Korg M3-88 Xpanded Music Workstation / Sampler

The Korg M3 Expanded is a free upgrade available to all owners of the Korg M3. This upgrade, which is a free download from the Korg website, adds 384MB of waveform Rom, giving a total of 640MB at your disposal via three additional 128MB ROM Volumes - this is an unrivalled level of wave ROM, and is even equivalent to that offered by OASYS! All you need to do to access these additional volumes (PCR-1, 2 & 3) is to download them to a USB stick via a PC, and then plug them into your M3.
Note that only one volume at a time can be loaded into the internal 256MB of wave ROM, unless you have the Korg EXB-M256, which enables access to the entire 640MB block of wave ROM and still leaves 128MB free for user sampling. This will provide a total of 640 Mbytes of ready-to-use data. Combined with the program data in M3 Version 1.2, the player has instant access to 1,216 programs and 416 combis - and 32 vocoder programs!

Korg M3 Expanded Features:

Expansion PCM Libraries, Volumes 1 - 3
DAW - Derived Sequencer Editing
Track View Screen
MIDI SysEx Editing
KARMA Version 2.2
700 Effect Presets
Tons o' Drums

The next coming of M - The Korg M3 heralds the third generation of Korg Workstations. The M1 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 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 was the forbearer of the successful TRITON range of products. Now Korg is poised to refine the workstation category once again. With 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, the Korg M3 61 has learned a lot from its upper-end sibling. Adding innovations such as the new concept of "virtualized hardware" that allows an even closer integration with DAW systems, and the new "Korg Komponent System" concept that facilitates more flexible system construction, the M3 61 music workstation/sampler opens a new and exciting page in music making, and is the workstation that rightfully deserves to wear the "M" that started it all.

Korg M3 61 Features:

New EDS (Enhanced Definition Synthesis) sound generator derived from the OASYS's HD-1 engine supports up to four-way velocity switching, and features powerful filter configurations plus advanced modulation possibilities, producing rich and vivid sounds.
A gigantic 256 Mbytes (16-bit linear data equivalent) of 48 kHz sampled PCM memory contains a total of 1,028 multisamples and 1,606 drum samples, including many stereo and velocity-switched elements.
The same second-generation KARMA functionality featured on the OASYS, an all-new Drum Track function, the Open Sampling System, and a high-resolution16-track MIDI sequencer provide a new production environment that lets you seamlessly combine your inspirations into completed form.
The color touch-view GUI ensures excellent operability, with the display also able to be used as an X-Y control. Eight dynamic pads and a multi-function control surface give you a high degree of control and expressive capability.
Virtualized Hardware via a new Firewire functionality allows the Korg M3 to be closely integrated into your DAW system.
Korg Komponent System --- a new concept that lets you flexibly construct your system from hardware units.
Simple, elegant, and warm design using a combination of contrasting materials.
Choose from four models (61-key, 73-key, 88-key, or a sound module), with the 61 and 73 key versions premiering a newly-develop keyboard that feels great and increases both expression and control.
A rich array of expansion possibilities includes the EXB-RADIAS (a RADIAS-derived analog modeling synthesizer board), the EXB-M256 (PCM sample memory expansion), the EXB-FW board that allows virtualized hardware expansion via a single FireWire cable, and EX-USB-PCM series libraries to be released in the future.
Korg M3 61 Specifications:
Tone Generator: 256 Mbyte preset PCM (when calculate as 16-bit, linear), 1,028 Multisamples (including seven stereo Multisamples), 1,606 Drum Samples (including 116 stereo Drum Samples)
Sampling: 16-bit, linear, 48 kHz mono/stereo sampling, resampling available (Open Sampling System), 64 Mbyte memory as standard spec (expandable up to 320 Mbyte with EXB-M256 separately sold option), max. 1,000 Multisamples / 4,000 Samples, available max. 128 indexes per sample, supports Korg format, AIFF, WAV, AKAI S1000/S3000 (advanced Program conversion), SoundFont 2.0 conversion
Polyphony: 120 voices, 120 oscillators in Single Mode / 60 voices, 120 oscillators in Double Mode
Effect System: 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
Number of Effects: 170 types (can be used for Insert/Master/Total)
Program/Combination/Drumkit: 1,664 user Program locations (640 (512 EDS+128 RADIAS) preloaded (when EXB-RADIAS (separately sold) installed), 1,792 user Combination locations (384 preloaded), 144 user Drumkit locations (32 preloaded), 256 GM2 preset programs, 9 GM2 preset drum programs
Sequencer: 16-part multi-timbral, 16-track MIDI sequencer, 480 ppq resolution, (preset patterns TBC), 100 user patterns (per Song), 128 Songs, 20 Cue Lists, 210,000 notes capacity (max.), Standard MIDI File (SMF) format 0 and 1 supported
RPPR (Realtime Pattern Play/Recording): a set of patterns available per Song
Drum Track: (TBC)
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 ( [CONTROL ASSIGN] switch ? [RESET CONTROLS] switch, 8 sliders, 8 switches), [DRUM TRACK ON/OFF], [KARMA ON/OFF], [KARMA LATCH], [KARMA MODULE CONTROL], [KARMA SCENE1/5 ? 2/6 ? 3/7 ? 4/8], [PAD MODE], [CHORD ASSIGN], X-Y Control (Display), 8 Pads
Display: 320 x 240 dots 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 is installed), TO KYBD (for connection to keyboard assembly unit)
Current Consumption: 35 W
Accessories: AC cord, CD-ROM (M3 Editor stand-alone and plug-in versions), bracket (for M3-M only)
Keyboard: 88-key weighted action (RH3: Real Weighted Hammer Action 3 keyboard with 4-zone graded action response)
Controllers: Joystick, Ribbon Controller, [SW1], [SW2]
Computer System Requirements: To be confirmed in early 2007.

M3 Options:

EXB-FW - FireWire Board
EXB-M256 - 256 Mbyte Sample Memory Expansion Board,
EXB-RADIAS - RADIAS Synthesizer Board
EX-USB-PCM series PCM Expansion USB Memories
XVP-10 EXP/VOL Pedal
EXP-2 Foot Controller
DS-1H Damper Pedal
PS-1 Pedal Switch

Note - Specifications and features are subject to change without notice.