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Average rating:
4.4 out of 5
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As with the DX7, the M1 was hugely popular in its day (it's still the most popular synth ever), but hasn't dated all that well. Rather like the Emu Proteus it's purely a sample-playback machine, and with no filter there isn't much you can do with the samples other than layer them, and affix envelopes. What helps is the choice of samples - organs, strings and pianos are particularly good. The piano sound alone was used in every piece of music in the world from 1989-1993, and if you want a simple keyboard that provides some decent acoustic instrument recreations with a few sound effects, it's fine, and keeps its value too.
There's a sequencer which you will never use, and decent multi-effects. Korg repeated the process a few years later with the O1/W.
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ok... i would have to agree with those who say to stop crying about the factory presets and create your own! i got mine six months ago and by the second day i reset it so it had nothing in it but piano on all patches. you have an awsome 4 send buss for directing your sounds to a board( eq on bass and drum programs rocks), as well as a good foundation to build sounds. i've got awsome 303 sounds out of this thing. also been able to make it wah and modulate like rebirth can. so in conclusion: if you dont like the sounds you havent played with it enough-i was that way forever too- the sequencer can dump via midi or store via ram- so storage isnt that big of a deal. i'll confess i own an x3 as well and i'd like a disk drive - but the m1 has a lot more balls as far as pure sound. the techno stigma put on the m1 is not true! i sometimes wish it had ring modulation and all of the newer effects coming out on the newer synths but people tend to forget that the m1 was made in the early 90's late 80's. buy an outboard effects unit. i give the m1 a 5/5 for the simple fact that it is what it is. too many people look at the bells and whistles before they consider tone and reliability. i'd pick the m1 over a electribe anyday. anyway hats off to the lovers of the m1 and the middle finger to the haters
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I reac someone's comment about sorry pianos and organs. I must agree with him about the factory organs: though there's a nice Leslie in the effects section, none of the on-board organs use it well, plus you have to devote both footswitch inputs to really get the most out of it (FS1 to Effect Level; FS2 to Leslie Speed...I THINK...I never do this, since it means I can't run volume with my foot.)
However, Korg made a nice organ PCM/RAM card combination that gives very nice organs for the dough (about $100 used). Only complaint is that it's very heavy on pipe organs; there are maybe 25 B3 emulations in the program section of the card; maybe half that many in the combination section. But there are some nice ethereal organ sounds that only the M1 can do.
Let me defend the M1 against the comment about "shitty pianos". The M1 will never be mistaken for a Steinway. But if you need to a piano sound to cut through a wall of guitars on stage or in a guitar-heavy recording, Program 41 will never disappoint you. I got an Emu piano module for doing ballads, where the short sample is exposed. But I still thicken the Emu pianos with the Korg, because of the life and grit contributed by the filter.
Finally, the M1 is a stud. Mine's used 2 to 4 times a week, and I give it a pounding. It's been under the knife once, but only for minor stuff. Starts every time and never burps.
You could do worse.
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Had the old M1 for about 6 years. It has done me proud both as a stage instrument in acid jazz groups, and in the studio for more dance oriented stuff. For years i complained about the M1 not being able to produce any decent FAT analog style sweeps and bass.. i was foolish!
This machine can do pretty much anything you want it to if you take the time to program your own sounds. My only complaints are the lack of variable resonance on the filters and the fact that you can only apply two effects to your entire MIDI output.. but you can pick one up for 300 quid (thats 450 bucks!!) so who's compaining!
.. theres also a sysex file floating around the internet called "lune.syx" which has some really nice patches..
You can download this patch file and many others (as well as the patch dumping tool and librarian) from http://nextdch.mty.itesm.mx/~rlopez/M1
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For those wanting to replace the battery themselves (and take all liability, etc.) Remove all screws on the bottom cover and remove it. Locate the large circuit board closest to the bottom cover in the middle, with its back side looking at you. Remove all screws. There are two going through holes in the board through black plastic (the memory card socket). They need to be romoved also. Carefully lift and rotate the board (no need to remove wires). The battery is a watch type CR-2032 located in the middle of the board in a snap out holder. Push it sideways and it will tilt and come out.
Reverse the above to put it back together. You will need to load the internal patches afterwards. Be sure to save any you cherish to a RAM card or MIDI sysex.
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