Trend price : 200€
The M1 is world's top selling with even more units sold than Roland D-50 or Yamaha DX-7.
Overview
(weight: 13 Kg) 61 velocity keys with aftertouch. Main panel features a 16 X 40 display, 33 push buttons and 1 data slider, on the left side a single joystick for pitchbending and sweep Filter modulation control. Back panel terminal connectors:
-
PCM card slot
-
headphones out
- Midi interface
-
Main out
-
AUX out
-
1 damper pedal input
- 2 pedal inputs
Voice
16 voices based on 16 bit AI System subtractive synthesis. A
basic patch is composed by 1 or 2 PCM samples
Wavetable
4 Mb ROM and contains 149 waveforms organized in 3 categories:
- 75 PCM acoustic: acoustic instruments including strings, violins, sax and piano
- 44 PCM drum: percussions and chromatic
- 30 PCM DWGS: pre-calculated mathematically generated waves
Performance
COMBI mode manages up to 8 patches at the same time
Filter
VDF Variable Digital Filter is a non-resonant lowpass filter with Keytrack function.
LFO
-
MG1: modulates OSC1-OSC2 pitch
-
MG2: modulates filter VDF
Both LFO features 4 waveforms: triangle, saw up, saw down and square.
Envelope
there are 6 EGs:
- VDA amplitude : OSC1 and OSC2 4 segments + 2 times
- VDF filter: OSC1 and OSC2 4 segments + 4 times
- Pitch EG: :OSC1 and OSC2 4 segments + 2 times
Sequencer
works in both real-time or step notes mode (quantizing up to 1/48 resolution) and manages 8 tracks.
Memory
RAM: 100 patches
RAM: 100 combi
RAM: 10 songs + 100 patterns 4400 notes
Audio demo:
Video Clip:
Review
OK: classic / bargain price
NOT : filter / fx unit / some PCM
"M1 today sounds maybe a bit outdated but still fascinating and a very programmable machine with character and dynamics in the mix. "
Text , review, special demos copyright polynominal.com / Eric Pochesci