I had a Yamaha SY22 and could match the M1 sounds mostly and played it for 15yrs.aaaaah memories.I have the M1 module now

Man the Korg M1 choir sounds are so fucking beautiful.

Another great video! I enjoy hearing about synthesizers in general. I only know a handful of people that like to talk about synths in my town. It's great to be able to listen to you talk about the synthesizer I own and cherish. My favorite synthesizer is the Jupiter 8 though. I never get bored of listening to it or the TR-808 drum machine. Anyways, please continue the great work. Take care, Sam.

Thanks, I have an M1, that a friend gave me, when he moved. It's functioning well, however, the plastic, in the the area with the buttons on the left side has cracked, and affects the use of a couple of the small buttons. After listening to your comments about that area of things, I realize that it would probably be a greater degree of difficulty to remedy than I had imagined. Thanks much for the perspective.🤓

As a teen I used to die wanting to own an MI back in the early 90s. Every top musician had one..lol...Great sounds & it was indeed the best selling synth in the world at the time (Dont think it still is now)..Funny how time flies.. Today I own a Korg Triton Studio & recently, a Yamaha Motif XF8

when I start seeing your videos and synth you make me happy I dont know why, but it happening and I think I must say thanks to you woody

Great video!! This is fantastic, please post more. I'm sure I want an M1 now. I love the old school, deep house/ drum n bass, hip-hop sounds of the 90's. I recently bought a Kurzweil k2500r, a Roland W-30 and about to purchase a mint conditioned Yamaha EX5 this weekend. I love to see these reviews and demos of the classics, excellent sampler/ synths. I could never have afforded them 20 years ago but now some are so much more reasonably priced and easier to acquire than before, offering more possibilities than even some of today's newer synths/workstations. Gotta love the old vintage stuff. For some reason there's much to be appreciated with gear that can still hold it's own, decades later in a market over saturated with flashy boutiques/ re-releases and over priced drum boxes that don't offer much more than what's been available since forever.

That was the very synth trio I used to dream of owning back in college! Great presentation!

Thanks for the tips ! I'm getting a Korg M1 soon ! Will do all the checks you showed.

Great to see the three big 80s synths together! I have the D-50, the DX7 (MkII), and now watching your video, it makes me want to get the M1 too! Fortunately, I have the Korg Triton Studio and managed to emulate some characteristic M1 sounds, as it contains a lot of waveforms from the classic synth. Thank you for the great as always video and nice advices and tips on buying used synths.

I picked up a used Waldorf Micro Q Fall 2017. Worked well. No problems. Summer 2018 I now have a rackmounted paper weight.

Wonderful man!! Thanks a lot of buying this legend and demo of how to check out the old school synth before buying! It's so great and proud to have this set of legendary synths! I'm very glad for you! Will be waiting for M1 presets and mix of sounds of different great machines! Thank you very much!!

Love the M1 keybed. Just perfect feel for me

Lots of wonderful advice! Thanks for sharing!

I have a Korg M1R, the rack version of the M1. It also has the sequencer, though I never used it. Love the sound, still inspiring for its pads. There are some wild aftermarket sysex files available for the M1. I drive it through a Wavestation EX! I also have an M3R, which actually has different waveforms from the M1, I believe it borrowed waveforms from the T series keyboards; a very unique musical sound.

I saw your D50 ad and followed the link here. I have watched all your videos by now and really enjoy them! I noticed that we are almost neighbors, soI might contact you about the D50 ad. Good work!

I own a Korg N264. Can you do a review of it. My favorite sounds of the M1 is the M1 piano sound, M1 trumpet, the M1 guitar, harmonica, tenor sax, and the pan flut. The Korg N264/364 and the M1 are one of my favorite piano.

If you can find the service manual online (or buy a paper copy), most keyboards and rack mount synths have a "hidden" factory diagnostics mode. Factory diags will test things like CPU, RAM, Sample ROM, display, audio path, pedals, MIDI in/out, sliders, buttons, encoder, mod wheel, pitch bend, and keys. Some also tell you the code (EPROM) OS version and battery voltage. Beware, factory diags can wipe out your user patches/presets, so back them up first.

Milano, Italy September 1988, Deep Purple concert: Jon Lord had one M1 upon his Hammond organ. Managed to play "Fur Elise" with its piano, and I remembered it sounded good!

Beautifully looking synthesizer, too.

Do you think Korg sampled the CX-3 for organ sounds? If i pull out the 16, and 2 2/3, drawbar it sounds very similar to the one of the organ presets on the M1

Excellent review. Brings back a few memories..🙂

ah the M1, I owned one when they first came out. The factory demo songs were just magical that sold me immediately. I hope you get around to a Korg Wavestation. Would love to hear what you think of that. Great video, great information, love your enthusiasm!

I have an M1 and it is fantastic! the piano and organ sounds was used in many dance music of the 90s. Did you know that there is an iPad app called the iM1 which has all the sounds of the Synth and as an in app purchase, you can also purchase all the sounds of the cards that were available for the M1, I have the app myself and the cards in app purchase and I MIDI it up to my S970 to play the M1 sounds on a modern keyboard

The ensoniq ESQ-1 came out in ‘85, and it had a sequencer, quite a good one, btw. That’s 3 1/2 years before the MI.

Another great video! It's not entirely true that the M1 was the first workstation type synthesiser because Ensoniq had the ESQ1 from 1986 and SQ80 released just a few months before the M1 was released in 1988. The Roland D20, also released before the M1 in 1988 also had a built in sequencer and floppy disk drive.

I've still got a Korg 03-RW but never bothered with a M1 ... mostly because I was already a happy user of a MIDI controller/rack setup to leverage multiple sound sources, but also because my 3-tier keyboard stand was fully populated and it was as large as logistically possible in local (home-town) pubs and clubs. It might have been cool once ... nice video Woody.

I have seen lengthy videos comparing the original Korg M1 to the iPad version of Korg iM1. All the sounds are there. And they are identical. I have the iPad version. And, I think it’s terrific. The iPad version has the ‘Filter Resonance’ parameter included (which is not present on the original M1. And, the iPad version has the added bonus of being able to display many sounds as well as many parameters on the screen simultaneously. Makes selecting and/or editing sounds much more convenient.

hi i have a korg i5s and the D key keeps jumping out with high velocity what is causing it and how can it be fixed

The Fantom, Motif and Triton of its time - in which I have those three and a M1R, TX7 (DX7 table top) and D550 (D50 rack)

Bought a M1 after seeing this video, my first synth (only had the brochure as kid). Checked everything, seemed awesome, but after a few months I ended up having all the keys serviced and some buttons replaced adding another 100€. But it was not the last buy. Got the whole trinity and more, but nowadays I take a different approach: I buy them remotely from within the EU after some good conversation and demanding extra photos and arrange the shipping myself, I even send out a flight case first in some cases! I can't drive to Munich and back for 30€, but a flightcase by post can! I have to say that works out very well, sans cumbersome roadtrips. One time I had some damage in transit, got a partial refund from the postal service. They first wanted to fully refund but demanded to destroy the synth! But also a couple of total bargains, bought as defunct with a rather easy fix (mintish DS-8 for 100 bucks, DR-110 for 35).

Great channel, Woody's

Woody, I bought an M1 as a first synth, its a great synth and good value for money but I'm looking for something with less realistic sounds. I want to play early 80s sort of electro-pop such as Axel F etc, but cant afford an expensive analog synth. What would you recommend as a good, affordable synth for this please?

Always wanted a Korg Z1... btw which Roland D Keyboard did Liam Howlett use for the Prodigy?

I have found one and had the known trouble of the knobs not well working broke one and found online how to replace the 34 switches inside. tryed it and the result is marvoulous. I m pretty lucky with mine

Good tip on watching it boot up, I've been caught out with that before! and power pack always check the power pack is original, if not then at least a suitable replacement! and not something near enough.. I've also been caught out with that. Good video Woody, it' s funny in the 80's all of these synths were out of my price range and now I just can't be bothered with the scramble of people waiting to buy them which is why I stick with mainly the new release micro machines..

Yes sir we have one, do u think I can find one there?

i have a korg m1 but how do i change the mode to like trumpet guitar ???

Hello woody! Could you please let me know if they key after touch could be activated in this keyboard or not? I bough this keyboard from ebay and the seller mentioned it is working great. But it has noise on all 4 outputs and apparently the key after touch is not working at all

To my recollection, the first instrument to have full length samples was the Akai S series

what is the moog looking synth behind with the green figure on it?

Hey woody how do you connect or record the sound on those old synths?

My velocity does not seem to work on my, is there a setting I missed?

You are playing chords using '16bv' presets. How can you possibly distinguish any faults or rogue notes when the 'ear' is not able to make any tonal distinctions within such low zones?

Out of the three, which would you say has the best keybed? It'd be fun to have one as a master keyboard and have say the D-05 Boutique sitting on top of it whenever you need to reach for the other one :)

Hey Loved all your KORG M1 videos and it was helpful for me using mine. But im really so frustrated as i've been trying to use the Sequencer and i just dont know how to It would be amazing if you can do like a tutorial or something on the sequencer. Thank youuu

Does anybody know what that little rubber button by the joystick is on the Korg M1? I'm assuming it's some kind of a grip for when you're going crazy on the joystick but I can't seem to confirm that

strangely enough, when i did open my D-50 to fix the momentary tactile switches I noticed that the components are indistinguishable from the ones I purchased from Kjell and Co (or Ebay) -- the only downside with buying your own is that you may get a defective component. I've run into that with brand new components on occasion. I'd say if the synth you're buying is older than 15 years, then plan on opening it and cleaning key contacts and replace tactile switches. it feels good to leave vintage synths in a better condition than i find them in, and i make sure i at least get back what i paid when they need to find a new owner.

i got my M1 for 100bucks, it was a litteral steal, but it has gone trough some rough times... one corner is broken off and it looks like it comes out of a mudhole, but it fully works. and i love it

Thanks for the vids Woody I do enjoy them !!! I'm going to try a Casio xw-g1 synth , Trying to keep away from older equipment .

thanks a lot for the advice i watched your video in details and applied it literally while buying my Korg M1 and it worked well but when i used the headphone 3.5 mm with the jack adapter to insert it in the headphone jack of the M1 i noticed that only left speaker is working, any idea ? thanks in advance

Woody - I inherited a beautiful Korg M1 in mint condition - but it says "Battery Low (Internal)" when I boot it up. Then I get only "Init" programs and can't seem to get the different voices to play. Just piano. Can you direct me to a reference on how the change/replace the battery?

There are some excellent patches on the web wich takes the M1 light years beyond the factory patches. I still use my unit which I bought when it appeared on the market, both for recording and with my band. Easy to program, excellent keyboard feel, has a beautiful, timeless design. The only gripe I have with it is that Korg should really have given you the option for using audio ports 3 and 4 as a tape data dump storage interface, such as they did with earlier synths. The whole "workstation" idea was that you would not need a computer to compose with (they were just barely starting to become common), but the memory cards were horribly expensive so you had really no other choice than downloading the data on a computer anyhow, which sort of blew the workstation concept out of the water. Or, which I did, record the music to a tape and then erase everything. They really shot themselves in the foot regarding the data storage.

Great video again woody. I sold my m1 years ago , although now i use the Korg legacy software. You just cant emulate that hands on experience . Its key action is really good too, thou not better than dx7. Thou i dont miss have to lug it about to studios lol , its bloody heavy .

I love the M1, but haven't bought one, because Korg has a VST and it takes a lot less room and costs less. :D However, the feeling and warmer sound may change my mind in the future. I bought a D-50 recently, and it does work and sound better than the Roland Cloud VST version.

As a teen I used to go to music store at Charing Cross Road (keyboard shops ) just to play with the M1 . You are absolutely right the M1 killed off the D50

Had an M1 from around 1989 - 2013. Made records with it in the 90`s used it mainly for it`s Orchestrational sounds, strings, horns, brass etc & House Piano for my Electronic tunes. Very nice key action too ( that`s why I kept it so long ). Looking back though many of us youngsters were pretty new to Synths and none that we`d seen had any knob functions so diving into the menus and trying to learn synthesis was a lost cause. I really wish that they had released an optional midi controller with knob functions like Roland did earlier with the JX-3p then I would have got so much more out of my M1 and learnt about Synthesis ! ........... also the small display made it really difficult to learn how to use it`s sequencer for those of us that were new to sequencers, a year later I got an Atari ST and used that instead, miles better for sequencing it was ...........

God bless you Woody

I have lost the power connection to my korg Triton workstation,advice on where to get one please.

Once again a great video, Woody! Just wondering. Which ones of the synths are you planning to get rid off? I would never do that, I still own every single keyboard/synth I've ever purchased. And yes, my house is way smaller than yours haha

I'm going to buy a DX7 from someone tonight. Is there some sort of button combination that runs a diagnostic or tests the components?

Great review. When I was a teen the M1 was "the synth" to have, although the ensoniq Esq-1 came first as a Workstation, the M1 was considered much more superior (at the time), because of the realistic patches, the effects and the advance sequencer. If they ask me now, I prefer the Esq-1 because of the sound itself

Thank for your trusted infos. Could You kindly name that nice stand for your M1. Never seen it ( on continent ;-). WolfHill

Holy 80's digital trinity! The Korg Legancy softsynth for M1/ Wavestation is a pretty good simulation. The Yamaha TG55 was the latest comer to a PCM synth. Everything after that is just PCM.

What is the computer over on the right underneath the black tv? Atari ST?

I have a Korg X-5 but is it worth the effort to swap it out for an M1? Does either one of them have better sounds?

Checking all the keys on the keyboard is indeed what I should have done yesterday when I bought a used D-50. The B4 key only worked when played softly and only when it felt like it. I took it to surgery today, opened it up, removed the mainboard, took the keybed out, removed the springs and the keys and cleaned the circuit board underneath the rubbers with some alcohol. All good now, but I could maybe have knocked off a bit from the price as the seller claimed it was in excellent condition.

As a child of the rave, that synth was the soundtrack of many a song of my early adult life. Really wish to add one to my collection one day soon, if my damn car wouldnt stop breaking down!

D-50, DX-7 and the M1 … amazing

Being an pro keyboardist since the early 70s, my 1st synth was an Arp Odyssey. I also owned a D50 and M1. Still have my original D50 and Juno 106. I miss my old M1. The biggest problem I have found with all these instruments is pressure switches and buttons wear out, so eventually cannot change programs associated with those buttons. Particularly troublesome where the round plastic pressure buttons on the M1. Sometimes they would fail and actually break off into their footprint. Roland has rubber coverings on their switches, but these eventually lose proper contact too. Second issue would be dirty or broken contacts when pressing keyboard notes. I had a C2 contact fail on a Keizweil 88 piano not long ago. Not a good note to lose! Today I still use my trusty Roland FA08 for live gigs. For DAW production, I prefer vst.. Kontakt instruments, Amplesound guitars, and also use vintage moduals.

I had an O1-W and wish I still had it!! But I'll take a D-50 if I can get it, as well.

3 synth legends in the same room ;) And the beard is growing back:))

Cool video, Woody :) thanx for the tips. Now, I'll be hihgly expecting to know what your thinking about the comparison between soft & hard ;) My M1R is a wonderful vintage machine that still got the big sound, to me.

Awesome channel!!!!

If a Korg M1 powers up but makes no sounds, where would I start looking for possible causes? Thanks in advance for any responses!

Ok perhaps I could get pointed in the right direction. I'm in a 5 piece gigging band. I am a guitar player with more than 4 decades of experience. When I was a kid my first exposure to music was a Hammond organ we had and while I know how to play basic chords I am by no stretch of the imagination a keyboard player. However, I would like to be able to drone some chords and play some basics in classic rock. The keyboard needs to have LIVE PERFORMANCE quality sound. B3 Hammond, strings, and piano. Not looking to spend a mint. What are some quality USED brands I've been looking at the Korg M1 Synth Music Workstation

Good work Woody :)

I have the VST version of the M1 and its pretty close.

Would like to see this guy demo a Korg Trident.

The Fairlight CMI and NED Synclavier was the first "workstation" synthesizers on the market! Both had a synth engine, a sampler and a sequencer (depending on how they where configured). This two synths where far before it's time and had a price tag of 25 000 - 50 000 $ for a basic system. Only professional musicians, producers and hi end studios could afford them. So in the equation for the first "public" workstation they are not counted but in the first ever build they are. Daniel Fletcher of D.S. (a Swedish synthrock / synthpop project)

Can someone give an idea where to buy or a korg, im from papua new guinea

What, no Ensoniq? My ESQ-1 was my first synth/sequencer, I got a lot of mileage out of that board, along with my Roland S-50 sampler. Boy, have samplers come a long way...

i bought one these M1's and it had sticking keys and a u/s battery. With a bit of patience and watching other peoples Y/T videos on disassembly, strip down and repair/replacement is no problem. Only down side was i had to buy the over priced cards as it only had the basic piano when i plugged in - apart from that, and the keys/battery. it has been very good - does have a nasty scratch near the volume slider which spoils it's looks and the side panels have been well abused.

I just picked up a KORG T1 yesterday for $450. Incredible condition, literally one or two corners show the top layer of wood laminate separating, but other than that perfect. I picked it up off of Craigslist. When I brought it home and started to try it out I noticed the D button (just below the screen) doesn’t work, so i suppose i have to clean the contacts dammit, oh well no big deal

Did you know that one of those sounds from this synthesizer (TubaFlugel) was used a lot in the british TV show Teletubbies from 1997-2001/

3 absolutely fabulous Synthesizers from a bygone era. We live in some interesting and exciting times, technology wise, and yet none of today's synths have that character and appeal of these 80's classics. I love my D-50, it's a real beast, even today. My favourite is my Yamaha An1x, such a monster-sounding capable machine, sounds gorgeous. My all-time top 5 synths would look like 1. Roland Jupiter 8. 2. Yamaha AN1x. 3. Roland D-50. 4. Korg M1. 5. Yamaha DX7.

DX7, D50 and M1... *Wonderful!*

the buttons tend to get filled with dust, a good cleanup generally save them (D-50, M1 and JP-8000, where ''revived'' with deoxit, without demounting the synth ! just spray a lot ''in'' the button, press, press, press (150X) and it should get better ! (5 minutes VS 1 hour+soldering)

Hi there, I'm new to synths so apologies for the novice questions to come. I tried out an M1 in a shop the other day (first synth I've tried actually), from what I could see it didn't have a majority of what I understand are the 'factory sounds', (i.e. the first sound wasn't universe, the second wasn't piano 16 nor were there any drum sounds etc,), and of the sounds on there it didn't say the name of them on the screen. I was told that the battery had recently been replaced, and from what I have read on the internet that means that it loses all of its sounds and have to be put back on again, correct? Therefore could this mean the previous owner has put sounds back on that they have chosen themselves rather than the factory ones? The M1 I looked at had the 'factory sound card' included as well as other goodies, but the guy in the shop wouldn't put the card in for me to see if it would have the sounds I was expecting, and he didn't really know 100% either (could it be because this is a big process?). So I guess what I want to clarify is, if I happened to buy one without the factory sounds but got the card with it, would that card be what has the sounds I am expecting? Also if you could clarify the name of the card so I know if that is the one I want, that would be great, because the guy in the shop believed the one that came with it was just to increase the memory size. Also, I don't think I will buy the particular one i tried as the joystick didn't work, unless, this is something you have to setup to work again after the battery dies? Either way, your help would assist me in future synth searching. Apologies again for the big question! Thank you :)

So how you paid for it?

Now hold on there. The Ensoniq ESQ-1 was the first workstation, and if you wanna be technical, the SQ-80 had drums

In the song "Humble", the Yamaha DX7 internal patch "Bass 1" mixed with the Korg M1 internal programs patch "Piano" was heard.

how can I do it to buy one can u tell me, who i contact or where i can call ,i would appreciate it if u can help me

What sound design abilities does it have? Sampling, subtractive, granular...

I have the M1 VST as well as the version for the iPad. To be fair to Korg they're both pretty damn close to a real M1, but hugely dependent on the quality of the amplification you plug your computer or iPad into.

Amazing how much prices on this era of gear have changed over the last 5 years. These things are easily $500-600 or more now.

You gotta show me love was made on this..... Robin s

very good video indeed. let me add some info: you can find micro switches to replace the faulty ones over ebay or local electronic shop. its not something special made for / by korg.

Ooooooooooh! The nice Atari in front of the TV :D:D Cool man!