sorry for asking something so basic, but im debating on getting either the m3 or the radias. i like that the radias has all the knobs and buttons to manipulate the sounds. does the m3 have the ability to change all the sounds and create new ones as well? is it easy to do like it is on the radias?
thanks
noob question
Moderators: Sharp, X-Trade, Pepperpotty, karmathanever
Hi - first off, the two are very very different!
Radias is brilliant for knob-twiddling. The M3 does it all on screen but can still twiddle existing and create new sounds.
The Radias works with timbres (up to four per sound) and the M3 works with progs (up to 16 of in each combi, I seem to remember).
The radias sequencer is entierly different and has formant motion.
The M3 has Karma, different kind of sequencer, no formant motion but also has X-Y screen (works like a Koass).
Seriously there are lots of differences. I guess you have to consider what it is you want to do with a keyboard - try them both out and see which one fits for you!
I can definitely say they are both wonderful machines - but for different reasons - but they both edit and create sounds, in answer to your original question.
Radias is brilliant for knob-twiddling. The M3 does it all on screen but can still twiddle existing and create new sounds.
The Radias works with timbres (up to four per sound) and the M3 works with progs (up to 16 of in each combi, I seem to remember).
The radias sequencer is entierly different and has formant motion.
The M3 has Karma, different kind of sequencer, no formant motion but also has X-Y screen (works like a Koass).
Seriously there are lots of differences. I guess you have to consider what it is you want to do with a keyboard - try them both out and see which one fits for you!
I can definitely say they are both wonderful machines - but for different reasons - but they both edit and create sounds, in answer to your original question.
Plugged in: Fantom 8, Jupiter-X, Jupiter 80, System-8, JD-XA, V-Synth GTv2, FA-06, SE-02, JU-06A, TR-09, VT-4, Go:Livecast, Rubix44, Shure SM7b, Push2, Ableton 11 Suite, Sibelius, KRK Rokit 5,
The Radias is a synthesizer in its purest form - it is designed for tweaking and creating unusual and electronic sounds. Its features are mainly aimed at live performance. Note that although it has a handful of basic samples, they are just that - basic.
It can make some nice string textures and an acoustic guitar or two. And IMO the EPs and Organs you can get out of it are fantastic. But it is designed for tweaking and designing your own sounds from the ground up. It has a wealth of features that support this.
The M3 on the other hand is a workstation. Admittedly it is a 'synthesizer workstation', which just means that you can edit and design sounds. But they are not generated from scratch. It has samples of organs and pianos and basses and drums and strings and synthesizer waves and everything you could think of. The whole point of a workstation is that it is designed to do a wide variety of sounds to a fairly acceptable quality. Then you can use its features (sequencer, KARMA) to create a complete song from the ground up, all in the box. Basically it is the full hardware equivalent of a modern PC running a DAW.
Admittedly in some ways it doesn't measure up to a PC. In some ways it is better. These days a lot of people do use a workstation just as a master keyboard and soundmodule. You are still getting that sound engine with a vast selection of different sounds to use in reasonable to great quality. And people use them as their principal board for live rigs, because their features make them great master keyboards and arpeggiation and live sequencing features (KARMA and RPPR) are useful for some.
So it depends on what you want to do. If you want a keyboard which can do every sound pretty well then get the M3. If you want to make entire songs without a computer then get the M3.
If you already have a bunch of other keyboards, perhaps a PC with a bunch of plugins, and you don't need pianos, strings, but are instead interested in sound design and synthesized sounds specifically, then go for the Radias.
It can make some nice string textures and an acoustic guitar or two. And IMO the EPs and Organs you can get out of it are fantastic. But it is designed for tweaking and designing your own sounds from the ground up. It has a wealth of features that support this.
The M3 on the other hand is a workstation. Admittedly it is a 'synthesizer workstation', which just means that you can edit and design sounds. But they are not generated from scratch. It has samples of organs and pianos and basses and drums and strings and synthesizer waves and everything you could think of. The whole point of a workstation is that it is designed to do a wide variety of sounds to a fairly acceptable quality. Then you can use its features (sequencer, KARMA) to create a complete song from the ground up, all in the box. Basically it is the full hardware equivalent of a modern PC running a DAW.
Admittedly in some ways it doesn't measure up to a PC. In some ways it is better. These days a lot of people do use a workstation just as a master keyboard and soundmodule. You are still getting that sound engine with a vast selection of different sounds to use in reasonable to great quality. And people use them as their principal board for live rigs, because their features make them great master keyboards and arpeggiation and live sequencing features (KARMA and RPPR) are useful for some.
So it depends on what you want to do. If you want a keyboard which can do every sound pretty well then get the M3. If you want to make entire songs without a computer then get the M3.
If you already have a bunch of other keyboards, perhaps a PC with a bunch of plugins, and you don't need pianos, strings, but are instead interested in sound design and synthesized sounds specifically, then go for the Radias.
Current Gear: Kronos 61, RADIAS-R, Volca Bass, ESX-1, microKorg, MS2000B, R3, Kaossilator Pro +, MiniKP, AX3000B, nanoKontrol, nanoPad MK II,
Other Mfgrs: Moog Sub37, Roland Boutique JX03, Novation MiniNova, Akai APC40, MOTU MIDI TimePiece 2, ART Pro VLA, Focusrite Saffire Pro 40.
Past Gear: Korg Karma, TR61, Poly800, EA-1, ER-1, ES-1, Kawai K1, Novation ReMote37SL, Boss GT-6B
Software: NI Komplete 10 Ultimate, Arturia V Collection, Ableton Live 9. Apple OSX El Capitan on 15" MacBook Pro
Other Mfgrs: Moog Sub37, Roland Boutique JX03, Novation MiniNova, Akai APC40, MOTU MIDI TimePiece 2, ART Pro VLA, Focusrite Saffire Pro 40.
Past Gear: Korg Karma, TR61, Poly800, EA-1, ER-1, ES-1, Kawai K1, Novation ReMote37SL, Boss GT-6B
Software: NI Komplete 10 Ultimate, Arturia V Collection, Ableton Live 9. Apple OSX El Capitan on 15" MacBook Pro
Well if that's what you want there is a solution that gives you both 
Buy the M3 and get the EXB-Radias expansion card. It gives the same qualities as the Radias but adds the abilities of the M3 on top.
Down sides are: no knobs to play with and you don't get as many sounds (you get one bank - 128 Radias sounds - but they do include formant motion as well).
eBay has the Radias cards every so often so you might have to wait a bit - but you could use that time getting into the M3 which is well worthwhile. Then get the card and have all the fun you want
It's really easy to install - I did it with no issues, so if I can do it am sure you can!
Buy the M3 and get the EXB-Radias expansion card. It gives the same qualities as the Radias but adds the abilities of the M3 on top.
Down sides are: no knobs to play with and you don't get as many sounds (you get one bank - 128 Radias sounds - but they do include formant motion as well).
eBay has the Radias cards every so often so you might have to wait a bit - but you could use that time getting into the M3 which is well worthwhile. Then get the card and have all the fun you want
It's really easy to install - I did it with no issues, so if I can do it am sure you can!
Plugged in: Fantom 8, Jupiter-X, Jupiter 80, System-8, JD-XA, V-Synth GTv2, FA-06, SE-02, JU-06A, TR-09, VT-4, Go:Livecast, Rubix44, Shure SM7b, Push2, Ableton 11 Suite, Sibelius, KRK Rokit 5,
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ozy
check this out bob.bobbslo wrote:thanks for the quick response, though this just makes my decision more difficult. i basically wanted a radias with a workstation. only have enough money for one though. is there any other recommendations for what im looking for within the $1500 price range?
Thanks
http://cgi.ebay.com/Korg-M3-73-Key-w-Ra ... 33624a1e81
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orpheus2006
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The radias board is something different. It adds Multi-Modelling Technology (MMT) - that's analogue, PCM, FM, formant (vocal sounding) waveform generation and a 16-band vocoder. The "Xpanded" is basically a free SW update (=new samples and sounds).bobbslo wrote:sorry for the double post - one more thing. I keep reading about the m3 expanded. is that the radias board, or something different?
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Korg M3-88 w/ EXB-Radias, Yamaha Motif Rack w/ PLG150-AN & PLG150-DR, Novation A-Station, RME Multiface II Audio Interface, Thinkpad T60 Notebook w/ Sonar X3 and various VSTi, Event TR8 monitors, Beyerdynamic DT-770 headphones
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Korg M3-88 w/ EXB-Radias, Yamaha Motif Rack w/ PLG150-AN & PLG150-DR, Novation A-Station, RME Multiface II Audio Interface, Thinkpad T60 Notebook w/ Sonar X3 and various VSTi, Event TR8 monitors, Beyerdynamic DT-770 headphones