R3 as sound module

[joseche]

Hi all, I wonder, what can I do from another midi controller when connected to the midi in of the R3

I have one Axiom 49, and I like the R3 from what I've seen, but .....
what if I plug the midi out of the axiom into the midi in of the R3 ?, aside from the basic keys, what can I do from the Axiom into R3's brain ?

Thanks.

[X-Trade]

You can play the R3 through the Axiom's keys... And you could assign the controls on the axiom - sliders, knobs, whatever - to a select few parameters.

I don't think you'd be able to assign an entirely different sound to it. You can on the Radias though.

[tpantano]

You can play the R3 through the Axiom's keys... And you could assign the controls on the axiom - sliders, knobs, whatever - to a select few parameters.

I don't think you'd be able to assign an entirely different sound to it. You can on the Radias though.

X-trade is right, however, you can have two timbres per a sound, then make 1 timbre playable only on the r3, and the other via another keyboard.

This is a problem if one of your sounds needs two timbres (such as a Wobble Bass with a sub-bass underneath), or you need more than 7 polyphony for 1 timbre or more than 4 polyphony for both timbres (If you set one timbre to mono and one to poly you get 1 and 7 polyphony, if you set both to poly you get 4 and 4)

[joseche]

but let's see,

from the axiom I can for example split the keyboard so two parts overlap sending different midi msgs in different channels, so I can for example send keys in channels 2 and 3, and have the drum pads sending msgs in channel 10. What I will need on the R3 part will be to play different instruments on different channels, like for example:
lower half of the axiom sending keys in channel 2 = strings
higher half of the axiom sending keys in channel 3 = grand piano
drumpads in the axiom triggering a drum program previously set in the R3
keys in R3 as bass

is something like that possible ?

Also assign the knobs in the axiom to a value in the R3 ?

[tpantano]

yes and no. you can create a sound. within each sound their are two timbres that you can make. you could make one timbre be a string sound, and say the other a brass sound, then make each timbre on a different channel.

here's where the no part comes in. first of all, you can only have two timbres per sound, and only one sound at a time, so you can only run two sounds total (assuming each sound is one timbre). second of all, the R3 is a synthesizer. your never going to get a piano. people like tecroc and axxim have made decent piano-like sounds, but they're no pianos. Finally, drums. Drum sounds are hard to make (excluding bass drums) and unrealistic. Besides, you only have two timbres, so you could only make two drum parts, say bass drum and snare, and then you wouldn't be able to have any other sounds.

To sum up:
-Only 1 sound at once, consisting of 2 other sounds called 'timbres'
-No pianos or other realistic instruments, must be synthesized
-(besides bass drums) drums are unrealistic. also, you could only have two drum kit parts at a time, and no other sounds.
-you can assign your 2 timbres to seperate channels and play them seperate.

Also, I don't know you, but assuming you have 2 hands it might be hard to play 3 things at once

Also, yes, the axiom can be assigned via Midi Control Change #s (CC#s) to control the R3's knobs.

I'm thinking the Radias may be more suited to your needs. It has full drum kits built in, and you could make your axiom play a string synth in one hand, something else on other, with the radias keyboard playing a bass. The radias can run 4 sounds at once.

However, if you want any truly realistic sounds, the MS2000, MicroKorg, XL, R3, and Radias aren't for you. These are for synthetic sounds.

Synths are good at creating brass and string like sounds, though they won't be really realistic.

If you want realistic sounds, with maybe some synth sounds on the side, a ROMpler like the MicroX or X50 would be better, an M3 or M50 being best, an Oasys being above them all.

[joseche]

I would have expected a lot more from a sound module,,,,,,,,,
seems like I don't really have an option right now,

maybe the microX was too good to be true !, and that was exactly why they took it out

the worst thing is that korg's site is really a basic useless page, it doesn't say anything about why microX was taken out nor when the microstation is going to be released .....

there is exactly where other competitors are winning the fight

[X-Trade]

Well, neither the microX nor the R3 are sound modules. And they are also not equliviant. The R3 is a synthesizer, the MicroX is a rompler.

KORG UK's site says the microStation and PS60 will be available 'Summer 2010'


If I were you though, the microX, X50, and TR aren't that amazing as far as sound modules go because they only have one insert effect to share. The expanded ROM was handy, but you would still get a lot more functionality out of a 2nd hand Triton Rack - all of the 'full' triton series have five insert effects to share in a combi, much more flexible as effects are a key part in a lot of KORG's sounds.

[tpantano]

don't put used gear aside either. getting a used microX is economical and the easiest way to get one. I buy a lot of things used, including my R3; never once has something come in bad condition.

[Pastor-of-Muppets]

the worst thing is that korg's site is really a basic useless page, it doesn't say anything about why microX was taken out nor when the microstation is going to be released .....

there is exactly where other competitors are winning the fight

Really? I'd be pretty surprised to see any manufacturer's website say things like "we discontinued this product because it wasn't very easy to use and the sounds were weak" or "this had a buggy OS so we've replaced it with the Foobar 9000"