M3 KARMA LEVEL 2 TOUR

Working with KARMA on the M3

KARMA in Program Mode: Select this Program to begin: I-A-116, Hard House Kit

Eight Scenes possible per KARMA GE

1.Play any note on the keyboard or one of the eight pads: the KARMA ON/OFF switch “wakes up” ON (lit) when you select Hard House Kit, and the GE pattern starts playing immediately > The LATCH switch also wakes up ON: you need not hold a key down for the pattern to continue playing in this state > Turn LATCH OFF and you can manually re-start the pattern with any key or pad whenever you wish.

2.Select another Scene by pressing one of the four SCENE switches.

3.To toggle to Scenes 5-8, press the KARMA switch in the CONTROL ASSIGN column to choose KARMA control; then press it once more: the SCENES 5-8LED will flash > Press the 1/5 switch, and now Scene 5 will play.

KARMA Realtime Control Models

For ease of use, everything that KARMA generates has been organized into a dozen types of musical activity: these are called Realtime Control Models (RTC for short).

1.With Hard House Kit still selected, touch the “KARMA GE” tab in the display > Touch the “Drum” box to the right of “Module A” > Touch “GE #1669: House 5” [Some Kits], and a new GE pattern begins playing. The Kit name in parentheses lets you know which Kit will deliver optimum performance. You can achieve very pleasing musical results by selecting other GEs within a single RTC model!

2.For more daring experimentation, stray outside of the current Drum RTC Model > Touch the “00 Arpeggio” tab, for example, and select “GE #0040: Kalimbish 1” > Play note C#2, and a crazy but cool fill/breakdown idea happens! > Touch “OK” to accept this GE change, or hit “Cancel” to pass it by.

3.The M3 has the unique ability to link KARMA to the Drum Track > Check the box, “Link to Drum Trk”, to the right of the GE name and number, and the GE stops running > Press the DRUM TRACK ON/OFF switch to turn it on > Play any key or pad: Now KARMA and the Drum Track are running, in perfect sync!

4.Press the PAGE SELECT switch, and touch “P7-1” in the display >Touch the “Drum Track” tab: You can decide whether or not the Drum track will run alongside KARMA for each of the eight scenes.

KARMA Realtime Control: Consistency of RTC with flexibility of experimentation

The power of KARMA lies not just in the musicality of the GEs, but in their ability to be modified in realtime! Second Generation KARMA technology always brings the same parameters to the Control Surface for a given RTC Mode.

1.In the current Hard House Kit example, touch the “KARMA RTC” tab in the display > Verify that the Control Surface is still assigned to KARMA, and move FADER 1, labeled Swing % > Select SCENE #3 and play a key or pad > Park the value at 000 for a very even-sounding groove > Slowly-move the FADER up to hear different shuffle/swing percentages, all in real time! > Try values of 126 or 127: The percentage is so extreme that it force-quantizes the 16th notes to an 8th note groove.

2.Notice that the original value of FADER 1, 038, is shown in the display to the right of the fader > While holding down the RESET CONTROLS switch, nudge FADER 1 in either direction, and notice that the pre-programmed value is restored, both audibly, and visually on the display > Try to mess up the musicality of the GE by drastically moving all eight FADERS at once and change the status of the switches above the faders: simply hold RESET CONTROLS and press the SCENE 3/7 switch, and all of SCENE 3 is restored, good as new!

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Korg M3 Tips manual Eight Scenes possible per Karma GE, Karma Realtime Control Models
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M3 Tips specifications

The Korg M3 is a versatile music workstation that combines cutting-edge technology with user-friendly design. One of its standout features is its combination of a powerful synthesizer engine and a sophisticated sampling system. Understanding its main features can greatly enhance your experience as a musician.

At the heart of the M3 lies the Enhanced MMT (Multi Model Technology) synthesis engine, which offers a wide range of acoustic and synthesized sounds. This engine allows you to create, modify, and manipulate sounds with incredible detail, making it perfect for any genre. The M3's extensive library includes over 3,000 sounds and the option to expand with additional sample libraries.

One of the key technologies employed in the M3 is the Karma function, which generates real-time musical accompaniment based on the parameters you set. This feature can serve as a creative partner, applying rhythmic and melodic variations to your performance. By adjusting Karma parameters, you can explore infinite musical possibilities, from simple backing tracks to complex, evolving arrangements.

The M3 is also equipped with a 16-track sequencer that allows for in-depth composition. This sequencer is user-friendly, featuring drag-and-drop functionality and a wide range of editing options. The M3's ability to handle both MIDI and audio data makes it an ideal choice for recording and producing music.

The touchscreen interface is another significant characteristic of the M3. This high-resolution display simplifies navigation through the workstation's features. With an intuitive layout, you can easily access sounds, effects, and parameters, streamlining your workflow during live performances or studio sessions.

Effects processing is taken to the next level with the M3's Dual Engine system, offering up to 5 insert effects per program and 2 master effects. This allows musicians to color their sounds with rich reverb, delay, modulation, and more, adding depth to performances.

Additionally, the M3 features a robust sampling capability, enabling users to record and manipulate their own samples. This flexibility empowers musicians to create unique sounds, enhancing their compositions.

In summary, the Korg M3 is a powerful workstation that fuses advanced synthesis, intuitive sequencing, and extensive sampling capabilities. Its collaborative features, including Karma generation and an easy-to-use touchscreen interface, make it an invaluable tool for any musician looking to elevate their creative process. Whether you are performing live or producing in the studio, the M3 provides the tools necessary to explore and realize your musical vision.
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