Korg M1

The Korg M1 is a digital synthesizer type " Workstation" and was built between 1988 and 1994.

The Korg M1 is the most built next to the Yamaha DX7 synthesizer and was with his presentation of the first of a new type of affordable synthesizers, which are called " Workstation". In this concept, there are all the functions that are needed for a simple music production, in a single device. In the case of M1 are the sample -ROM based synthesizer, effects, drum machines and 8- track MIDI sequencer. For sound generation thus designated by the manufacturer AI synthesis is used. There is a pool of 144 synthetic and natural instruments ( = piano, string instruments, guitars, etc.) originating sampled waveforms (4 MB ) are available, which can be further processed according to the principle of subtractive synthesis: per voice, there is a digital low-pass filter (12dB without resonance), 3 four-stage envelopes and 2 LFOs simple ( here called MGs ) for further tone shaping. For tonal refinement, the sounds thus produced with the help of two identical effects processors with 33 effect algorithms can edit and refine. The Korg M1 is 16- note polyphony and 8- way multi-timbral, it can therefore be up to eight different sounds to play simultaneously.

Variants

The rack mount version of the M1, the Korg M1R. Later, the M1R -EX came with 8 MB expanded waveform memory. A scaled-down version of the M1R is the Korg M3R, who has to make do with a lower waveform memory of only 2 MB, has a smaller screen and no need for a built-in sequencer.

The M- series followed in 1989, the T- series, whose stock corresponds to waveforms of M1R -EX variant and has been extended in addition to improved operation with a larger display to some features. The T-Series (Total Workstation) provides the versions T3 ( 61 keys ), T2 ( 76 keys) and T1 with high-quality wooden cabinet and 88 weighted keys. In addition, the M1 was offered as M1EX from 1993, which is equipped with 8MB waveform memory of M1REX/T-Serie. For "normal " M1 a corresponding expansion kit was offered as an add-on board for installation.

You can hear the Korg M1 in countless contemporary music productions, such as on the song " No Ordinary Love" by Sade. Very popular are the organ and piano sounds of the M1 in the House. Similarly, the M1 in " Hiroshima " is represented by Sandra resounds with "Innocent " by Mike Oldfield and is there to see in the accompanying video. Among other things, the band Europe used this popular synthesizer, which you now zubilligt a certain status as a neo- classic synths due to its very characteristic sounds.

• Korg Keyboard
• Drum machine