The instrument
The Korg M1, released in 1988, is one of the most iconic digital synthesizers and considered as the first workstation in music history. It was revolutionary for integrating a synthesizer, sequencer, and digital effects in one unit, making it a versatile tool for musicians and producers. Korg duplicated the M1 with the 2 U rack version M1R. The sound generation is identical.
The M1's success can be attributed to its high-quality sounds, user-friendly interface, and powerful features, which set a new standard for keyboard workstations. It became widely used across various music genres, including pop, rock, electronic, and dance music. Notable artists such as Depeche Mode, The Cure, Kitaro, Kenji Kawai, Mike Oldfield, Quincy Jones, Pink Floyd and Queen utilized the M1 in their productions, contributing to its legendary status.