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How different is M3 sound from Triton/TR/X50 synth engine?
Is it worth upgrading purely in terms of sound?

Hi vladimotor,

I think there are others here on the forum who can give you all the technical differences, but I would have to say yes to your question. The M3 uses the newer EDS sound engine compared to the TR keyboards. I found it easy to hear the difference.

I was using the Korg Karma previous to my M50 purchase (the M50 has the same waveforms as the M3) and I found once I had played the M50, there was no going back. The pianos, Electric Pianos, and hammond replicas are far better than what was on the Karma.

I think once you play some of the combis and Programs on the M3, you will easily hear the difference. And I am talking strictly in terms of sounds, as I do not use the Karma function nor the chord assigns.

I think for the most part, it is technically a better sound engine. In that it colours and distorts the sound less, which is good for a Workstation and general purpose sampler/rompler.

However, The Triton has a characteristic sound which is imparted on the samples. It has truly awful filter resonance and a really strange character compared with other synths. This actually gives it somewhat of an advantage over other synths in terms of actual gritty synth sounds. Its kind of lo-fi.

If you love the synth sounds on the Triton HI synths then you'll be disappointed by the M3, M50. But if you're more into real sounds like acoustic piano, electric piano, organ, guitars, bass, strings, etc. you'll find the M3 much more accurate and clean.

The biggest differences:

The samples are better quality, and completely different from the Triton, so you get a brand new soundset.

4-way velocity-layering for each oscillator - the Triton could only do 2 for each OSC, but the M3 and M50 can also crossfade between each of the layers so that the transition between each velocity layer is smooth and more life-like, instead of hard-velocity switching. It also allows each OSC to play 2 multisamples simultaneously, so you can actually use 4 multisamples in a program.

Each Track in Combi and SEQ mode have their own 3-band EQ. The Tritons had a single EQ for all tracks. This makes a HUGE difference in the clarity of the sound, especially since by default it automatically loads the program's preset EQ settings.

There are other more complicated differences in the Filters and EG, but these are the most significant. Generally, the sound of the M3 and M50 is much smoother sounding than the HI series synths, with much, much more clarity. Also the Guitar Amp effects on the M3 and M50 are new, and simulate the real thing pretty well.

Like X-Trade said, biggest difference is in acoustic instruments, and upgrading is DEFINITELY worth it. The piano by itself sounds very convincing, and absolutely all of the acoustic instruments are much better sounding than on the Triton-series, which sound bright and tinny in comparison.

You should check out the demos on www.korg.com , and also some of the demos on You Tube.