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Korg 01/W: Myth or fact?


Sundown

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Hey all,

 

If you remember the Korg 01/W, there was a story that circulated about the origin of its name. It's been said that the intended name was "M10", and that it was read upside down and became the 01/W.

 

I'll set aside the debate as to whether it was a good instrument or not, but I can say that it had one of the worst names. It takes effort to say it, and it just doesn't roll off the tongue.

 

I'm curious if it's a true story or not...

Sundown

 

Working on: The Jupiter Bluff; Driven Away

Main axes: Kawai MP11 and Kurz PC361

DAW Platform: Cubase

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If you remember the Korg 01/W, there was a story that circulated about the origin of its name. It's been said that the intended name was "M10", and that it was read upside down and became the 01/W.

 

I've been told by Korg folks that this is true. The way it was related to me is that the sticker was put on upside down on the first unit that was shown publicly, and they just went with it.

 

Jerry K. can probably shed more light on this, if/when he sees this thread.

 

dB

:snax:

 

:keys:==> David Bryce Music • Funky Young Monks <==:rawk:

 

 

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I've been told by Korg folks that this is true. The way it was related to me is that the sticker was put on upside down on the first unit that was shown publicly, and they just went with it.

If it's true (and I'm not claiming it isn't), where'd the slash come from?

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I have a 76 key 01/W Pro FD. Built like a tank. It has some nice sounds.

 

And yes every time I try to remember what the hell the name is I just remember M10 upside down. So it must be true.

Yamaha S90XS, Studiologic VMk-161 Organ

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"oh-won-double-you" - That's hard to say? Maybe depending on your accent. :poke:

"I'm so crazy, I don't know this is impossible! Hoo hoo!" - Daffy Duck

 

"The good news is that once you start piano you never have to worry about getting laid again. More time to practice!" - MOI

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If you remember the Korg 01/W, there was a story that circulated about the origin of its name. It's been said that the intended name was "M10", and that it was read upside down and became the 01/W.

 

I've been told by Korg folks that this is true. The way it was related to me is that the sticker was put on upside down on the first unit that was shown publicly, and they just went with it.

The version of this story as told by Keyboard Mag is that they initially wanted to call it the M10 because it was the sequel to the M1. Another engineer argued that doing this would disregard the significance of the T series that followed the M1. So somebody else turned the M10 label upside down, and that became the name that stuck. :cool:

><>

Steve

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A friend of mine has an 01/Wfd that he is going to give me free of charge (it has one broken key).

 

So what's so cool about? Just general 90s digital awesomeness? Is there a standout characteristic?

 

I've had one for many happy years and I'd say it sounds "big," due to the compensations required for its 35KHz sampling rate. Newer synths are more pristine at 44.1 and up. EQ and exciters help it a lot, so it can sparkle, but aside from the subset of unique, killer sounds that sidestep the question easily, its about the beef. It has a few grainy patches, yet even a few of those sit up and bark when layered with an inherently shinier synth. I bought a TR61 and they layer like champs. Its also an M1 done right with enough voices, so with a little effort, I came up with very useful pianos, choirs and organs. You can blend or tame the 90s out of it pretty easily. (I also recommend Kid Nepro for a base library. They offer good palettes for it.) Set it up as a module, tweak some of the sounds that grab you initially for solo-type parts and then use the rest as support/blend patches or effects, taking care to avoid the Magic Organ and seagull patches as if they had leprosy of the tongue. Those are the 01W's "Digital Native Dance." :P

 

 

You don't realize that you're intelligent until it gets you into trouble.
      ~ James A. Baldwin :keynana:

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(I also recommend Kid Nepro for a base library. They offer good palettes for it.)

Speaking of name origins, I've often wondered where "Kid Nepro" came from. Maybe a closet nephrologist (Kidney Pro)?

Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.

-Mark Twain

 

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"oh-won-double-you" - That's hard to say? Maybe depending on your accent. :poke:

It's not hard to say, but I don't find the name as pretty as "M1."

 

I was going to pick up a Korg 01/Wpro last year, but that never happened. I would have loved to own it, but I've come to realize I have no space for one!

~ Sean

Juno-60, Juno-G, MicroBrute, MS-20 Mini, PX-5S, R3, etc.

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Speaking of name origins, I've often wondered where "Kid Nepro" came from. Maybe a closet nephrologist (Kidney Pro)?

 

The owner posted the origin of the Kid Nepro name quite along time ago. IIRC, it had a "kidney connection," but I forget the details.

 

 

When an eel hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that's a Moray.
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