New XPanded Free update for the M3!!

Discussion relating to the Korg M3 Workstation.

Moderators: Sharp, X-Trade, Pepperpotty, karmathanever

Post Reply
jerrythek
Platinum Member
Posts: 2931
Joined: Mon Jan 28, 2002 11:06 pm

New XPanded Free update for the M3!!

Post by jerrythek »

Read all about it at:

www.korg.com/m3

Enjoy!

Jerry
User avatar
StephenKay
KARMA Developer<br>Approved Merchant
KARMA Developer<br>Approved Merchant
Posts: 2992
Joined: Tue Jun 18, 2002 2:16 am
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Contact:

Post by StephenKay »

You can also read this, since I took the time to format it already for Karma-Lab M3 Forums: ;)

Image

M3 XPanded Music Workstation / Sampler
(courtesy of Korg USA)

“That’s one giant step…”

With the largest major upgrade in Korg history, the M3 has just leapfrogged to head of the class.
The M3 XPanded Music Workstation / Sampler is now the “go-to” keyboard for all of your performance,
keyboard and workstation sessions. This power-packed upgrade offers an updated ROM, three
PCM Expansion volumes, DAW-derived editing tools, advanced KARMA implementation, plus
enhanced TouchView functionality and features. All new M3s contain the XPanded feature set,
and existing M3 owners can supercharge their instruments with this powerful upgrade free of charge!

In-Demand Sounds at Your Fingertips
Careful examination of the 256 Mbyte internal ROM has allowed Korg to embellish and add many
new sounds – without sacrificing any existing ones. And, as always, Korg’s renowned team of
programmers have used every inch of the M3 XPanded’s EDS (Enhanced Definition Synthesis)
technology to create programs that use this new data to its fullest.
  • We’ve added a new set of electric pianos – both reed and tine – sampled at four velocity
    levels for natural expression. These programs also use the M3 XPanded’s REMS amplifier circuit
    modeling effects for enhanced realism and authentic tone character.
  • Also on board is a robust acoustic piano – sampled in stereo at three dynamic levels; and including
    damper resonance sample layers – that has replaced the original M3 piano.
  • At Korg, we’re always taking requests, and one of the most requested sounds ever - the classic
    KORG SG-1D stage piano – has been added. This refined sampled piano sits nicely in the stage
    mix and remains popular in many musical genres.
  • Classic keyboards also include that funky Clav. Here it has been authentically recreated with
    all of the tab/pickup combinations (AC, AD, BC, BD), sampled at multiple velocity levels for a natural
    feel that really responds to your playing dynamics.
  • Flute and string sounds taken from those mechanical nightmare tape-driven keyboards of days
    gone by are back, giving a truly vintage vibe to your music.
  • Last but not least, another popular request has been added - a mono piano for playing live throug
    a mono system with no cancellation or sonic loss.
Expansion PCM Libraries, Volumes 1 - 3
Originally planned as separate M3 options, all three volumes have been added to the M3 XPanded
in their entirety, free of charge! Each one contains 128 Mbytes of finely sampled top-ranked
instruments, for a total of 384 Mbytes of bonus data. The M3 XPanded features two volumes of
Brass & Woodwind data, and an enormous 128 Mbyte Grand Piano that is absolutely superb.

Image
  • Brass & Woodwinds (EX-USB-PCM01/02): Derived from the expansive OASYS option
    library, these sounds were crafted to allow expression, articulation and natural sounding playability.
    Combined, they offer 128 new programs and 32 new combis ideal for a wide range of musical
    production – from pop and sweetening to full-out orchestra. All of the solo instrument “ornaments”
    have been captured as well – trills, falls, growls, staccato notes and more – all adding to the
    authenticity, especially during solo instrument performances. Each family of instruments includes
    enough variations for a full instrument range; Flutes, alto flutes, piccolos; trumpet, cornet, piccolo
    trumpet; clarinet, bass clarinet; etc.
  • Concert Grand Piano (EX-USB-PCM03): Studio sampled using a traditional “minimum mic”
    set-up to preserve the natural stereo imaging, this concert grand has been captured at four
    dynamic levels, with additional samples for realistic sympathetic string resonance, ensuring a
    truly superb performance – even for the pedal heavy performer. With 128 Mbytes devoted
    simply to piano, the samples are long and natural sounding. Six programs and six combinations
    provide ample variety to work with nearly any musical genre and style.
The M3 can load one expansion volume at a time. Installing the EXB-M256 memory expansion
will allow all three volumes to be loaded simultaneously, and still have 128 Mbytes available 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!

DAW – Derived Sequencer Editing
The M3 XPanded uses the TouchView display to its fullest! Three new screens have been
added to the sequencer page, allowing you to view and manipulate data on-screen as graphic
elements. Many users have learned this editing style from computer-based DAW (Digital Audio
Workstation) software programs, and prefer the graphic convenience. Once again, Korg listens
and delivers!

Image

• Piano Roll Edit Screen: So called because individual data can appear as individual squares –
similar to the holes in an old player piano roll. In this screen, elements such as note number,
duration, velocity and more can be edited, deleted or created using intuitive “touch-drag” and
draw operations.

Image

• Track View Screen: Also new, this screen graphically shows all the data for a group of tracks,
giving you an overview look at your music. As in the previous example, here too you can move,
copy , paste, and delete measures using “touch-drag” techniques.

Image

• MIDI SysEx Editing: Previously, all System Exclusive (SysEx) data simply showed up in the event
edit screen as an undefined and inflexible data packet. With the M3 XPanded, SysEx events show
up on screen using their native (M3 Exclusive) parameter names, so you can clearly identify each
event - no secret decoder ring needed! This allows you to edit and work freely with these events,
providing an exacting level of precision editing.

KARMA Version 2.2 Takes Off
M3 XPanded users can now take more control of the KARMA features. KARMA Version 2.2 adds
new and musically useful features such as quantizing the timing of scene changes and module
triggering. For the first time ever, you can switch GE (Generated Effects) in realtime as KARMA is
playing, with seamless transitions. Support for User GEs allows new Generated Effects to be loaded
into the M3 XPanded, and users who purchase the KARMA M3* software (Mac or Windows) can
edit and create their own Generated Effects on their computers, and store them in the M3 XPanded.
Eight banks of 128 GE locations (1,028 total) are available.

Read What's New in KARMA 2.2 for M3 XPanded

*Produced by Karma-Lab (www.karma-lab.com); English Version Only

700 Effect Presets
Each of the effect algorithms in the M3 XPanded now come equipped with high-quality presets,
created by professional sound designers and audio engineers. With 700 effect presets instantly
accessible, M3 XPanded makes it easy to quickly get the right sound from any and all of the
onboard effects.

Tons o’ Drums
M3 XPanded adds an additional 149 new and realistic drum grooves, bringing the total number
of patterns to over 670. These professionally created patterns can be used to build tracks from,
played back from keys using the RPPR (Realtime Pattern Play/Recording) feature, or used to
enhance any live performance or song production session.

Touch –more TouchView
As if it wasn’t cool enough, the M3 XPanded’s color TouchView display now does even more. In
the Sequencer and Combi modes, each track features a velocity meter, making it easy to quickly
see which tracks/timbres are playing, and which one is playing which part. On screen knobs and
sliders can by operated by simply touching one and dragging it to the correct value – a convenient
time-saver! This is the same intuitive touch/drag operation featured in the new editing pages.

Image

How To Get It!
Current M3 Users:
You can upgrade your unit to M3 XPanded status by simply downloading the data – free of
charge – from your local distributor’s website starting in mid-September. All you need is a USB
stick and you’re ready to go!

New M3 purchasers:
Your unit may have the upgrade materials in the box; if not, you can request them for free from
your dealer or local Distributor.
User avatar
Trinity2112
Platinum Member
Posts: 578
Joined: Wed Feb 20, 2002 5:35 pm
Location: Delaware, USA

Post by Trinity2112 »

HOLY CRAP!!! :shock:
Current Korg Lineup: Kronos 61, Oasys 76 · M3-61/RADIAS · Trinity Plus/HDR · 01/WFD · 01R/W · X3R · M3R · Wavestation EX · Wavestation SR · Triton Rack/MOSS · Z1EX · TR-Rack · Karma · D3200 · iM1 · iWavestation · iMono/Poly
Other Synths: Berhinger Deepmind 12 · iProphet · Moog Model D
Dearly departed: X3
NuSkoolTone
Approved Merchant
Approved Merchant
Posts: 1069
Joined: Mon Mar 19, 2007 4:38 am

Post by NuSkoolTone »

This is REALLY cool, but I AM curious.

Are there new samples now in the ROM? How was this done?

-Was there unused memory that is now being taken advantage of?
-Achieved extra space by becoming more efficient with the existing sound set, Making room for new samples?
-Like samples were replaced with "Better" ones and is why the difference is "not noticeable"?

OR

Is this just clever programming?

I understand the sample library freebie, and that's sweet too. Just trying to get my head around the marketing.

If this is updated SAMPLES and not programming where the M3 was previously "Weak", I'd like to go check out an M3 again. Especially now that it's cheaper than when I first auditioned it.

Thanks!
User avatar
StephenKay
KARMA Developer<br>Approved Merchant
KARMA Developer<br>Approved Merchant
Posts: 2992
Joined: Tue Jun 18, 2002 2:16 am
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Contact:

Post by StephenKay »

NuSkoolTone wrote:Are there new samples now in the ROM? How was this done?
Yes.
-Was there unused memory that is now being taken advantage of?
-Achieved extra space by becoming more efficient with the existing sound set, Making room for new samples?
-Like samples were replaced with "Better" ones and is why the difference is "not noticeable"?
All of the above. ;)
User avatar
r12
Full Member
Posts: 218
Joined: Thu Dec 21, 2006 7:28 am
Location: BREST-FRANCE

Post by r12 »

KORG : respect...

=D>
YAMAHA W5 + TRITON proX (exb MOSS / exb PCM01 / exb PCM05 / exb SCSI / 64Mo) + M3-73 No.000187 v2.0 (exb Radias v2.0 / exb M256) + DOEPFER LMK2+
AKAI DPS16 + MINDPRINT Envoice + ART Dual MP + RODE NT1000
BEHRINGER DDX3216 + 4 MACKIE SRM350 + 2 MACKIE SWA1501 (+ PEAVEY KB300 )
...
User avatar
r12
Full Member
Posts: 218
Joined: Thu Dec 21, 2006 7:28 am
Location: BREST-FRANCE

Post by r12 »

a new OS is planed to support new functions ?
YAMAHA W5 + TRITON proX (exb MOSS / exb PCM01 / exb PCM05 / exb SCSI / 64Mo) + M3-73 No.000187 v2.0 (exb Radias v2.0 / exb M256) + DOEPFER LMK2+
AKAI DPS16 + MINDPRINT Envoice + ART Dual MP + RODE NT1000
BEHRINGER DDX3216 + 4 MACKIE SRM350 + 2 MACKIE SWA1501 (+ PEAVEY KB300 )
...
User avatar
kimu
Platinum Member
Posts: 1134
Joined: Wed Aug 29, 2007 9:38 am
Location: Italy,Milan
Contact:

Post by kimu »

that 's osund very good!!!

kork says
"You can upgrade your unit to M3 XPanded status by simply downloading the data – free of charge – from your local distributor’s website starting in mid-September. All you need is a USB stick and you’re ready to go"

does it means that download will be available on korg.com and all ohter national site (e.g. in italy the korg.it site forward to the Esound site that is the official distributor) ? right?


but there will be some national variants or it would be the same to download from, let say, korg.com rather than korg.it ?

thanks
vEddY
Platinum Member
Posts: 1264
Joined: Sat Jul 20, 2002 4:34 pm
Location: Zagreb
Contact:

Post by vEddY »

Now let's see how Roland and Yamaha measure up to this one. Great work from KORG crew.
Check out http://it-review.net. Reviews and news - hardware, software and musical instruments.
Personally? LPI. RHCE, RHCI, RHCX, RHCVA. MCITP 2008 certification done. MCITP Virtualization Administrator done. MCITP Exchange 2010 done. MCITP MS SQL 2008 done. MCT done. MCSE Server Infrastructure 2012, MCSE: Private Cloud, MCSE:Messaging and MCSE: Desktop Infrastructure done. VCP5-DV done. VCI done. MCITP: Sharepoint 2010 Administrator done. VCP5-Cloud done. VCP5-DT done. VCAP5-DCA done. VCP6-DCV done.
lcmorley
Senior Member
Posts: 312
Joined: Wed Jan 10, 2007 10:53 am
Location: Cardiff, South Wales, UK.
Contact:

Post by lcmorley »

Jerry,

Any sign of this making it's way to the Oasys?

Development seems to have gone very quiet on the Oasys front as of late. :(
Music is the stuff Dreams are made of!!!

Please checkout my music at www.soundcloud.com/lcmorley

My Gear History (from 11 years old until now):
Yamaha PSR-31, Technics KN1000, Technics KN5000, Technics KN7000, Korg PA-80, Korg Triton Classic, Microkorg, Korg Triton Studio, Alesis Ion, Korg Legacy Collection, Korg Triton Extreme, Roland Juno D, Access Virus TI 2, Korg M3, Korg Oasys, Roland TR-8, Korg Kronos 2 88 Platinum, Mac Studio, Logic Pro, Kontrol S61 MK3, Native Instruments Komplete Ultimate, Diva, Serum too name a few.
User avatar
DrWho
Platinum Member
Posts: 1930
Joined: Mon May 26, 2003 10:06 pm
Location: CT - USA

Post by DrWho »

How To Get It!
Current M3 Users:
You can upgrade your unit to M3 XPanded status by simply downloading the data – free of
charge – from your local distributor’s website starting in mid-September. All you need is a USB
stick and you’re ready to go!
Hmm .... who is my distributor ? Guitar Center?
User avatar
Synthoid
Platinum Member
Posts: 3300
Joined: Mon Mar 17, 2003 12:54 am
Location: PA, USA

Post by Synthoid »

Fantastic news, thanks!

Just curious about the new M3 sounds....

What bank(s) do they load in? I assume all new sounds from the last upgrade will remain intact?

8)
M3, Triton Classic, Radias, Motif XS, Alesis Ion
rfoshaug
Senior Member
Posts: 290
Joined: Tue Apr 18, 2006 2:07 pm
Location: Norway

Post by rfoshaug »

Wow, this is an amazing upgrade!! :D


But these 3 new EXB sound sets - will they be stored in ROM with the rest of the sample data? Or will we need to load them from USB?

Also, will it be possible to set them to auto-load each time the M3 boots?
ZOID
Posts: 41
Joined: Sat Sep 01, 2007 6:17 pm

Post by ZOID »

All I can say is...WOW, thank you Korg!
User avatar
kid_nepro_2002
Approved Merchant
Approved Merchant
Posts: 557
Joined: Wed Mar 27, 2002 2:11 pm
Contact:

Post by kid_nepro_2002 »

Thanks to Korg, Jerry and Stephen. Great work guys! Looking forward to playing with all the new features.
Synthoid wrote:What bank(s) do they load in? I assume all new sounds from the last upgrade will remain intact?
The new sounds get loaded into the "User-E" bank. The sounds from the last upgrade will remain, but from what I've read (from Korg) they get "re-arraged a bit and new programs have been added, so any custom combis will be broken. Programs will automatically be converted when loaded, but combis will have to be fixed by hand".
rfoshaug wrote:But these 3 new EXB sound sets - will they be stored in ROM with the rest of the sample data? Or will we need to load them from USB?

Also, will it be possible to set them to auto-load each time the M3 boots?
It's my understanding that the new EXB sets must get get loaded into RAM and the sample data has to be loaded each time you start up. Not sure about any "auto loading". I don't think that has been included.

"The M3 can load one expansion volume at a time. Installing the EXB-M256 memory expansion will allow all three volumes to be loaded simultaneously, and still have 128 Mbytes available for user sampling. "

Now would be a good idea for anyone thinking about getting the RAM expansion to go ahead and pick it up. Then you can have everything loaded in at once with room to spare!

Proton :D
www.kidnepro.com
Post Reply

Return to “Korg M3”