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Download..500 M1 Source Sounds, M1 Factory Sounds, and SoundBanks List.
Download..M1 Owners Manual, Clinic articles, and Tips.
Download.. SysExLibrarian. Sysex transfer utility, MacX.
Download.. MidiOx. Sysex transfer utility, WinXP to Win10.
Description A simple and fast way to transfer patches, OS upgrades, and more to your MIDI-connected devices. Supports all Windows 10 MIDI devices, including Bluetooth LE MIDI devices (in v1803 and higher). Supports transferring at maximum speed, or with configurable buffer sizes and delay. Part 1: 4 Best Free iPod Transfer Software to transfer music between iPod and Computer The following are some of the best free solutions when looking to transfer data from your iPod to computer or another device. ITunes As much as most people look for an alternative to iTunes, it is still one of the best transfer tools for iOS devices.
M1 Battery Replacement / Reinstall Sounds
The M1 uses a CR-2032 lithium battery to hold sounds, sequences, drum kits, and global settings in memory. When 'Battery Low (Internal)' or 'Init Program' appears in the M1's display, the internal battery must be replaced. When the battery goes dead or a new battery is installed, all sounds and previous data in the internal memory are lost.
If the M1 and computer are not MIDI connected, the only way to restore this data is with a $100 US blank MCR-03 RAM card containing your backup, or a $50 US Factory Sounds ROM card from Voice Crystal, or at a local musical instrument store that services Korg products.
If the M1 and computer are MIDI connected, use a utility program to transfer the 'Factory' backup file in the prog/combi download to restore the original sounds, drum kits, and global settings. The 'Factory' sounds are also a free download directly from KorgUK.
to install the m1 battery: ...(photos) ...(video)
- Unplug power chord and all connecting chords.
- Flip keyboard upside-down, keys away from you, on two columns of folded thick towels to keep joystick free.
- Remove bottom plate phillips screws, slide bottom plate away from you, then up to expose inside of M1. Battery is on the underside of the larger processor board. Ground yourself by touching something metal before touching inside keyboard.
- Unscrew large board. Carefully detach its two 4-wire connectors (gently pull straight up). Tilt board back on a towel exposing battery.
- Push old battery out of holder (spring loaded), noting its + side orientation up.
- Insert new CR-2032 battery in same orientation.
- Reassemble processor board, connectors, and bottom plate, sliding bottom plate in at keys then lay down over screw holes.
- Plug in and power on M1. 'Init Program' appears in M1's display.
- Set MIDI to 'Enable': GLOBAL, 5, +, UP, D, UP, F, UP, H, UP.
- Set memory protects to 'Off': GLOBAL, 6, DOWN, +, B, DOWN, +, B, DOWN.
- Sysex transfer original factory sounds from a 'Factory' backup file with a MIDI interface.
RAM Memory Card Battery Replacement
The M1's MCR-03 RAM memory card uses a CR-2016 lithium battery to preserve its data for about one year. When the battery goes dead or a new battery is installed, all data in the card is lost.
A trick to replace the battery without losing the card's data is to power on the M1 and insert the card into the top slot first, thereby using the M1's power to preserve card contents while swapping batteries.
The M1's display indicates when a RAM card's battery is low.
A RAM card has three memory partition options, the PROG/COMBI option is recommended when using the card as a Factory sounds backup. RAM card details are in the M1 manual pgs 16, 119-121.
to install the ram card battery:
- Power on M1, insert RAM card into top slot. (to preserve card contents)
- Slide out battery holder, noting battery's + side orientation.
- Insert new CR-2016 battery in same orientation into holder.
- Slide battery holder back into RAM card. (card may now be removed)
- Slide write protect switch to 'ON' to protect existing data on card, or slide write protect switch to 'OFF' to save new data to card.
- Load From Card: GLOBAL, 8, DOWN, G, G. (PROG/COMBI recommended) or Format Card(erases card data): GLOBAL, 9, +, DOWN, G, G. (100PROG/100COMBI recommended) or Save To Card: GLOBAL, 9, DOWN, G, G. (PROG/COMBI recommended)
How To Use MIDI-OX Sysex Utility
MIDI-OX is a free but complex WinXP to Win10 sysex utility. It sends a sysex sound file (a bank of up to 100 sounds) from PC to M1 and receives a sysex sound file from M1 to PC (for storing) through a USB MIDI interface.
First, the MIDI interface must be connected and a driver installed for MIDI-OX to work. Google 'YourMIDI-InterfaceName' Driver for a driver install package before proceeding. Windows Update is usually unsuccessful finding and installing a driver.
Next, prepare the M1 for sysex file transfers from the 'Just Bought A Used M1?' section below. This is a one-time task. Alert: sending a sysex sound file from PC to M1 deletes and replaces any existing sounds already in the M1.
Finally, in MIDI-OX, follow these steps. (The MIDI interface must be connected.)
- Configure MIDI setup: Options > MIDI Devices, click to hilite your MIDI Interface in the Input and Output sections.
- Save MIDI setup: type a name for the setup in the Presets field and click to hilite disk icon to save. Click OK.
- Enable sysex: Options > check Pass Sysex.
- Receive sysex bank from M1 (if saving existing sounds in M1): View > Sysex > Sysex > Receive Manual Dump. MIDI-OX will wait while you go to the M1 and press GLOBAL, 7, UP until ALL DATA is visible in the display, G. Save the dump as binary (.syx) NOT plain text.
- Send sysex bank to M1: Actions > Send > Sysex File. (Or View > Sysex > File > Send Sysex File.)
- Receive or Send unsuccessful? Try increasing delays: View > Sysex > Sysex > Configure, try increasing delay between buffers from 60 to 100ms, or try increasing delay after F7 from 60 to 100ms. Buffer delays help older slower equipment process data properly.
Korg’s Two-Card Sets
Korg no longer makes or sells M1 MPC/MSC ROM card sets. Most of the sounds from the MPC card inserted in the top slot require the corresponding MSC card with new PCM waveforms inserted in the rear slot.
The Korg branded two-card sets are: 01-(no title), 02-Synth1, 03-Drums, 04-Orchestra, 05-Piano, 06-Fretted Instruments, 07-Synth2, 08-Percussion, 09-Organ, 10-Ethnic, 11-Brass, 12-Synth3, 13-Ethnic2, 14-SoundEffects, 15-Drums2, 16-Environment.
Used Korg ROM card sets occasionally appear on eBay. Buy Korg branded cards on eBay only as mated two-card sets; a single card is useless without its MPC/MSC corresponding mate.
Internal Sequencer
The internal 8-track sequencer records and plays back songs numbered 0 to 9. A song can have 1 to 8 tracks. A track can have 1 program. Combis can't be recorded with a sequencer. A track's program assignment can be changed within a song. Sequencer effect settings override the individual effect settings of each program. The length of a song is limited to 250 measures. The size of a song is limited to 4,200 events (100progs/combis) or 7,700 events (50progs/combis).
A sequencer doesn't record the sound like a tape recorder, it records the hexidecimal number parameters generated when you press keys. Programs used in a recorded sequence must be in the M1 in their previous slot assignments for the sequence to play properly.
to play a sequence:
SEQ, B, UP/DOWN (select song0-9 to play), START/STOP.
to erase an old sequence:
SEQ, 3, +, UP/DOWN (select song0-9 to erase), G, G.
to record a new sequence:
(Set aftertouch to 'Disabled' to increase notes per track: GLOBAL, 5, +, D, DOWN.)
- SEQ, 0, B, UP/DOWN (select song0-9 to record).
- C, UP/DOWN (select track1 to record).
- F, UP/DOWN (select internal program00-99 to record on track1).
- REC, START/STOP (begin at measure M002).
- H, START/STOP (play track1).
- C, UP/DOWN (select track2 to record).
- F, UP/DOWN (select internal program00-99 to record on track2).
- REC, START/STOP (begin at measure M002).
- H, START/STOP (play track1-2).
to restore sequencer memory back to 100%:
Press SEQ. If there's less than 100%Free in the display, this trick will quickly erase all current sequencer songs and sequencer patterns, restoring 100% available memory. (also erases progs and combis in slots 50-99, so backup first.)
- Set Memory Allocation to 50prog/50combi/7700seq: GLOBAL, 6, +, +, +, UP, G.
- Check sequencer memory: SEQ. If >35%Free: REC, play keys until <35%Free.
- Set Memory Allocation to 100prog/100combi/4400seq: GLOBAL, 6, +, +, +, DOWN, G.
- Check sequencer memory: SEQ. Should be 100%Free. Reload programs and combinations.
External Software Sequencer
An external software sequencer can also record/play only programs in 8 tracks. Combis can't be recorded with a software sequencer. The M1's clock must be manually set to 'External' for every recording session with an external sequencer: GLOBAL, 5, D, UP (defaults back to 'Internal' when the M1 is turned on).
The M1 must be in sequencer mode to record/play more than one sound with an external sequencer, because only SEQ mode allows MIDI data exchange over all eight channels simultaneously. When a new channel for recording is selected in the external sequencer, the corresponding channel on the M1 must be set manually: SEQ, C, UP/DOWN (select track/channel1-8).
Why use an external sequencer? Editing recorded tracks is easier and it's better for recording long songs.
Software Multi-Track Recorder
A software multi-track recorder, like free open source Audacity, can record as many tracks as desired playing M1 progs and combis for as long as desired. The actual audio from the M1 is being recorded and stored on the computer, not the hexidecimal number parameters like a sequencer. Audacity can export the recorded audio as WAVE and AIFF, and export as MP3, WMA, and AAC with free driver downloads.
A USB Audio interface, like popular Behringer UCA202 and connecting cable, are necessary to send the audio from M1 to computer. A USB MIDI interface can't send audio. There are no special settings to make on the M1.
Sticky Keys
The white lithium grease on the key-guides under the keys thickens and dries out over time. Unfortunately, the only proper way to re-grease sticky keys is to literally take the M1 apart to reach the guides. This is a daunting task, far more difficult than replacing the battery, and may best be done by a local musical instrument store that sells and services Korg products.
Try the easy 'jiggle' trick. With the M1 off, press and hold down the keys adjacent to the sticky key. Grasp the sticky one with the other hand and rapidly move it up and down pushed to the left and right. The idea is to stir up the dried grease making it softer.
Try the more difficult 'toothpick re-grease' trick. You'll need white lithium grease, thin flat toothpicks, phillips screwdriver, flashlight.
- Remove power chord and all connecting chords.
- Mark sticky keys with adhesive tape to locate when keyboard is upside-down.
- Flip keyboard upside-down, keys toward you, on two columns of folded thick towels to keep joystick free.
- Remove bottom plate phillips screws, slide bottom plate toward you, then up to expose inside of M1. Ground yourself by touching something metal before touching inside keyboard.
- Remove 16 phillips screws holding the narrow long processor board and delicate aftertouch metal strips. Slowly and carefully lift the board/strips unit up. The connector wires on the right side will make it stiff and difficult to flip over to rest on top of the large processor board. Be VERY careful with the delicate easy-to-bend aftertouch metal strips and plastic framework, and do NOT bend the processor board.
- The middle key-guides are now exposed. The sides of a black guide rub against the key as it is pressed, keeping it from wobbling. This is the usual place that needs grease. Use a flashlight to visualize how the guide and key rub. Place a small amount of white lithium grease on each side of the guide with the tip of a toothpick. Jiggle the key to spread the grease. It only takes a small amount if placed correctly. Do NOT break off the toothpick or drop foreign objects into the key assembly.
- Carefully reposition the processor board/mental strips unit. Plastic nubs must fit in holes to align each screw hole. Don't force or bend the board. Carefully lightly screw back in place after ALL 16 nubs have been positioned. Not too tight, it's only plastic.
- Slide bottom plate in at keys, then lay down over screw holes. Replace bottom plate screws.
If determined to do-it-yourself, there's a link below on keyboard repair with photos.
Just Bought A Used M1?
on your m1...
- Make M1 MIDI ready: GLOBAL, 5, +, UP, D, UP, F, UP, H, UP.
- Remove memory protects: GLOBAL, 6, DOWN, +, B, DOWN, +, B, DOWN.
- Put M1 in 100/100 memory: GLOBAL, 6, +, +, +, DOWN, G.
- Check M1 is working: PROG, 00. Check volume. Play keyboard with headphones.
data dump from m1 to computer...
- From the software sysex utility or librarian's File menu look for 'New...' or 'New Bank...' to open a blank sound bank file.
- Click a 'Receive' or 'Capture' button to receive the M1's sound bank through your MIDI interface into the computer.
- The program will wait while you manually send the data dump from M1 to computer: GLOBAL, 7, UP, UP, UP, UP (for 'All'), G.
send data from computer to m1...
- From the software sysex utility or librarian's File menu look for 'Open...' or 'Open Other...' or 'Open Any...' to open an existing sysex sound bank file.
- Click a 'Send' or 'Transmit' button to send the sound bank through your MIDI interface into the M1.
- Click the M1's 'UP' button, then the 'DOWN' button. The first 00 sound of the new bank should be visible in the display.
Sysex Transfer Program Definition
Frequently Used Keyboard Commands
- Data Dump From M1->PC: GLOBAL, 7, UP/DOWN (select file type), G.
- Select Internal <-> External Sequencer: GLOBAL, 5, D, UP/DOWN (select).
- Disable Aftertouch: GLOBAL, 5, +, D, DOWN.
- Erase Sequencer Song: SEQ, 3, +, UP/DOWN (select song), G, G.
- Erase Sequencer Track: SEQ, 4, +, +, UP/DOWN (select track), G, G.
- Load From Card: GLOBAL, 8, DOWN, G, G.
- Transpose: GLOBAL, +, F, UP/DOWN (+12 = +1 octave, 00 = default, -12 = -1 octave.)
M1 Links
Sysex Transfer Program Download
eBay has M1 stuff for sale right now. Check it out.
KorgUK has a free download of the M1's original Factory sounds and manual.
Patchman Music has Mac & PC sysex utilities for free download.
Do-It-Yourself keyboard repair FAQ, or contact a local musical instrument store.
Voice Crystal sounds: $80 ROM card, $50 Factory ROM card, $100 blank RAM card.
Pro-Rec sounds: $70 ROM card, $40 email.
Kid Nepro sounds: $30 email.
ManyMidi sounds: $100 multi-disk sets.
Audacity has a free software multi-track audio recorder. PC, Mac, & Linux.
Amazon has a selection of MIDI interfaces, including Roland UM-1 and M-Audio Midisport Uno.
Amazon has the Behringer UCA202 Audio interface.
Amazon has a connecting cable for the Behringer UCA202 Audio interface.
Zzounds has a selection of MIDI interfaces.
MIDI-Store has a selection of MIDI interfaces.
Amazon has a $6 replacement M1 power cord.
MusiciansFriend has a $40 padded M1 Gig Bag.
Dollar Tree has the Korg M1 CR2032 lithium coin battery for, well, $1.