From: ljnelson@unix.amherst.edu (Laird Nelson)
Subject: Re: What synths are comparable to an M-1?
Organization: the final reckoning
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Distribution: usa
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1992 22:18:43 GMT

Shiv Naimpally (shiv@bnr.ca) wrote:
> The Kawai K1 and K1 II are grittier sounding. The K4 is cleaner (better
> DACs) but it is a budget M1. You get what you pay for ! And don't forget
> that the M1 has a sequencer built-in, while the K4 doesn't.

The K4 is also 16-bit 32 kHz whereas the K1 series is merely 8-bit.  Or perhaps
12.  I'm not sure.  Hence the "grittiness".

> The K4 has a fixed number of waveforms built in. You cannot add new
> waveforms. The M1 does take waveform cartridges and there are tons
> available from Korg and from 3rd parties. For the money, the K4 is
> good (I own a K4R) but it is not an M1. The M1 has better samples,
> is expandable is very well supported. There are all kinds of enhancements
> you can buy for the M1 as well that allow you to expand the sequencer
> memory, download samples (and use them in patches), etc..
> The M1 is much more verstaile in this respect.

The M1 is also severely lacking in programmability.  Resonant filters, 
at least for me, are a must, and that's one reason I chose the K4 over the M1.
In addition, the K4 sends release velocity messages, whereas the M1 does not.
Basically it comes down to distancing tools--to use a much-ballyhooed buzzword.
Granted that when you're dealing with a sample player first and a synth second,
which is essentially what both these synths are, you're not going to be able
to get *too* far away from the original ROM waveforms, but the K4 goes
considerably further than the M1 in these respects.

> I would suggest that if you are buying a first keyboard, you are 
> better off with the M1 because of its expandability. 

Just for what it's worth, I would recommend against it, because when you do 
get bored of the M1's characteristic sound, you can't do much to the existing
waves that are there--or even those you might import via cards--with the
limited array of tools Korg has included.

> Other keyboards to consider in the same league as the M1 are the
> Yamaha SY77, Peavey DPM3, and possibly some of the Ensoniq SQ
> keyboards (don't know much about the Ensoniqs). The Yamaha SY55,
> is also worthy of consideration.

In terms of price, the SY77 is way out of your league, if the M1 is a bench-
mark.  The SY77 is also the most "serious" of the boards that shiv has quoted
here.  It combines the FM funkiness of a DX-7 with some less than fantastic
samples, but hey: you can import those.  In terms of affordable workstations,
your best bet is probably going to be a K4 (cheap, programmable, but no 
sequencer and no expandability) or an Ensoniq SQ-1 (more expensive, nice 
onboard samples, moderate programmability, not much expandability).  The M1?
My recommendation--having owned an M3R--is that you'll get very bored of the
sounds very quickly, and short of dropping in new RAM cards, you can't really
modify them all that much.

Just thought I'd provide an alternate point of view.

LAiRD

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ljnelson@unix.amherst.edu           |
ljnelson@amh.amherst.edu            |          The Quintet-essential.
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