Korg M1 EX

wilfire · Post by **wilfire** » Sun Feb 13, 2011 8:19 pm

I am looking at buying a used M1 that had the EX ROM expansion added to it. How can I tell that its there and operational?

McHale · Post by **McHale** » Sun Feb 13, 2011 9:52 pm

It should say so on bootup.

wilfire · Post by **wilfire** » Sun Feb 13, 2011 9:57 pm

McHale wrote:It should say so on bootup.

It says:

Korg Music Workstation M1

But this one was an add-on done by Korg to make an M1 into a M1 Ex

McHale · Post by **McHale** » Sun Feb 13, 2011 10:38 pm

I assumed it would have changed the display (8MB vs. 4MB or EX or something). Without opening it, I have no idea. I've never had one.

Crystalmsc · Post by **Crystalmsc** » Mon Feb 14, 2011 4:14 pm

The amount of multisamples on the EX is from 00 - 189, on the M1 is from 00 - 99. The amount of drum samplers on the EX is from 01 - 85, on the M1 is from 01 - 44. In short 275 samples on the EX and 144 samples on the M1.

billbaker · Post by **billbaker** » Mon Feb 14, 2011 5:47 pm

My recollection is that the "EX" also came with a ROM card that had to be plugged in as well in order to get the new sounds.

Contained the samples, not the program data.

I could be confusing this with a 3rd party mod [similar to the E! mod for DX-7] that was also available back in the day.

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synthjoe · Post by **synthjoe** » Mon Feb 14, 2011 7:01 pm

Crystalmsc wrote:The amount of multisamples on the EX is from 00 - 189, on the M1 is from 00 - 99. The amount of drum samplers on the EX is from 01 - 85, on the M1 is from 01 - 44. In short 275 samples on the EX and 144 samples on the M1.

Go in program edit mode and try to select a multisound beyond 99. That should tell you the truth.

McHale · Post by **McHale** » Mon Feb 14, 2011 7:50 pm

billbaker wrote:My recollection is that the "EX" also came with a ROM card that had to be plugged in as well in order to get the new sounds.

Contained the samples, not the program data.

I could be confusing this with a 3rd party mod [similar to the E! mod for DX-7] that was also available back in the day.

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I think you're right. I've seen videos of the M1 with the EX add-on and they all had a card coming out the top.

billbaker · Post by **billbaker** » Mon Feb 14, 2011 7:53 pm

McHale...

BFE anywhere near Mascoutah?

Lived there as a kid 50 years ago. Aaakkk!

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McHale · Post by **McHale** » Mon Feb 14, 2011 9:41 pm

billbaker wrote:McHale...

BFE anywhere near Mascoutah?

Lived there as a kid 50 years ago. Aaakkk!

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Wow, I hadn't even heard of that until I googled it. That's TRULY B.F.E. Looks like the most exciting attractions are the water tower and the city cemetary!

I'm in north central IL - Just north east of Bloomington.

rawrooo · Post by **rawrooo** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 1:27 am

McHale wrote:
billbaker wrote:My recollection is that the "EX" also came with a ROM card that had to be plugged in as well in order to get the new sounds.

Contained the samples, not the program data.

I could be confusing this with a 3rd party mod [similar to the E! mod for DX-7] that was also available back in the day.

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I think you're right. I've seen videos of the M1 with the EX add-on and they all had a card coming out the top.

can anyone verify that for sure? i just bought an m1rex without any cards. without them is it the same thing as a regular m1r?

synthjoe · Post by **synthjoe** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 2:51 am

rawrooo wrote:can anyone verify that for sure? i just bought an m1rex without any cards. without them is it the same thing as a regular m1r?

As already suggested, go into program edit mode and on the oscillator page (F0 page 2 or 3)scroll through multisample names/numbers. If you can get beyond 99 you have the extra ROM installed inside.

rawrooo · Post by **rawrooo** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 2:58 am

ah, ok. actually mine does go up to 189 and i dont have any cards installed, on the outside ports anyway
so cool
thx!

synthjoe · Post by **synthjoe** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 3:47 am

Happy for you! Now it's time to make some music - let us know when you post it!

billbaker · Post by **billbaker** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 2:19 pm

Rawrooo & Synthjoe

The question of the card is still there. If it's the mod I remember, the internal mod adds the architecture, but the external card adds the samples. The slots may go to 189, but if they reference an external (card) waveform you may still not get the full sound.

[Cautiously optimistic for you and hoping I'm wrong]

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