Don't know about the differences between M1 and M1R - I just got an M1R, and don't have an M1. I think it's just the keyboard... the manual is apparently for both. The M3R is a different, but very similar, creature. Somewhat of a stripped down M1R, but slightly different as well. The combi's/programs don't work between the 2, although the M3R uses the same PCM cards. Sonically pretty similar, though.