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Ok folks, Please set me straight. I am an old Ensoniq ASR-10/EPS user from the 1980s and early 1990s and am used to and prefer the Ensoniq pattern sequencing where you set up multiple patterns and then string them together to make a song. I am trying that on my newly purchased M3, but have noticed that each pattern is only assigned to one midi channel. Where as the Ensoniq would let me record a lick of drums in the pattern and then I would switch over to some strings and play those in the same pattern, etc. and then when I was done with all my patterns I would build my song. I hope I am being clear and is there a way to do this with the M3?

Whew!!! Thanks.

John

Korg's pattern recording is not set up the way you are used to recording patterns. I used to use a Roland XP-50 in the same way: a single pattern could contain various voices from multiple midi channels. However, there are a few possible ways to accomplish (nearly) the same thing.

All of these happen in Sequence mode.

(1) The first way is to set up layers or splits in your sequence that all use the same midi channel. You might have a drum kit assigned in the lowest region, then bass, keys, and strings on top. Use the transpose option to get the correct range of notes you need for each instrument. Now you can record a single pattern (RPPR) that uses all these instruments.

(2) You can also record individual RPPR patterns (individual instrument parts) and assign them to different keys (this is the way the manual shows it being done). You can then play those assigned notes together to play the desired patterns. You can also assign a single M3 pad (SEQ P1:DT/XY/Ctrls) to play all of the notes for the various patterns you want played together. The RPPR is set up to be triggered from the designated transmit channel of the M3 so the pad must be set up for that default channel. It seems to work best when the pattern sync (SEQ page 10 third tab) is set for beat or SEQ and NOT measure.

Thanks for the reply! I guess that would be a wish of mine for the M3 and have multi-track pattern recording with various loop features.

Explore the relationship between regular Songs and then using the Cue List to assemble them into an arrangement.

You can make Songs that have individual track loop lengths, and then you assemble them in the Cue List, where each Step can have a set # of repetitions.

A cool feature of the Cue List is the ability to set a section to loop until you press a footswitch, perfect for variable length solos and breakdown sections that you can decide the length of "on the fly".

regards,

Jerry

Thanks Jerry. I have been reading this forum for some time but have only recently started participating directly. Your comments and expertise are most appreciated.

I have been using the Korg RPPR function previously on the Triton Extreme (and I think it was on my 01/w as well) and like the flexibility of creating phrases and triggering them live. I hadn't really thought of using the cue list to facilitate this function but it would certainly allow for complex instrumentation and hands free operation (the footpedal advance is a great suggestion).

I suggested to LiqMat that you can assign various RPPR patterns to a single M3 pad to trigger them simultaneously. This actually works quite well, but if the sync is set to measure there is often one pattern that starts one measure later than the others. Any idea why this might be happening?

Thanks. Kevin

Well, thank you very much for all the very useful info. I am getting to like recording in the track edit mode. I still would love to see an upgrade to the OS where it allows multi-track pattern recording and song building from those patterns as an alternative to the other methods. The ASR-10 method is just so wonderful when experimenting with remixes on my dance mixes. You folks are great! Thanks.

Jerry can probably remember this. I used to have Triton Classic, and I had a wish for the longest time to be able to switch tracks while recording on Triton.

You can't really get the feel of a pattern based recording if you have to stop the sequencer every time you have to do an overdub a different track for the same pattern...

RPPR however has become more flexible now than before, at least that's how I see it. In Triton Classic, if you had a key mapped to use RPPR, you couldn't use it to play solo parts, even from the external keyboards. Now it seems that each RPPR mapped key also remember the track. So I could have all my RPPRs on channel 16, and I can play solo on any other channels, without starting or stopping the patterns. May be this is possible only on M3-m?

My next big wishlist item is to be able to edit the drums right from the sequencer......... please Korg

Thanks Shakil,

What is sad is the main feature I was looking for in a new workstation was a full featured multi-channel pattern sequencer. Very, VERY important to me. Unfortunately I was advised multiple times from different sources that the Korg M3 had this. To my dismay it does not and I am now considering returning my fully upgraded M3-73 for a Roland Fantom which you say has a full featured pattern sequencer. It even crossed my mind to get a used ASR-10 off of Ebay and make it my master seq, but I will probably just ditch the M3. It is too bad I can't afford both right now, but I have to make a choice. At least I will keep my Korg Radias-R. That is a great synth to play with. I'll see what Korg says first. The last Korg tech I talked to over the phone just did not get what I was saying or looking for.

I suggested to LiqMat that you can assign various RPPR patterns to a single M3 pad to trigger them simultaneously. This actually works quite well, but if the sync is set to measure there is often one pattern that starts one measure later than the others. Any idea why this might be happening?

i have run into this problem as well and it's quite frustrating. anyone have a solution?

Also, regarding pattern sequencing, I was wondering if there was a way to trigger the RPPR from another midi channel and not from my m373. i love the way the keys feel and almost always play splits (i usually play bass in my left hand) and the RPPR pretty much garbles up about 2 octaves of the keybed.

If I could trigger from another midi channel, i could still assign it to the pads but without giving up 2 octaves. Thanks in advance if you have any ideas...

I think when you use pads for triggering multiple RPPR, you use chord memory. Make sure all notes are sent at the same clock tick. Chord memory function might be adding some delay between notes. If the note is not exactly at 000, it will trigger the RPPR at the next measure , since it's synced to 1 measure .

I was wondering if there was a way to trigger the RPPR from another midi channel and not from my m373. i love the way the keys feel and almost always play splits (i usually play bass in my left hand) and the RPPR pretty much garbles up about 2 octaves of the keybed.

Before buying the M3M I had the Triton Extreme 61 and always wondered the same thing. The full bottom octave was 'used up' in utilizing RPPR. In using the M3M I can actually get around this as I can transmit on any channel other than the one that RPPR is using (which appears to be the channel of the active track selected on the sequencer). When the keyboard is integrated (like the M373) I don't think you can do this because it seems that the keyboard is always going to play the selected track - and therefore use up C2 and lower for RPPR.

I think when you use pads for triggering multiple RPPR, you use chord memory. Make sure all notes are sent at the same clock tick. Chord memory function might be adding some delay between notes. If the note is not exactly at 000, it will trigger the RPPR at the next measure , since it's synced to 1 measure .

I keep experimenting with using the pads to trigger mulitple RPPR. Even with quantized patterns, if the sync is set to measure one pattern always comes in 1 measure earlier. I have always prefered to use measure sync because then I have several beats to bring in and take out patterns. The multiple trigger works great if I set sync to beat, but that only gives you basically an 8th note of time to trigger... My timing has to be much more accurate - which isn't really a bad thing.

Here is a link from another thead on this same topic. Check out Jerry's posts.

http://www.korgforums.com/forum/phpBB2/ ... light=rppr


Of most interest to these last few posts may be the ability to use global transpose on your M3 to move the RPPR keys 'off the keyboard' and then tranpose your seq tracks back up into normal playing range.

Also check out the use of CC's in patterns.

I am continually amazed at how capable Korg keyboards are due to their vast and deep programmability. Sometimes the answers aren't obvious (there may not be a page in the manual with step by step instructions) but when I am willing to dig and think around the problem, Korg instruments are able to do it. Korg rocks! And these forums are a great resource. Thanks to all who share your expertise and suggestions.

kippets.. yes that's a bonus for using the M3m. I wonder if same can be accomplished by turning local off and then connecting MIDI out to MIDI in on keyboard version .

Yes RPPR is certainly powerful on M3m, but people who have used more powerful and flexible pattern based workstations expect more.

very interesting topic for pattern based sequencing, i can do better sequencing with my laptop, and i combine it with my M3. I just do in my M3 what i cannot do with my laptop... and because of that, i learn hardly what M3 can do... especialy the RPPR features...T________T *crying a bit*

Well, I just love the features and sound of the M3 and Radias-R that I am just going to use them in conjunction with Ableton for now. I am just not going to use the internal M3 sequencer. I did go by my local Sam Ash store today and one of the salesmen knew exactly what I was talking about and introduced me to the latest model Yamaha Motif workstation and even though I am not fond of the sounds on that board the sequencer is exactly what I was looking for. It has a full featured pattern based sequencer and it even blows away the Ensoniq method. It is my dream sequencer. I will probably just learn Ableton for now. I am struggling with all the endless features of Ableton. Ableton can be very intimidating at first. Can't afford another couple of grand on a Motif. If they could only build a M3 with the Motif sequencer I would be in heaven. Thanks for all your help.