Korg M3 73 Key Pro Keyboard Workstation

Since the M1’s production run ended in 1994, Korg has constantly upped the ante and offered keyboard workstations that always pushed the envelope and offered more features for less, every time around. To this day the Korg T-series, 01w, X-series, N-series, Trinity and Triton workstations all developed loyal followings and can still be seen and heard to this day as part of countless musician’s live rigs and home and professional studio environments.

The recent release of the flagship OASYS workstation, with it’s robust build and advanced feature set was a huge leap forward in synth/workstation technology but was priced out of reach for many musicians. It’s with open arms and ears that Korg brings us the M3 series of Korg workstations! Boasting many of the features and attributes of the famed OASYS, the M3 has been designed to be a more affordable option for those seeking the very best in a synth workstation.

The Korg M3 comes in 3 delicious flavors; 61 key, 73 key and an 88 full-size key, graded weighted action version. Onboard are 1344 preloaded Programs with room to store an additional 1,664, 416 preloaded Combinations with additional room for 1,792 user “Combi” locations, 32 Drum Kits with space for an additional 144 of your tweaked versions. There are also 256 GM2 Programs along with 9 GM2 Drum Kits. That’s a lot of real estate, and it all comes standard out of the box! These are comprised of the 1,077 multi-samples (including 7 stereo) and 1,609 Drum Samples (including 116 stereo) nestled within the EDS (Enhanced Definition Synthesis) sound generator derived from the OASYS HD-1 engine design, includes the advanced second-generation KARMA functionality, and the multi-purpose control surface. There are also expansion options aplenty so read on, we’ll get to that in a moment.

A powerful, built-in 16 track sequencer allows you to compose, track, edit, mix and master a fully realized, professionally fleshed out musical production worthy of your precious musical masterpieces and film scores. You can sequence up to 210,000 notes at 480 ppq resolution, save up to 128 songs with 20 cue lists. There’s a ton of content onboard to assist with song creation so drumming up some inspiration is a breeze. There are 16-preset/16 user Template Songs configured and ready to take on your musical ideas. No need to configure a song when the inspiration strikes, these well-thought out and executed templates get you started by saving you much time and energy from setting them up. There are 522 preset patterns and 100 more locations for your user tweaked patterns. Auto Song Setup function (One Touch Record) is available for easily going from a Program or Combination into “record-ready” status. Talk about your instant gratification!

Easy there, we’re not quite done. There is built-in sampling onboard the Korg M3
featuring 16-bit, linear, 48 kHz mono/stereo sampling and resampling available with 64 Mbyte memory standard (expandable up to 320 Mbyte with EXB-M256 option). This allows for 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. Sampling supports Korg format, AIFF, WAV, AKAI S1000/S3000 (with advanced Program conversion), SoundFont 2.0 reading Samples directly from audio CDs (CD-DA) Time Stretch, Time Slice, Crossfade Loop, and other editing features. This type of power and control make the need for a separate sampler a moot point…you’re totally covered just using the M3.

What about onboard effects? Well you’ve definitely arrived at the right workstation. There are 5 Insert Effects (stereo in/out), 2 Master Effects (stereo in/out) and 1 Total Effect (stereo in/out) that are available simultaneously. You can choose from 170 types such as compressor and limiter, amp modeling and speaker simulation effects using Korg’s proprietary “REMS” modeling technology, and evocative effects like the Grain Shifter and Talking Modulator.

Now we’ve arrived at some delicious icing on the cake so to speak; The Korg M3’s control surface doubles as an external controller for your DAW! The built-in 8 sliders, 8 switches, knobs and pads can be used to control parameters on your DAW or softsynths when in External Mode. A whopping 102 setups are stored in the M3 so communication is as easy as selecting your DAW’s name with the touch of a button…the M3 will map out the rest. You can store up to 128 setups of your own.

Around the back within a sea of gozintas and gozoutas are 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) so transferring and backing up important data is as easy as U. S. B!

Options for the Korg M3 include the EXB-FW FireWire Expansion Board providing 2 channels of digital audio Input and 6 channels of digital audio Output, in addition to FireWire MIDI. (M3 Operating System Version 1.10 or higher is required to use the EXB-FW).

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

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.

Round out this amazing feature set with Korg’s newly developed semi-weighted synth action (61 and 73 key versions) and an 88-key weighted action (RH3: Real Weighted Hammer Action 3 keyboard with 4-zone graded action response), useful controllers including a Joystick and ribbon controller along with 2 switches (Sw1, Sw2) and a stunning 5.7 inch color TouchView™ GUI, 320 x 240 dot, X–Y control function touch screen and you’ve got a plentiful, loveable, music production monster worthy of the letter “M”. All of which is worthy of the name Korg.