Korg M3 88 Key Music Workstation

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.

Now Korg Redefines the Keyboard Workstation Category Once Again.
TheKorg M3features 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 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.

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, and441 Mbyte EX-USB)

1,077 Multisamples including 7 stereo

1,609 Drum Samples including 116 stereo

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.

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 (RAM)
RAM1 (64 Mbytes standard) allows up to approximately 11 minutes 39 seconds of mono sampling or approximately 5 minutes 49 seconds of stereo sampling. 512 bytes are used by the system.

RAM2 (256 Mbytes when the EXB-M256 is installed) allows up to approximately 46 minutes 36 seconds of mono sampling or approximately 23 minutes 18 seconds of stereo sampling.

RAM1+RAM2 (Total 320 Mbytes) allows up to approximately 58 minutes 15 seconds of mono sampling or approximately 29 minutes 7 seconds of stereo sampling. (Continuous sampling across RAM1 and RAM2 is not possible.)

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.

XY Motion function
XY 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.

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

KARMA
One KARMA module available in Program Mode, four KARMA modules available in Combination and Sequencer Modes, plus Master Control module
2,093 preset GEs (Generated Effect)

1024 user GE locations
Controllers: ON/OFF, LATCH, MODULE CONTROL, KARMA SLIDERS 18, KARMA SWITCHES 18, KARMA SCENES 1/54/8 (8 scenes)
KARMA Wave Sequence, Freeze Randomize, Time Signature Control, Auto RTC (Realtime Control) Setup

Controllers
Control Assign

(T18, T916, INPUTS), REALTIME CONTROL, EXTERNAL, TONE ADJUST, KARMA

Control Surface (8 sliders, 8 switches)

8 Switches:
MIXERĶ PLAY/MUTE (SOLO)
REALTIME CONTROL= IFX15, 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

* In External mode, the eight sliders, eight switches, and eight pads can be used as MIDI controllers, allowing you to control software synthesizers or DAW software via CC settings. 128 setups can be stored (102 are preloaded).

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) 14
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)

Keyboard
To KYBD (for connection to keyboard assembly unit)

System Requirements
Computer with the KORG USB-MIDI Driver

Windows
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition/Professional Service Pack 2 or later (MIDI Driver for the 64-bit editions is a Beta version), all editions of Microsoft Windows Vista (MIDI Driver for the 64-bit editions is a Beta version), computer supports Windows XP/Vista with USB port (Intel USB Host Controller recommended).

Macintosh
Mac OS X 10.3.9 or later, Apple Macintosh with USB ports supports Mac OS X 10.3.9 (PowerPC/Intel-based supported).

Please use the latest Korg USB/MIDI driver.

M3 Editor/Plug-In Editor

Windows
Windows XP Home Edition / Professional Service Pack 2 or later, Intel Pentium III/1 GHz or faster, 512 Mbyte or larger memory (1 Gbyte or larger recommended.) After a Vista Compliant version of the application is released, we will perform an operational check.

Macintosh
Mac OS X 10.4 or later, G4/800 MHz or faster (Intel-based Mac supported, G5 and/or Core Duo recommended), 512 Mbyte or larger memory (1 Gbyte or larger recommended)

Computer with the EXB-FW

Windows
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition / Professional Service Pack 2, computer supports Windows XP with Firewire port.

Macintosh
Mac OS X 10.4 or later, Apple Macintosh with Firewire ports supports Mac OS X 10.4 (PowerPC/Intel-based supported).

Options
EXB-FW

The EXB-FW FireWire Expansion Board option provides 2 channels of digital audio Input and 6 channels of digital audio Output, in addition to FireWire MIDI for the Korg M3 Music/Workstation.

M3 Operating System Version 1.10 or higher is required to use the EXB-FW.

Mac Users: Mac users will need to update to Leopard or OS 10.4.11 to use the EXB-FW.

EXB-M256
The EXB-M256 is a proprietary RAM expansion for use with the M3 Music/Workstations sampling and future PCM expansion capabilities. It adds 256 Mbytes of memory for a total memory spec of 320 Mbytes.

EXB-RADIAS
The optional EXB-RADIAS is a 24-voice, 4-part multi-timbral (1 timbre per Program, up to 4 Programs can be used in Combi and Sequencer modes) RADIAS Synthesizer Board for the Korg M3 Music/Workstation. This powerful MMT-based (Multiple Modeling Technology) synth engine features dual oscillators which combine to offer analog-modeled waves, PCM waves, noise, ring mod and more. Waveform modulation, Variable Phase Modulation (VPM), Unison voice thickening, PWM and cross-mod expand the sonic palette. The EXB-RADIAS offers the same vocoder as the RADIAS, offering 16 bands with individual control over level and panning. Internal or external audio can be run through the EXB-RADIAS to be gated and filtered using the internal synthesis and effects.

EX-USB-PCM series
PCM Expansion USB Memory devices

XVP-10
EXP/VOL Pedal

EXP-2
Foot Controller

DS-1H
Damper Pedal (supports half-damping)

PS-1
Pedal Switch

General
Keyboard

61-key, 73-key semi-weighted synth action (Korgs new keyboard design)

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 TouchViewѢ GUI, 320 x 240 dot, XY control function

Control Inputs
Damper Pedal (half damper pedaling supported), Assignable Switch, Assignable Pedal

Common specifications
Frequency response: 20 Hz20 kHz, +/-1.0 dB, 10 k Ohms load

THD+N: 20 Hz20 kHz, 0.08 % 10 k Ohms load (typical)

Included Accessories
Three-Pronged IECC13 Power Cable
(Model D8B5518003B)
Owners Manual (M3 Operation Guide)
CD-ROM (M3 Parameter Guide (PDF)
Voice Name List (PDF)
KORG MIDI driver
M3 Editor stand alone and plug-in versions
Bracket (Module only)

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

M3-61 and Module:
40"(W) x 14.65"(D) x 4.76"(H) (module down)
40"(W) x 14.65"(D) x 6.73"(H) (module up)

M3-73 and Module:
46.81 (W) x 14.60 (D) x 5.15 (H)(module down)
46.81 (W) x 14.60 (D) x 8.14 (H)(module up)

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
M3-61: 31.08 lbs (14.1 kg)
M3-73: 38.14 lbs (17.3 kg)
M3-88: 58.42 lbs (26.5 kg)
Module: 10.58 lbs

Current Consumption
35 Watts