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Korg M1 EX

Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2011 8:19 pm
by wilfire
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?

Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2011 9:52 pm
by McHale
It should say so on bootup.

Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2011 9:57 pm
by wilfire
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

Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2011 10:38 pm
by McHale
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.

Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2011 4:14 pm
by Crystalmsc
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.

Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2011 5:47 pm
by billbaker
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.

BB

Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2011 7:01 pm
by synthjoe
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.

Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2011 7:50 pm
by McHale
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.

BB
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.

Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2011 7:53 pm
by billbaker
McHale...

BFE anywhere near Mascoutah?

Lived there as a kid 50 years ago. Aaakkk!

BB

Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2011 9:41 pm
by McHale
billbaker wrote:McHale...

BFE anywhere near Mascoutah?

Lived there as a kid 50 years ago. Aaakkk!

BB
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.

Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 1:27 am
by rawrooo
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.

BB
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?

Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 2:51 am
by synthjoe
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.

Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 2:58 am
by rawrooo
ah, ok. actually mine does go up to 189 and i dont have any cards installed, on the outside ports anyway
so cool
thx!

Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 3:47 am
by synthjoe
Happy for you! Now it's time to make some music - let us know when you post it! ;)

Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 2:19 pm
by billbaker
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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