Product: Korg M1 Plus+1
Price Paid: US $400
Submitted
05/07/2001
at
10:40am
by
Anonymous
Ease of Use
:
8
I have had the M1 for over 10 years. I find it quite easy to use, learning curve was fast.
Features
:
7
Typical synth action. Good for it's time. Not really posting to rate the M1 though. Used it for a lot of MIDI sequencing. Used the internal sequencer minimally as I use a PC for everything. Velocity sensitivity and aftertouch responsive.
Expressiveness/Sounds
:
No Opinion
Reliability
:
2
The Plus+1 expansion card is a dismal failure in reliability terms. My first one failed after 6 months, my shop felt bad and put another in for free, it in turn failed after 6 months. I loved the new sounds, but can no longer use them. Had to revoice all sequences that utilized the +1 sounds, didn't get most of them recorded to audio before this happened, very sad.
Customer Support
:
1
Company that made the card is out of business. Can't get much worse than that.
Overall Rating
:
No Opinion
Product: Korg M1 Plus+1
Price Paid: US $1500
Submitted
02/07/2000
at
08:41am
by
Mike Doster
Email: none
Ease of Use
:
1
I've been enlightened by reading the other reviews of the new '64s, and quite franklyl, the problem goes alot futher back than that. My Korg M-1 is the best sounding synth I've ever bought, BUT-here we go, there was never now, or has there ever been customer service from Korg. Get over it, that's just the way they do business. You want to get out cheap, buy the modules for the sound only and use your computerized sequencers and sound editors! They (Korg) DO make some really great sounds, they just really SUCK on instructions and customer service. jI sent my M-1 in for service ONE TIME, because I hit a B-flat while in the wrong mode and lost all internal sounds altogether. It would MIDI out but wouldn't play it's own keyboard! It ONLY TOOK THEM 6 MONTHS TO GET IT BACK TO ME!!!!!! What the hell am I supposed to play in the mean time??? This has been going on for a long long time, and they severely need to PAY SOME F**KING ATTENTION TO THEIR PROBLEMS, and not just let people bear the brunt of it when THEY buy their goods! Feel raped yet? But, I love the sounds...
Features
:
No Opinion
Expressiveness/Sounds
:
No Opinion
Reliability
:
No Opinion
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
Overall Rating
:
1
Still, with all the problems with KORG, the sounds are worth it, if you have something else to play while your machine is in the shop for 6 Months or so...
Product: Korg M1 Plus+1
Price Paid: US $2100 new in '92/600 new in '97/ 1000used in '90
Submitted
07/28/1998
at
07:45pm
by
Anonymous
Ease of Use
:
10
I might be biased, but this is perhaps one the easier synths to use, ever. Of course I've owned 3 since 1990 (One died in a car wreck, the other two I still have).
Features
:
8
The Plus+1 (Invision made it) adds some more "multisamples" to the basic M1. I can't imagine not having them, now. Sadly, Invision doesn't make them anymore, so if you don't got it, you won't get it; at least that's what their reps told me. Even sadder though was that this upgrade did not add any new effects. That sucks, although the M1 effects are adequate for most things, there just isn't enough variety to suit all my moods. Bonus: New drum kits added!
Expressiveness/Sounds
:
8
The additional multisamples are pretty damn cool. I am reluctant to give this a 10 out of 10 since there are quite a few keyboards that exceed here. However, at the time, and for the money, it offered a lot. Look, as far as I'm concerned, you need to spend a lot of time with ANY keyboard to really wrangle the most out of it. I can do more with a single M1 than some can do with the latest and greatest synths.
Reliability
:
10
Absolutely Outstanding in the Reliabilty dept. I have played well over 1000 gigs with these. Never once had a problem with 'em. Honestly, they can take a lot of abuse. They are also pretty easy to service (battery and cleaning) if you're so inclined to do so.
Customer Support
:
10
Like I said above, my first one was mangled in a car wreck. It happened at the worst possible time since it was summertime in North Carolina. We had tons of gigs scheduled and I had no keys. We called up a Korg USA Distributor and they sent a keyboard out to me in 2 days, customized with the then new Plus 1 addon. So maybe it's not exactly customer support, but maybe it is. Oh did I mention that Insurance Company of the person who hit us paid for it. Sweet.
Overall Rating
:
10
I own several keys: Two Korg Wavestation EX synths, an Ensoniq VFX, a Korg X5DR, a Kurzweil MicroPiano and of course my two M1 Plus+1's. Each synth has a dedicated purpose, but the M1's go with me on my gigs. I don't gig with the other gear. Why? Because the M1's are proven performers. Sure the sounds are a little dated. Although, you can still pick out the Piano sample in today's newer music. Some say this synth is boring. I say is their creativity that lacks, not the M1.
