The Korg M1 was revolutionary in 1988, but usability has aged like milk. Consider the workflow for creating a new patch from scratch (an "Initialized" sound):
To design a single pad sound, you might press buttons 300 times. This tactile disconnect is why so many M1 owners use only the factory presets. The synth is deep (it has a digital oscillator section, a filter, two multi-stage envelopes, two LFOs, and an extensive effects section), but the interface hides that depth. korg m1 editor
This is the precise problem a Korg M1 editor solves. It transforms the M1 from a "preset machine" into a sound designer's dream. The Korg M1 was revolutionary in 1988, but
The Korg M1 is deceptively complex. It is a Tone Generator with two oscillators (Multisounds) per voice, a unique digital filter, a pitch envelope, two programmable EG curves, and a full 8-track sequencer. Editing this architecture from the front panel is like trying to paint a masterpiece through a keyhole. To design a single pad sound, you might
Here is what a dedicated editor gives you:
Korg released a free editor for the M1 Le (a software version of the M1). It does not work with hardware M1. Confusion persists.