Any new versions of the M3 coming out soon?

[jeffrey]

Been thinking about getting one 73 key units here for a while but am having a tough time spending that much money on 3 year old technology. Have there been any announcements of a new "M4" or something to that effect?

I know they've updated the software fairly recently and could continue to do that indefinitely, but you'd think they would be coming out with something new soon. Seems like none of the companies have any new units coming out either. The Yamaha Motifs XS look interesting too, but they are the same age (which is about 30 years old in computer speak!). Love the look of the Rolands but played a G yesterday and it didn't sound that great to me.

I'd hate to buy something at the end of it's life cycle only to have the new, improved version coming out in just 3 months or something...

[X-Trade]

Even if they did come out with an M4 next month or whenever, the M3 is still a great buy. But considering the recent changes in the economic climate and the shifts in the music equipment market in general, it seems it would be unlikely for KORG to release an entirely new workstation at this point, especially when the M3 appears to still be a big seller for them.

They are only just this year coming out with cut down 'micro' and 'performance' versions of the engine, so it may have a bit of life left in it yet.

There haven't been many updates to the M3 lately, but it doesn't really need it - people will always have little niggles about how things work, but it is still pretty competitive and a very powerful workstation.


Aside from all that, KORG will never announce a new product until it is ready to go to market. Its just not their policy - and quite wisely too I might add.

I imagine any new products they come out with in the near future would likely be more like an 'M3 extreme' or going further down the 'lite' road, being extensions of current technology, rather than being a completely new generation of workstation.


Anyway, you should buy something for what you need and what it is right now, not what it might be in the future - which you have no way of knowing.

[LiqMat]

Do yourself a favor and get the firewire adapter along with it from the start. The M3 really shines when hooked up with an external DAW using the M3 Editor VST plugin. Run the audio via firewire and the midi via USB to your DAW. This alone is what sold me on the unit. The built-in sequencer was really designed for composers who like linear straight shot recording, but for someone like me who likes pattern based midi and audio loops and beat making there is way better solutions externally than what the M3 offers on their internal sequencer. Yes Karma is powerful, but not my thing. Other people swear by it. For me it's M3 and a Radias-R for the sound design, Roland MV-8800 for the beats and patterns and Ableton Live to bring it all together and polish it.

[J.Q]

Been thinking about getting one 73 key units here for a while but am having a tough time spending that much money on 3 year old technology.

If you need it now, and you have the money to spend on it, buy it now - whatever it is; Roland, Korg, Yamaha, whatever. If you wait for 3 months, it's 3 months without the gear. If you wait for "the next big thing", you may easily end up waiting forever.

which is about 30 years old in computer speak!..

Well, IMHO it's not quite THAT bad with synths.

[Gargamel314]

If you follow Korg's pattern with workstations:


Flagships....................................Entry Level Workstations.........................Budget synths/workstations

AI Technology:
1988 Korg M1........................................................................................M3R
1990 T-series
1991 01/Wfd.........................................................................................03R/W
1993 ........................................X2/X3...................................................X5, 05R/W
1995.......................................................................................................X5D/X5DR
1996...........................................N364/N264............................................NS5R
1998.......................................................................................................N1/N5/NX5R

ACCESS/HI Technology

1995 Trinity
1996.......................................................................................................TR-Rack
1998 Triton
2001 Triton Studio......................KARMA
2002...........................................Triton LE
2004 Triton Extreme
2006...........................................TR.........................................................X50, MicroX

HD-1/EDS Technology
2005 OASYS
2007 M3
2008............................................M50
2010........................................................................................................PS60, MicroStation

... looks like HD-1 and EDS have more room for more offspring before we see the next new technology come out, this just goes to back up what someone said earlier about an M3-Extreme type keyboard coming up... IF korg sticks to it's pattern

[Alone]

I say, SCREW IT! Buy the m3 now and when the newer version comes out or new workstation comes out, buy that too,

Everyone can use more than 1 workstation.

[jeffrey]

Some great points made here from everyone. Much thanks for all the input.

Just got back from GC and they have a used M3 88 in really good shape for $2100...doesn't have the exp pack, firewire, or a box/manual (which I would like to be able to thumb thru, even though it's available online) but the price seems pretty good. Not really seeing any good deals on ebay right now, but I imagine if I wait I could get a slightly better price WITH a box/manual/exp card, etc...

I should also mention I'm really just a hobbyist and won't be using the keyboard to do any "real" producing or anything. I really did fall in love with the weighted keys on the 88 though and would find it tough to get one of the other units because of this. I have a Yamaha MM6 right now and it's OK, but the sounds I use (strings, horns, drums, pianos, and organs) don't really sound that great to me on this Yamaha. The Motif sounds good but bang for the buck the Korg seems really nice.

[jazlover]

I was able to find an M3 88 for $1800 (USD) back when they were selling a whole lot more of them. If you need to find a good price you can find it (if you are willing to look a little while). Sam Ash would not sell me one for under 2100 (back then) and I found a better unit for less. I am just saying that they should want to deal with you. Maybe they can throw in an EXB for incentive. Most music stores are hurting to sell these type of items.
It is a great keyboard!

http://korg.4--less.com/--Korg-M3.html is a good place to look.

[McHale]

I see 'em on Craigslist here and there. I saw an M3-61 for $900, an M3-73 for $1300, and an M3-88 for $1650 all within the year. I say be patient and find a good one for the price you want to pay (within reason).

-Mc

[kimu]

If you follow Korg's pattern with workstations:


Flagships....................................Entry Level Workstations.........................Budget synths/workstations

AI Technology:
1988 Korg M1........................................................................................M3R
1990 T-series
1991 01/Wfd.........................................................................................03R/W
1993 ........................................X2/X3...................................................X5, 05R/W
1995.......................................................................................................X5D/X5DR
1996...........................................N364/N264............................................NS5R
1998.......................................................................................................N1/N5/NX5R

ACCESS/HI Technology

1995 Trinity
1996.......................................................................................................TR-Rack
1998 Triton
2001 Triton Studio......................KARMA
2002...........................................Triton LE
2004 Triton Extreme
2006...........................................TR.........................................................X50, MicroX

HD-1/EDS Technology
2005 OASYS
2007 M3
2008............................................M50
2010........................................................................................................PS60, MicroStation

... looks like HD-1 and EDS have more room for more offspring before we see the next new technology come out, this just goes to back up what someone said earlier about an M3-Extreme type keyboard coming up... IF korg sticks to it's pattern

very nice post!! great!

i guess that we won't see very soon a new flagship from korg, at least in the sense of M4, maybe something like with triton, with a new M3-something (analog filter taken from monotron? who knows...)

korg currently is heavily relying on M3 and its spinoff (M50 in primis, then PS60 and MicroStation), imo for the next couple of years there will be another flagship in WorkStation segment

maybe korg will release instead something new in the pure synth segment with a comeback to Real Analog...