[5] The M1 has a ROM with four megabytes of 16-bit PCM tones — a large amount at the time — including instruments that had not been used extensively in mainstream music.

The timbres include piano, strings, acoustic guitar, woodwinds, sitar, kalimba, wind chimes and drums.

[5][6] The M1 also features effects, including reverb, delay, chorus, tremolo, EQ, distortion, and Leslie simulation, an innovative inclusion at the time.

[5][6] Fact attributed the success to its sampling and sequencer features, which allowed musicians to produce entire tracks without a studio before the rise of digital audio workstations.

[6] Following the success of the M1, Korg expanded its lineup with several series of new workstations, including the T-series in 1989, the 01-series in 1991, the X-series in 1993, and the N-series in 1996.

The 01/W built upon the M1’s AI synthesis with the enhanced AI2 system, which introduced additional effects and digital waveshaping.