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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

Is the Korg M1 a digital or analog synthesizer?

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.

How many keys does the Korg M1 have and what is the key action like?

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.

What type of polyphony does the Korg M1 offer?

The Korg M1 offers 16-voice polyphony, allowing for complex chordal passages and layered sounds without note dropouts.

Does the Korg M1 have MIDI connectivity?

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.

What standout features does the Korg M1's sound engine offer?

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.

Doctor Mix

Doctor Mix

Korg M1 Synthesizer: Famous Sounds

Video thumbnail for Korg M1 Synthesizer: Famous Sounds by Doctor Mix

Korg M1 Synthesizer: Famous Sounds

Doctor Mix

Doctor Mix

Video thumbnail for Korg M1 piano and organ | Famous sounds and songs by Woody Piano Shack

Korg M1 piano and organ | Famous sounds and songs

Woody Piano Shack

Woody Piano Shack

Video thumbnail for Korg M1 Demo  I  No Talking by Alphacode Synth Demos & Custom Sound Banks

Korg M1 Demo I No Talking

Alphacode Synth Demos & Custom Sound Banks

Alphacode Synth Demos & Custom Sound Banks

Video thumbnail for Korg M1 Unboxing & Jam by Doctor Mix

Korg M1 Unboxing & Jam

Doctor Mix

Doctor Mix

Video thumbnail for Korg M1 Famous Songs and Sounds by Nicolas Melis

Korg M1 Famous Songs and Sounds

Nicolas Melis

Nicolas Melis

Video thumbnail for The Korg M1 - Putting it all Together by Johnny Morgan Synth Dreams

The Korg M1 - Putting it all Together

Johnny Morgan Synth Dreams

Johnny Morgan Synth Dreams

Video thumbnail for Korg M1 (Review Full) Test Sounds by Tiago Mallen

Korg M1 (Review Full) Test Sounds

Tiago Mallen

Tiago Mallen

Video thumbnail for Korg M1: The Best Selling Synth of All Time | WHY?! by Alamo Music Sound Lab

Korg M1: The Best Selling Synth of All Time | WHY?!

Alamo Music Sound Lab

Alamo Music Sound Lab

Reviews

PROS

  • Unique, warm, and fat sound quality

  • Joystick for expressive performance

  • Solid build, portable for gigging or travel

  • Classic, recognizable sounds featured in 80s/90s media

  • Versatile for various music styles and bands

  • Easy sound creation and onboard sequencer

  • Durable with solid resale value

  • Supports expansion with additional sample cards

CONS

  • Sounds can feel a bit dated

  • Lacks USB connectivity; relies on MIDI cables

  • Factory patches, while classic, may limit creativity

  • Internal battery replacement is cumbersome

  • 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

  • The M3R is a budget-friendly alternative, retaining the M1's organ and piano sounds, and supports M1 waveform cards.

    Source
  • The M1 keybed is more durable than the Triton's, despite both using the Yamaha FS keybed model.

    Source
  • Newer Korg models like the Triton offer M1 sounds plus enhanced polyphony and easier programming, making them a more versatile choice for live performances.

    Source
  • Considered more of a ROMpler than a traditional synth, with limited sound design compared to newer models.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Owners appreciate the M1's keybed for its feel, making it superior to modern controllers under $500 for playability.

    Source
  • The M1 is praised for its superior key feel compared to modern MIDI controllers, enhancing stage presence and performance quality.

    Source
  • Popular in house music for its legendary organ sounds, notably used in hits like "Show Me Love."

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The M1's spring-loaded joystick transmits CC#2, offering unique modulation options but can't be left static like a modwheel.

    Source
  • The M1's LCD screen is noted for being cryptic, making it challenging for users accustomed to more intuitive interfaces.

    Source
  • Lacks resonant filters and uses 2 oscillators, which limits sound design compared to Roland D50 and Yamaha SY55.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • The M1 battery is conveniently placed in a holder on the main circuit board, simplifying replacement.

    Source
  • Internal battery replacement is simple; users report needing to change it approximately every decade.

    Source
  • The M1R's clock battery failure can lead to loss of custom patches, highlighting the importance of maintaining battery health for patch preservation.

    Source

Build quality

  • Korg M1's Yamaha FS keybed is praised for its durability and aftertouch, comparable to high-end Yamahas like the DX7.

    Source
  • Membrane buttons can require extra force over time, but MIDI Designer app can substitute for failing buttons.

    Source

Software and compatibility

  • The M1 plugin includes all expansion cards, offering a comprehensive sound library for home use without the maintenance needs of the hardware.

    Source
  • Owners find the M1 plugin valuable due to additional sounds and percussion kits, offering more versatility than the hardware.

    Source

User experience

  • Known for reliability, with many long-term users still utilizing it as their main keyboard from the early '90s to now.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Korg M1 (Retrozone)

soundonsound.com

The Korg M1 is celebrated as a groundbreaking digital synth workstation, lauded for its innovative Sample + Synthesis technology, robust sound library, and versatile onboard effects. Its 16-bit PCM tones and drum samples set new standards in the industry, while its built-in sequencer was functional, albeit limited by today's standards. Despite the non-resonant filters and some polyphony constraints, the M1's rich, harmonically complex sounds and user-friendly modulation options made it a favorite. Its success story is a testament to its well-rounded feature set and the creative genius of its development team.

positive
Add

4.5 out of 5

Based on 5 Reviews and 40 Ratings

5 star
4 star
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1 star
M

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.

redvoid

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.

P

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

buddycephalus

Good master keyboard

Good keyboard with a lot of classical sounds that are useful

marmeduke

The Original Great For Keys, Pads

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Jon Lord uses Korg M1

Jon Lord

Keyboardist

Deep Purple

...
Verified via Dailymotion

Korg M1 can be seen at 1:00 on the video.

See how Scott Henderson uses Korg M1

Scott Henderson

Guitarist

Tribal Tech

...
Verified via Guitar

So, yeah, I have a Korg M1 that I use for the bass because it has a bunch of nice bass sounds.

See how Charly García uses Korg M1

Charly García

Singer, Guitarist

Serú Girán

...
Verified via Photo

Garcia uses his Korg M1 in "Como Conseguir Chicas" and "Filosofia Barata y Zapatos de Goma"

See how ATB uses Korg M1

ATB

Music Producer

ATB with Heather Nova

...
Verified via YouTube

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.

See how Bicep uses Korg M1

Bicep

Music Producer

...
Verified via Sonic Academy

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."

See how Front 242 uses Korg M1

Front 242

Music Producer

...
Verified via gearnews.de

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

See how Billy Joel uses Korg M1

Billy Joel

Singer, Keyboardist

U.S.A. for Africa

...
Verified via YouTube

We can see Billy Joel playing a Korg M1 during This David Letterman appearance from 1993. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5f_7YhghqpQ

See how John Cale uses Korg M1

John Cale

Singer, Guitarist

The Velvet Underground

...
Verified via Xs4all

This site states that Cale uses a Korg M1.

See how Dolores O'Riordan uses Korg M1

Dolores O'Riordan

Singer, Guitarist

The Cranberries

...
Verified via YouTube

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.

See how Greg Phillinganes uses Korg M1

Greg Phillinganes

Keyboardist

The Jackson 5

...
Verified via 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."

See how Roger O'Donnell uses Korg M1

Roger O'Donnell

Keyboardist, Music Producer

The Cure

...
Verified via Synth History

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.

See how Yanni uses Korg M1

Yanni

Composer

...
Verified via Dailymotion

Yanni used the Korg M1 in many songs. The one recorded example I could find was from the main chorus from 'Within Attraction'. You can see it on the top of the left-side tier.

Album Usage

The Korg M1 has been featured on the following albums:

Korg M1 as heard on Gentō by Steve Rothery & Thorsten Quaeschning (2025)

Gentō

Steve Rothery & Thorsten Quaeschning (2025)

Korg M1 as heard on The Unreleased Remastered Demos by Giuffria (2025)

The Unreleased Remastered Demos

Giuffria (2025)

Korg M1 as heard on Fire by Saraya (2025)

Fire

Saraya (2025)

Korg M1 as heard on Death & Sex (CX40 Version) by The Cassandra Complex (2024)

Death & Sex (CX40 Version)

The Cassandra Complex (2024)

Korg M1 as heard on The Plague by The Cassandra Complex (2022)

The Plague

The Cassandra Complex (2022)

Korg M1 as heard on Say Cheese (Remix) by Teddy Riley & KiDi (2020)

Say Cheese (Remix)

Teddy Riley & KiDi (2020)

Korg M1 as heard on Delicate Sound of Thunder (2019 Remix) [Live] by Pink Floyd (2020)

Delicate Sound of Thunder (2019 Remix) [Live]

Pink Floyd (2020)

Korg M1 as heard on Hardware (Wetware 2019 Remaster) by The Cassandra Complex (2019)

Hardware (Wetware 2019 Remaster)

The Cassandra Complex (2019)

Korg M1 as heard on Software (Wetware 2019 Remaster) by The Cassandra Complex (2019)

Software (Wetware 2019 Remaster)

The Cassandra Complex (2019)

Korg M1 as heard on Only Diamonds Cut Diamonds by Vegyn (2019)

Only Diamonds Cut Diamonds

Vegyn (2019)

Korg M1 as heard on Synthwaves by Ulrich Schnauss & Thorsten Quaeschning (2017)

Synthwaves

Ulrich Schnauss & Thorsten Quaeschning (2017)

Korg M1 as heard on Doctor Who: Survival (Original Television Soundtrack) by Dominic Glynn (2017)

Doctor Who: Survival (Original Television Soundtrack)

Dominic Glynn (2017)

Korg M1 as heard on This Is What You Came For by Calvin Harris & Rihanna (2016)

This Is What You Came For

Calvin Harris & Rihanna (2016)

Korg M1 as heard on Front By Front by Front 242 (2014)

Front By Front

Front 242 (2014)

Korg M1 as heard on The Flying Opera (Around The World In Twenty Days) [Live] by Avantasia (2011)

The Flying Opera (Around The World In Twenty Days) [Live]

Avantasia (2011)

Korg M1 as heard on Heaven by Yanou & DJ Sammy (2002)

Heaven

Yanou & DJ Sammy (2002)

Korg M1 as heard on 1996 by Royal Hunt (1996)

1996

Royal Hunt (1996)

Korg M1 as heard on Show Me Love by Laidback Luke & Steve Angello & Robin Stone & Robin S. (1993)

Show Me Love

Laidback Luke & Steve Angello & Robin Stone & Robin S. (1993)

Korg M1 as heard on Sex & Death by The Cassandra Complex (1993)

Sex & Death

The Cassandra Complex (1993)

Korg M1 as heard on Land of Broken Hearts by Royal Hunt (1992)

Land of Broken Hearts

Royal Hunt (1992)

Korg M1 as heard on Tubular Bells II by Mike Oldfield (1992)

Tubular Bells II

Mike Oldfield (1992)

Korg M1 as heard on Beyond the Wall of Sleep by The Cassandra Complex (1992)

Beyond the Wall of Sleep

The Cassandra Complex (1992)

Korg M1 as heard on Screamadelica by Primal Scream (1991)

Screamadelica

Primal Scream (1991)

Korg M1 as heard on Innuendo by Queen (1991)

Innuendo

Queen (1991)

Korg M1 as heard on Sugar Tax by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (1991)

Sugar Tax

Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (1991)

Korg M1 as heard on The War Against Sleep by The Cassandra Complex (1991)

The War Against Sleep

The Cassandra Complex (1991)

Korg M1 as heard on Filosofía Barata y Zapatos de Goma by Charly García (1990)

Filosofía Barata y Zapatos de Goma

Charly García (1990)

Korg M1 as heard on Cyberpunx by The Cassandra Complex (1990)

Cyberpunx

The Cassandra Complex (1990)

Korg M1 as heard on Vogue by Madonna & Madonna (1990)

Vogue

Madonna & Madonna (1990)

Korg M1 as heard on Como Conseguir Chicas by Charly García (1989)

Como Conseguir Chicas

Charly García (1989)

Korg M1 as heard on Danger Danger by Danger Danger (1989)

Danger Danger

Danger Danger (1989)

Korg M1 as heard on Delicate Sound of Thunder (Live) by Pink Floyd (1988)

Delicate Sound of Thunder (Live)

Pink Floyd (1988)

Korg M1 as heard on Silk + Steel by Giuffria (1986)

Silk + Steel

Giuffria (1986)

Korg M1 as heard on Giuffria by Giuffria (1984)

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.

Roland D-50
Roland D-50 Synthesizers
12
Akai S1000
Akai S1000 Audio Samplers
8
Roland D-550
Roland D-550 Synthesizers & Sound Modules
8
Yamaha DX7
Yamaha DX7 Synthesizers
7
Roland Juno-106
Roland Juno-106 Synthesizers
6
Roland JD-800
Roland JD-800 Synthesizers
6
Atari 1040 ST
Atari 1040 ST Computers & Peripherals
5
Yamaha TX81Z
Yamaha TX81Z Sound Modules
5

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resonancestudios

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1 alternative for Korg M1, curated by the Equipboard community.

Korg M1 Software Synthesizer

 

similar sound cheaper alternative

This is Korg's official software emulation of the M1. This plugin comes bundled with nearly every ROM expansion card ever available for M1, giving you a vast library of '90s sounds right out of the gate.

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