KORG M3-88 XPANDED

KORG> 2000 euros | > 2600 dollars

The Next Coming Of M - A Third Generation Keyboard Workstation
The M3 heralds the third generation of Korg Workstations. The M1 is the keyboard workstation that 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 keyboard 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.

Korg Redefines the Keyboard Workstation Category Once Again.
The Korg M3 features a number of innovations distilled from the flagship OASYS including the 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 an instant groove to play along with, and the new "Korg Komponent System" concept that facilitates more flexible system construction, this keyboard workstation/sampler opens a new and exciting page in music making. Plain and simple, the Korg M3 is the keyboard workstation that rightfully deserves to wear the "M" that started it all.

Features

Keyboard

  • 88-key weighted action (RH3: Real Weighted Hammer Action 3 keyboard with 4-zone graded action response)
  • Controllers : Joystick, Ribbon Controller, [SW1], [SW2]
  • Interface : To Module (for connection to M3-M tone generator module) - To Module (second) (available on 73-key and 88-key)
  • Display : 5.7 inch color TouchView™ GUI, 320 x 240 dot, X–Y control function
  • Control Inputs : Damper Pedal (half damper pedaling supported), Assignable Switch, Assignable Pedal
  • Frequency response: 20 Hz–20 kHz, +/-1.0 dB, 10 k Ohms load - THD+N: 20 Hz–20 kHz, 0.08 % 10 k Ohms load (typical)

Dimensions
Module: 26.50"(W) x 7.95"(D) x 3.23"(H)

  • M3-88 and Module: 56.10” (W) x 17.40” (D) x 5.15” (H)(module down) - 56.10” (W) x 17.40” (D) x 8.14” (H)(module up)

Weight

  • M3-88: 58.42 lbs (26.5 kg)
  • Module: 10.58 lbs
  • Current Consumption : 35 Watts

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, 1344 preloaded ( EDS: 1,216 +RADIAS: 128) (with EXB-RADIAS option installed)
  • 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 441 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)
    • EX-USB-PCM04: V1 Stereo Piano approximately 57 Mbyte (when calculated as 16-bit linear), 8 multisamples (including four 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*

Program Structure (EDS)

  • Oscillator : OSC1 (Single), OSC1+2 (Double)
  • Stereo multisamples are supported : 4 velocity zones per oscillator, with switching, crossfades and layers.
  • 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
  • Combination Structure : 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
  • Drum Kit Structure
  • 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

Sampling

  • 16-bit, linear, 48 kHz mono/stereo sampling
  • Resampling available (Open Sampling System)
  • 64 Mbyte memory standard (expandable up to 320 Mbyte with EXB-M256 option)

Sampling Time (MEDIA)

  • Maximum sampling time to a USB storage device is a maximum of approximately 80 minutes for one sample file, for either mono or stereo. This occupies approximately 440 Mbytes for mono, or 879 Mbytes for stereo.
  • 1,000 Multisamples, 4,000 Samples, 128 indexes per sample
  • Supports Korg format, AIFF, WAV, AKAI S1000/S3000 (with advanced Program conversion), SoundFont 2.0 reading
  • Sample directly from audio CDs (CD-DA) Time Stretch, Time Slice, Crossfade Loop, and other editing features

Effects

  • 5 Insert Effects (stereo in/out), 2 Master Effects (stereo in/out), 1 Total Effect (stereo in/out) are available simultaneously
  • 2 effect control busses, 2 effect common LFOs
  • 170 types (can be used for Insert/Master/Total.) Note: double-size effects cannot be used as a Total effect.
  • Effects Presets: Up to 32 per Effect, 700 effect presets
  • AUX bus: Two internal buses for sampling and routing audio to the EXB-RADIAS
  • 3-band Track EQ (High, low, and sweepable mid band) Per Program in Program Mode, per Timbre in Combination mode (16 total), and per Track in Sequencer mode (16 total)
  • X-Y control
  • X-Y MODE The TouchView display can be used as an X-Y controller. Hold function provided.
  • X–Y Motion function
  • X–Y Control finger movements can be recorded in realtime, and memorized for each Program, Combination, or Song.
  • Program mode : Oscillator volume, synth parameters, and effect parameters can be controlled.
  • Combination, Sequencer modes : Timbre/track volume, synth parameters, and effect parameters can be controlled.

Sequencer

  • 16-track MIDI sequencer with 480 ppq resolution
  • 128 Songs, 20 Cue Lists, 210,000 notes (max)
  • Tempo: 40.00 – 300.00 BPM (1/100 resolution)
  • 16 preset/16 user Template Songs
  • 522 preset patterns, 100 user patterns (per Song)
  • Cue List function: 20 cue lists, Songs can be arranged consecutively or repeatedly in up to 99 steps, A cue list can be converted back into a song
  • Standard MIDI File (SMF) format 0 and 1 available
  • In-Track Sampling function
  • Auto Song Setup function (One Touch Record) for easily going from a Program or Combination into “record-ready” status
  • RPPR (Realtime Pattern Play/Recording) : A set of 100 patterns are available per Song

Drum Track

  • 671 preset patterns/1,000 user patterns
  • Patterns created in Sequencer mode can be converted to drum track user patterns
  • Trigger Mode (Immediate, Wait for Keyboard), Sync (On, Off) and Zone (Key and Velocity) settings can be specified
  • Program selection, 3-band EQ and effect bussing available

Control Surface (8 sliders, 8 switches)

  • 8 Switches:
  • MIXER… PLAY/MUTE (SOLO)
  • REALTIME CONTROL= IFX1–5, MFX1, MFX2, TFX on/ off
  • EXTERNAL= External MIDI control*
  • TONE ADJUST= Control the Tone Adjust functions
  • KARMA= KARMA control
  • 8 Sliders:
  • MIXER= Volume
  • REALTIME CONTROL= Realtime modulation
  • EXTERNAL= External MIDI control*
  • TONE ADJUST=Control the Tone Adjust functions
  • KARMA= KARMA control
  • 8 velocity-sensitive drum pads and chord triggers:
  • [KARMA ON/OFF]
  • [KARMA LATCH]
  • [CHORD ASSIGN]
  • [DRUM TRACK ON/OFF]
  • [PAD MODE] - selects velocity-sensitive or fixed-velocity operation
  • [KARMA MODULE CONTROL]
  • [RESET CONTROL]
  • X-Y Control (Display), Hold, Motion

Media

  • Load, Save, Utility, Make Audio CD, Play Audio CD Data Filer functionality (Save and Load MIDI System Exclusive Data)
  • CD-ROM/R/RW (UDF Format read/write), Record & Play audio CDs (CD-DA), ISO9660 Level 1
  • WAVE file editing functionality
  • CD-ROM/R/RW can be used when a commercially-available USB drive is connected.

Audio Outputs

  • L/MONO, R - 1/4" TS (Mono), unbalanced
  • INDIVIDUAL-1, 2, 3, 4 - 1/4" TS (Mono), unbalanced
  • Output Impedance: 1.1k Ohm stereo; 550 Ohms mono (L/Mono only), Nominal Level: +4.0 dBu, Maximum Level: +16.0 dBu, Load Impedance: 10 k Ohms or greater, Signal to noise ratio: 90 dBu (typical), Dynamic range: 91 dBu (typical)
  • S/P DIF (optical 24-bit, 48 kHz), S/P DIF IEC60958 EIAJCP-1201, provides igital output of the same signals as AUDIO OUTPUT (MAIN) L/Mono, R
  • (Optional) EXB-FW - 6 channels, 24-bit, 48 kHz Sample rate, provides digital output of the same signals as AUDIO OUTPUT (MAIN) L/Mono, R and AUDIO OUTPUT (INDIVIDUAL) 1–4
  • Headphones - 1/4" TRS (Stereo), Output Impedance: 33 Ohms, Maximum Level: 32+ 32 mW @33 Ohms

Audio Input

  • 1, 2 - 1/4" TS (Mono), unbalanced
  • (level switch (MIC/LINE), level knob) - Input Impedance: 10 k Ohms, Headroom:12 dB, Input level range
  • LINE: –29 dBu – +4 dBu or greater (typical),
  • Input level range MIC: –54 dBu –17 dBu or greater (typical), Source Impedance: 600 Ohms
  • S/P DIF (optical 24-bit, 48 kHz) IEC60958 EIAJCP-1201
  • (Optional) EXB-FW - 2 channels, 24-bit, 48 kHz Sample rate
  • MIDI
  • IN, OUT, THRU

Computer

  • 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)

Reviews on Web

- Youtube (en)
- Musician’s Friend (en)
- Harmony Central (en)
- Emusician (en)
- Meet Music (fr)
- Bonedo (de)
- Thomann (de)

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