Korg M1 User manual

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This product uses applied technology from ART Teknika’s CONSOLE.
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Table of contents
Table of contents.................................. iii
How the M1 is structured....................... 1
Combination mode....................................... 1
Multi mode .................................................. 2
Program mode............................................. 3
Global mode................................................ 4
Basic operations ................................... 5
Items in the screen .............................. 11
The Browser........................................ 16
Parameters of each mode.................... 21
Combination mode..................................... 21
Timbre Parameters ..................................................22
PERFORMANCE page .............................................25
MIDI page ..............................................................29
MASTER FX page ....................................................31
EASY page .............................................................34
OSC page ..............................................................37
VDF page ...............................................................42
VDA page ..............................................................45
CONTROL page .....................................................47
INSERT FX page ......................................................50
Multi mode................................................ 52
Track Parameter ......................................................53
PERFORMANCE page .............................................55
MIDI page ..............................................................55
MASTER FX page ....................................................56
EASY page .............................................................58
OSC page ..............................................................58
VDF page ...............................................................58
VDA page ..............................................................58
CONTROL page .....................................................58
INSERT FX page ......................................................58

iv
Program mode .......................................... 59
Performance Parameter ...........................................60
EASY page .............................................................62
OSC page ..............................................................62
VDF page ...............................................................62
VDA page ..............................................................62
CONTROL page .....................................................63
INSERT FX page ......................................................63
Global mode ............................................. 64
Writing, saving, and loading data ....... 68
Writing to internal memory ........................ 68
Saving data on your computer ................... 72
Loading data from your
computer................................................... 74
Importing system exclusive data................. 75
Appendices......................................... 76
Computer menus........................................ 76

1
How the M1 is structured
Combination mode
In this mode, the sound consists of eight timbres, each
assigned to its own program.
On the M1 software synthesizer, the actual program data
(not just a reference to a program) is loaded in each mode, so
you can stay in the current mode and edit the programs
you’re actually using.
Each combination contains the following parameters.
•Timbre adjustment parameters such as the output level,
pan, and insert effect on/off settings for each timbre.
• MIDI-related parameters for each timbre.
• Master effect parameters.
• The parameters of each program in the combination.
You can select combinations from 21 preset cards and from
new combinations (KLC PRESET card). You can also edit
and create your own combinations, and store them in the
four cards (each accommodating 50 combinations, for a total
of 200) provided by the M1 software synthesizer.
Program
MFX 1
MFX 2
TIMBRE 1
TIMBRE 8
TIMBRE 2
TIMBRE 3
TIMBRE 4
TIMBRE 5
TIMBRE 6
TIMBRE 7
Program
Program
Program
Program
Program
Program
Program
Master FX

How the M1 is structured
2
Multi mode
In this mode, the M1 software synthesizer functions as an
eight-part multi-timbral sound module.
On the M1 software synthesizer, the actual program data
(not just a reference to a program) is loaded in each mode, so
you can stay in the current mode and edit the programs
you’re actually using.
Multi mode and Combination mode are structured almost
identically, but have the following differences.
•Default output destination setting for each track (track 1 is
1+2, track 2 is 3+4, …)
• Default MIDI channel setting for each track (track 1 is
channel 1, track 2 is channel 2, …)
• In Multi mode, the master effects are used as send effects.
The send levels, return levels, and return destinations will
determine how the signal is routed. If you lower the send
levels to 0, the signals from the insert effects will be output
directly, bypassing the master effects. If you raise the send
levels, the direct sound will be mixed with the signals
from the master effects and then output.
Except for the points listed above, Combination mode and
Multi mode have the same structure. You can use Combina-
tion mode as a multi-timbral sound module, or use Multi
mode to create a single sound just like a combination.
Program
MFX 1
MFX 2
Track 1
Track 8
Track 2
Track 3
Track 4
Track 5
Track 6
Track 7
Program
Program
Program
Program
Program
Program
Program
Master FX Return

Program mode
3
Program mode
In this mode you can play and edit programs.
You can select programs from 21 preset cards and from new
programs (KLC PRESET card). You can also edit or create
your own programs, and store them in the four cards (each
accommodating 50 programs, for a total of 200) provided by
the M1 software synthesizer.
Each program uses one of three oscillator modes.
Single
These programs use one oscillator. The oscillator consists of
OSC, VDF, VDA, and Insert FX sections.
The multisounds used by the oscillator can be selected from
16 preset cards.
Double
These programs use two oscillators. Each oscillator consists
of OSC, VDF, and VDA sections, and the combined output
of the oscillators is routed to the insert effects.
Insert FX 1
Insert FX 2
Insert FX
OSC 1
Multisound
VDF VDA
Insert FX 1
Insert FX 2
Insert FX
OSC 1
Multisound
VDF VDA
OSC 2
Multisound
VDF VDA

How the M1 is structured
4
Drums
These programs use a drum kit as the oscillator. The pro-
gram consists of an OSC, VDF, VDA, and Insert FX.
On the original M1, you used Global mode to edit a drum
kit. However on the M1 software synthesizer, the drum kit
parameters are part of the program.
You can select drum kits from 21 preset cards and from new
drum kits (KLC PRESET card). You can also edit or create
your own drum kits, and store them in two cards (each
accommodating 20 drum kits, for a total of 40) provided by
the M1 software synthesizer.
Global mode
In this mode you can make settings that affect the entire M1
software synthesizer, such as Master Tune, Transpose, Glo-
bal MIDI Channel, MIDI Filter, and User Scale.
Insert FX 1
Insert FX 2
Insert FX
OSC 1
Drumkit
VDF VDA

5
Basic operations
When you move the mouse pointer over a controller or
parameter, the pointer will change shape from an arrow to a
hand. In this state, you can edit the value of a controller or
parameter.
About the Key Focus function
When you click a controller or parameter, a green border
will appear around it. This state is called “ key focus .” In this
state, you can use the up/down/left/right cursor keys of
your computer to edit the value.
If you prefer, you can disable Key Focus in Global mode.
You may wish to do this if you’re using the M1 software syn-
thesizer as a plug-in inside another application (sequencer
etc.), and don’t want the cursor key operations to conflict.
The De-acceleration function
The De-acceleration function lets you edit a value by the
speed at which you move the mouse. This applies to knobs,
graphic envelopes, graphic filters, value bars, zone bars, and
parameters. Just as when dragging while holding down the
[Shift] key, this lets you make fine adjustments by using the
mouse alone.
If you want to make large changes in a setting, move the mouse
at the usual speed until you reach the approximate value. Then
move the mouse slowly to make detailed adjustments.
Extended keyboard input functions
In addition to numerical values, you can also use the key-
board of your computer to input note numbers, etc. using
non-numerical values.
Note numbers
You can use your computer keyboard to type
note numbers such as C#1. You can also type
the numerical value as usual.
Panpot
You can use your computer keyboard to
type pan values such as L43. You can also
type the numerical value as usual.
If you double-click the parameter
area of a control and type a value, your typing is fil-
tered to allow only the permitted characters. This
makes it obvious whether the characters you typed are
valid for that parameter.

Basic operations
6
Keyboard
• Click the keyboard
A note will play.
• Drag over the keyboard
A glissando will play.
Pitchbend wheel and Modulation wheel
• You can drag these up/down to control them.
Knobs
• Drag (De-acceleration function)
This will adjust the value of the knob. The type of
response will depend on the “Knob operation” setting you
choose in Settings.
• Drag while holding down the [Shift] key of your com-
puter
This will make fine adjustments to the value. The type of
response will depend on the “Knob operation” setting you
choose in Settings.
• Double-click the value
This lets you type a numerical value from your computer
keyboard. You can also type values that include an alpha-
betical character, such as L24.
• Click the knob (Key Focus)
This allows you to use the up/down/left/right cursor
keys of your computer to make fine adjustments to the
value.
• Click while holding down the [Ctrl] key of your com-
puter (Mac: Command+click)
This will restore the default value (the initialized value).

Basic operations
7
Value bars
• Click the bar (Key Focus)
The value corresponding to the location on which you
clicked will be assigned. You can also use the up/down/
left/right cursor keys of your computer to make fine
adjustments to the value.
• Drag the bar left/right (De-acceleration function)
This adjusts the value.
• Drag the bar left/right while holding down the [Shift]
key of your computer
This lets you make fine adjustments to the value.
• Click the value (Key Focus)
This lets you use the up/down/left/right cursor keys of
your computer to make fine adjustments to the value.
• Drag a value up/down (De-acceleration function)
This adjusts the value.
•Drag the value up/down while holding down the [Shift]
key of your computer
This lets you make fine adjustments to the value.
• Double-click the value
This lets you type a numerical value from your computer
keyboard.
• Click while holding down the [Ctrl] key of your com-
puter (Mac: Command+click)
This will restore the default value (the initialized value).
Zone bars
• Click the bar (Key Focus)
The value corresponding to the location on which you
clicked will be entered. You can also use the up/down/
left/right cursor keys of your computer to make fine
adjustments to the value.
• Drag the bar left/right (De-acceleration function)
This adjusts the value.
• Drag the bar left/right while holding down the [Shift]
key of your computer
This lets you make fine adjustments to the value.
• Double-click the bar
The bar will be set to the maximum value and minimum
value.
• Click a value (Key Focus)
This lets you use the up/down/left/right cursor keys of
your computer to make fine adjustments to the value.

Basic operations
8
• Drag a value up/down (De-acceleration function)
This adjusts the value.
•Drag the value up/down while holding down the [Shift]
key of your computer
This lets you make fine adjustments to the value.
• Double-click a value
This lets you type a numerical value from your computer
keyboard. You can also type note numbers such as C#1 or
D5.
• Click while holding down the [Ctrl] key of your com-
puter (Mac: Command+click)
This will restore the default value (the initialized value).
Switches
• Click
The setting will alternate each time you click.
• Click while holding down the [Ctrl] key of your com-
puter (Mac: Command+click)
This will restore the default value (the initialized value).
Inc/Dec switches
• Click
The value will increment/decrement each time you click.
• Press
The value will increment/decrement at a speed corre-
sponding to the length of time you continue pressing the
mouse button.
• Click while holding down the [Ctrl] key of your com-
puter (Mac: Command+click)
This will restore the default value (the initialized value).
Slide switches
• Click a location, or drag to the desired position
The setting will change.

Basic operations
9
• Click while holding down the [Ctrl] key of your com-
puter (Mac: Command+click)
This will restore the default value (the initialized value).
Graphical envelopes
• Drag a point (De-acceleration function)
This adjusts the value.
•Drag a point while holding down the [Shift] key of your
computer
This makes fine adjustments to the value.
• Click a point (Key Focus)
Now you can use the up/down/left/right cursor keys of
your computer to make fine adjustments to the value.
• Click while holding down the [Ctrl] key of your com-
puter (Mac: Command+click)
This will restore the default value (the initialized value).
• Click the Point Select switch
If there are points that overlap, you can select the point
you want to edit. When you click it, Key Focus will also be
enabled, letting you edit the point by just using your com-
puter’s up/down/left right cursor keys.
If the oscillator mode is Double, the Point Select switch
function applies to the EG that is selected by the EG
SELECT setting in the EASY page.
Graphical filters
• Drag a point (De-acceleration function)
This adjusts the value.
•Drag a point while holding down the [Shift] key of your
computer
This makes fine adjustments to the value.
• Click a point (Key Focus)
Now you can use the up/down/left/right cursor keys of
your computer to make fine adjustments to the value.
• Click while holding down the [Ctrl] key of your com-
puter (Mac: Command+click)
This will restore the default value (the initialized value).

Basic operations
10
Popup menus
• Click ▼
Here you can choose a value from
the popup menu that appears.
When the menu is displayed, you
can also use the up/down cursor
keys of your computer to choose a
value. If the menu contains a sub-
menu, you can also use the left/
right cursor keys.
• Click while holding down the
[Ctrl] key of your computer (Mac:
Command+click)
This will restore the default value
(the initialized value).
Entering a name
• Double-click
Here you can type the desired name from your computer
keyboard, and press the [Enter] key.
You can enter names for combinations, programs, and
drum kits that can be written to a memory card. You
can’t enter names for drum sounds or multisounds.
Parameters
• Click the value (Key Focus)
This lets you use the up/down/left/right cursor keys of
your computer to make fine adjustments to the value.
• Drag a value up/down (De-acceleration function)
This adjusts the value.
•Drag the value up/down while holding down the [Shift]
key of your computer
This lets you make fine adjustments to the value.
• Double-click the value
This lets you type a numerical value from your computer
keyboard.You can also type note numbers such as C#1 or
D5.
• Click while holding down the [Ctrl] key of your com-
puter (Mac: Command+click)
This will restore the default value (the initialized value).

11
Items in the screen
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2
4, 5, 6
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Items in the screen
12
1. Mode Name
This indicates the current mode.
2. Master Volume
This adjusts the overall output level.
3. Combi/Prog Name, INSTRUMENT
This indicates the name of the current combination or pro-
gram, and the type of instrument.
To select the combination or program, click the name and
drag up/down or use the up/down/left/right cursor keys
of your computer.
If you click “INSTRUMENT,” a browser will appear, show-
ing other instruments and sound characters of the same
type. This is a useful way to find another sound that’s simi-
lar to the currently selected one. ( ☞ “The Browser” on page
16)
4. FILE button
This button lets you save and load M1 software synthesizer
file data, or import system exclusive data.
Click the button and choose a command from the menu that
appears.
Load
Loads an M1 software synthesizer data file from your com-
puter.
For details on loading data, refer to “Loading data from
your computer” on page 75.
Save
Saves an M1 software synthesizer data file to your com-
puter.
For details on saving data, refer to “Saving data on your
computer” on page 74.
Import
Imports system exclusive data created by the original M1 or
M1EX into the M1 software synthesizer.
For details on importing data, refer to “Importing system
exclusive data” on page 77.
5. WRITE button
Writes (stores) edited or created data into the M1 software
synthesizer’s internal memory.
The WRITE command does not save the data to your
computer; it only stores it to the M1 software synthe-
sizer’s internal memory. Any data you’ve stored will
be lost if you exit the application without saving. If
you want to keep your stored combinations and pro-
grams, click the [FILE] button and use “Save” to save
them.
For details on writing data etc., refer to “Writing to internal
memory” on page 69.

Items in the screen
13
6. UTILITY button
Copies data between modes, or loads the preloaded data.
Click the [UTILITY] button and choose a command from the
menu that appears.
Copy From Combi Mode…
Copies all the parameter settings of the combination cur-
rently selected in Combination mode to the Multi mode.
Even the parameter settings that have not been stored to the
internal memory will be copied.
When you execute the copy command, the SEND 1 and
SEND 2 levels will be set to 0 and the RETURN 1 and
RETURN 2 levels will be set to 99 for each track in Multi
mode. The output destination will be assigned as 1+2 for
RETURN 1, and as 3+4 for RETURN 2.
Copy From Multi Mode…
Copies all current Multi mode settings to the combination
selected in Combination mode. Even the parameter settings
that have not been stored to the internal memory will be
copied.
However, parameters that exist only in Multi mode, such as
the MASTER FX page “SEND” and “RETURN” parameters,
will not be copied.
Copy From Program Mode…
Copies the settings of the program currently selected in Pro-
gram mode to the selected timbre or track in Combination or
Multi mode. Parameters that have not been stored to the
internal memory will be initialized, not copied.
All Clear…
Resets all timbres or tracks to a cleared state.
Pre Load Data…
Reloads the factory data and returns all parameters to their
factory settings.
7. BROWSER switch
Opening the Browser lets you select combinations and pro-
grams. ( ☞ “The Browser” on page 16)
8. Mode Select switches
Use these to select the various modes.
COMBI: Selects Combination mode.
MULTI: Selects Multi mode.
PROG: Selects Program mode.
GLOBAL: Selects Global mode.
9. KORG logo menu
Clicking on the KORG log allows you to access the follow-
ing commands.

Items in the screen
14
All Sound Off
Transmits a MIDI All Sound Off message. You can execute
this command if the software becomes unstable or if you
experience “stuck” notes.
Load Controller Map...
Loads a controller assignment file from the computer. For
details on loading, refer to “Loading data from your com-
puter” on page 75
Save Controller Map...
Saves the assignment settings of the knobs and switches as a
file on your computer. For details on saving, refer to “Saving
data on your computer” on page 74.
Show Controller Assign
Shows or hides the CC# number assigned to performance
parameters.
In Combination or Multi modes, the CC# assignments
are shown only in the PERFORMANCE page.
Memory Card
Displays the memory cards built into the M1 software syn-
thesizer. These are shown with the design of the original M1
option cards that were on sale in the past. Click on a card,
and a browser showing the sounds of that card will appear.
( ☞ “The Browser” on page 16)
About M1
Displays the O.S. version and other information about the
M1 software synthesizer.
10. Page Select switches
These select the edit pages in each mode. The editing area
(12.) located below this row of switches displays the param-
eters available in the edit page that you’ve selected.
PERFORMANCE : Displays the PERFORMANCE page.
☞ “PERFORMANCE page” on page 25
MIDI: Displays the MIDI page
☞ “MIDI page” on page 29
MASTER FX: Displays the MASTER FX page
☞ “MASTER FX page” on page 31
EASY: Displays the EASY page.
☞ “EASY page” on page 34
OSC: Displays the OSC page.
☞ “OSC page” on page 37
VDF: Displays the VDF page.
☞ “VDF page” on page 42
VDA: Displays the VDA page.
☞ “VDA page” on page 45
CONTROL: Displays the CONTROL page.

Items in the screen
15
☞ “CONTROL page” on page 47
INSERT FX: Displays the INSERT FX page.
☞ “INSERT FX page” on page 50
11. PREVIEW switch
The PREVIEW switch plays the selected sound using one of
six audition phrases, so you can quickly audition a sound.
The timbre played by the preview playback function will be
the timbre that’s selected by “Timbre Select” or “Track
Select” ( ☞ “Timbre Select” on page 22, ☞ “Track Select” on
page 54) and any other timbres or tracks that are set to the
same MIDI channel ( ☞ “MIDI Ch” on page 30) as that tim-
bre or track.
When you click the ▼ symbol located at the right of the
[PREVIEW] switch, a popup menu will appear, allowing
you to choose the phrase used for auditioning. You can
choose from six phrases.
12. Editing area
In this area you can edit the parameters shown in each edit-
ing page.

16
The Browser
The M1 software synthesizer provides a Browser function that goes beyond a simple category-based classification, making it
easy to search through the gigantic library of sounds to find the one you need.
You can search for a single instrument or sound character, or search for multiple instruments or sound characters.
Selecting a combination or program
In each mode, click the [BROWSER] switch to access the browser screen shown below.
1
2
6
11
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