Just Module

[Ultimate Dj]

Hey,
I'm looking to get an M3 and I'm wondering has anyone just bought the Module and used a MIDI board with it?
Like I need this to be as small as possible and I need to convince somebody that its people actually do this!
But what would you lose by doing this? I know you'd lose SW1/2 and the Ribbon but anything?
thanks mucho!


puravida
DJ

[Rob Sherratt]

Hello DJ,

The M3-61's keyboard is integrated with the module so that velocity curves, aftertouch curves etc can be adjusted in a straightforward way within the M3 OS. When you use the M3-M with a MIDI keyboard, you have to ensure that velocity curves and aftertouch capabilities and scaling factors are set correctly on BOTH the MIDI keyboard and on the MIDI input section of the M3-M. There are some "issues" on scaling of note and AT velocities that have to be resolved. Searching www.karma-lab.com forums will tell you about this.

Also there is the question of integration of the ribbon controller, the 4-axis joystick, and the two programmable buttons. It is posible to do all this with external MIDI devices. But it's not easy to configure. And unless you provide these devices, some aspects of the Programs and Combis on the M3-M will not be accessible.

So, most of us who bought an M3-61 (or -73 or -88 ) did so because we wanted a ready-made complete solution that works "out of the box". Whereas those who bought the M3-M for integration with other MIDI equipment have had to do quite a lot of work to achieve the equivalent level of functionality.

If you have the experience to solve the MIDI integration issues without needing a lot of help and guidance (because it won't all be documented) then it is of course possible for you to design yourself a very nice solution. Note the underlined emphasis on "design yourself". Don't assume you will succeed unless you've done this many times already with other complex MIDI equipment. The M3 is about as complex as it gets.

If I had taken the same decision as you, I would check which people registered as owners of an M3-M on www.karma-lab.com. I would search their posts to find out which MIDI keyboards and external controllers they were using. I would review their musical contributions on Karma Labs forum to see which people have had the most success. I would buy the same MIDI keyboard and controllers as they are using, and I would ask them for advice on all the setup and configuration aspects.

But then again I'm lazy, so I bought an M3-73

Best regards,
Rob

[rtucker55]

Hi Ultimate Dj,

Man, I agree with everything that Rob said. I bought my M3-M because there were not any M3's with keys available at that time and I was told I could always add the keyboard later... well, that never happened as Korg never offered the keybeds alone.

At the time I was pretty disappointed with the module and was ready to sell it but instead purchased an Oasys 76. The M3 sat around quite awhile until the last OS update and that gave me a reason to start using it again.

I work strictly in a home studio environment so it was easy to use the Oasys to control the M3-M. I also use a Kurzweil K2661 with the long Kurz ribbon and a breath controller to trigger the M3-M. I am finally happy with the module as I can do some very cool stuff using the above 2 controllers.

It is cool being able to have 16 chord pads available between the oasys and the M3-M and you can make unbelievably complex sounds by stacking two different combis. Also, if you use the M3 editor, you can enable SW1 and SW2 from within the editor so you do not have to setup a control surface to enable these switches.

If I had it to do over again I would have definately waited for the 73 key M3 as you can remove the module from the keybed but it ain't goin to happen the other way around. At least not using one of Korgs M3 keybeds unless you can find someone that is selling theirs.

Regards,
Rick

[Ultimate Dj]

thank you both very much!
that definitely helps. What I'm planning on doing is purchasing the whole board 61 key and then just take off the Module for my trip to South America.
So I need it to really small. I will head over to Karma Forums like you mentioned.
Also, I know it on the Midi board I get to replace it but will I lose inputs? Like for mic...etc?
I can say I have never done that about integration so I would need lots of help.
If I wasn't able to do this, how much would it really effect me? I would probably lose the SW1/2 and the ribbon function, but how much will it effect in just everyday Sequencer using?

again thanks!!!


puravida
DJ

[rtucker55]

Sounds like a great choice!

I'm not sure that I understand your questions. Do you know which midi board you will be using to control the M3 module?

All midi and audio I/O is on the back of the module itself and not having the keyboard should not cause you to lose any inputs.

I probably use the SW1 function the most and you can get a footswitch to control that. You would plug in the footswitch and go to Global, P2 controllers page and set the footswitch to control SW1. Likewise if you really need the ribbon you can use a foot pedal and set it to control the ribbon on the same P2 page above.

I don't think you should lose any function of the internal sequencer on the M3.


Hope this helps,

Regards,
Rick

[shrike]

but how much will it effect in just everyday Sequencer using?

If Sequencer is your primary everyday tool, then forget about M3M and MIDI controller.

M3 (in it's integrated, module+keybed version) works in sequencer mode flawlessly - keybed controls tone generator no matter which track you are at (note here that tracks in sequencer work each on it's own midi channel, from 01 to 16). This is where midi controler+module setup sucks - you actually have to set midi channel on your controller to match midi channel of track in module's sequencer each time you change track. Imagine how painful that is if you are power user and are working with all 16 tracks at a time.

Browse a little, we already mentioned this problems before, mbncp is MIDI power user, ask him for additional information on this issue.

[Ultimate Dj]

but how much will it effect in just everyday Sequencer using?

If Sequencer is your primary everyday tool, then forget about M3M and MIDI controller.

M3 (in it's integrated, module+keybed version) works in sequencer mode flawlessly - keybed controls tone generator no matter which track you are at (note here that tracks in sequencer work each on it's own midi channel, from 01 to 16). This is where midi controler+module setup sucks - you actually have to set midi channel on your controller to match midi channel of track in module's sequencer each time you change track. Imagine how painful that is if you are power user and are working with all 16 tracks at a time.

Browse a little, we already mentioned this problems before, mbncp is MIDI power user, ask him for additional information on this issue.

well yeah, that pretty much solves it for me! I can't be doing that, switching between each Midi tracks.
So thank you for enlightening me onto that! I'm surprised after all the people L've called that nobody mentioned that minor part! Salesmen!!!!!
But good thing I have you guys!!!


puravida
DJ