Korg Z1?

rukiddnme29 · Post by **rukiddnme29** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 6:17 am

I own a CS6X with the AN expansion and want to buy a second synth to compliment it. With the 6X and AN card, I have my rompler and old analog sounds pretty much covered. I wanted to get something else that would be different and all I've read about the Z1 makes it sound like it might fit the bill. I have played around with a MS2000, Nord Lead 2 and Micron. Does the Z1 copare to any of these or is it it's own species? I've read bunches of stuff on the internet about it but my style is totally 80's new wave and most reviews seem to only emphesize the lack of real sounds. 12 voice polyphony is fine for me so that's not an issue but I would like to know if it is capable of decent pads. I had a Juno 60 and loved it for the pads but I know this wont sound like that. I'm not expecting pure analog sound but is it way more digital than the above mentioned VA synths.

Yeah, I know this is a series of questions but I'm on my second bottle of seriously cheap Shiraz and I couldn't find any older posts about the Z1 on this sight and ya'll have the best opinions. I should add, I want to stay in the $500 range.

Also, any online demo links would be much appreciated!

gryphon · Post by **gryphon** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 7:30 am

the z1 doesn't really sound like the ms2000, it's pretty digital but it's really fun for a lot of pad-type sounds. get the expansion card, 18 voices is sweet. It also sounds great through a filter. It also is handy with string, brass-type and rhodes sounds.
http://www.mediafire.com/?8n021dzdnmv
samples

cheers

Antonin · Post by **Antonin** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 8:22 am

It's based on physical modeling, so it's not exactly a VA, like the others synth you mention.
There are some great pads, and various evolving sounds, all very playable with the X-Y pad.

here is some noodling with a nice pad and some X-Y-ing

:
http://home.scarlet.be/~tsa10920/Z1_wind_evolves.mp3

(there's another noodling in the "60sec jam" thread in the Listening Lounge, if you want to hear more)

I'm not so sure about what sounds are used in 80's new wave, though, so I can't comment on that.

edit: forgot to add, there's also a good arpeggiator, if you're into that (afaik, i'm not really into them, personally

)

Post by **Synthacon** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 12:11 am

To put it simply the Z1 is one of the best synths you can buy. Capable of a huge range of sounds, something not all synths can do, and all of a high quality. I loved the control pad on mine.

The only thing I didnt like was the filter at times. sometimes is was a shade "bright/digital", I know it is a digital filter, but it lacked a certain something, but it is a minor point.

The depth of programming available on it is wonderous and you will never tire of owning one if you dig under the surface.

Post by **tallowwaters** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 12:59 am

while i cant comment specifically on the Z1, i do own a prophecy, which is supposedly just a limited version of the Z1, but same claim it to sound more raw...

anyhow, the prophecy sounds nothing like the ms2000 or any other virtual analog. in truth, i think it sounds better, VA wise, than the ms2000. but i would think anybody that would truly appreciate the Z1 wouldnt be after some analog emulation, the fm and physical modeling are where its at.

the prophecy sounds more like a flute, guitar, and saxophone than any run of the the mill workstation/romple i have ever heard. it is easily one of the most expressive instruments developed in the last 10 years.

you are going to have to dig deep to get the gorgeousness of of that Z1. its a committment to make those sounds, but i find my prophecy well worth all the time i invest

gordwiebe · Post by **gordwiebe** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 6:30 am

hey,
talk some more about the Z1!
I just got mine about a week ago and I'm in love with it.
The original poster said he had the AN expansion... I've got an AN1X (which I truly love as well) and I find the Z1 to be almost completely opposite and complimentary to it - recommended pairing (goodbye micron).
I'm finding the Z1 to excel at complex pads, smooth and glossy sounds with a digital sheen, leads and all sorts of wackiness with the different modeled oscillators and excessively assignable EG's and LFO's. I've also gotten some great natural sounding squeeling free jazz horns and solo strings out of this thing so far.
Also, the keyboard and its intuitive aftertouch plus XY pad make for a very expressive interface.
Hint:
Before I made my purchase I discovered searching for "Z1" reveals no posts (not enough characters), so try searching for "MOSS" or "prophecy".

gs · Post by gs » Thu Jul 05, 2007 2:59 pm

The Z1 is a monster. I've had mine for well over 3 years and I'm STILL in love with it. I think it's one of the most expressive performance (poly)synths out there. Incredible bang for buck.

Yeah, those trumpet and horn sounds, you can make them "spit" and breathe with that x/y pad. There seem to be just enough knobs there (14 fixed, 5 assignable) for all the realtime performance control that you really need. It's more a performer's synth than a programmer's one, although once you get used to the interface, the possibilities are practically endless.

It has a VA engine that includes standard analog and comb-filtering, as well as modeling brass, plucked and bowed strings, organ, EP, woodwind, and other stuff. The real point of this synth, though, is in the absolutely bizarre textures you can get by blending several models together in ways they weren't intended.

MitchK1989 · Post by **MitchK1989** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 4:53 pm

I kind of miss my Z1, to the point of me considering trading my AN1X for one and buying a good soft editor for it. The possibilities with the FM engine are rather nice, and it has excellent performance controllers. It's damn heavy though, so I might just have to grab a prophecy once I'm in better financial shape...

Korg Z1?

Korg Z1?

Re: Korg Z1?