Advice on getting a used KORG N1

 One thing to consider if recording midi is this: There are different midi standards. IOW Yamahas midi didn't always translate the same way that Rolands midi did. Korgs had midi but is wasn't always general midi.Usually the basic notes all read the same way but not all controller and sound data lined up. I had a Korg M-1 and it wasn't "general midi" compatible. Not sure about the N-1. I would check to see if it at least reads and recognizes the general midi spec.  This is important of you will be playing recorded midi files. You can make or get templates for different synths too.

 You can, of course, disregard recording midi all together and simply record the audio outputs of the N-1. The only issue here is that you don't have as much control over the recorded material.

 So you have two outputs- midi and the audio outs..to test the audio outs is pretty simple, just plug them into a line input of an amp or your interface. You can also try headphones but that doesn't mean your main outs are ok.

   The sounds are 16bit rompler types using Korgs Ai synthesis. Nothing terrible, lots of great background pads. The pianos Meh...not so much. Some of the electric pianos are decent.


 Simply test all of the keys, I think that model has aftertouch (not used as much now). I would go through all of the prog and combi patches and make sure the buttons all work ok. My M-1 had button issues...I now have the software version.

I have a Korg N1R, the rack mount version of the N1. It has a vast array of sounds, although the way they are arranged makes them difficult to find. Might be easier on the N1 with the buttons. I like the Piano sounds and the layered piano and strings is nice. It doesn't have nice color display like newer synths, but its usable. It has a serial port that you can connect to your computer, but that doesn't function anymore under the newer Windows versions.

Make sure it comes with a manual. AFAIK, the manual is not available online. Like most Korg manuals, its a difficult read, but its definitely better than nothing. 
If you want to record the N1 sounds, you have to record them onto an audio track. 
You can also record MIDI and play it back through the N1 and record that output onto an audio track. 

There is an INS file that you can find on the web that will help you use it inside of Sonar. It also has a General MIDI set of sounds. 

There's one on eBay for $375. That sounds like about the right price if its in good working order. 

AFAIK, the manual is not available online. Like most Korg manuals, its a difficult read, but its definitely better than nothing

 
Manual is here:
http://www.korg.co.uk/downloads/nseries/support/N1-N5_OWNERS_MANUAL.pdf