Any korg M1 Users out there?

[sdallen24]

I could use some help. Had a used M1 given to me. I am learning to play keys and do some home recording. I need some help with the basic operation of this joker. I need to find someone I can IM with or someone who can give me a basic overview without referencing the manual.

Thanks

Shaen allen

[Wayrockin1]

I use an M1, mostly as a midi controller. There is plenty of info available on this keyboard! Check out this link:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Korg+M1

Hope this helps!

[sdallen24]

I found a lot of stuff for people who know what they are doing. I on the other hand need some help on the basic operation. About 15 minutes on the phone or IM with an experienced user I think would do. Any recommendations?

[TexRoadkill]

I had an M1 a few years back. Korg uses the same basic Interface for most of their keyboards. The new Tritons are still similar the M1.

I dont have one right now to reference but hit me with some questions and I'll answer if I can.

[sdallen24]

Thanks Dude. It looks like there are a couple operating modes. To play an instrument I chose either PROGRAM or COMBINATION. Right? The way I understand, you select an instrument in PROGRAM mode and you can create your own sounds in COMB mode.

1. Is that true?
2. How do I create combinations.
The operating manual explains a lot of what, but little of how to get there.

3. When I've chosen an instrument, how do I add an effect to it?
4. How do I use the keyboard as a MIDI controller? I can either go into my computer or my Boss Dr. Rhythm Section.

That should be enough to keep me going. Oh, one other thing,

5. If I move through the selections in COMB mode and the sound doesn't change, does that mean there are none set or loaded?

Thanks again.

Any 3M products I can send you for your trouble?

Shaen

[TexRoadkill]

The basics are like this-

The M1 is 8 part multi-timbral
A Program is a single sound and the M1 can play up to 8 of them at a time.

If you want to play more than 1 at a time you need to play a Combi. The Combi is up to 8 Programs and you can play them all at once for a full sound or assign them each to different midi channels for use with a sequencer.

Since the M1 can only play 16 voices at a time its hard to use more than 4 Programs in a combi without getting some cutting off of the notes. Only 2 if you are playing full chords with both hands.

When you are in Program mode and hit Edit you can edit that individual Program's sample, waveform, filters, etc and add effects. Use page up/dn to go through the menus and hit the buttons below the LCD screen to choose a parameter to edit.

Those effect will only be in place when you play that Program in Program mode. When you use that Program in a Combi it will use the effects that are assigned to the Combi.

When in Combi mode and you hit Edit you can map the Programs to different keys, assign midi channels and the Effects for that Combi.

Global mode is for changing the Global parameters for midi control and tuning and stuff. Just hit Page up/dn and see whats there.

I think the M1 is best for getting 80's new wave type synth and string sounds. They were used by the Cure, Billy Idol, Sinead Oconnor and just about everyone.

For cool techno lines you can use an expression pedal to control filter effects in realtime. The Joystick is great for adding LFO when you pull it down for cool Pink Floyd type synth strings.

There is a great Orchestra card that has some different samples on it with some cool analog strings. My card went bad and most of my sounds were based on it. I couldnt find another one and ended up trading away the M1.

Have fun. Let me know if I'm actually making sense.

.

[TexRoadkill]

I miss my M1 now. If you tell me some specific things you want to do I can probably help you better. I had mine for about 8 yrs and know it in and out.

There are a lot of options in the combi mode. That is what you will use most for performing and sequencing. You can assign different programs to different outputs on the back so you actually have up to 6 busses for routing to external effects and recorders.

You can also run the effects parallel or in line. In line lets you run one effect into the other. You can get some cool multi tap delays by running one delay into the other. The reverbs are pretty noisy but the delays and flanger are pretty cool.

The stock M1 sounds are crap compared to what a good tweaked out M1 can sound like. There are lots of patches on the internet and if you can score some PCM cards you can have more sample wave forms to work with.