Korg Forums

Owned a KARMA back in 2001, sold it in 2004 & bought an M-audio 88-key MIDI module, thinking that I was going to convert over from using Sonar & the Karma --> MIDI controllers, Reason, and Cubase. Ended up hating Reason with a passion after enjoying the KARMA so much.

So, I purchased the M3 in June 2008 and never turned it on. It's been collecting dust for a year due to my being too busy with a business I own. Anyway, just finally getting back into music production and need some help getting it set up correctly.

1) I'm getting MIDI send and receive through my audio card, but no audio monitoring (playback) when hitting the keys, regardless of whether Cubase is open or not. The audio card works fine with everything else (iTunes, YouTube, etc.). Any idea what I'm doing wrong here?

2) Should I use the Firewire connection on the M3? If so, do I need MIDI cables at all?

3) If I connect the Firewire cable, should I connect it to my soundcard or directly to my computer?

4) I see there is also a separate USB connection on the M3 as well - should I use this or will the Firewire take care of what I'm trying to accomplish?

5) A simple question I think - how do I set up dual monitors to extend and act as one screen? I've used them before as separate screens, but never combined them before.

Finally, a couple FYI's that might help those kind enough to consider helping me out here....

- I've got a conflict in my device manager for both the Multi-Media Audio device, as well as an "SM Bus Controller." Not sure what either of these would be for. I used the drivers for my audio card to install them and as I mentioned above, everything seems to be working well, except for the playback of the M3.

- I'm running a PC w/ the M3, a Focusrite Saffire, and Cubase SL3

Any help is GREATLY appreciated....as is any unsolicited advice!

Thanks, in advance!

1) Do you also have audio cables connected to the M3? See #2...

2) Connecting the FW cable with the optional EXB-FW board will allow you to stream 6 channels of audio from the M3 to the computer, and stream 2 channels from the computer to the M3. If you don't use this, you'll have to connect audio cables from the M3's outputs to your sound card's inputs. You won't NEED a MIDI cable, but see #4 below...

3) You can connect the FW cable to either your computer, or to the Saffire, as long as that is plugged into the computer.

4) I'd recommend you use both cables... Use the USB (type A) cable for MIDI communication, and the FW cable for audio communication. The FW cable can technically do both, but MIDI over USB is faster than MIDI over FW.

5) In Windows, right-click an empty space on the desktop, then select "Properties." If you're running Vista, select "Personalize" and then click "Display Settings." If everything is plugged in correctly, you should see two monitors. Click the second one, then click on "Extend the desktop onto this monitor."

If you're still having problems, you should look further into the conflict in your device manager.

Hope this helps!

I've got audio cables connected from my M3 to the front of the Saffire. Looks like there's only inputs on the back of the Saffire for surround sound & that's it.

Re: the FW. Just so I'm understanding you correctly, you're saying that when I connect the FW, I won't even need audio cables, correct?

Furthermore, while you reccomend FW (for audio), you still recommend USB for MIDI...and doing so would be better than actual MIDI cables?

no prob on the windows instructions - that was super easy.

Thanks again, in advance, for the help!!!

Adam

Right, if you have the optional EXB-FW cable, you don't need cables to get audio in and out of your computer.

Yes, a USB cable will be faster than MIDI cables for transmitting large amounts of data.

Enjoy...

You're the man - thank you!