The M3 heralds the third generation of Korg Workstations. The M1 started it all, first appearing in 1988 to bring the world a new concept called the “music workstation.” It went on to become the best selling workstation in history, and was further expanded and enhanced through the T and O1/W series. Trinity defined a new level of innovations including touch screen technology and configurable effects, and was the forbearer of the successful TRITON range of products.
The M3 features a number of innovations distilled from the flagship OASYS including the new EDS (Enhanced Definition Synthesis) sound generator derived from the HD-1 engine design, the advanced second-generation KARMA functionality, and the multi-purpose control surface. Adding innovations such as the new concept of “virtualized hardware” that allows an even closer integration with DAW systems, Drum Tracks which provide a instant groove to play along with, and the new "Korg Komponent System" concept that facilitates more flexible system construction, the M3 music workstation/sampler opens a new and exciting page in music making - it’s the workstation that rightfully deserves to wear the “M” that started it all.
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!
In-Demand Sounds at Your Fingertips
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.
Expansion PCM Libraries, Volumes 1 - 3
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!
Synthesis Technology EDS (Enhanced Definition Synthesis) MMT (Multi Modeling Technology) sound generator can be added by installing the optional EXB-RADIAS
Sounds
Programs 1,664 user locations, 1,344 preloaded (EDS:1,216 + RADIAS: 128)
Combinations 1,792 user locations, 416 preloaded
Drumkits 144 user locations, 32 preloaded
GM 256 GM2 programs, 9 GM2 drum kits
Tone Generator 640 Mbyte (when converted to 16-bit linear format) (256 Mbyte internal, and 384 Mbyte EX-USB)
1,077 Multisamples including 7 stereo
1,609 Drum Samples including 116 stereo
PCM expansion options
•EX-USB-PCM01: Brass and Woodwinds 1 approximately 128 Mbyte(when calculated as 16-bit linear), 59 multisamples (including five stereo)
• EX-USB-PCM02: Brass and Woodwinds 2 approximately 128 Mbyte(when calculated as 16-bit linear), 47 multisamples
• EX-USB-PCM03: Stereo Grand Piano approximately 128 Mbyte (when calculated as 16-bit linear), 10 multisamples (including five stereo)
These can be used by loading them into RAM memory. The standard 64 Mbyte RAM memory allows only one title to be loaded. If the EXB-M256 (option) is installed, the three titles can be used simultaneously.
Maximum Polyphony 120 voices, 120 oscillators max, single mode 60 voices, 120 oscillators max, double mode*
* The actual maximum polyphony will vary depending on oscillator settings such as stereo multisamples and velocity crossfading.
Filters Four types of filter routing (single, serial, parallel, 24 dB)
Two multi-mode filters per voice (low pass, high pass, band pass, band reject) Driver Per-voice nonlinear driver and low boost EQ Three bands, with sweepable mid Modulation For each voice: two envelope generators (Filter & Amp)
Two LFOs
Two key tracking generators (Filter & Amp)
Two AMS mixers
Pitch EG
Common LFO
Two common key tracking generators
Up to sixteen timbres
For each Timbre: keyboard and velocity split/layer/crossfade
INT, OFF, EXT and EX2 MIDI status settings
3-band EQ with sweepable mid
Pitch/Transpose
Use OSC1, 2 or Both
Force Osc Mode (PRG, MONO, LEGATO, POLY)
Portamento and Bend range settings
Controller filters
Modifications to the program settings via the Tone Adjust function
Stereo and mono drum samples
4-way velocity switches with crossfades and adjustable crossfade shapes (Linear, Power, Layer)
Exclusive keygroups
Per key 3-band EQ, Drive, Lo Boost, filter and level offsets
2 USB type A hi-speed connectors, supporting 480 Mbps (for storage devices)
USB type B connector (for MIDI interface, USB 2.0 supported)
2 FireWire ports (when EXB-FW (separately sold option) installed
|