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Hi there - long time listener first time poster here. I'm about to spring for a fairly complex new setup that I want to cover a number of musical genres. Ive settled on a combination of Korg M3 with Virus TI Snow but realised that it could be cheaper and more portable to get the M3M instead and get a good master keyboard (better since as a pianist I prefer semi or weighted action) as well as a smaller master to plug my modules into in the rehearsal room or at gigs.

My question is whether by doing this I lose some of the M3s control options - the S switches, ribbon and XY joystick. If I get a controller with an XY joystick can I definitely map that to the M3M and a coupl of buttons to the S switches? Could I use a third party iPhone app to replace the ribbon??

Does anyone foresee problems with having two modules running through one master keyboard?

Apologies if some of these questions are a little simple - I'm well read up but still new to the sound modules thing. Would be very appreciative if someone could put me outof my misery.

Yes you can control everything from a master controller and x-y controller.. This is what's great about M3-m, that you get EVERYTHING in the module, not just a sound module.

Running two modules from one midi controller... you just have to make sure that the master controller can send MIDI on different channels at the same time...

One thing to note is that (I think all) MIDI controllers and other keyboards with an X/Y joystick do purely those two axies,

On the Korg joystick that is on all of their workstations, you get the X(left/right) axis to control pitch bend, and then forwards '+Y' for CC01 (modulation), but also backwards '-Y' for CC02 (breath). AFAIK no other joystick does this.

So the ideal MIDI keyboard for this would have two modwheels and a pitch wheel, or the Korg joystick. I think that is probably the biggest thing you would be missing out on.


Also, if you're using the M3's sequencer, you won't be able to change tracks from the screen. You'd have to change the transmission MIDI channel on the controller keyboard. Known issue.

X-Trade wrote: Also, if you're using the M3's sequencer, you won't be able to change tracks from the screen. You'd have to change the transmission MIDI channel on the controller keyboard. Known issue.

That's correct. But, you also have to change track on M3 sequencer for recording. So, you have to do it twice, once on the master keyboard to change the channel, and one on M3 sequencer to change the track. If you don't select the same track on sequencer as the midi channel on the master keyboard, nothing will be recorder. Unless, you select Multitrack Recording, but then you can't loop record.

It could be annoying, but this has a huge side benefit. Independence of midi keyboard from tracks. I use this feature all the time in sequencer mode. Specially for RPPR. I can have all my 100 RPPRs mapped on channel 16, and be able to play the whole keyboard on other channels. This can't be done with the M3 onboard keyboard, because you are always tied to the current track/channel.

With my master keyboard I can easily switch channels, make the pads send RPPR notes on channel 16....

So, make sure the master controller you get has very easy method of changing midi channels. I use Fantom-G as master controller, and this particular function in unmatched. I can layer on/off any midi channel with the pads. Check the Roland/Cakewalk midi controller, they may have the same functionality.

Brilliant observation there Shakil.

I discovered the 'Stuck with the Triton Local Keyboard' problem when fleshing out this problem:

http://www.korgforums.com/forum/phpBB2/ ... hp?t=56282

- as I was trying to do it all on the one keyboard - but then losing keys for the organ.

I too am seriously considering springing for the M3.
Yet £500 or £800 or £1000 for a keyboard I dont necessarily need hmmmm-
I could pickup a decent stage piano 2nd hand for that - well you see what I mean.

Also, Onlooker - the idea of not having to hump 88 keys to situations that
dont require it - but then where they do, not having to hump an extra
61keys along with an 88 mother board makes the M3M for me, the winner.
So thanks for that consideration.

However I am concerned also about whether or not the M3-M is all that the
keyboard versions are.

OK, it has all the sliders, and the Pads - Karma etc.

But does the M3 Have:

1. All the I/O interfaces - 2xUSB 2.0 etc? that the keyboard version has?
2. The Kaoss Pad type touchscreen?
3. Can it be upgraded to the M3 - Expanded, with full sample RAM?
----------------------

Also, I would intend to play the M3-M - most likely via the Triton as I
am presuming that there are no conflict issues in using the Tritons Joystick
for those type of modulations X-Trade is talking about.

A biggy for me would be:

Is the Ribbon on the M3-M pressure sensitive?
Or is it basically the same as the Triton's ribbon?

Is the aftertouch on the KEYBOARD M3 - way better than it would be on
the Triton or are they similar physically-electronically - but its the engine
and sounds on the M3 that make the 'AT' difference?
I presume the M3's AT is not individual Key/Channel AT.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttFi3zBu ... re=related

Please help.
Thanks.

Peace
Ausser.

ausser wrote:But does the M3 Have:

1. All the I/O interfaces - 2xUSB 2.0 etc? that the keyboard version has?
2. The Kaoss Pad type touchscreen?
3. Can it be upgraded to the M3 - Expanded, with full sample RAM?

The M3-M is basically the white sticky-out bit of the M3 keyboard! So yes, you get all three items you mention above - they are identical.

Can't remember if the ribbon is pressure sensitive or not - I've sold mine so can't try it for you; sorry!

Thanks for that Cello!
Good to know it has all those features.

However, as I went on writing the post above - I realized the importance for me of Ribbon Question and the Keyboard AT question.

Also, I need to know would the Triton Joystick power the Programs/Combis etc - in the same way as the M3 Joystick.

BTW - I know the Triton Joystick functions exactly as X-Trade describes for Korg Keyboards so theoretically, the TC JS should power the M3 Progs no problem.
But I just want to confirm that there are no added features, physical or electronic, to the main control surfaces on the M3.
Of course there may be new components, and slightly different design than the Tritons JS - Ribbon - and Keyboard.
But does the M3 controllers basically do exactly the same job as the Tritonscontrollers, or does the ribbon function differently, eg is it pressure sensitive -
I thought I heard that the Trinity's ribbon was pressure sensitive - but im not sure on that.

Peace
Ausser.

PS: Cello - why did you sell it - what did you move to - briefly if you like....

dbl post sry.

PS: Cello - why did you sell it - what did you move to - briefly if you like....

Very simple story to be honest! Moved to the OASYS-88. The two boards duplicated in so many ways, I just didn't need the M3-61 any more. But of course the O has many other features... but loses X-Y capability as well as not having such a good sequencer, but as I don't use it much (or deeply) it didn't really matter to me!

And of course the O sounds better - don't know why (although I'm sure that someone can explain the science behind it) but it just does.

But I did keep my T3 and Radias as they both 'work' differently (again technos here will be able to tell you why - am not really interested in that stuff).

But if you get either M3 I don't think you will be disappointed because it was how good the M3 was that I decided to spend a load of money to get it's mother

Ah yes - of course!

Just as long as you didn't say the Extreme or Fantom or something...

I'm kind of leaning away again from PC sequencer stuff - and also the
Karma options with natural acoustic instrument control has me very interested.
And of course the upgraded sequencer.

I'm guessing that the TC ribbon and Joystick will power the program options
exactly as the native M3 controllers do - so, the M3M soon hopefully.

Thanks for that Cello.

Peace
Ausser.

There’s also a joystick, assignable Value slider, two switches and a ribbon controller that give you convenient ways to express subtle nuances of sound. A newly designed proprietary keyboard with refined aftertouch delivers superb feel and expression that’s better than ever before.

Quote from here:
http://www.korg.co.uk/products/workstat ... /ws_m3.asp

Anybody want to comment on the difference between the M3 keyboard AT and the Tritons?