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Average Price: $24
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$500
$1501+
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Description
Introducing the Korg M1, a timeless classic in the world of digital synthesizers. Manufactured between 1988 to 1995, this 61-key synth workstation is celebrated for its pioneering combination of subtractive synthesis with sampled waveforms and acoustic instruments. The M1's versatility stems from an in-built MIDI sequencer and a capacity for 16 voices of polyphony, making it an enduring favorite among musicians around the globe.
Key Features: - 61-key synth music workstation - MIDI sequencer included - Features 16 voices of polyphony - Uses subtractive synthesis on sampled waveforms and acoustic instruments - Manufactured between 1988 to 1995
Product specs
| Brand | Korg |
| Model | M1 61-Key Synth Music Workstation |
| Finish | Black |
| Year | 1990s |
| Made In | Japan |
| Categories | Keyboard Synths, Workstation Keyboards |
| Analog / Digital | Digital |
| Key Size | Full Size |
| Keyboard Action | Synth Action |
| MIDI I/O | MIDI Input, MIDI Output, MIDI Through |
| Number of Keys | 61 Keys |
| Polyphony | 16 Voices |
FAQs
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Is the Korg M1 a digital or analog synthesizer?
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The Korg M1 is a digital synthesizer, known for its high-quality PCM-based synthesis system and digital multi-effects, which contributed to its unique and influential sound.
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How many keys does the Korg M1 have and what is the key action like?
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The Korg M1 features 61 full-size keys with a synth action, providing a responsive and dynamic playing experience suitable for a variety of music styles.
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What type of polyphony does the Korg M1 offer?
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The Korg M1 offers 16-voice polyphony, allowing for complex chordal passages and layered sounds without note dropouts.
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Does the Korg M1 have MIDI connectivity?
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Yes, the Korg M1 is equipped with MIDI Input, Output, and Through, making it compatible with other MIDI-enabled devices for expanded control and integration.
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What standout features does the Korg M1's sound engine offer?
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The Korg M1's sound engine is renowned for its realistic acoustic and digital sounds, including iconic presets like the "Universe" and "Piano" patches, which have been widely used in various music genres.
Videos
Doctor Mix
Korg M1 Synthesizer: Famous Sounds
Reviews
PROS
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Unique, warm, and fat sound quality
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Joystick for expressive performance
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Solid build, portable for gigging or travel
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Classic, recognizable sounds featured in 80s/90s media
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Versatile for various music styles and bands
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Easy sound creation and onboard sequencer
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Durable with solid resale value
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Supports expansion with additional sample cards
CONS
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Sounds can feel a bit dated
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Lacks USB connectivity; relies on MIDI cables
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Factory patches, while classic, may limit creativity
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Internal battery replacement is cumbersome
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Keys are semi-weighted, not fully weighted
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Korg M1.
Comparisons
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The M3R is a budget-friendly alternative, retaining the M1's organ and piano sounds, and supports M1 waveform cards.
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The M1 keybed is more durable than the Triton's, despite both using the Yamaha FS keybed model.
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Newer Korg models like the Triton offer M1 sounds plus enhanced polyphony and easier programming, making them a more versatile choice for live performances.
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Considered more of a ROMpler than a traditional synth, with limited sound design compared to newer models.
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Use cases and applications
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Owners appreciate the M1's keybed for its feel, making it superior to modern controllers under $500 for playability.
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The M1 is praised for its superior key feel compared to modern MIDI controllers, enhancing stage presence and performance quality.
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Popular in house music for its legendary organ sounds, notably used in hits like "Show Me Love."
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Features and functionality
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The M1's spring-loaded joystick transmits CC#2, offering unique modulation options but can't be left static like a modwheel.
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The M1's LCD screen is noted for being cryptic, making it challenging for users accustomed to more intuitive interfaces.
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Lacks resonant filters and uses 2 oscillators, which limits sound design compared to Roland D50 and Yamaha SY55.
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Setup and maintenance
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The M1 battery is conveniently placed in a holder on the main circuit board, simplifying replacement.
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Internal battery replacement is simple; users report needing to change it approximately every decade.
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The M1R's clock battery failure can lead to loss of custom patches, highlighting the importance of maintaining battery health for patch preservation.
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Build quality
Software and compatibility
Critic Reviews
4.5 out of 5
Based on 5 Reviews and 40 Ratings
156
Chceš dělat house? Pak potřebuješ M1
Korg M1 znamená typické house piano a organ, které v 90tých letech proslavili tento nástroj. Nebo to bylo tak, že tento nástroj proslavil žánr house music? Je to opravdu velký, těžký kus nábytku, ale pro ten pocit to rozhodně stojí. Tento nástroj mám v mém nahrávacím studiu Sunteem records.
204
one of the best Romplers of all time, and a solid keyboard for gigging musicians
I played in tons of bands in tons of styles with this thing for many years. Though the sounds are a bit dated, they are also all classics. In the end the factory set, no matter how much you normally hate factory patches are on every record you own from the 80s and 90s, every TV or Movie soundtrack, and every ad for 30+ years. The keyboard still feels better than most dedicated MIDI controllers. I am more of a synthesis first guy these days, so it doesn't get much use, but it still has solid resale value, so anytime I want out, some gigging musician will gladly buy it from me. Only the Roland D50 has this level of desirability in the rompler space.
751
I love it, Vintage and so easy to play (This one is Extended set)
Great synth in music 's story. Sold in all the world at about than 30 billions. Easy to create sounds. one sequencer !!!!!! Old sounds but great sounds of basses and pianos. They were neither on 24 nor 32 bits but, very good and well thought strong machine for to cross time away ..... I always like the touch and after touch of this keyboard (same as the Yamaha DX7), so you can't fill board by playing and playing. Very hard built and you can still find cards for new samples. Thank's to Korg. Indeed
146
Artist usage
Add artist
So, yeah, I have a Korg M1 that I use for the bass because it has a bunch of nice bass sounds.
Garcia uses his Korg M1 in "Como Conseguir Chicas" and "Filosofia Barata y Zapatos de Goma"
In the video "ATB feat. York - The Fields Of Love (Live at VIVA Interaktiv)" at the 1:50 mark, ATB can be seen using the Korg M1 synthesizer.
In this article Bicep say: "We have (or borrow) Korg M1, Yamaha DX7, SH101, Juno 6, Roland midi keyboards, Akai MPC 2000xl and Mackie monitors."
Per this May 04, 2021 feature from gearnews.de:
Now a more technological phase begins and there are several interesting mixes with strong use of the TR-909. The nineties are almost at the end and Front by Front has long been recorded. Their sound with the "emulator" as the center was still considered THE appearance. In the phase after that, the emulator disappeared. A Nord Lead is spotted on stage but also a Korg M1 or a Korg Z1
We can see Billy Joel playing a Korg M1 during This David Letterman appearance from 1993. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5f_7YhghqpQ
Dolores O'Riordan can be seen playing the Korg M1 in the video titled "The Cranberries - Ode To My Family Live From Vicar Street," on YouTube.
Greg Phillinganes uses the Korg M1 throughout Eric Clapton's "24 Nights" performances, as seen in the YouTube video titled "Eric Clapton I Shot The Sheriff Royal Albert Hall1991."
From a Synth History article written by Roger O'Donnell:
I had been in discussion with the people at Korg about a sponsorship deal, but it wasn’t going anywhere. We arrived in NYC in 1989 to start the US leg of the Prayer tour and we were to play the MTV Awards show in LA, live. Miraculously, when Kong found out, a brand new M1 arrived in my hotel room within about 30 minutes.
I believe the M1 is the most popular, in terms of sales, instrument ever made, 250,000 units. It was a sample player, they were called romplers. The samples were hard loaded in ROM memory - you couldn’t sample into it and you couldn’t really edit it - but the samples were of such an incredibly high standard you didn’t need to. It was also a workstation, so you could program songs into it, which is something I've never done. It also had onboard effects, which really was the start of a whole new wave of instruments. I loved the fretless bass and used it on many recordings. I also used it on some Cure recordings, specifically the session for the Arista anniversary record, and our versions of “Hello, I Love You” by The Doors. I had it onstage during the remaining Prayer tour shows but I don’t think I played it much.
Album Usage
The Korg M1 has been featured on the following albums:
Gentō
Steve Rothery & Thorsten Quaeschning (2025)
The Unreleased Remastered Demos
Giuffria (2025)
Fire
Saraya (2025)
Death & Sex (CX40 Version)
The Cassandra Complex (2024)
The Plague
The Cassandra Complex (2022)
Say Cheese (Remix)
Teddy Riley & KiDi (2020)
Delicate Sound of Thunder (2019 Remix) [Live]
Pink Floyd (2020)
Hardware (Wetware 2019 Remaster)
The Cassandra Complex (2019)
Software (Wetware 2019 Remaster)
The Cassandra Complex (2019)
Only Diamonds Cut Diamonds
Vegyn (2019)
Synthwaves
Ulrich Schnauss & Thorsten Quaeschning (2017)
Doctor Who: Survival (Original Television Soundtrack)
Dominic Glynn (2017)
This Is What You Came For
Calvin Harris & Rihanna (2016)
Front By Front
Front 242 (2014)
The Flying Opera (Around The World In Twenty Days) [Live]
Avantasia (2011)
Heaven
Yanou & DJ Sammy (2002)
1996
Royal Hunt (1996)
Show Me Love
Laidback Luke & Steve Angello & Robin Stone & Robin S. (1993)
Sex & Death
The Cassandra Complex (1993)
Land of Broken Hearts
Royal Hunt (1992)
Tubular Bells II
Mike Oldfield (1992)
Beyond the Wall of Sleep
The Cassandra Complex (1992)
Screamadelica
Primal Scream (1991)
Innuendo
Queen (1991)
Sugar Tax
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (1991)
The War Against Sleep
The Cassandra Complex (1991)
Filosofía Barata y Zapatos de Goma
Charly García (1990)
Cyberpunx
The Cassandra Complex (1990)
Vogue
Madonna & Madonna (1990)
Como Conseguir Chicas
Charly García (1989)
Danger Danger
Danger Danger (1989)
Delicate Sound of Thunder (Live)
Pink Floyd (1988)
Silk + Steel
Giuffria (1986)
Giuffria
Giuffria (1984)
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Korg M1, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
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