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Ok , just got back from the music store and though I like some of the sounds on the Yamaha the Karma and Pads are just so much easier to use and flat out inspiring for finding a melodic hook to start a song. As a result I am going to be seriously looking for a good deal on an M3.

A couple of questions maybe the group can help with as I evaluate a potential purchase.

1. Is there basically only one hardware version of the actual M3 Keyboard? (I am aware you can add the Radias and memory expansion)

2. The Expanded version of the M3 is simply a softare version correct? If I am understanding this correctly it provides a new OS, new sound banks (that can be loaded one at a time through thumb drive unless you have the RAM expansion), and Karma 2.2.

3. Is there anything provided with a new M3 that you would not be able to get from the support site?

Anything else I need to consider other than previous use and environment used in?

Thanks,

Terry

Terry, I'm pretty new to the M3, and I was in the same boat. I wanted a used board and was fortunate enough to win an e-bay auction on a 73-key M3 for $1,450. I considered that an absolute steal.

My board was not equipped with the Expanded OS, so I did that right away. It wasn't a difficult process and only took me about an hour (mainly because my so-called "high-speed internet" isn't terribly high speed).

From a hardware standpoint, it has everything you need. However, peripherals such as a damper pedal or other pedals do not come with the M3. Not a big deal ... you can use any damper pedal you have, as the M3's polarity can be set to fit whatever you have.

Since I don't have a new M3, I can't answer your third question. I do know that you can get an EXB-M256 expansion memory board for about $300, but as far as I know, you should be set for hardware for the most part.

As a testimonial, I can say that my thus-far limited experience with the M3 has been nothing short of outstanding. I just did my first gig with it, a 16-song concert this past Saturday evening. I play Christian rock, so I don't do much with the dance stuff in Karma. But even having the M3 for less than a month and barely knowing how to program anything, it was a phenomenal experience. People told me after the show that the sounds blew them away, and they were all stock programs used in combis. It was rock-solid reliable, and easy to set up a set list.

For what it's worth, my advice is to for a good deal, check out the seller, make sure the gear is in good condition and GO FOR IT. Be sure to ask the seller any questions you have about the gear. You won't be sorry!

I don't do Christian Rock but will be using it for some of the more modern praise and worship songs that have a rock basis to them so this is helpful to know.

Terry

SwissArmyKnife wrote:even having the M3 for less than a month and barely knowing how to program anything, it was a phenomenal experience. People told me after the show that the sounds blew them away, and they were all stock programs used in combis.

I've had my M3 for over 3 years now and still receive plenty of compliments on my sounds and song arrangements. I use KARMA extensively with my solo gigs, and have created some unique combinations over the years.

There are some great M3 deals out there (both new and used)... just make sure you try before you buy if possible.

Hi Terry

Hardware wise it's the M3 rack version/bit and it simply slots in and connects to either the 61, 73 or 88 keybed.

As far as I know there's only 1 hardware version, but models sold before they did the expansion had a smaller internal sd card.

There is a thread somewhere that gives instructions on how to upgrade it if you so choose. Mine has the larger one and it means I have the expanded sounds available without having to have them on a seperate usb stick.

Joe

SwissArmyKnife wrote:"...I do know that you can get an EXB-M256 expansion memory board for about $300...For what it's worth, my advice is to for a good deal, check out the seller, make sure the gear is in good condition and GO FOR IT. Be sure to ask the seller any questions you have about the gear. You won't be sorry!

Hi. Good news. EXB M256 doesn't cost nearly that much.
Mine cost $120. I've never seen any above $200.
The Radias expansion OTOH, costs around $300.

Definitely worth the money.

What should someone look for? I'd say look for touch-screen problems,
especially in the upper right-hand corner. A lot of important functions
are in that corner of the screen and a few of us have had problems
with it.

gurn wrote:

SwissArmyKnife wrote:"...I do know that you can get an EXB-M256 expansion memory board for about $300...For what it's worth, my advice is to for a good deal, check out the seller, make sure the gear is in good condition and GO FOR IT. Be sure to ask the seller any questions you have about the gear. You won't be sorry!

Hi. Good news. EXB M256 doesn't cost nearly that much.
Mine cost $120. I've never seen any above $200.
The Radias expansion OTOH, costs around $300.

Definitely worth the money.

What should someone look for? I'd say look for touch-screen problems,
especially in the upper right-hand corner. A lot of important functions
are in that corner of the screen and a few of us have had problems
with it.

Where did you get it? Because I must not be looking in the right places. Every single music gear website I've checked (only about 5, but all 5) has it at $299. For $120, I'd take that action.

Thanks!

SwissArmyKnife wrote:

gurn wrote:

SwissArmyKnife wrote:"...I do know that you can get an EXB-M256 expansion memory board for about $300...For what it's worth, my advice is to for a good deal, check out the seller, make sure the gear is in good condition and GO FOR IT. Be sure to ask the seller any questions you have about the gear. You won't be sorry!

Hi. Good news. EXB M256 doesn't cost nearly that much.
Mine cost $120. I've never seen any above $200.
The Radias expansion OTOH, costs around $300.

Definitely worth the money.

What should someone look for? I'd say look for touch-screen problems,
especially in the upper right-hand corner. A lot of important functions
are in that corner of the screen and a few of us have had problems
with it.

Where did you get it? Because I must not be looking in the right places. Every single music gear website I've checked (only about 5, but all 5) has it at $299. For $120, I'd take that action.

Thanks!

I owned two M3s and bought the EXB-M256 twice. It was originally $129, then dropped to $99. I appears to be discontinued so expect to pay ridiculous prices for it.

Sorry, totally my bad. I was looking at the Radias expansion board.

SwissArmyKnife wrote: Hi. Good news. EXB M256 doesn't cost nearly that much.
Mine cost $120. I've never seen any above $200.
The Radias expansion OTOH, costs around $300.

Where did you get it? Because I must not be looking in the right places. Every single music gear website I've checked (only about 5, but all 5) has it at $299. For $120, I'd take that action.

Thanks!

If you live at USA, the EXBM256 is always less than $200.00 and the less expensive (ending 2 days) is:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Korg-EXB-256-Me ... 3a6b1491de

You may be confusing prices with EXBRADIAS which is $300.00

MarPabl wrote:

SwissArmyKnife wrote: Hi. Good news. EXB M256 doesn't cost nearly that much.
Mine cost $120. I've never seen any above $200.
The Radias expansion OTOH, costs around $300.

Where did you get it? Because I must not be looking in the right places. Every single music gear website I've checked (only about 5, but all 5) has it at $299. For $120, I'd take that action.

Thanks!

If you live at USA, the EXBM256 is always less than $200.00 and the less expensive (ending 2 days) is:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Korg-EXB-256-Me ... 3a6b1491de

You may be confusing prices with EXBRADIAS which is $300.00

The seller in that link you posted bought an M3-73 from me back in 2008 that had both the memory and radias expansions...this may have been mine at one point. Small world.

I got mine at http://www.korg.com/EXB-M256 for $120.00. Buy online from Korg for this price.

glmathesjr wrote:I got mine at http://www.korg.com/EXB-M256 for $120.00. Buy online from Korg for this price.

back ordered 6-8 weeks...

apex wrote:

glmathesjr wrote:I got mine at http://www.korg.com/EXB-M256 for $120.00. Buy online from Korg for this price.

back ordered 6-8 weeks...

Whew, I just got mine about 2 weeks ago. It's super useful.

I ordered one yesterday from Korg. They didn't say anything about a 6 to 8 week backorder. Oh well. I'll live.