesizers are Casio VZ-1, Yamaha VL1, and VP1. The VZ-1 uses a synthesis method called Interactive Phase Modulation (iPD). It's a very capable machine. It starts out with 8 basic waveforms (sine, 5 sawtooth variations and 2 noise). It has 8 modules similar to operators, which you can arrange in different layouts. It also has 8-stage envelopes like the CZ-series. It's sort of similar to the DX7, in a sense that DX7 actually uses phase modulation to implement FM concept. So, Casio had to work around with the VZ-1 not to infringe on Yamaha's exclusive FM patent at that time. But I digress... Let's not confuse implementation type with synthesis concepts, or we're going to get into analog vs. digital pointless debate. :) Now, Yamaha VL1 uses physical modeling of drivers and resonators to emulate reed and brass instruments, as well as some bowed instruments. And the the VP1 (ultra rare and ultra expensive) is a polyphonic physical modelling synthesizer that emulates stringed instruments. Aside from the above, there is also wavetable based synthesis (Ensoniq VFX), granular synthesis (don't know of a dedicated hardware machine for that, and it's questionable if granular is a synthesis at all, not just a recording manipulation technique like phrase loops, albeit on a very very fine level), DLM (Differential Loop Modulation - Roland D-70), and RCM (Realtime Convolution Modulation - Yamaha SY77/TG77 and SY99). V-Piano technology from Roland and Pianoteq software are also very interesting. And so is Roland's S/A synthesis in RD-1000, RS-PCM in U-20/D-70, and DI (Differential Interpolation) in W-30. I put all of these synthesis methods on equal level though. I try not to favoritize any. I think all of them are amazing, and useful. As far as vector synthesis (Korg Wavestation, Yamaha SY22/TG22 and SY35), wave sequencing (Korg Wavestation) and Linear Arithmetic (Roland D-series) even though they sort of imply additive synthesis (especially LA), I'd consider them more of audio mixing techniques applied on top of an underlying synthesis method (in this case subtractive), that can be both automated as in Wavestation's vector envelope, or can be used in real time. In fact, the D-50 joystick allows you to do vector synthesis, albeit it is only manual and performance oriented. There's no envelope or any kind of automation for the D-50's joystick. Anyway, my point is that focusing on subtractive synthesis almost exclusively, as it is the case nowadays with vast majority of synthesizer players and enthusiasts, and then get a hint of FM here and there, I think is a bit limiting, to say the least. :)
Love Gear Chat! How about the Ensoniq Mirage? Maybe samplers are a bit off topic, though when Jim mentioned retail impact of the M1 it made me recall that the Mirage had a big impact on bringing sampling to the masses.
Ohh yea baby! I STILL have my M1 and use it as a MIDI controller. I no longer have the sounds loaded into it because the battery died at one point, but I have them al in my DAW through the M1 Plugin. Remember all those PCM cards we use to have to buy for $100 each -- they are all now in the Korg Plugin -- BASTARDS!
Hi at 14;18 Jim mentions and shows a Roland W30 . I’ve just acquired one of these from a English church sale . Anyone know where I can find our more about its heritage . I’ve had a look on the web and cannot find much info. Thanks
can you get me to put it on the internet through the keyboard to export the information inside those MSC cards not those feeling I'm talking about those others you have so I can import it into my Korg M1 keyboard because I don't have the cards physically I wanted to import them. I'm not referring to feeling I'm talking about the other cards. please.
thank you Mike for the reply, i was wondering if I Can use just the headphone jack for a ordinary speaker ? is it possible to plug in a normal speaker without Amp?
Headphone output is for headphones as it has a specific output level. You'll need to connect the main outputs of the M1 to either a set of active powered monitors, a keyboard amp like the Roland KC series or an amplifier that is connected to passive monitors / speakers.
Hi this is Juan valdez from Laredo texas, do u know where i can find one pls, I've been trying to buy one if u can help me it would be awesome and for how i would be paying for it once again thanks, if u can help me
Gotta love this old school stuff. I totally agree an the part of that most people were blown away about the multisamples of the M1. And the story about the demo is so spot on. I remember when I baught mine we used to laugh at it, that the salesman didn't have be able to play a key. He just had to play the demo to sell one of these. In the video I kinda missed the story that Korg stole many of their sounds (especially if you look at the T-series) from Fairlight libraries. on the T-3 there is some vocal samplets "Tee" that was clearly taken from the Fairlight (used on JMJ Zoolok album - Ethnicolor). Also, even it would be called a "cheazy" as best by todays standard .. these samples are only a small upgrade from the 8bit D50 sounds to 12bit. The M-1 basically derives most of its sounds from the Korg S-1 sampler wich was never really popular. You can import S-1 sample disks directly into a Korg T3 that has the sample memory option installed. But that the Piano 1's 3 12bit samples could even somewhat sound like a real piano for 1984 standard that was pretty amazing. To me the M1 piano always sounded bad even some of the keys around the sample point sounded more real, Roland was still King with their RD 200, 250, 300 and 1000. Even they didn't sound just as real, it sound was more "alive". What sold this Keyboard was definetly for 1984 standard 2 very good Multi Effect DSP's. Same as it was the D-50's DSP that sold it compared to the DX-7. Even its much more than that, its not completely unfair that that the D-50 was called the DX-7 killer, and the M-1 was called the D-50 killer
i just bought one and all of it's original sounds were modified I really would love to restore it to it's factory settings but i have no idea also the memory card pcm and stuff are no longer available can you please help?
Right. You need a midi adapter. Mine is a cheap no brand kind of thing. No box, no switches etc. Just a cable really. Together with midiox it works like a charme.
I bought a midi to USB cable a few years back. It's only pennies, and works both ways, so you can use the keyboard as a controller or play and record the M1 sounds, no lag at all. It's even got a wee red light which makes me happy. Got it from a shop on ebay. Just do a search... It's a standard cable, not for Korg only.
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
The first time I sat in front of an M1, being a teenager. It was like being in front of the most futuristic thing ever. Absolutely mind blowing at the time. I had experiences in front of Hammond and Yamaha Organs and of course Pianos, and CASIO crappy keyboards before so you can imagine my state of awe in front of the M1.
Later on, to work on my own stuff, I got an i3 workstation, came from a second-hand ESQ-1 which was hard to learn but still had a lot of fun with. The i3 was a 1993 model, engineered after the M1 and the 01Wfd models with an 8mb samples ROM for its GM bank. It was a powerhouse. I made so much music on it and learned everything MIDI with it, down to NRPN values (I remember vividly literally eating the manual and trying things on the KB). It had a 20.000 events sequencer which allowed me to compose full pieces for science documentaries (they previously used Jean Michel Jarre, so you can imagine how cool of a job that was). Good memories 30 years ago.
32 years after and still sounds amazing and thicker than many nowadays synths. Love my M1.
This was quite a popular keyboard jn Jamaica in the early 90s. Alot of live dance hall performances/ soundclashes in particular had one on stage.
Guys, it's the great series, please don't stop! It's like a synth geek documentary, love it, love it so hard! Please continue, I bagging you! :)
This kind of content are extremely rare on RUclips, and again, we all really appreciate what you are doing.
Still have my M1R from back in the day. Love it.
For beginners, where can we find tutorial videos on the M1?
I have a copy of the original manuals but I’m so confused and I can’t find any videos online on how to program it
I love M1 design! Legendary.
simple, elegant, no longer making flaps out of passion
I have the rack version, since 89... i just love it. I'm a korg addicted. I have: poly 800 mk2, 707, microKORG, microX, triton LE, wavestation, etc. But i just love my M1R. Great episode.
Always loved electronic music... ALWAYS. I remember watching videos and commercials, at the age of 7 to 8 years old and seeing the letters... KORG M1. I always saw this synthesizer. All I knew is whatever that beautiful black box is... it must be some type of powerhouse.
The vst is a lot brighter but I think a small amount of saturation and a shelving filter will make it sound more authentic
Thank you for the added top camera view, great revival video again!
I wanted one quite badly back in the day. The M1 and the D50. Now I have them both as plugins.
I really enjoy designing interesting sounds out of its PCM, DWGS , and digitized analog waveforms. Granted, it's not real Analog or FM synth, but lots of time you can get pretty close, and that speaks for its versatility!
😎
Why do the pcms sound soooo good though?
Fantastic demo guys - Really appreciated things like the magazines and historical context, and the KLC:DE plugin comparison. I've seen loads of M1 videos and still got a ton out of this. Great job.
The waverex refill pcm card from synthastix enables adding new samples to a real m1. No hardware mod. Plug the waverex card into a mac or pc via usb, use their app to load in your samples and structure as m1 multisounds for musical notes or percussion. Or upload a ready made sample set, e.g. 909 drum kit from their site. Then plug the waverex card into the pcm card slot at the back of the m1. Switch on the m1, go into edit program and select the pcm sound from the card for that program. The m1 with the waverex card can be used standalone without a pc or mac attached just like with any other pcm card. If you want to put other sounds on the waverex you can delete the previous sounds on it and put these by connecting it back to a mac or pc and using their app. So the waverex is behaving like a sd card in the shape of a pcm card physical form factor. There's a limit to how many samples can be on it presumably due to limit to how much memory the m1 can address. But this is an amazing invention to be able to your own samples. Inside the waverex is a arm based embedded computer/microcontroller with flash memory and all this does the job of receiving samples via usb from the host computer and presenting them to the m1 via the physical pins in the slot. No affiliation no incentive or referral from me just a genuine fully purchased owner of waverex back in 2018/9 and an m1 for 30 years.
Could you transfer the patches/files from the additional M1 cards of the 80's/90's (presuming they can be found online), onto the Waverex & then load those onto the M1?All I seem to see mentioned is loading PCM samples to it, what about actual M1 banks/patches from back in the day ??
@@Stevaside It's a great question and in theory yes because waverex is effectively writeable Korg M1 PCM sample card.
And if there are image files of the Korg M1 PCM ROM cards online, then in theory such an image file could be loaded onto the waverex card. By image file, it's a term used in computing referring to an identical copy of an original physical storage medium.
In reality, the waverex PC/mac based software - provided for writing samples onto the card - would need to understand the data structure and format of an image file of an original PCM card, to import them and then write them onto the waverex card.
At the moment, the waverex software provides an editor to construct samples as Korg M1 multisounds to be written onto the card. Such construction information can be saved as files.
I don't know if the waverex editor can import a PCM card ROM image.
The answer could be on the waverex site and the manual documentation available there. If not, then contact waverex via their site or via their Facebook page, which has been responsive in the past. It's a great idea and one I considered but wondered about copyright but it's over 30 years since the M1 was launched and I might doubt there is much commercial interest to enforce it, apart from the software based Korg M1 virtual emulations continuing to be on sale.
In meantime, the worst case and most realistic approach would be to build a PCM card setup in the waverex editor manually if access to the samples but this might be painstaking and exact like for like with the original PCM might not be guaranteed if going on guesswork, unless there's written info about the PCM cards as well getting hold of the original samples - that could be challenging. Still a potentially rewarding exercise creating a new PCM card on the waverex, something not possible before.
2 further things to consider: The Waverex card would only have capacity for one PCM card at a time, because it follows the original spec. Secondly, what might be the official standard of PCM card ROM images be? And would there be documentation on the structure?
On that 2nd point, if that were known and the waverex editor file format known (if waverex publish the format), then one could write their own utility to convert image files to waverex editor files.
Another route with such a utility or editing in waverex editor is to reverse engineer PC/mac virtual Korg M1 software because I think that includes original PCM cards in virtual form.
@@Stevaside and, apart from the PCM card, accompanying it is the separate patch card counterpart. I have a couple of such original card pairs myself.
The patch side of it is potentially a much more simpler affair because the patch data can be loaded and saved to the M1 via MIDI sysex commands.
Myself I bought a standard Korg M1 RAM patch card off a well known marketplace site. They are slightly rare and like the M1 itself require a button battery power the memory to retain the data, as flash memory wasn't mature, abundant or cheap in any case back then. I got this card to create patches on it, using the PCM data on the waverex PCM card. I wanted to keep that work separate and instead of editing patches in the M1s built in memory - I wanted to keep these as per factory set.
Waverex once also suggested making a modern patch card that doesnt require a battery, when I asked. Watch this space!
With regard to the sysex patch dump and receive commands, worth checking if they support the patch card as a location to read write from to as well as M1 internal memory.
One would also need to find the patch card data as well as the PCM card data. Closest bet on this that I can think of is to reverse engineer the virtual M1 software.
Thanks mate might get one for my t3
@@davidcogan9936 I think the t3 already has this functionality built in. Waverex is only for m1 and wavestation
I remember when this came out and I had saved $2000. And a friend said to me why don't you get this? Or a car? I bought a car instead. The car lasted about three years, and I bought an M1 a few years ago for about $400...still running. :)
Looking back, I can't figure why I ever sold my M1. Must have needed the money at some point, but man I wish I had kept it!
I have one for sale. need it?
I got one on FB for 20 bucks, shit you not. Just needed the battery and reload on the presets
Great synth or "ROMPLER" for those holier than thou. And that unique rounded-off back made it stand out and made you want to touch it
😂
Great stuff! Thanks for the walk back in time. The Korg M1 was a beast for its' time. No doubt. It was the perfect convergence of technology in a synth and needs in the marketplace. I, like most people, love a good analog board. Nothing like it. And the hybrid analog/digital boards of the early to mid 80s were nice too. But the Korg M1 was a dream for live keyboard players who needed bread-and-butter sounds for gigs. It was portable yet well made. For studio guys it let you write songs, sketch out ideas, works with effects. In fact the sequencer was highly usable and even had loop-based pattern recording. Those patterns could then be inserted into your sequences. It worked well with computers and MIDI, and it came with the ability to expand the sounds. It was also a highly programmable synth. It just had a lot of features that fit a lot of needs. When you consider the times (1988 - 1995) it's no wonder it became the all-time greatest selling synth.
had mine since new in 88. just the m1 sounds if thats all i had now i would have been tired of them, but 2 years after i bought it i bought the ex expansion for it (all T1 sounds added) that makes all the difference for this keyboard and makes it a total keeper
great show
great vid....you are right...when i heard the Demo... i was like , give me the rack version to this NOW! ...bought the M1R back in '89!
I have that issue of EM magazine. I did later purchase a D20 that year.
I have a M1REX , T2EX & T3 Plus I have the iM1 and the software version on my computer with the Legacy series
Till this very day I'm still amazed at the technology inside the M1 more than any other workstation or synthesizer
Since I have the T-Series if I ever gig out with them I can instantly turn the T3 into a M1 and use the T2 as a standard regular T series workstation
Every time that I am traveling on a plane train or bus I always use my iPad version iM1 and my Korg MicroKey Air 61 it comes in real handy especially when you're out of state and you can't take this little keyboard and your iPad with you anywhere you go
I absolutely loved using my T3EX for over 25 years and milked everything I could from its limited 16 note polyphony, low resolution 8 track sequencer and 2 fx processors. It's everything that the M1 should have been with the extra 4mb of much improved acoustic and drum waveforms. I really liked the T series piano and EP samples as well as the warmer strings and choirs.
I really like gear chat I wish they would bring it back
thank you guys, I really enjoy all theses episode, it's unique on YT (strangely), please continue to visit all this ''legend'' stuff
I lusted after the M1 for so long that by the time I could afford one, Korg had already released the T series. The T series was essentially the guts of the M1 but with more memory, more samples, a larger display and a floppy drive. So I bought the T3 and was floored by how great it sounded. After years with a Yamaha DX27 (not the DX7) with its mono output and lack of velocity, the T3 made me feel like I could do anything. Korg ruled the 90s.
I Think you can make the software m1 sound close enough like the hardware m1 with some EQ
I remember Guitar Center told me there was a back order on the M1. That it would take 6 to 9 months before they could get anymore in 1989. It took them 10 months get one and it sold within an hour. So you just had to wait to see if they would get anymore and you could not buy one ahead of time back in those days. Number one iconic synthesizer of all time. Then Yamaha DX7, Roland D50, Roland Juno 60, etc.
I got my M1 in '89 or '90. And, today I still use it as my main master keyboard: excellent keybed, though it's almost impossible to make it produce MIDI velocities above 120. In the 90s I had occasions where I had to carry the M1 around in a flight case: it was heavy!
I've seen (and touched, smelled) it in a shop last year, i was impressed by the object. I'm advicing a friend to buy it for House, or even just as a piano controller just for the keyboard quality, for the cheap price (around 150 second hand).
David Boura $150? Take it! Wish I could find them that cheap here. The M1 was my first and main keyboard. I left it behind many years ago when moving, and I'm eventually going to pick one up again, as it has my favorite feel of an unweighted keyboard. It could be because I'm so used to it, but I just love the way it feels. I don't like most of the factory sounds these days, and that house piano drives me nuts, but as a controller, it's worth $200-$300 to me. And really easy to use sequencer, too! Lots of fun.
Peter Pawinski: i've just checked, nowadays it's more around 200 to 300 second hand, here in France. And i talk euros ^^
That's an extremely good price. I looked around eBay here in the US, and it's about $500-$600. (So about 475 Euro - 570 Euro.) Go for it!
Brilliant! Straight talking and informative! Always wanted a Korg M1, finally could afford one. It's what comes out that counts, love it 👍
Love seeing those old Keyboard mags! Still have the one with the M1 review.
Very enjoyable chat and loooovely synth/workstation!
Awesome video guys! Whenever I hear or see the M1 I think of the Queen album The Show Must Go On. Really nice sounds!!
wow love the second demo ... oh memories of spending hrs at the keyboard shop
Helia Vox yap ...lol same here. I think after the M1 and the Roland jp800 or was it Jx ... I just lost interest in synths ... till 2015
There's an M1 app for the Nintendo 3DS, of all things. It's not nearly as full featured as the full Legacy software VST but it's still pretty neat.
So, just subbed to the channel for this Gear Chat show. Keep um coming!
I love my M1! Been using it to make house music since the early 90's. Thanks for the walk down memory lane.
Keep enjoying, with the waverex writable pcm card for m1 for synthastix you can add your own sounds or new ready made ones like 909 kit. No incentive affiliation or referral benefit from me just want to share the news on this amazing invention. I'm a fully paid up waverex and m1 owner.
Enjoy all of your synth talks. Please, please do an episode covering the Roland V-Synth, especially as it seems you have a personal connection to it.
Amazing video, Hope that even more exciting instruments are on the way!
When I hear Jodeci’s first cd Forever My Lady- I hear this board!!!!
i would love to see some use of the seq in this
Fun episode guys, as an MV-8800 owner, I am looking forward to the next episode. Peace!
the vst is brighter and possibly more compressed, you might be able to get around the brightness to get it more faithful though. I think the exact same samples were used but in the older hardware you probably had a lower fidelity? that might explain some of the differences in sound.
Loved these gear chat series. Would LOVE to see you guys cover the V-Synth sometime since Jim is so familiar with it. Any plans for more of these?
How much is korg Kronos ?
Are you guys going to to do an episode on the Korg 01/W?
I still love it the sound is great
I m lucky to own the M1. Found it recently in nearly mint condition. it sound mutch better than the vst version. It more like you say 3D. Now I use it as master sound when I need piano. I Hooked a Studiologic VKM 72 to it with fatar keybed. The best piano feel I ever had. better than some newer electronic pianokeybeds.
Thanks for your respect of older gear instead of just the "latest and greatest". Could you also give some insight on the Roland Fantom X? I own a couple and I'm a huuuuge fan of this piece!
Thanks for sharing. Like this format and style of video
Great talking... M1 really made a history. Its the grandfather of our kronos
Interesting. What d'you mean by "slip pint" on the synth, where one sample starts and another begins?
I say synth its actually more of a rompler isn't it?
So keen to hear about the MPC killer!
Kawai K4 had resonance in 1989. (i love that keyboard)
Yes! Your are totally correct! I forgot about the K4. It does have a digital resonate filter. The K4 is a dirty sounding 16bit instrument that I do love. Thank you for reminding me!
The K4 did offer a lot of synth for the money.
sweet finally a video on my baby the m1 ♥ its beyond beautiful and i love the DAC's on it. Oh and that amazing keybed(tho it was pretty common one, same as in dx7 :p)
The dac makes it 🤔
@davidcogan9936 partially yes, its lower resolution causes some interesting aliasing and some phasing in the bottom end compared to the vst. Noone in a mix would notice but i think it ads to its charm.
Can you guys do a gear chat on the Linn Drum and related drum machines?
finally new episode
To be picky, I might be wrong but I think I can hear another split around the e4 note (piano).
Roland JV + XV series. JV-80, -880, -1080, -2080, XV-3080, -5080.
XP80
Yes, the XP models belong to the same family. However the 1080 and 2080 were particularly involved in countless music productions.
XV-88, I quite like that. Very unique weighted keyboard feel. Looks beautiful, too.
Good show, dig the format.
I still have all the keyboard floppy records! I also just picked up an M1 for 250 bucks!
ahhh keyboard magazine ...wow seems like yesterday
Yeah me too SOLD by the demo, i was about to buy SQ-80 or D-50
Do the Ensoniq ASR-10
The most iconic workstation Korg has ever unleashed to POP music market...
What about the Roland Super JV-1080
Why did you guys stop?
"Boy, I bet they regret that"
I don't see why, I could have just a rack full of M1R's and some eBay roll up keyboard/drums & make modern music to this day
Hi guys , I actually own an M1. Stop talking, show folks this great machine and what it can do. 😊👍🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹
Can you guys do a review on the amazing Roland JV-80 MTS
is there a video on youtube of the
Korg M1 Flexi-Disc promo?
Yea people USED to think that synthesizers were for making the sounds of other instruments. The M1 was usually the instrument they identified as for making the sounds of other instruments.
LOVE the video
WHATS THE SECRET BEHIND THE M1 HOUSE PIANO HOW DID THEY MAKE IT SO STABBY !!!
are you guys gonna do one about the Akai MPCs?
Great, so you guys covered FM synthesizers (D-50, M1) and FM synthesizer (DX7). Any plans to discuss an additive synthesizer? Kawai K5 is an amazing machine in this respect.
Some other interesting synthesizers are Casio VZ-1, Yamaha VL1, and VP1. The VZ-1 uses a synthesis method called Interactive Phase Modulation (iPD). It's a very capable machine. It starts out with 8 basic waveforms (sine, 5 sawtooth variations and 2 noise). It has 8 modules similar to operators, which you can arrange in different layouts. It also has 8-stage envelopes like the CZ-series. It's sort of similar to the DX7, in a sense that DX7 actually uses phase modulation to implement FM concept. So, Casio had to work around with the VZ-1 not to infringe on Yamaha's exclusive FM patent at that time. But I digress... Let's not confuse implementation type with synthesis concepts, or we're going to get into analog vs. digital pointless debate. :)
Now, Yamaha VL1 uses physical modeling of drivers and resonators to emulate reed and brass instruments, as well as some bowed instruments. And the the VP1 (ultra rare and ultra expensive) is a polyphonic physical modelling synthesizer that emulates stringed instruments.
Aside from the above, there is also wavetable based synthesis (Ensoniq VFX), granular synthesis (don't know of a dedicated hardware machine for that, and it's questionable if granular is a synthesis at all, not just a recording manipulation technique like phrase loops, albeit on a very very fine level), DLM (Differential Loop Modulation - Roland D-70), and RCM (Realtime Convolution Modulation - Yamaha SY77/TG77 and SY99).
V-Piano technology from Roland and Pianoteq software are also very interesting. And so is Roland's S/A synthesis in RD-1000, RS-PCM in U-20/D-70, and DI (Differential Interpolation) in W-30. I put all of these synthesis methods on equal level though. I try not to favoritize any. I think all of them are amazing, and useful.
As far as vector synthesis (Korg Wavestation, Yamaha SY22/TG22 and SY35), wave sequencing (Korg Wavestation) and Linear Arithmetic (Roland D-series) even though they sort of imply additive synthesis (especially LA), I'd consider them more of audio mixing techniques applied on top of an underlying synthesis method (in this case subtractive), that can be both automated as in Wavestation's vector envelope, or can be used in real time. In fact, the D-50 joystick allows you to do vector synthesis, albeit it is only manual and performance oriented. There's no envelope or any kind of automation for the D-50's joystick.
Anyway, my point is that focusing on subtractive synthesis almost exclusively, as it is the case nowadays with vast majority of synthesizer players and enthusiasts, and then get a hint of FM here and there, I think is a bit limiting, to say the least. :)
Love Gear Chat! How about the Ensoniq Mirage? Maybe samplers are a bit off topic, though when Jim mentioned retail impact of the M1 it made me recall that the Mirage had a big impact on bringing sampling to the masses.
Ha! You mention the Mirage around 14:00.
Ohh yea baby! I STILL have my M1 and use it as a MIDI controller. I no longer have the sounds loaded into it because the battery died at one point, but I have them al in my DAW through the M1 Plugin. Remember all those PCM cards we use to have to buy for $100 each -- they are all now in the Korg Plugin -- BASTARDS!
you find them on eBay buddy the card of the presets is called "pcm-00"
You can download the presets here. www.korg.com/us/support/download/software/1/139/3374/
karlz97 MIDI to USB cable.
Hi at 14;18 Jim mentions and shows a Roland W30 . I’ve just acquired one of these from a English church sale . Anyone know where I can find our more about its heritage . I’ve had a look on the web and cannot find much info. Thanks
I bought a t3. I heard the t3 has the first ever(!) 909 samples on it 🤷🏻♀️
can you get me to put it on the internet through the keyboard to export the information inside those MSC cards not those feeling I'm talking about those others you have so I can import it into my Korg M1 keyboard because I don't have the cards physically I wanted to import them. I'm not referring to feeling I'm talking about the other cards. please.
I have a Question please!
Does the Korg M1 has speakers? or it needs an amplifier and additional speakers?
You need a keyboard amp or powered monitors, it has no internal speakers.
thank you Mike for the reply, i was wondering if I Can use just the headphone jack for a ordinary speaker ?
is it possible to plug in a normal speaker without Amp?
Headphone output is for headphones as it has a specific output level. You'll need to connect the main outputs of the M1 to either a set of active powered monitors, a keyboard amp like the Roland KC series or an amplifier that is connected to passive monitors / speakers.
Hey guys i love this kind of stuff you should get some composers and sound designers and talk about the gear that would be awsome
I loved this video!
Hi this is Juan valdez from Laredo texas, do u know where i can find one pls, I've been trying to buy one if u can help me it would be awesome and for how i would be paying for it once again thanks, if u can help me
As teclas deste teclado são duráveis, não estas borrachas que se perdem hj em dia...
11:21 Jim does the Prince pout after mentioning him for quite a long time
Great stuff
Gotta love this old school stuff. I totally agree an the part of that most people were blown away about the multisamples of the M1. And the story about the demo is so spot on. I remember when I baught mine we used to laugh at it, that the salesman didn't have be able to play a key. He just had to play the demo to sell one of these.
In the video I kinda missed the story that Korg stole many of their sounds (especially if you look at the T-series) from Fairlight libraries. on the T-3 there is some vocal samplets "Tee" that was clearly taken from the Fairlight (used on JMJ Zoolok album - Ethnicolor). Also, even it would be called a "cheazy" as best by todays standard .. these samples are only a small upgrade from the 8bit D50 sounds to 12bit. The M-1 basically derives most of its sounds from the Korg S-1 sampler wich was never really popular. You can import S-1 sample disks directly into a Korg T3 that has the sample memory option installed. But that the Piano 1's 3 12bit samples could even somewhat sound like a real piano for 1984 standard that was pretty amazing. To me the M1 piano always sounded bad even some of the keys around the sample point sounded more real, Roland was still King with their RD 200, 250, 300 and 1000. Even they didn't sound just as real, it sound was more "alive". What sold this Keyboard was definetly for 1984 standard 2 very good Multi Effect DSP's. Same as it was the D-50's DSP that sold it compared to the DX-7. Even its much more than that, its not completely unfair that that the D-50 was called the DX-7 killer, and the M-1 was called the D-50 killer
Hyper famous sound song ever recorded with the M1?
Vogue... Madonna... number one single, she still plays it at concerts... Piano 16'...
Is the korg triton old enough to be on this show??? Haha great show guys
Just bought an M1 for $10, not sure what to do with it
Mr.PunkRebellion6969 swing it over to me then
Is that Berea, KY, or am I mishearing you?
I didn't like either of the personalities, but i still feel i gathered some useful information.
The 90s hardware version of Native Instruments Kontakt engine
Des'ree - You gotta be - That strong Guitar patch, with Piano 16'
Fuck, could you get the lights any brighter?
It was manufactured from 1988-1995
i just bought one and all of it's original sounds were modified I really would love to restore it to it's factory settings but i have no idea also the memory card pcm and stuff are no longer available can you please help?
Anas En you can download the original sounds and transfer them to the m1 via midi.
thank you bro but the problem is that i couldn't find a midi in out to USB cable
Right. You need a midi adapter. Mine is a cheap no brand kind of thing. No box, no switches etc. Just a cable really. Together with midiox it works like a charme.
you mean you made it on your own ? can you show me how did you make one like that ?
I bought a midi to USB cable a few years back. It's only pennies, and works both ways, so you can use the keyboard as a controller or play and record the M1 sounds, no lag at all. It's even got a wee red light which makes me happy. Got it from a shop on ebay. Just do a search... It's a standard cable, not for Korg only.
so it was the first sythn - piano,
that could satisfy, in the truest sense
a synthetic-piano.