The M3 represents the third generation of Workstations from Korg, the company that invented the concept. It inherits much of its heritage from the flagship OASYS, distilled into an affordable music production package, complete with a new tone generator, new innovations and new sounds.

Main features:

The 120 voice M3 utilizes a new sound chip designed in parallel with the software that became the HD-1 in the flagship OASYS. This new synthesis system, EDS (Enhanced Definition Synthesis) shares much of the OASYS lineage low-aliasing oscillators with up to four stereo samples per, a powerful new filter topology, detailed envelope generators, a Drive parameter for analog warmth and grit, and AMS Mixers for advanced modulation. 256 MB of ROM with 1,028 multisamples and 1,606 drumsamples incorporate the best-of from the OASYS ROM complied into a new soundset. 512 expressive Programs and 384 Combinations are onboard, with space for a total of 1,664 Programs and 1,792 Combinations. For more synth power, the EXB-RADIAS expansion board is a 24-voice, single timbre version of the MMT synthesizer that fuels both the RADIAS and R3 synths. 128 great new Programs marry that engine to the many features found only in the M3. All the second-generation KARMA functions (as featured in the OASYS), are included. KARMA, a real-time phrase generator, can help users play everything from natural instrument gestures, to complex cascades of notes, dance-riffs, gated and chopping effects and more. Controllers include the classic Korg joystick, dual switches, a ribbon, and multiple pedal inputs. The color TouchView display also doubles as an X/Y pad for controlling synthesis and effects parameters, changing colors in response to your movements. The M3 features the same type of multi-mode real-time control surface as first featured on the OASYS eight sliders and switches with powerful functionality giving you total control over tweaking internal sounds, mixing tracks, interacting with KARMA, controlling external hardware, and more.
Eight great-feeling velocity-sensitive pads can be used to trigger notes, chords, even controller messages for use with KARMA or your own live performance and sequencing needs. You can store up to eight-notes per pad, retaining all the feel and nuance of your chord voicing, and play them back exactly as entered, or with full velocity scaling. All-new Drum Track feature provides user-programmable drum grooves for playing along with in both Program and Combi modes, integrating with KARMA, or used as the foundation for new songs. A new high-resolution sequencer engine offers a professional 480 PPQ for the most natural feel. It includes Korg innovations like One-Touch Record, Song Templates, RPPR, Cue List and Tone Adjust part editing. The Open Sampling System allows sampling and resampling in every mode, with 64 MB of RAM standard, expandable to 320 MB with the optional EXB-M256 board. WAV, AIFF, Akai and SoundFont 2.0 compatible. Bundled Editor/Librarian software uses USB MIDI for convenient computer connectivity. This software works in stand-alone mode or as a plug-in within host software. The EXB-Firewire option enables the M3 to interface both audio and MIDI with a computer using a single Firewire cable. The M3 shows up as a plug-in with complete control and interactive operations. The M3 comes in 61 and 73-key synth action versions, featuring a newly-designed keybed. The 88-key version uses Korgs RH3 graded weighted action keybed. All three models feature after-touch sensitivity. The M3 series offers a new design concept called the Korg Komponent System, for custom configuration as an expandable instrument. The 73-key version can host both the M3 and the RADIASR module; the 88-key version can hold dual M3 engines or the M3/RADIAS configuration.

2 effect control busses, 2 effect common LFOs 170 types (can be used for Insert/Master/Total)
M3 Music Workstation / Sampler Specifications Tone Generator: 256 Mbyte, 1,028 Multisamples, 1,606 Drum Samples Sampling: 16-bit, linear, 48 kHz mono/stereo sampling, resampling available (Open Sampling System)
64 Mbyte memory standard (expandable up to
Sounds: Programs: 1,664 user locations, 640 preloaded (512 EDS+128 RADIAS) (with EXB-RADIAS option installed)
Combinations: 1,792 user locations, 384
320 Mbyte with EXB-M256 option)
1,000 Multisamples, 4,000 Samples, 128

preloaded

Drumkits: 144 user locations, 32 preloaded GM: 256 GM2 programs, 9 GM2 drum kits

indexes per sample

supports Korg format, AIFF, WAV, AKAI
S1000/S3000 (advanced Program conversion), SoundFont 2.0 reading Polyphony: 120 voices, 120 oscillators in Single Mode / 60 voices, 120 oscillators in Double Mode Effects: 5 Insert Effects (stereo in/out), 2 Master Effects (stereo in/out), 1 Total Effect (stereo in/out) are available simultaneously
Sequencer: 16-track MIDI sequencer with 480 ppq resolution
Approx. 150 preset patterns, 100 user patterns

(per Song)

128 Songs, 20 Cue Lists, 210,000 notes (max)
*Specifications and features are subject to change without notice.
Standard MIDI File (SMF) format 0 and 1
available RPPR (Realtime Pattern Play/Recording): a set of patterns available per Song, 150 preset patterns (same presets as in sequencer) Drum Track: # of preset patterns/user patterns TBD KARMA: one KARMA module available in Program Mode, four KARMA modules available in Combination and Sequencer Mode Over 2,000 preset GEs (Generated Effect) 8 scenes, 8 sliders, 8 switches KARMA Wave Sequence, Freeze Randomize, Time Signature Control, Auto RTC (Realtime Control) Setup Controllers: Control Surface (8 sliders, 8 switches), [KARMA ON/OFF], [KARMA LATCH], [CHORD ASSIGN], [DRUM TRACK ON/OFF], [PAD MODE], [KARMA MODULE CONTROL] X-Y Control (Display) 8 Pads Display: 320 x 240 dot color TouchView GUI Control Inputs: Damper Pedal (half damper pedaling supported), Assignable Switch, Assignable Pedal Audio Outputs: L/MONO, R, INDIVIDUAL-1, 2, 3, 4, S/P DIF (optical 24-bit, 48 kHz), Headphones Audio Input: 1, 2 (level switch (MIC/LINE), level knob), S/P DIF (optical 24-bit, 48 kHz) MIDI: IN, OUT, THRU Interface: 2 USB type A connectors(for storage devices), USB type B connector (for MIDI interface, USB 2.0 supported), 2 FireWire ports (when EXB-FW (separately sold option) installed), TO KYBD (for connection to keyboard assembly unit) Accessories: AC cord, CD-ROM (M3 Editor stand alone and plug-in versions) Keyboard Assembly Unit Keyboard: 61-key, 73-key (Korgs new keyboard, semiweighted), 88-key weighted action (RH3: Real Weighted Hammer Action 3 keyboard) 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)
System Requirements for computer use: Windows Microsoft Windows XP Home/Professional Edition Service Pack 2 or later, computer supports Windows XP 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/Intelbased supported) System Requirements for M3 Editor: Windows Windows XP Home/ Professional Edition Service Pack 2 or later, Intel Pentium III/1 GHz or faster, 512 Mbyte or larger memory (1 Gbyte or larger recommended) Macintosh Mac OS X 10.3.9 or later, G4/800 MHz or faster (Intelbased Mac supported, G5 and/or Core Duo recommended), 512 Mbyte or larger memory (1 Gbyte or larger recommended) Plug-in version Supported Formats: VST, RTAS, Audio Units (Mac only)
M3 Options: EXB-FW FireWire Board

EXB-MMbyte Sample Memory

Expansion Board
EXB-RADIAS RADIAS Synthesizer Board EX-USB-PCM series PCM Expansion USB

Memory devices

XVP-10 EXP/VOL Pedal EXP-2 Foot Controller DS-1H Damper Pedal PS-1 Pedal Switch
*Mac, Mac logo and FireWire, FireWire logo are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. *Windows XP and Windows VISTA are registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries. *VST and ASIO are trademarks of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH. *The Audio Units logo and the Audio Units symbol are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. *RTAS is a trademark or registered trademark of Avid Technology, Inc., or its subsidiaries or divisions. *KARMA (Kay Algorithmic Realtime Music Architecture) is a trademark representing patented technology licensed from Stephen Kay, Karma Lab LLC, www.karma-lab.com *Sounds processed with INFINITY software.