KORG M1 - exploring the original factory presets

In 1989 I bought a KORG M1. My first big musical purchase. I think it was $2500 at the time and I took out my first bank loan to do it. An incredible synth and workstation in it's day and I used that thing HEAVILY for many years to follow. I used it all through my days at Berklee College of Music in the early 90s, for composing, sequencing, arranging and on many gigs.
This particular M1 is not the original one that I had, but one that came to me years later. It's missing the joystick, so luckily for all of you there is no gratuitous pitch bending action in this video :)
I'm surprised how great some of these sounds still are all these years later! Playing through these presets really brought back some great memories and feelings.

[@Jesoteric]

I personally feel that the M1 has the best presets of all time, so many amazing sounds

[@amonster8mymother]

I really prefer the analog synth sounds on these. ❤

[@imaldon1]

So many fond memories. I had an M1 from 1989 to 1994. Loved it! This workstation even after 35 years is still the stuff of legends! ❤🎹

[@rishardlampese8947]

I still have mine from 1989. When I finally took it out of a long storage the memory battery was depleted. I replaced it and fortunately was able to locate the old sysex data files on an old hard drive. I successfully loaded them into the M1. Wow! I had forgotten just how great this thing sounds. So glad I held onto it!

[@ricknemrecords]

This by far is the best demo of the M1 That I've ever heard.....Thank you...

[@cgmagik9837]

Thank you so much!

[@apreviousseagle836]

@7:52 - Completely underrated sound. Hardly gets any love from anyone at all, but it's the sound that made me fall in love with this thing. I was so happy to find the M3R had the exact same sound, and that's what I owned for the longest time, before I got the Korg M1 Legacy VST. Funny enough, I also loved the M1 Piano of course, but I didn't know it existed until I owned my rack, and of course, Universe was a highlight that is such a powerful sound, it's still used today!

[@Ancaja123]

Does it sound the same as the M1 patch? I have the M3R but the battery is dead so I just have access to the basic ROM sounds. It seems the M1 magic really only happens when you make a Combi patch (especially with sounds panned and detuned)

[@apreviousseagle836]

@@Ancaja123 I honestly don't remember man. I sold that M3R rack like 15 years ago. I do remember clearly that the M1 Piano and the Patch 11: E. Piano sounded exactly the same. They were identical to the M1's versions. Universe was a very good patch that was not a combo. I don't remember what it sounded like in the M3R. I'm sure it was the same though. The M3R only had the sequencer missing, but an identical set of M1 sounds.

[@HoundTakeshi]

38:59 - That's it! Turn of the pitch envelope and that's an eski flute from early Wiley(and other grime) albums. This patch made it's way to Korg Triton, so people think it's from there.

[@HipixOFFICIAL]

9:40 Many deep house tracks used this preset in the early 90s. The ultimate jazz-ifier, in my opinion.

[@bastiaanw3519]

I hear familiar sounds that I didn’t know came out of the M1. Cool demo!

[@christophclause]

Thanks for watching!

[@basiledaudet5774]

The dream pad is gorgeous

[@jaxonjaxonfied1931]

Definitely the only board that I have mastered the use of its sequencer and used to its full potential. Although you can only really store one lengthy song at a time, I was and I guess I still am very old school and still refuse to incorporate a laptop in my setup. With that said, later in life I had to rip all my music from cassettes converting to mp3 :-/ I sold it long ago. I still own an 01w FD Pro.

[@amonster8mymother]

Can you switch sequences on these?

[@jaxonjaxonfied1931]

The M1 holds up to 10 songs in sequencer mode but since the unit lacks storage, your songs will be short. I created patterns for drum tracks which will free up some space. I literally was only able to write 1 song at a time with internal storage and then I would record the song externally then erase the song and start a new one. Not sure if this answered your question. @@amonster8mymother

[@mannyzagri7451]

wow its beautiful! the first patch is amazing! thank you for this :)

[@cgmagik9837]

Thank you for watching!

[@AngelGabriel320]

Recuerdo cuando comencé y tocaba en un casio CTK-500 a modo de juego. Un día un amigo de la familia que era músico, trajo este teclado a mi casa. Cuando lo escuché fue un antes y después, todos esos sonidos perfectamente muestreados, ma sensibilidad de las teclas y la posibilidad de hacer música, sentirme como un profesional, aunque mi nivel era muy básico en aquel entonces, es una experiencia que jamás olvidare, gracias por compartir.

[@PeterPrism]

This was (is) a great machine, tnx x share bro.

[@WVandellHarris]

Just got one in great shape and I’m oh my god am I about to make some killer cuts with it !!! This thing is beautiful!

[@miguelpublicidad]

Yesterday night went to bed wishing listen the M1 LEYEND BIG KEYB sounds✏️🎹. THANKS SO MUCH!

[@framax67]

I did not know and remember that I can play all these fabulous patches with my M1. Thanks for sharing, the best M1 demo 🙏

[@cgmagik9837]

Thank you!

[@madness8556]

Oh my goodness what a great trip down memory lane from the very first time I played an M1 and thought that I'd gone to Heaven! It was the first synth I played that actually had very realistic sounding pianos, strings, choirs, guitars, sax, trumpet, brass, drums etc etc! I couldn't afford to buy one at that time but my local music store sold 5 of them in less than 2 days and they were on back order for a while, such was the demand for this keyboard! The M1 wasn't the most flexible digital synth compared to its contemporaries such as the Yamaha SY77, Roland D70 and Ensoniq VFX. It's non resonant digital low pass filters were an obvious limitation, but those 4mb of samples sounded great along with the dual digital fx processors and the factory programs were phenomenal! I ended up getting a Korg T3EX which was pretty much the M1 on steroids and used it for over 25 years. Korg was always my favourite brand and the M1 really created a music technology revolution, allowing us to create entire musical compositions using just one instrument. By the way you did a great demo!

[@cgmagik9837]

Thanks!

[@michaelmos7497]

Thank you for this fantastic demonstration! The Original M1 Sounds are very nice and your keyboard-playing, too!

[@cgmagik9837]

Thank you!

[@lucaserojas]

That first preset is craaaazy

[@mwmusic29]

That's a very cool history you have with the M1. My first bank loan was for a Korg Triton Pro X and I no longer have it. But I can relate to the feelings and emotions that come right back when I hear those patches. Although I own the KORG software version, I've wanted a physical M1 for a long time and finally found a deal on one that needs some repairs. It arrives today and I'm excited to get into it and see what happens. Thanks for sharing this patch demo!

[@cgmagik9837]

Thanks! Enjoy your *new* M1! It's a great synth!

[@thierryrogen]

First sample=intro Sandra-Hiroshima🥰

[@cgmagik9837]

Yes! the UNIVERSE patch! Love it

[@warnerem]

Just recently picked one in prestige condition. Looking forward to having some good tunes with it.

[@christiand8243]

Very nice demo 💯💯💯

[@cgmagik9837]

Thank you!

[@mistaelfboi]

i may be 15....but i would spend all my money on this keyboard instead of college

[@JanKowalski-vh1rg]

Same but i 14... I save money to buy M1 or better T2 for like 250-500$ in my country

[@robin34wecassidy21]

I would give all the money I have and then some. I would sacrifice my first born child. I would throw myself into the pits of hell encasing my body in agony and despair if only to touch its enchanting keys. I would tear the eyes from my sockets after gazing upon it in all its glory, as to keep the image branded into my brain. What I wouldn’t do. Get on my level.

[@christiand8243]

Go to college and make some money to buy a Wavestate 💯 I appreciate your enthusiasm

[@Lucrativecris]

Buy a korg N5 cheaper but has most of the M1 sounds you can recreate the sounds also on the keyboard

[@kennethpace9887]

Do it, kid. I lusted over keyboards in the 80s but never got one. Go flip burgers or whatever but make it happen.

[@notsobluebear]

Never owned one, but where I had music lessons, there was one out as a demo - never been addicted to playing and exploring something I didn't own in my entire life. To this day, would still love to get my hands on one. Great demo - awesome seeing this thing be put through its paces and being out its potential!

[@kimdiez2681]

Well go nuy you one, they are always on Ebay and Reverb.

[@richard.jansen]

I never owned one... I don't know how to play... I was watching Funny videos...

[@digitalvinyls3544]

26:40 Seinfeld :D

[@cgmagik9837]

Totally! haha

[@issiewizzie]

Goodness I remember hearing the M1 32 years ago ... yes 32 years ago. compared to all the synths of the time I thought I was in heaven. As a side note in 1988 we were not fascinated by synths made 22 years before then. its 2022 have we run out of ideas?

[@cgmagik9837]

Yes, I first heard the M1 in 1989 and I was blown away!

[@Acrimonious_Snake]

Not a mystery if you weren't just thinking about synths.

[@FlickaLovaReturns]

@@cgmagik9837 Did you know that this tuba sample from this Korg M1 synthesizer (which was named TubaFlugel surprisingly) was actually used in one of these Ragdoll promos from the UK? kzbin.info/www/bejne/sGrCmmyrl654pKM I'm not even joking, that sound actually comes from that Korg M1 synthesizer you have. It plays at around the 49 second mark.

[@FlickaLovaReturns]

@@cgmagik9837 It's amazing that the Korg M1, a cool synthesizer from the late 1980s can be heard on a Ragdoll shop promo from the mid 1990s, and a British music composer named Andrew McCrorie- Shand used about 4 different instruments. He used this Korg M1 synthesizer, another synthesizer called the EMU Proteus 2 Orchestral, and even another one called the EMU Proteus 3 World, as well as a digital grand piano. He used them all at once to make music for children's shows from the United Kingdom (UK), including Rosie and Jim, Brum, Tots TV, and the most frequent use out of all those shows was in Teletubbies which aired about 2 years after this promo was made.

[@NeilVanceNeilVance]

Excellent keyboard skills - I envy you!

[@cgmagik9837]

Thank you!

[@superhomsar2112]

THAT'S THE LAW 'ROUND HERE SAID THE KIIIIIIIIIING OF SUUUUUN- SET TOWWWWWWWWWWN

[@therobyouknowtv]

Check out waverex refill pcm card from synthastix. As an M1 owner of nearly 32 years, I bought this magical waverex card about 2 years ago. The waverex card is the same physical form factor as regular M1 pcm cards, but the special thing about it is that it behaves like an SD card, which you can load your own PCM samples onto via USB with their Windows or Mac app. Then insert the card into the PCM slot in the M1 turn it on and those PCM samples on the waverex card are now available to use in the familiar way when in Edit Program mode. The waverex card can be used standalone in the M1, so does not require a PC attached. Only when you want to delete and put new sounds on it, do you need to attach it to a Mac or PC with their app. The app provides for structuring your samples as multisounds like for Piano or other melodic instrument, with samples associated with note ranges and a centre note etc. Percussion mode is supported for structuring your samples as a drum kit. The waverex site has several pre-made zip downloads for use, some well known sounds like the 909 drum kit as well as synth sounds. So the waverex card looks like a PCM card and behaves like one. The magic inside is that it is an embedded computer/microcontroller based on ARM with flash memory. This provides the 2 functions of receiving sounds via USB from a host mac or PC running their app and writing them into the card's flash memory and secondly presenting those sounds in the flash to the M1 via protocols running over the physical pin connectors of the card inserted into the M1 PCM slot, so it sees them as multisounds or drumkits that it is designed to understand. No hardware modding required with this card. No affiliation, incentive or referral from me to benefit from. My sole aim is to just let you know about this amazing invention. A feat of modern engineering on a piece of classic retro electronics, as well the heartwarming act of supporting such vintage hardware.

[@cgmagik9837]

Wow! Amazing. Thanks for letting me know about this!

[@therobyouknowtv]

@@cgmagik9837 +1 you're most welcome! Thank you!

[@cgmagik9837]

This would essentially turn the M1 into a DSM-1 I guess. Pretty cool! Minus the analog filter . .

[@therobyouknowtv]

@@cgmagik9837 yes, agree, with the waverex, the M1 now also has that capability to use any sample - that will fit the PCM card specified memory storage limit. And with the PC or MAC providing the ADC sample input via a sound card or USB device and long term sample management in the filesystem coupled with the waverex and accompanying app I'd agree that the overall workflow experience would resemble the DSM-1 in fact better. So the experience is very similar and exciting for that fact. Also Intriguing though, some of the key internal hardware differences: The Korg M1's CPU is a NEC V-50 / uPD70216 which is a 16 bit microprocessor/controller, based on the 8088 but with a 16bit data bus. Its DAC is a PCM54 16bit DAC from Burr-Brown (acquired by Texas Instruments). The DSP for the VDF and ambient effects e.g. reverb, chorus, seems to be provided by a group of custom Korg ASICs MB8704x. The M1 does have an ADC but this is for the joystick and aftertouch.

[@cgmagik9837]

@@therobyouknowtv ooh! Looks like I could also use the Waverex card in my Wavestation! Very cool

[@kontrajelly]

You rock!!

[@cgmagik9837]

Thank you!

[@user-ih2gk6dh7k]

Один из пресетов KORG M 1 очень здорово напоминает тремоло группы домр оркестра русских народных инструментов. В ансамбле с баяном, ударными и бас- гитарой этот тембр на KORG M 1 при игре педальными аккордами здорово имитировал струнную группу народного оркестра.Играл партию клавишных , аккомпанируя народному хору. Так что и в русской народной музыке KORG M 1 тоже находил применение.

[@toniperullesrull4916]

Tengo histórico, impecable, comprado en esa fecha de su saluda al mercado, y dispongo de dos tarjetas, y lo vendo.

[@bugaljackson494]

What's the name of the patch on 11:17?

[@cgmagik9837]

It's called 'Pole'

[@francotonini6446]

Om 🎹 grande macchina 🎹👍

[@amonster8mymother]

Bit of a unicorn.

[@Modernaire]

11:30 patch is beautiful.

[@user-kb1su7mg1g]

whats the patch

[@oupahens9219]

Much sharper than these AI-2 sounds from X3. Interesting, as the sounds from Yamaha actually improved from AWM to AWM-2. Korg DW-8000, M1 and Wavestation had sparkling sounds.

[@merry666christmas7]

这琴真是不错在那个年代里

[@savanaviolenta]

It would be great, if Korg made a reissue of M1 in a small form factor like microKORG

[@heidigoransson9527]

Still sounds stunning apparat from the Grand Piano, I guess Im spoiled by the fully Sampled sounds apparat from just Sampled Waveforms. In Its time It was ungrare though.bIm had so much fun with that workstation though.

[@dr.emilschaffhausen4683]

My second keyboard after the DW8000!

[@JTCPingas]

Between the Korg M1 and Roland D50, which one do you like better?

[@cgmagik9837]

I'd have to choose the M1, perhaps in part because I used it for so many years and have that personal relationship to it, but I also feel that it has a wider palette of sound options. Also, the sequencer was definitely a plus to have on board! Certainly though there IS a beautiful sonic character to the D50 that the M1 just can't do.

[@StargateMax]

I love the M1! Although I have the VST and iM1 versions (super easy to program) I'm probably going to get a physical one just to have it.

[@StargateMax]

And I did get a physical one right after posting my comment, lol! It's in great condition.

[@HipixOFFICIAL]

Chevron 7, locked.

[@UTF1998Entertainment]

29:05 That Electronic Piano Sample Preset Thingy Reminds Me Of The Water Music From The Beta Version Of Super Mario 64, Don't You Think?

[@peterkiss7742]

Forst one is maybe from Rainnman theme?

[@ethanmerrikin1544]

30:07 YOOOO :0

[@user-ko1ko5dn3k]

Красиво играет музыкант!

[@cgmagik9837]

Благодарю вас!

[@juranirmagaiver4116]

01/W é o pai desse teclado aí

[@anthonyptak8650]

I’ve never seen a m1 sequence tutorial, maybe you can make one?

[@cgmagik9837]

Ooh. Interesting. Way back in the day I used the sequencer a ton. I'd have to re-learn it again as it's been a very long time. I imagine it would come back to me pretty quickly though. I will consider doing this! Thanks!

[@JesusStJamesDR]

What is that first patch!? Sounds amazing

[@cgmagik9837]

That's the classic 'Universe' patch. I've always loved that one!

[@drArsla74]

i must tell you... one button missing :)

[@cgmagik9837]

Good eye! Haha. The 'card' button.

[@AlocaAsorta]

42:36 night of the living dead 1990😊

[@Faruk-Kaplan]

44:51 What is sound name please??

[@cgmagik9837]

It's the original M1 patch #96 called 'MonoSynth'

[@JBRitchie8]

How did you learn the keyboard/piano?

[@cgmagik9837]

I've been playing since I was 6 years old. I'm almost 50 now . . so it's been a while! ha. Still learning though :)

[@kevinsturges6957]

Did your dad find he let this un locked up in the basement?❤

[@garymayen330]

Any idea of the patch at the very start is from the M1? kzbin.info/www/bejne/mYerXneVeLeAqbs

[@cgmagik9837]

Hmm, not too sure. It doesn't sound like an M1 to me. Perhaps a Roland D-50?

[@garymayen330]

@@cgmagik9837 thank you for your input!! Much appreciated

[@thierryrogen]

Used as intro for Sandra Hiroshima!

[@dickydoes]

Subtitle of patch name would have been useful.