m50 m3 shootout

fatoni · Post by **fatoni** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 8:30 pm

is there anything the m50 can do that the m3 cant? basically all i want to do is make songs similar to what tommy rogers did in the video for korg.

EvilDragon · Post by **EvilDragon** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 8:52 pm

M3 can do all that M50 can, and a whole lot more.

leonh · Post by **leonh** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 8:55 pm

evildragon wrote:M3 can do all that M50 can, and a whole lot more.

And cost double

CfNorENa · Post by **CfNorENa** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 9:15 pm

fatoni wrote:is there anything the m50 can do that the m3 cant? basically all i want to do is make songs similar to what tommy rogers did in the video for korg.

Of the various functional differences between the M3 and the M50, the only big one that M50 has in its favor is the ability to edit arpeggios on the synth itself. The Karma algorithms on the M3, though very deep and flexible, cannot be edited on the M3, but require the Karma software and a computer. So if you do a lot of arpeggiator/pattern based recording, you might prefer the M50 for the ability to edit arpeggios on board.

In almost every other respect, though, the M3 has capabilities and functions that are not available on the M50, but not vice-versa.

fatoni · Post by **fatoni** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 10:09 pm

so the m3 doesnt have any basic arpegiators and you need a computer to edit? thats kinda stupid and now i have no idea which one is for me. i found a used m3 for not much more than an m50...confusing. im not sure if karma is a deal breaker or not

CfNorENa · Post by **CfNorENa** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 10:27 pm

fatoni wrote:so the m3 doesnt have any basic arpegiators and you need a computer to edit? thats kinda stupid and now i have no idea which one is for me. i found a used m3 for not much more than an m50...confusing. im not sure if karma is a deal breaker or not

Exactly. And one of the reasons I chose the M50 over the M3. If your decision really is hinging on arpeggiators vs. Karma, just bear in mind that you can always add Karma functionality to your M50 at a later date, if you decide you have to have it (through Karma software, which is normally $199, but which is now on sale for $149).

One more note -- one of the main reasons that some choose the M3 over the M50 is that it is also a sampler. If you get the M50, you won't be able to load new samples into it -- you're stuck with the 256 MB ROM that's already on board. Again, for me, not a problem, but make sure you're aware of this...

Good luck with your purchase.

fatoni · Post by **fatoni** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 10:45 pm

thanks for all your help man. this is really confusing as im just a guitarist although i do have an alesis micron. i dont yet know what i want except for alot of fun per dollar and lasting value. the m50 seems like the best initial deal but the m3 seems to have a better staying power. sampling doesnt concern me at the moment and i dont know if karma is a plus or minus.

CfNorENa · Post by **CfNorENa** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 10:57 pm

As far as fun-per-dollar is concerned, I think you'd be very hard pressed to beat the M50. The value-for-money on this board is phenomenal. Lasting value is a different matter, and on that issue, the M3 might have the advantage, esp. because of sampling. On the M3 xpanded, for example, they have already added a whole truckload of new samples, and thoroughly upgraded the brass sounds (which are definitely NOT the strength of the M50!). And surely there will be more sample options down the road.

As for Karma vs. arpeggiators, I think you just gotta try to log in a few hours with each synth at your local store (if you're near one). It's the only way to know for sure...

fatoni · Post by **fatoni** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 11:27 pm

im surely going to spend some long hours at the guitar center across the street from my job. i just need to learn so much and the used deal on the m3 wont last forever. i guess the wait and price arent as important as the right board for me. thanks agian

fatoni · Post by **fatoni** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 11:31 pm

...also, how can i try to work with karma at a guitar center without the computer interface?

CfNorENa · Post by **CfNorENa** » Fri Sep 18, 2009 12:56 am

Well, Karma itself is fully operational on the M3. So you don't need a computer to use Karma. Just select a Program or Combi, turn Karma on, and then begin messing around with the control surface (switches and sliders on the synth itself: just make sure that these are set to control Karma rather than other parameters -- it will all be clear to you when you're standing at the M3). You'll probably find the results impressive and baffling at the same time. What you CAN'T do on the M3 is edit the algorithms themselves (for that you do need a computer with Karma software). But believe me: just getting a simple handle on the most basic functions of Karma, as available on the M3, will keep you busy for a long, long time!

McHale · Post by **McHale** » Fri Sep 18, 2009 4:31 am

This shootout was done pretty well on Karma-labs. They really are intended for 2 different audiences. I have both and find each one better for different things. Sometimes I wish I had 2 M3's and other times I'm really glad I have the M50 (when I'm hauling gear to and from a gig for example).

There's no way to express the enthusiasm I have for the M3, but it really is the most advanced workstation I've ever used. The M50 is great in it's own right though but it's no match for the M3.

While you're demoing the M3 or M50, make sure you check out the Korg tip of the week videos so you can see some of the things they are capable of.

-Mc

kimu · Post by **kimu** » Fri Sep 18, 2009 9:35 am

i own both M3 and M50 and like McHale use them in different ways...
M3 is the center of my own "home-studio" and i use it for composing and recording my own songs or demo-songs for my band and in this i have to say that karma and enhanced sequencer (is a little bit different from M50) is a great added value. further i use M3 also for controlling some module and the sliders/touchpad are useful.

I use M50 instead for all my live gig and rehearsal with the band: great sonic power, very light but solid. i can load same song/sounds done with M3 without problems.

the real difference are Karma & Sampling not available on board in M50 and the Dual Arpeggiator (editable) in M50 and not in M3 (that uses Karma for apeggiating & much much more).

anyway, if you can buy an used M3 in mint condition with little more than M50 price, go with M3 witout doubt.

somnambulist · Post by **somnambulist** » Fri Sep 18, 2009 6:29 pm

It comes down to deciding who you are and what music you play. McHale, etc. are professional musicians and have need of both keyboards and have good uses for them. I am a professional in a different area and music and gigging are my side job. I personally know I don't need sampling or Karma because they just don't fit the music I play, therefore I saved the money and chose M50.

Another consideration is keybed. I don't have another 88 key keyboard so I paid the extra $500 for the M50-88. Now I wouldn't need that again so I could buy the M3-M to extend my home studio. A new M3-61 is going for about the price of an M50-88 so if the keybed is not important, there is no debate, go M3.

Then the kicker is that you can purchase Karma on the side for your computer for the M50 for $200. For that matter you can do most of the sampling and audio work on your computer also. So do you want it in the keybaord or not?

They are both great keyboards. You'll be happy either way.

Moonshine · Post by **Moonshine** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 8:30 am

McHale already mentioned this but here's the link to that discussion which was at Karma-Lab:

http://www.karma-lab.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13182

So there you can see actual comparisons side by side between the M3 and the M50.

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