Program Organization

Starting with Program Bank I-A, the first 20 sounds give you a tease of what’s inside the M3 XPanded, including an even richer palette of vintage keyboard sounds. Turn the VALUE dial past these, and all the Keyboard Programs occur in a row, followed by all the Organ Programs, and so on. (The 512 free Programs from OS V1.2 have been blended into this new arrangement.)

Note: www.korg.com/m3 also has a new version of the Editor/Librarian, with a conversion utility to reassign the new indexing of Programs for custom Combis that were made using V1’s indexing.

Velocity Metering in Combi Mode

If you checked out those new orchestral Combis in User Bank U-E, you might’ve already discovered the next cool feature; visual, color-coded velocity meters! This makes it much easier to see which timbres are active in a Combi, especially when KARMA is running. Press the “Vel Mtr” box on the Display to the right of Category to turn metering off and return to the V1 view; press again and metering toggles back on.

Touch Drag Editing

Wouldn’t it be great to be able to touch an on-screen knob or fader and drag it to a desired value? OS V2 updates the Display to do exactly that! This works on a number of screen ‘pages’; it’s especially handy in Combi or Sequence mode to quickly tweak a volume level or pan pot.

Tip: A stylus like the ones included with many PDAs or touch phones works great!

Effect Presets

It’s easier than ever to come up with great effects for your own Programs, Combis, and songs thanks to a professional library of Effect Presets: there are 700 Effect Presets in all!

1.As an example, select Program I-E-033, Sixties Twang E. Guitar.

2.Press the PAGE SELECT switch, the press P8 IFX on the Display.

3.Press the IFX1 tab, then press the upper right popup by P:

4.Use the scroll bar and scroll to the left.

Check out what this Program sounds like through Presets 04: Crunch; 12: Lead Rock Guitar; and 14: Black diamond Distorted. That’s a lot of different well-thought-out tonal colors, just by changing one Effect Preset!

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Korg M3 manual Program Organization, Velocity Metering in Combi Mode, Touch Drag Editing, Effect Presets

M3 specifications

The Korg M3 is a powerful music workstation that has made a significant mark in the world of electronic music production. Launched in 2007, this versatile synthesizer combines sampling, sequencing, and synthesis into one cohesive platform, making it a favourite among musicians and producers alike.

At the core of the Korg M3 is its enhanced version of the HI synthesis engine, featuring a wide range of sound creation capabilities. Users can access over 1,000 factory sounds, which encompass a variety of genres and styles. Furthermore, the M3 allows for extensive customization, enabling users to create and tweak their sounds, thanks to its 16-voice polyphony and extensive modulation options.

One standout feature of the M3 is its unique “M3 RADIAS” synth engine, which adds an extra layer of sonic versatility. This built-in add-on enhances the sound palette significantly by providing virtual analog synthesis, allowing users to craft anything from lush pads to sharp leads. Additionally, with its Karma technology, the M3 enables real-time control over musical phrases, offering musicians a new dimension of creativity in performances and compositions. Karma provides intelligent phrase generation and real-time manipulation, making performance more dynamic and engaging.

Sampling capabilities are also noteworthy in the M3. It offers a robust sampling interface that supports multiple formats, making it easy to integrate external sounds and samples into your compositions. The device includes a large library of high-quality sampled instruments, including pianos, strings, and brass, which can be further manipulated with effects and filters.

The Korg M3 features a high-resolution touch screen that simplifies navigation and parameter adjustment. The interface is designed to be user-friendly, allowing musicians to quickly access settings, edit sounds, and manage projects with ease. Additionally, the workstation has a built-in sequencer, enabling users to record and arrange their music effortlessly.

In terms of connectivity, the M3 is equipped with MIDI I/O, USB connectivity, and audio outputs, ensuring compatibility with various devices and setups. Overall, the Korg M3 is a comprehensive music workstation, ideal for both studio production and live performance, thanks to its powerful features, advanced technologies, and user-centric design. Its combination of sound generation, sampling, and sequencing capabilities makes it an essential tool for modern musicians looking to explore the depths of their creativity.