A classic powerhouse, very cheap.

Features

The 01W has 200 Programs (patches) and 200 combinations (multi's) that are really easy to edit. The screen is easy to navigate and most is self explanatory. The filters are non resonant, 12db and low pass. This is enough for sculpting samples a bit, and most of the programs get brighter when you play them harder in a very convincing way.

It's got a really nice sequencer with 16 tracks. It has realtime recording, with overdub and overwrite modes, bu there is also step recording and event edit. It has quantise and you can create controller data and shift note pitches. You can also record patterns or grab them from a track. Each track can be used internally, externally or both, which makes it a great for controlling other gear.

Creating a mix in sequence mode is a bit cumbersome. You have to jump around the screen quite a bit to change volume or panning. Also, programs can not be edited in sequencer mode, you have to go to program mode and change them there. This also changes the program in other sequences and in any of the combi's it's used in.

The effects processor in the 01W is great and would have made an excellent rack unit. There are 2 stereo effects on 2 stereo busses. That's plenty for the programs, but a real limitation working in multi-timbral mode in the sequencer.

How does it sound?

The 01W lacks good electronic drumsounds, like 909 and 808. It also lacks realistic sounding drums and the hihats are really weak. But there are some great sounds for industrial, like syn-toms, anvils, zaps, gated kicks and snares. There's also some nice acoustic percussion sounds.

The woodwinds are horrible and brass are only slightly better. Acoustic, clean and muted guitars are nice. Strings are not very realistic, but they sound big and powerful.

The acoustic piano's are bright and punchy. Like the house piano sounds from the M1. The EP's are very nice. The basses are also really funky, electronic and punchy.

Pads, tines, mallets, bells and choirs are synthetic and amazing in equal measure!

Problems The 01W is prone to the following problems.

• sticky keys
• backlight very dim
• buttons not working with every press

This particular one has all the above problems to some extend, but it is fully functional otherwise and even the floppy disk drive is working.

I'm happy.

More Korg deliciousness!

The Korg 01/w is an absolutely fantastic synth that I definitely recommend if you've used some of their previous stuff like the M1 or WAVESTATION before. The sounds on it are cheesy and very 90s and I absolutely adore how they sound in my music, I especially love the basses and woodwinds as well as the pianos and E. pianos. Absolutely great!

Preferred Settings + Usage:

Quick review of the Korg 01/WFD.

This is one of those old school 90's Korg synths. Successor of the Wavestation. It's made of aluminum so it's very heavy. That's not good news for any gigging keyboardist's back but fortunately for me I just keep it in the studio for recording purposes. It has some lovely sounds. Many of them are quite dated but have lots of character. I use it mostly as a midi controller with software on my studio PC.

A CLASSIC THAT I COULDN'T BUY AT THAT TIME

I dreamed about 30 years of this synth that was a legend at his time but was too expensive for my little purse... today I had it for just 150€ !!! and it was a first handing !!! what a gift !!!!

best hardware ever

One of the most durable keyboards you can get. The sound is great, very real but don't look for creative sounds, look for traditional non filtered sounds. You can get creative, but use it as a center of you estudio, is great

Simplesmente magnífico!

Foi meu segundo synth da Korg. Tinha timbres magníficos para a época, principalmente os órgãos e os synths. Era o number one no meu setup; robusto, tinha uma sonzeira no PA, rivalizando sem esforço com qualquer guitarra, soava de igual-para-igual.

This was my first 'professional' keyboard. I bought it because I knew Michael Pinnella was using it.

Even though nowadays I am using this keyboard only indoors as a midi controller, I am still surprised about some of the internal sounds. This is a great instrument. It's built sturdy, the keys have a nice feel to it and it's reliable. I am thinking of adding this one to my live gear someday as a backup keyboard.

Vintage WARM sound!

So nice to hear many sounds used by Vangelis, Enigma and others in early/mid 1990's. The sound is warmer because of the sampling rate which is 32 kHz (if memory serves) instead of 44.1 or 48.

From Gear Setup

It's got it's place

This synth shares a place in synth history along side the DX7, D50 and K2000! Where would Enigma be without it :)

Beautiful digital synth

One of my favorite. Strings, guitars and basses are great. I used a lot like a strings emulation and his pianos still very beautiful. Lot of synth sparkling pads and effects. Very beautiful.