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KORG M3 XPanded MUSIC WORKSTATION/SAMPLERThe M3 enters a new dimension |
With the most major upgrade in Korg history, the M3 has just leapfrogged to head of the class. The M3 XPanded Music Workstation / Sampler is now the “go-to” keyboard for all of your performance, keyboard and workstation sessions. This power-packed upgrade offers an updated ROM, three PCM Expansion volumes, DAW-derived editing tools, advanced KARMA implementation, plus enhanced TouchView functionality and features. All new M3s contain the XPanded feature set, and existing M3 owners can supercharge their instruments with this powerful upgrade free of charge!
Careful examination of the 256 Mbyte internal ROM has allowed Korg to embellish and add many new sounds – without sacrificing any existing ones. And, as always, Korg’s renowned team of programmers have used every inch of the M3 XPanded’s EDS (Enhanced Definition Synthesis) technology to create programs that use this new data to its fullest.
• We’ve added a new set of electric pianos – both reed and tine – sampled at four velocity levels for natural expression. These programs also use the M3 XPanded’s REMS amplifier circuit modeling effects for enhanced realism and authentic tone character.
• Also on board is a robust acoustic piano – sampled in stereo at three dynamic levels; and including damper resonance sample layers – has replaced the original M3 piano.
• At Korg, we’re always taking requests, and one of the most requested sounds ever - the classic KORG SG-1D stage piano – has been added. This refined sampled piano sits nicely in the stage mix and remains popular in many musical genres
• Classic keyboards also include that funky Clav. Here it has been authentically recreated with all of the tab/pickup combinations (AC, AD, BC, BD), sampled at multiple velocity levels for a natural feel that really responds to your playing dynamics.
• Flute and string sounds taken from those mechanical nightmare tape-driven keyboards of days gone by are back, giving a truly vintage vibe to your music.
• Last but not least, another popular request has been added - a mono piano for playing live through a mono system with no cancellation or sonic loss.
Originally planned as separate M3 options, all three volumes have been added to the M3 XPanded in their entirety, free of charge! Each one contains 128 Mbytes of finely sampled top-ranked instruments, for a total of 384 Mbytes of bonus data. The M3 XPanded features two volumes of Brass & Woodwind data, and an enormous 128 Mbyte Grand Piano that is absolutely superb.
• Brass & Woodwinds (EX-USB-PCM01/02): Derived from the expansive OASYS option library, these sounds were crafted to allow expression, articulation and natural sounding playability. Combined, they offer 128 new programs and 32 new combis ideal for a wide range of musical production – from pop and sweetening to full-out orchestra. All of the solo instrument “ornaments” have been captured as well – trills, falls, growls, staccato notes and more – all adding to the authenticity, especially during solo instrument performances. Each family of instruments includes enough variations for a full instrument range; Flutes, alto flutes, piccolos; trumpet, cornet, piccolo trumpet; clarinet, bass clarinet; etc.
• Concert Grand Piano (EX-USB-PCM03): Studio sampled using a traditional “minimum mic” set-up to preserve the natural stereo imaging, this concert grand has been captured at four dynamic levels, with additional samples for realistic sympathetic string resonance, ensuring a truly superb performance – even for the pedal heavy performer. With 128 Mbytes devoted simply to piano, the samples are long and natural sounding. Six programs and six combinations provide ample variety to work with nearly any musical genre and style.
The M3 can load one expansion volume at a time. Installing the EXB-M256 memory expansion will allow all three volumes to be loaded simultaneously, and still have 128 Mbytes available for user sampling. This will provide a total of 640 Mbytes of ready-to-use data. Combined with the program data in M3 Version 1.2, the player has instant access to 1,216 programs and 416 combis – and 32 vocoder programs!
EX-PCM “management” page
The M3 XPanded uses the TouchView display to its fullest! Three new screens have been added to the sequencer page, allowing you to view and manipulate data on-screen as graphic elements. Many users have learned this editing style from computer-based DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) software programs, and prefer the graphic convenience. Once again, Korg listens and delivers!
• Piano Roll Edit Screen: So called because individual data can appear as individual squares – similar to the holes in an old player piano roll. In this screen, elements such as note number, duration, velocity and more can be edited, deleted or created using intuitive “touch-drag” and draw operations.
Interactive Piano Roll Edit screen
• Track View Screen: Also new, this screen graphically shows all the data for a group of tracks, giving you an overview look at your music. As in the previous example, here too you can move, copy , paste, and delete measures using “touch-drag” techniques.
Track View overview screen
• MIDI SysEx Editing: Previously, all System Exclusive (SysEx) data simply showed up in the event edit screen as an undefined and inflexible data packet. With the M3 XPanded, SysEx events show up on screen using their native (M3 Exclusive) parameter names, so you can clearly identify each event - no secret decoder ring needed! This allows you to edit and work freely with these events, providing an exacting level of precision editing.
Native MIDI Sys. Ex. in Event Edit
M3 XPanded users can now take more control of the KARMATM features. KARMA Version 2.2 adds new and musically useful features such as quantizing the timing of scene changes and module triggering. For the first time, you can switch GEs (Generated Effects) in realtime as KARMA is playing, with seamless transitions. Support for User GEs allows new Generated Effects to be loaded into the M3 XPanded, and users who purchase the KARMA M3* software (Mac or Windows) can edit and create their own Generated Effects on their computers, and store them in the M3 XPanded. Eight banks of 128 GE locations (1,024 total) are available.
*Produced by Karma-Lab (www.karma-lab.com); English Version Only
Each of the effect algorithms in the M3 XPanded now come equipped with high-quality presets, created by professional sound designers and audio engineers. With 700 effect presets instantly accessible, M3 XPanded makes it easy to quickly get the right sound from any and all of the onboard effects.
M3 XPanded adds an additional 149 new and realistic drum grooves, bringing the total number of patterns to over 670. These professionally created patterns can be used to build tracks from, played back from keys using the RPPR (Realtime Pattern Play/Recording) feature, or used to enhance any live performance or song production session.
As if it wasn’t cool enough, the M3 XPanded’s color TouchView display now does even more. In the Sequencer and Combi modes, each track features a velocity meter, making it easy to quickly see which tracks/timbres are playing, and which one is playing which part. On screen knobs and sliders can by operated by simply touching one and dragging it to the correct value – a convenient time-saver! This is the same intuitive touch/drag operation featured in the new editing pages.
Color coded velocity meters
You can upgrade your unit to M3 XPanded status by simply downloading the data – free of charge – from your local distributor’s website (Click here to download now). All you need is a USB stick and you’re ready to go!
Westenders
The M3 is proving to be a big hit in the West End musical scene.
Apollo 440 - The M3 Has Landed
Apollo 440 are back, with a successful European tour, a new album in the pipeline and the Korg M3M.
M3 Brochure - 7.5MB PDF
(Download Brochure)
Overview of the M3 (Watch video)
Overview of the M3
Take a deeper tour of the features of the M3 Music Workstation/Sampler including new audio demonstrations.
Introduction to the M3 (Watch video)
A complete overview of the M3 Music Workstation/Sampler including demonstrations of the sound capabilities.
Operation Guide (Pt. 1) (Watch video)
A video operation guide created by KARMA Developer Stephen Kay featuring basic navigation, the control surface and reloading the factory data for the M3.
Operation Guide (Pt. 2) (Watch video)
A video operation guide created by KARMA Developer Stephen Kay featuring basic navigation, the control surface and reloading the factory data for the M3.
Introduction and KARMA Features
(Watch video)
KARMA Developer Stephen Kay presents an intro to the new Korg M3, discussing the second generation KARMA Technology it inherits from the OASYS. Includes real-time performances of three of the new Combis from the Factory Voicing.
M3 Demo Sequence "KARMA-fied!"
(Watch Video)
A video companion to the M3 Factory Demo Sequence "KARMA-fied!" created by KARMA Developer Stephen Kay, re-enacting many of the steps involved in the creation. Beginning with real-time KARMA performances on 8 different Combis, each section was then augmented and further developed using the internal and external sequencers.
Hybrid talks about the M3
(Watch Video)
Hybrid's Chris Healings talks about how the M3 has been incorporated into Hybrids live set up.
Grease the London Westend musical
(Watch Video)
The Korg M3 is main keyboard workstation used by the musicians for Grease the Musical.
The Karma website from the creator of Karma Stephen Kay.
