KORG M3 User Manual

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

• Read these instructions.

• Keep these instructions.

• Heed all warnings.

• Follow all instructions.

• Do not use this apparatus near water.

• Mains powered apparatus shall not be exposed to dripping or splashing and that no objects filled with liquids, such as vases, shall be placed on the apparatus.

• Clean only with dry cloth.

• Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

• Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat.

• Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or groundingtype plug. A polarized plug has two blades with one wider than the other. A grounding type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong. The wide blade or the third prong are provided for your safety. If the provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet. (for USA and Canada)

• Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the apparatus.

• Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.

• Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.

• Turning off the power switch does not completely isolate this product from the power line so remove the plug from the socket if not using it for extended periods of time.

• Install this product near the wall socket and keep the power plug easily accessible.

• WARNING—This apparatus shall be connected to a mains socket outlet with a protective earthing connection.

• Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as power-supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.

• Do not install this equipment on the far position from wall outlet and/or convenience receptacle.

• Do not install this equipment in a confined space such as a box for the conveyance or similar unit.

• Battery shall not be exposed to excessive heat such as sunshine, fire or the like.

• Excessive sound pressure from earphones and headphones can cause hearing loss.

• Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specified by the manufacturer, or sold with the apparatus. When a cart is used, use caution when moving the cart/apparatus combination to avoid injury from tip-over.

The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol within an equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the product’s enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.

The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the product.

CAUTION

Danger of explosion if battery is incorrectly replaced. Replace only with the same or equivalent type.

THE FCC REGULATION WARNING (for USA)

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device , pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. How e ver, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.

• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

Unauthorized changes or modiﬁcation to this system can void the user’s authority to operate this equipment.

Notice regarding disposal (for EU)

If this “crossed-out wheeled bin” symbol is shown on the product or in the operating manual, you must dispose of the product in an appropriate way. Do not dispose of this product along with your household trash. By disposing of this product correctly, you can avoid environmental harm or health risk. The correct method of disposal will depend on your locality, so please contact the appropriate local authorities for details.

Handling of this product

This product contains precision components, and may malfunction if you fail to observe the following precautions.

• Do not subject this product to vibration or impact. Doing so may damage internal components and cause

malfunctions.

• Do not use or store this product in locations of extremely low or high temperatures, such as outdoors in winter or in direct sunlight in summer. Avoid moving this product between locations of dramatically different temperatures.

If a temperature difference occurs, water droplets may form inside the product. Continuing to use the product in this state may cause malfunctions, so you should wait several hours before using the product.

• Do not use or store this product in locations of extremely high humidity.

• Do not use or store this product in excessively dusty or smoky locations.

Regarding the display

This M3’s display is a precision device created using extremely high technology, and careful attention has been paid to its product quality. Although you may notice some of the issues listed below, please be aware that these are due to the characteristics of LCD displays, and are not malfunctions.

• There may be pixels in the display that are always dark (unlit) or always bright (lit).

• Depending on the displayed content, the brightness of the display may appear uneven.

• Depending on the displayed content, horizontal stripes of shading may be visible.

• Depending on the displayed content, flickering or moire patterns may be visible.

Data handling

Incorrect operation or malfunction may cause the contents of memory to be lost, so we recommend that you save important data on a CD or other media. Please be aware that Korg will accept no responsibility for any damages which may result from loss of data.

COPYRIGHT WARNING

This professional device is intended only for use with works for which you yourself own the copyright, for which you have received permission from the copyright holder to publicly perform, record, broadcast, sell, and duplicate, or in connection with activities which constitute “fair use” under copyright law. If you are not the copyright holder, have not received permission from the copyright holder, or have not engaged in fair use of the works, you may be violating copyright law, and may be liable for damages and penalties. If you are unsure about your rights to a work, please consult a copyright attorney.

KORG TAKES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY INFRINGEMENT COMMITTED THROUGH USE OF KORG PRODUCTS.

* KARMA

Technology has been licensed from Stephen Kay, and is protected by U.S. Patents 5,486,647, 5,521,327, 6,084,171, 6,087,578, 6,103,964, 6,121,532, 6,121,533, 6,326,538, 6,639,141, and 7,169,997. Other patents pending.

* KARMA

marks, and Generated Effect™ (GE), Melodic Repeat™, Direct Index™, Manual Advance™, SmartScan™, Freeze Randomize™, Random Capture™, Random FF/REW™ and Scene Matrix™ are trademarks of Stephen Kay, Karma Lab LLC. This manual copyright © 1994-2004 by KORG Inc. and Stephen Kay. All rights reserved.

* Screen shots from the KARMA software that appear

* KARMA Technology can be located on the internet at:

www.karma-lab.com.

* This product uses the T-Kernel source code in compliance

with the T-License of the T-Engine forum (www.tengine.org).

* Apple, Mac, FireWire and Audio Units are trademarks of

Apple Computer, Inc., registered in the US. and other countries.

*Windows XP is a registered trademark of Microsoft Cor-

poration in the U.S. and other counties.

* VST is a trademark of Steinberg Media Technologies

GmbH.

*RTAS is a registered trademark of Avid Technology, Inc.,

or its subsidiaries or divisions.

* All other product and company names are trademarks or

registered trademarks of their respective holders.

(Kay Algorithmic Realtime Music Architecture)

and the KARMA Logo are registered trade-

iii

( R

Thank you for purchasing the Korg M3 Music Workstation/Sampler. To help you get the most out of your new instrument, please read this manual carefully.

About this manual

The owner’s manuals and how to use them

The manuals and how to use them The M3 comes with the following operation manuals.

• M3 Operation Guide

• M3 Parameter Guide (PDF)

• M3 Voice Name List (PDF)

• Keyboard Assembly Operation Guide (included with the M3-61/73/88)

Using the M3-M Brackets (included only with M3-M sold by itself)

• M3 Editor/Plug-In Editor Operation Manual (PDF)

• EXB-RADIAS for M3 Operation Manual (PDF)

The above PDF ﬁles are located in the “MANUALS” folder of the included CD-ROM. Driver operating manuals such as for the KORG USB-MIDI driver are located in the same folder as the drivers.

M3 Operation Guide

Please read this ﬁrst. It explains the names and functions of each part of the M3, how to make connections, basic operation, an overview of each mode, how to edit sounds, how to record on the sequencer, and how to sample. This guide also explains the KARMA function, effects, drum track, and drum kits.

This also explains items you should check before suspecting a malfunction, error messages, speciﬁcations, and installation of EXB options.

M3 Parameter Guide

This explains details of the M3’s parameters, organized by mode and page. Refer to this guide when you want to learn more about an unfamiliar parameter.

M3 Voice Name List

This lists the names of the multisamples, drum samples, the factory-set combinations, programs, drum kits, and KARMA settings. Refer to this list when you want to learn about this preloaded content.

Keyboard Assembly Operation Manual Using the M3-M Brackets

“Keyboard Assembly Manual” is included with the M361/73/88. It explains how to tilt the M3-M (sound generator module) upward from the keyboard assembly, and how to remove or attach the M3-M.

“Using the M3-M Brackets” is included only with the M3-M sold by itself. It explains how to attach the brackets to the M3-M so that it can be placed on a table or other surface at a comfortable angle.

M3 Editor/Plug-In Editor Manual

This explains setup and use of M3 Editor and M3 Plug-In Editor.

EXB-RADIAS for M3 Manual

This explains details of the parameters available when the optional EXB-RADIAS installed in the M3, organized by mode and page.

Conventions in this manual

References to the M3

The M3 is available as several models: the 88-key M3-88, the 73-key M3-73, the 61-key M3-61, and the sound module by itself as the M3-M. References in these manuals to “the M3” refer to all of these models collectively.

Abbreviations for the manuals: OG, PG

In the documentation, references to the manuals are abbreviated as follows.

OG: Operation Guide PG: Parameter Guide

Procedure steps 1. 2. 3. …

These indicate the steps of a procedure.

Symbols , , Note , Tips

These symbols respectively indicate a caution, a MIDIrelated explanation, a supplementary note, or a tip.

Example screen displays

The parameter values shown in the example screens of this manual are only for explanatory purposes, and may not necessary match the values that appear in the Display of your instrument.

MIDI-related explanations

CC# is an abbreviation for Control Change Number. In explanations of MIDI messages, numbers in square

brackets [ ] always indicate hexadecimal numbers.

What is REMs * ?

esonant structure and E lectronic circuit

odeling S ystem) is Korg’s proprietary technology for digitally recreating the numerous factors that produce and inﬂuence a sound, ranging from the soundproduction mechanisms of acoustic instruments and electric/electronic musical instruments, to the resonances of an instrument body or speaker cabinet, the sound ﬁeld in which the instrument is played, the propagation route of the sound, the electrical and acoustic response of mics and speakers, and the changes produced by vacuum tubes and transistors.

Handling of this product . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii

Regarding the display. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii

Data handling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii

About this manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv

Quick Start. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Setup. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

Playing Programs and Combinations . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Listening to the demo songs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Introduction to the M3. . . . . . . . . . 7

Main Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Front and rear panels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Front panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Rear panel/Bottom panel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Objects in the display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Basic Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

About the M3’s modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Basic operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

Setup. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Playing and editing Programs . . 37

Playing Programs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Selecting Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37

Performing with KARMA and the Drum Track . . . . .40

Using Controllers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41

Controller settings for the program. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46

Easy Program editing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Simple editing using the sliders and switches. . . . .47

Using COMPARE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49

Saving your edits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50

Detailed Editing with Programs . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Overview of editing pages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51

Basic oscillator settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51

Using LFOs and Envelopes (EGs). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54

Using Alternate Modulation (AMS) and the

AMS Mixers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55

Controlling Pitch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56

Using Filters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57

Using the Amp section. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60

X–Y control settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62

KARMA settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63

Drum Track settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63

Effects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63

Automatically importing a Program into

Sequence mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64

Turning the power on/off. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Connecting the AC cable. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

Turning the power on. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

Turning the power off. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

Connections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Connecting audio equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

Connecting a damper pedal, foot switch, or foot

pedal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

Connecting a computer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

Connecting MIDI devices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33

Connecting a USB device (HDD, CD-R/RW, etc.) . . .33

Installing the software. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

Playing and editing

Combinations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65

Playing combinations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Selecting Combinations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65

Performing with KARMA and the Drum Track . . . . .67

Using controllers to modify the sound. . . . . . . . . . . .67

Easy Combination editing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

Changing the programs within the Combination .68

Adjusting the mix. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68

Simple editing using the Sliders and Switches . . . .69

Saving a Combination you’ve edited . . . . . . . . . . . . .69

Detailed Editing with Combinations . . . . . . . 70

Overview of editing pages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70

A suggested approach for editing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71

Layers, Splits, and Velocity Switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71

MIDI settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73

Altering Programs to fit within a Combination . . . .74

Effects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75

Automatically importing a Combination

into Sequencer mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75

Table of Contents

Creating songs

(Sequencer mode) . . . . . . . . . . . . .77

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

About the M3’s Sequencer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77

Sequencer mode structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77

Playing Songs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

Playback. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80

Control using the sliders and switches . . . . . . . . . . . .82

MIDI recording . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

Preparations for recording . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83

Recording MIDI in real-time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85

Step recording. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88

Recording variation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89

Recording patterns. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93

Song editing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

Using RPPR (Realtime Pattern Play/Record). 97

Creating RPPR data. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97

RPPR playback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98

Recording an RPPR performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98

Sampling in Sequencer mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

Creating and playing a Cue List. . . . . . . . . . . 101

Creating a cue list. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101

Converting a cue list into a song. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102

Saving your song . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

Cautions and other functions in Sequencer

mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104

M3 sequencer file formats. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104

The Compare function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104

Memory Protect. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

About MIDI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

Sampling in Program, Combination, and

Sequencer modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122

Resampling a phrase generated by the KARMA

function. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .122

Sampling only an external guitar sound while listening to phrases generated by the KARMA

function. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .123

Sampling a mix of the phrases generated by the KARMA function together with an external guitar

sound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .125

In-Track Sampling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .126

Resampling a song to create a WAVE file. . . . . . . . .127

Settings for the entire M3

(Global mode) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129

How Global mode is structured. . . . . . . . . . . 129

Global settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129

Basic setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .129

System preference. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .130

Audio input settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .131

MIDI Basic/Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .131

External control. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .131

Pedal and other controller settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . .132

Assigning MIDI CC#s to KARMA, X–Y, and Pad

controllers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .133

Creating user scales. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .133

Setting Category Names . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .134

Using Drum Kits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135

Drum Kit Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .135

Editing Drum Kits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .136

Saving Drum Kits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .138

Sampling (Open Sampling

System) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .107

Sampling Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107

About sampling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107

Compare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109

Sampling and editing in Sampling mode . . 110

Creating multisample indexes and sampling –

P0: Recording. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110

Basic sampling procedure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112

Loop Edit – P2: Loop Edit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116

Sample (waveform data) editing –

P1: Sample Edit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118

Multisample editing – P3: Multisample Edit . . . . . 119

Ripping – P5: Audio CD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120

Converting a multisample to a program . . . . . . . . 120

Using a sample in a drum kit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121

Saving multisamples and samples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121

Loading & saving data, and

creating CDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139

Saving data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139

Types of data that can be saved . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .139

Writing to internal memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .140

Saving to media (Media–Save) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .142

Using the M3 as a data filer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .144

Loading data. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145

Data that can be loaded. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .145

Loading data from media (Media–Load) . . . . . . . . .145

Media utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148

File copying, deleting, and formatting (Media–

Utility). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .148

Creating audio CDs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150

Creating and playing audio CDs

(Media– Make Audio CD, Play Audio CD). . . . . . . . .150

Creating audio CDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150

Viewing information about media – Media Info . .152

Using Effects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153

An overview of the M3’s effects. . . . . . . . . . . 153

Effect types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153

Effect I/O . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153

Effects in each mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154

Routing effect settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155

Program Effects settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155

Using effects in Combinations and Songs. . . . . . . 157

Effect settings in Sampling mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158

Effect settings for the audio inputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159

Dynamic modulation, MIDI/Tempo Sync, and

Common FX LFO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161

Dynamic modulation (Dmod) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161

Common FX LFO. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162

Using KARMA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163

Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163

What is KARMA? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163

The structure of the KARMA function . . . . . . . . . . . 163

Performing with KARMA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167

Performing with KARMA in Program mode. . . . . . 167

Performing with the KARMA function in

Combination mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169

KARMA function settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .172

KARMA function settings in Program mode. . . . . 172

KARMA function settings in Combination mode. 176 KARMA function settings in Sequencer mode . . . 180

Synchronizing the KARMA function. . . . . . . . . . . . . 182

Drum Track function. . . . . . . . . . 185

Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185

What is the Drum Track function?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185

Performing with the Drum Track function .185

Using the Drum Track function in

Program mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185

Using the Drum Track function in

Combination mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187

Drum Track function settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . 189

Drum Track function settings in

Program mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189

Drum Track function settings in

Combination mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190

Drum Track function settings in

Sequencer mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191

Using the KARMA and Drum Track functions

together. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191

Synchronizing the Drum Track function. . . . . . . . . 193

Other functions common to all

modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .197

Editing names . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .197

Setting the functions of SW1 and SW2. . . . . . . . . . .198

Setting the functions of Realtime Controls

Slider 5–8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .198

Using tap tempo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .199

Resetting controller values. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .199

Shortcuts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .200

Appendices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .201

Restoring the factory settings . . . . . . . . . . . . 201

Loading the preloaded data. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .201

Installing options. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202

Cautions when installing an option board . . . . . . .202

Available option boards for the M3. . . . . . . . . . . . . .203

Verifying installation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .203

Installing the options and replacing the calendar

battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .204

Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208

Power supply. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .208

Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .208

Audio input and output. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .208

Programs and Combinations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .210

Songs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .210

Sampling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .211

KARMA function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .211

Drum Track function. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .212

X–Y control. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .212

Drum Kits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .212

Effects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .212

MIDI. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .212

Pads or damper pedal do not respond correctly. .213

USB Media, and CD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .213

WAVE files. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .214

Connections with a computer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .214

Included CD-ROM. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .214

Error messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215

Error and confirmation messages. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .215

Media that can be used with the M3. . . . . . . 223

Types of media supported by the M3. . . . . . . . . . . .223

Operations that the M3 can perform on media. . .223

Specifications and options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224

Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .224

Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .227

MIDI Implementation Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228

Creating a Drum Track pattern. . . . . . . . . . . . 195

Preparing a user pattern. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195

Converting to a Drum Track pattern . . . . . . . . . . . . 195

vii

Table of Contents

viii

Quick Start

This Quick Start is provided for those who just want to get started trying out the sounds right away.

It explains how to set up the M3, how to select programs and control the sound, and how to listen to the demo songs.

After you’ve ﬁnished reading this Quick Start section, please also take a look at the full explanations that follow.

Headphones

PHONES

L/ MONO

INPUT INPUT

Powered monitors

Quick Start

Introduction

SetupProgram

Setup

Here’s how to connect the power cable and audio cables, and how to turn on the power.

1. If you purchased the M3-61/73/88 (the M3-M with the KYBD-61/73/88 keyboard assembly), you can use your system with the M3-M (module) tilted upward relative to the KYBD-61/73/88. Refer to the “Keyboard assembly Manual” included with the M3-61/73/88.

If you purchased the M3-M (module) by itself, you can connect the included brackets and place the module at an angle on a tabletop or other surface. Refer to the “Connecting the brackets” document included with the M3-M.

2. Connect the included power cable.

First connect the included power cable to the M3’s power connector.

3. Connect the M3 to your mix or monitor system.

Connect the M3’s AUDIO OUTPUT (MAIN) L/ MONO and R jacks to your mixer or ampliﬁed monitor speakers.

If you’re monitoring through headphones, connect them to the headphone jack located on the rear of the M3. The headphones will output the same sound as the AUDIO OUTPUT (MAIN) L/MONO and R jacks.

M3-61/73/88

If you’re using the M3-M by itself, connect your MIDI master keyboard to it.

Headphones

INPUT INPUT

PHONES

M3-M

MIDI master keyboard

4. Lower the M3’s VOLUME MAIN slider.

Turn on your audio monitor system and set the volume to a normal level.

5. Turn on the M3 by pressing the power switch located on the rear panel.

6. Raise the volume of the connected equipment to an appropriate level. Then gradually raise the M3’s VOLUME MAIN slider to adjust the volume as desired.

MONO

MIDI IN

MIDI OUT

Powered monitors

Combination

Sequencer

SamplingGlobalMediaEffectKARMA

VOLUME MAIN slider POWER switch

AC POWER

connector

Drum Track

Other

Appendices

Quick Start

Playing Programs and Combinations

By default, Combination mode will be selected when you turn on the power. Play the keyboard, and you will hear the sound of bank I-A combination number

000. A combination consists of up to sixteen programs that are split and/or layered. It also uses up to four KARMA modules simultaneously (a program can use only one KARMA module), letting you produce far more complex sounds than a program.

Although you could simply continue selecting different combinations and playing them, let’s start by selecting and listening to the “basic” sounds of the M3 – programs.

Note:

If you don’t hear any sound when you play the keyboard or pads: Check the connections once again. Also make sure that the M3’s VOLUME MAIN slider and the volume of your powered speakers or stereo amp are turned up appropriately.

With the factory settings, numbers 0–127 of INT-A– INT-D contain preloaded programs. Select and play these programs to hear their sounds.

For details on the programs in each bank, please see “Overview: Program Banks” on page 38.

5. Press the popup button located at the left of “Program Select” in the display.

A list of the programs in each bank will appear. Use the tabs located at the left and right to select the

desired bank. Then press a program within the menu to select it. By

using the scroll bar located below the menu you can view the other programs in that bank that are not currently displayed.

You can press the q switch or u switch to select the program of the previous or next number.

When you’ve chosen the program you want to play, press the OK button or the ENTER switch.

Selecting Programs

1. Press the MODE PROG switch (the LED will light) to enter Program mode.

2. The upper left of the display shows the name of the current page, Prog P0: Play. This is the page in which you will normally play programs.

Play the keyboard or strike the pads to hear the sound.

Note:

If you moved to another page etc. by pressing the display, pressing the EXIT switch a maximum of three times will take you back to the program name selection.

3. The large characters in the upper part of the

display will be highlighted.

These are the program number and program name (“Program Select”).

In this state, you can press the select the next or previously numbered program.

You can turn the VALUE dial to rapidly scroll through the programs.

4. Use the BANK SELECT I-A–I-G and U-A–U-G

switches to select other banks of programs.

switch or

switch to

6. There are several other ways to select programs, but here we’ll explain how to select programs using categories such as “keyboard,” “organ,” “bass,” or “drums.”

Press the Category Select popup button in the display. This is the rectangular button located above the program name.

q/u switches

Bank number

Program Select popup button

PROG P0: Play

Program Select

Category Select popup button

MODE PROG switches

EXIT switch

VALUE dial

BANK SELECT I-A–U-G switches

Playing Programs and Combinations

The Category/Program Select menu will appear, showing a list of the programs for each category. Press the tabs located at the left and right to select the desired category.

Then press a program in the menu to select it. You can press the

switch or

switch to select the

program of the next or previous number. When you’ve chosen the program you want to play,

press the OK button or the ENTER switch. Categories also have sub-categories, and you can press

the Jump to Sub button of the Category/Program Select menu to choose programs from a sub-category list.

Bank number

COMBI P : Play

Combination Select

Combination Select popup button

Category Select popup button

3. The large characters in the upper part of the display will be highlighted.

These are the combination number and combination name (“Combination Select”).

In this state, you can press the q switch or u switch to select the next or previously numbered combination.

You can turn the VALUE dial to rapidly scroll through the programs.

4. Use the BANK SELECT I-A–I-G and U-A–U-G switches to select combinations of other banks.

With the factory settings, numbers 0–127 of INT-A– INT-C contain preloaded programs. Select and play these combinations to hear their sounds.

5. As in Program mode, you can select combinations from the menu by bank or by category.

As described in steps 5 and 6 of “Selecting Programs” on page 2, go ahead and select and play combinations in the same way as you did for programs.

Quick Start

Introduction

SetupProgram

Combination

Sequencer

Selecting combinations

1. Press the MODE COMBI switch (the LED will light) to enter Combination mode.

2. The upper left of the display shows the name of the current page, Combi P0: Play. This is the page in which you will normally play combinations.

Play the keyboard or strike the pads to hear the sound.

Note:

If you moved to another page etc. by pressing the display, pressing the EXIT switch a maximum of three times will take you back to the combination name selection.

Control surface

REALTIME CONTROL switch

X–Y control X–Y MODE switch

Using controllers to modify the sound

The M3 has numerous controllers.

1. The keyboard section of the M3-61/73/88 (the KYBD-61/73/88 keyboard assembly) provides a joystick, ribbon controller, and SW1/SW2 switches in addition to the keyboard, and you can use these to modify the sound.

The result will differ for each Program and Combination, so try them out to hear what happens. For details on these controllers, please see “Using Controllers” on page 41.

2. At the left side of the M3-M (the M3’s sound module), there is a group of sliders and switches that looks somewhat like a mixer.

This is called the “control surface,” and lets you perform various types of control such as editing

M3-M

MOTION switch

SamplingGlobalMediaEffectKARMA

SW1 and SW2

Joystick

Ribbon controller

Pads 1–8

Drum Track

Other

Appendices

* The diagram shown is for M3-61Keyboard assembly (KYBD-61/73/88)

Quick Start

sounds, operating the KARMA function, or sending MIDI messages to external devices.

For example, go ahead and press the CONTROL ASSIGN REALTIME CONTROL switch (the LED will light).

Now you can use the switches of the control surface to turn the effects on/off.

Operating the sliders will control the frequency cutoff, resonance, and intensity, or any other parameters you specify.

The display can show the function and values of the control surface. To view this, press the Control Surface tab located in the lower right of the display.

When you operate the controllers, the objects in the display will move accordingly.

Press the X–Y MODE switch (the LED will light). The color of the display will change. While you play the keyboard, touch the display with your ﬁnger and make a motion. The color of the display will change, and you’ll hear the volume balance or sound change simultaneously.

If you hold down the MOTION switch, the captured motion will be reproduced; you’ll see the display change color, and hear the volume balance or sound change.

For details on operation and capturing motions, please see “X–Y controller” on page 43.

If the X–Y MODE switch is on (the LED will light), you won’t be able to select parameters in the display. If you need to select a program or combination, or change a setting, turn the X–Y MODE switch off (the LED will go dark).

4. Located below the display are eight velocitysensitive trigger pads.

You can use these to trigger single notes or chords (of up to eight notes).

This is a useful way to play drums, chords, or the KARMA function. You can easily assign notes or chords to the pads (see page 44).

Note: Even if you’ve modiﬁed the sound, you can restore the program to its saved condition.

Press the COMPARE switch (the LED will light) to recall the saved settings from before you modiﬁed the sound. Press the COMPARE switch once again and you’ll return to your modiﬁed settings (the LED will go dark).

You can load previously-saved settings by holding down the RESET CONTROLS switch and operating a control surface slider or switch, or pressing a CONTROL ASSIGN switch (see page 199).

3. X–Y control is a particularly interesting capability of the M3.

This lets you modify the volume balance or sound by sliding your ﬁnger across the display. You can also capture this motion and play it back during your performance to modify the volume balance or sound.

RESET

CONTROLS

Performing with the KARMA function

KARMA is an extremely powerful performance tool that allows a broad range of musical expression.

1. Select Combination mode or Program mode.

2. Press the KARMA ON/OFF switch (the LED will light).

3. If you press the KARMA LATCH switch (the LED will light), the KARMA function will continue generating the pattern or phrase even after you stop playing the keyboard or pads, or after all MIDI note-on/off messages are received.

For example, this is convenient when you want to play the keyboard while listening to the phrases generated by KARMA.

4. Play the keyboard or pads to trigger KARMA.

KARMA will begin generating its performance. Note: If the KARMA LINKED LED is lit, the

performance will not begin when you simply play the

KARMA Switch (SWITCHES 1–8)

KARMA Slider (SLIDERS 1–8)

KARMA

DRUM

TRACK

ON/OFF

KARMA LINKED

LED

KARMA

ON/OFF

KARMA

LATCH

SCENES 1/5–4/8

PADS 1–8

keyboard or pads. You must also press the DRUM TRACK ON/OFF switch and then press a key or pad to start the drum track phrase. The KARMA performance will begin simultaneously.

5. KARMA has up to eight scenes. When you press one of the SCENES 1/5–4/8 switches to change scenes, the KARMA parameter values assigned to the KARMA switches and KARMA sliders will change instantly, giving you a wide range of variety in the generated phrases and patterns.

The KARMA sliders and KARMA switches are assigned to the parameters that will be most effective in varying the phrases and patterns.

The KARMA SCENES 1/5–4/8 switches can select either KARMA scenes 1–4 or scenes 5–8. When you press the CONTROL ASSIGN KARMA switch that is already lit, the 1–4 or 5–8 LED will blink to indicate the scene that will be selected next. Then press one of the 1/5–4/8 switches to select the corresponding KARMA scene (see page 11).

6. You can view the KARMA scene settings in the display.

Press the EXIT switch three times to access the P0: Play page, and press the Control Surface tab located in the lower right of the display. Then press the CONTROL ASSIGN KARMA switch.

7. By operating SLIDERS 1–8 and SWITCHES 1–8 of the control surface, you can edit the parameters assigned to the KARMA switches and KARMA sliders of a KARMA scene in realtime.

The parameters that are assigned will differ depending on the Program or Combination.

Note: Even if you’ve modiﬁed the sound, you can restore the program to its saved condition. The same is true for KARMA settings (see page 3).

8. The KARMA GE page and KARMA RTC page within the P0: Play page let you see these settings in greater detail. In the KARMA GE page you can select the GE (Generated Effect) used by a KARMA module, and view settings such as the time signature of the patterns that are generated.

Listening to the demo songs

Pattern Bank/No.

Drum Track Program

2. Press the DRUM TRACK ON/OFF switch.

The ON/OFF switch will be lit or blinking. This will depend on the setting of the program.

If it’s lit, the Drum Track pattern will begin. Press the ON/OFF switch once again to stop.

If it’s blinking, the Drum Track pattern will be waiting to begin. It will start when you play the keyboard or when a MIDI note-on is received.

If the front panel KARMA LINKED and KARMA ON/ OFF switches are lit, the KARMA performance will be linked with Drum Track start/stop. The way to stop the drum track will depend on the program settings; it will stop either when you press the DRUM TRACK ON/OFF switch or when you take your hand off the keyboard.

3. To change the Drum Track pattern, use “Pattern Bank” and “Pattern No.” to select the desired pattern.

Note: You can create your own original Drum Track patterns (see page 195).

4. Use “Drum Track Program” to select the program that will be played by the Drum Track pattern.

Note: Only programs of category number 15 (Drums) can be selected.

Listening to the demo songs

Quick Start

Introduction

SetupProgram

Combination

Sequencer

SamplingGlobalMediaEffectKARMA

Performing with the Drum Track function

The Drum Track function gives you an easy way to play a wide variety of Drum Track patterns using the M3’s high-quality drum programs. Playing a Program or Combination along with Drum Track patterns is a convenient way to come up with phrases or work out the structure of your song.

1. Select Combination mode or Program mode.

For this example, press the MODE PROG switch to select Program mode, and access the Prog P0: Play– Main page. If another page is displayed, you’ll need to press the EXIT switch up to three times.

Loading the demo song data in Global mode

1. Press the MODE GLOBAL switch (the LED will light) to enter Global mode.

2. Access the Global P0: Basic Setup page.

If another page is displayed, press the EXIT switch.

3. Press the menu button in the upper right of the display, and choose “Load Preload/Demo Data.”

Drum Track

Other

Appendices

Quick Start

4. In the “Kind” ﬁeld, choose “All (Preload PCG and Demo Songs).”

When you execute loading, the preloaded data and the demo song data will be loaded.

If you’ve edited a preloaded program or combination, or created one from scratch, executing this Load operation will overwrite your data; i.e., your changes will be lost. If you want to keep your changes, you must ﬁrst save them on a USB storage device (commercially available) connected to the M3’s USB A connector.

5. Press the OK button or ENTER switch.

A dialog box will ask you for conﬁrmation. Press the OK button or ENTER switch once again to

load the data.

Never turn off the power while data is being loaded.

If the Memory Protected dialog appears, press the System Pref. tab and clear the check mark from the Memory Protect Song setting. Then load the data again.

Listening to the demo songs in Sequencer mode

Alternatively, you can press the round button (Song Select popup) located at the left of the song name, and a list of song names will appear. Select a song, and press the OK button or ENTER switch.

7. Press the SEQUENCER START/STOP switch to begin playback. To stop playback, press the START/STOP switch once again.

The demo song will not be retained when the power is turned off, but you can load it again at any time.

Playing back a cue list

Songs can be assigned to a cue list, and will playback in the speciﬁed order. You can also specify the number of times that each song will be repeated. Here’s how to play back the demo songs assigned to a cue list.

1. Access the P11: Cue List page.

Press the PAGE SELECT switch to access the Seq Page Select page. Press “P11 Cue List” in the display.

1. Press the MODE SEQ switch (the LED will light) to enter Sequencer mode.

2. Access the P0: Play/REC– Program T01–08 page.

If this page is not displayed, you’ll need to press the EXIT switch up to three times.

Meter Tempo

Song Select

Popup

Track Select

Introduction to the M3

Main Features

Quick Start

Rich and vivid sound produced by new EDS (Enhanced Definition Synthesis) sound generator

The new “EDS” (Enhanced Deﬁnition Synthesis) sound generation system is based on PCM sources reﬁned using Korg’s proprietary voicing technology, and delivers rich and vivid sounds.

Each voice has oscillators (two oscillators allowing four-stage velocity switching/crossfading/layering) that can use up to eight (stereo) multisamples, up to four ﬁlters (two ﬁlters each with four modes and four routings), two amps, ﬁve LFOs, and ﬁve EGs, all available simultaneously. Maximum polyphony is 120 voices.

The oscillator section provides a total of 1,032 multisamples (including seven stereo multisamples) sampled at 48 kHz, as well as 1,606 drum samples (including 116 stereo dr um samples), giving you a total of 256 Mbytes of sample data (when considered as 16bit linear data). These PCM sources are available for use in the oscillator section via four-way velocity switching/crossfading/layering to create a broad range of expressive, high-quality sounds.

The ﬁlter section that’s so vital to creative soundmaking lets you simultaneously use two ﬁlters for each oscillator. Filter types include low-pass, high-pass, band-pass, and band-reject (notch). You can use the two ﬁlters in any of four routings: single, serial, parallel, or 24 dB mode.

The amp section provides a driver circuit that adds edge and character to the sound.

The key tracking generator allows the ﬁltering to vary according to the keyboard range; you can apply subtle ﬁltering for convincing simulation sounds, or aggressive ﬁltering that produces drastic changes in ﬁltering as you play up or down the keyboard.

The M3 takes advantage of its lavish amount of available processing power to produce ultra-fast and ultra-smooth EGs (envelope generators) and LFOs.

EGs allow you to specify how the sound develops over time, from its onset to its end. The each EG stage (attack, decay, slope, and release), giving you detailed control over how the tone and volume change over time, and making it possible to program anything from simulated acoustic sounds to vintage synthesizer sounds in the utmost detail.

Korg’s AMS (Alternate Modulation Sources) give you a rich array of modulation possibilities, with 50 different modulation sources you can use to control the sound in complex ways. The M3 takes this classic Korg feature even further, via the AMS Mixers. These let you create even more detailed modulation designs, such as mixing two modulation sources together, multiplying one modulation source by another, or modifying the shape of the modulation source in various ways.

Programs, Drum Tracks, and each of the sixteen timbres/tracks has its three-band EQ, letting you make detailed adjustments to the tonal character.

To let you shape the ﬁnal character of the overall sound, the effect section provides up to ﬁve insert effects, two master effects, and one total effect. In addition to delay and reverb, the total of 170 highquality effects includes modulation-type effects such as chorus, phaser, and ﬂanger, dynamic-type effects such as compressor and limiter, and amp-modeling effects generated using Korg’s proprietary “REMS” modeling technology. There are also two common LFOs that can be shared between different modulation effects. For example, you can create sophisticated effects such as using a single common LFO to synchronize the modulation frequency of a phaser and a ﬂanger used on different timbres. Effect dynamic modulation (Dmod) lets you control the sound or effects in a wide variety of ways, ranging from the subtle to the dramatic.

Use the KARMA function, Drum Track function, Open Sampling System, and 16-track MIDI sequencer to bring your ideas into completion in this seamless new production environment

The M3 provides many new functions that help you turn your ideas into songs quickly and intuitively.

The Drum Track function lets you listen to drum patterns while you construct the outline of your song. You can easily select the M3’s built-in patterns or patterns that you’ve created, and start the pattern from a speciﬁed region of the keyboard or by playing a velocity higher than a speciﬁed threshold.

This function is also useful for anything from realtime performance to generating sketches for song production

The M3 also provides the amazing KARMA function, giving you an enormous amount of musically expressive potential. This provides a powerful boost to your music production power, letting you can use up to four KARMA modules to create complex layered textures or produce natural performance gestures that are idiomatic to a wide range of instruments.

Sampling functionality is provided by the Open Sampling System which lets you sample or resample while in any mode (Program or Combination, etc.). You can also perform a rich array of sample editing commands including Time Stretch and Time Slice. In Sequencer mode you can perform in-track sampling, letting you sample while your song plays back, just as if you were recording an audio track. In addition to Korg format sample data, you can also load sample data in a wide range of formats including W AVE, AIFF, Akai S1000/S3000, and SoundFont 2.0 formats for music production or performance.

Auto Song Setup is a function that makes it easy to record programs, drum tracks, or combinations along with KARMA performances as a multi-track recording to create the basic tracks at the core of your song.

Introduction

SetupProgram

Combination

Sequencer

SamplingGlobalMediaEffectKARMA

Drum Track

Other

Appendices

Introduction to the M3

At the heart of any music production is the M3’s sequencer, which lets you record 16 MIDI tracks, up to 128 songs, and 210,000 notes. With a high resolution of 1/480, every timing nuance of your performance will be captured accurately. You can use the Cue List function to create your song section by section and then play it back as a medley in the form you want.

Superb operability and expressiveness, with X–Y Control that lets the display operate as a controller, eight multi-pads, and a control surface

The M3 features a clear, color 320 x 240 pixel display for excellent visibility and operability. It features the Touch-View graphical user interface that lets you operate the system by touching the display directly, allowing efﬁcient access to the M3’s enormous amount of parameters.

This display also operates as an X–Y touchpad controller (similar to Korg’s KOASS technology), allowing you to vary the volume balance or sound in realtime by moving your ﬁnger across the display (X–Y Mode). You can also record the movements of your ﬁnger and play back these movements to vary the sound (X–Y Motion).

The eight multi-pads can trigger single notes or chords (up to eight notes), and are a useful way to play drums, chords, or to control the KARMA performance. You can easily assign notes or chords to the pads as desired.

The eight sliders and switches of the control surface provide a high degree of expressive operability, and can be used to adjust the volume of oscillators or timbres/tracks, to control the realtime performance generated by KARMA, or to modify your sounds via the Realtime Control or Tone Adjust functions. You can also use these sliders and switches along with the pads as external controllers for your external MIDI equipment.

The keyboard assembly (KYBD-61/73/88) features a joystick newly designed for ease of use, as well as a convenient ribbon controller for detailed control over the nuances of your sound. The 61-key and 73-key models provide a great-feeling keyboard with aftertouch, allowing expressive control over any type of sound. The 88-key model features the RH3 (Real Weighted Hammer Action 3) keyboard with a heavier feel in the lower register that lightens as you play upward, allowing expressive performance with the same keyboard playing feel as a grand piano.

Excellent connectivity with up to four channels of audio input, six channels of audio output, and USB A and B

As audio inputs, the M3 provides two channels of analog and two channels of digital (S/P DIF) input.

As audio outputs, it provides the two main analog channels (L/MONO, R), four independent outputs, and two digital channels (S/P DIF).

There’s one type-B USB connector that allows MIDI to be sent and received between your computer and the M3, and two type-A USB connectors for connecting USB memory or other storage media. USB 2.0 is supported for high-speed transfer of large amount of data. You can resample to a USB storage device (such as a hard disk), or edit WAVE ﬁles. If you connect a

USB CD-RW drive, you can resample the songs you create and then use then to burn an original audio CD.

If the optional EXB-FW is installed, you can start up the included M3 Plug-In Editor in your DAW application, allowing you to send and receive MIDI messages as well as two-in/six-out streams of digital audio data between your software and the M3.

KKS (KORG Komponent System) allows flexible construction of your hardware system

The M3 uses “KKS” (KORG Komponent System), in which the sound module and the keyboard assembly (KYBD-61/73/88) are joined by a detachable mechanism. This lets you mount other sound modules on the keyboard assembly, or mount two sound modules at the same time on the keyboard assembly for ﬂexible system creation. Of course you can detach the sound module from the keyboard assembly and use it as a stand-alone unit. You can also tilt the sound module upward for convenient operation.

You’ll be able to create ﬂexible systems with future products that utilize the KKS standard.

Virtualized hardware functionality that lets you assign sounds just like plug-in instruments within your DAW software

The bundled “M3 Editor” and “M3 Plug-In Editor” software are applications that let you edit M3 sounds such as programs, combinations, and drum kits from your computer.

“M3 Editor” is a stand-alone editor. “M3 Plug-In Editor” supports VST, Audio Units, and RTAS formats, allowing you to use the M3 as if it were a plug-in instrument in your DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) software or other host application.

If you install the optional EXB-FW FireWire board, you’ll be able to connect a single FireWire (IEEE 1394) cable to route the M3’s audio signals and MIDI messages to and from your DAW tracks via the M3 Plug-In Editor. This “Virtualized Hardware” functionality means that you can use the M3 as though it were a plug-in software instrument.

Expandable by a rich variety of separately sold options

You can expand the M3’s power by installing an EXBRADIAS analog modeling synthesizer board (one timbre, maximum 24-voice polyphony), by adding the EXB-M256 to expand the internal PCM multisample and sampling capacity to 320 Mbytes (64 Mbytes internal + 256 Mbytes), the EXB-FW that allows singlecable FireWire (IEEE 1394) connection for creating a virtualized hardware environment, and EX-USB-PCM series libraries that will become available in the future.

Front and rear panels

Front panel

Front and rear panels Front panel

Quick Start

M3 Front panel

The M3 music workstation/sampler uses the “KORG Komponent System,” with the KYBD-61/73/88 keyboard assembly and the M3-M sound module in a detachable conﬁguration.

2. Joystick

B. Keyboard assembly3. Ribbon controller * The diagram shown is for M3-61

Introduction

SetupProgram

A. M3-M (sound module section)1. SW1 and SW2 4. TO KYBD connector/TO MODULE connector

Combination

Sequencer

SamplingGlobalMediaEffectKARMA

A. M3-M (sound module section)

This is the M3-M sound module. You can use the M3-M attached to the KYBD-61/73/88

keyboard assembly, or use the M3-M by itself as a MIDI sound module with an external MIDI keyboard or controlled from your computer.

B. KYBD-61/73/88 keyboard assembly

This is the KYBD-61/73/88 keyboard assembly. Connect it to the M3-M. For details on how to connect this to the M-3M and how to use it, please see “Keyboard assembly Manual.”

1. SW1 and SW2

These are used to control the M3-M’s programs or effect parameters, or to turn the joystick or ribbon controller’s lock function on/off.

The actual functions that are being controlled will depend on various program and effect parameters.

2. Joystick

You can control the M3-M’s program parameters or effect parameters by moving the joystick up/down/ left/right.

The actual functions that are being controlled will depend on various program and effect parameters.

They will do something like the functions shown below:

Standard Joystick functions

Move the joystick…

Left JS–X Pitch bend down Right JS+X Pitch bend up Up (away from yourself) JS+Y Vibrato Backwards

(towards yourself)

Controller

Name

JS–Y Filter LFO (wah)

Normally controls…

3. Ribbon controller

You can control the M3-M’s program parameters and effect parameters by touching or sliding your ﬁnger on the ribbon controller.

The actual functions that are being controlled will depend on various program and effect parameters.

4. TO MODULE , TO MODULE (2nd) connectors

Use the included cable to connect the M3-M and the keyboard assembly. When they are connected, you can use the keyboard assembly’s keyboard, SW1 and SW2 switches, joystick, and ribbon controller to control the M3-M. The KYBD-61/73/88 keyboard assembly has two TO MODULE connectors (main and sub), allowing you to connect two devices that are compatible with the KORG Komponent System. For details on connections, please see “Keyboard assembly Manual.”

Drum Track

Other

Appendices

Introduction to the M3

M3-M Front panel

1 2 6 9 1078

3 4 5 13 12 14 15 16

1. VOLUME MAIN slider

This adjusts the volume of the (MAIN OUTPUT) L/ MONO, R outputs, as well as the volume of the headphone jack.

It does not affect any of the other outputs, including S/ P DIF OUT (MAIN), the AUDIO OUTPUT (INDIVIDUAL) 1–4, or the optional EXB-FW output.

2. Control Surface (MIXER & MODULATION)

The Control Surface is located at the left of the display, and consists of eight sliders, eight switches, and a control assign section that selects the function to be controlled.

You can use the Control Surface to perform a wide range of control, such as adjusting the oscillator, timbre, track, and audio input mixers, editing sounds, controlling the KARMA function, and transmitting MIDI messages to external devices. You can freely switch the Control Surface between these functions without losing the contents of your editing.

As explained below, you can use the front panel CONTROL ASSIGN switches to switch between the various control surface functions. You can also view and edit the control surface settings on the display (P0– Control Surface page in each mode).

CONTROL ASSIGN:

The LEDs at the right of this switch indicate whether you’ve selected timbres or tracks 1–8 or 9–16, or INPUTS. Press the MIXER switch to change the selection.

REALTIME CONTROL switch

Switches 1–8 will turn the effects on/off. Sliders 1–8 will modify the sound or effects.

EXTERNAL

EXTERNAL lets you use the control surface to transmit MIDI messages to external MIDI devices.

TONE ADJUST

TONE ADJUST gives you hands-on access to sound editing, using the sliders 1–8, and switches 1–8. In Combination and Sequencer modes, it also lets you edit Programs within the context of the Combination or Song, without making any changes to the original Program data.

KARMA switch

Sliders 1–8 and switches 1–8 will control the KARMA function.

Alternatively, they will switch between KARMA SCENES 1–4 and 5–8. (see

page 11)

MIX PLAY/MUTE (SOLO), IFX 1...5, MFX1, 2, TFX

MIXER switch

T1–8, T9–16: In Program mode, the control surface will control the volume, play/mute, and solo of oscillators 1 and 2 and the Drum Track.

In Sampling mode, the control surface will control the volume, play/mute, and solo of the multisamples (oscillators).

In Combination and Sequencer modes, the control surface will control volume, play/mute, and solo of the sixteen timbres or MIDI tracks.

INPUTS: The control surface will control the volume, play/mute, and solo of the analog audio input and the S/P DIF audio input (and the FireWire L/R audio input if the optional EXB-FW is installed).

SWITCHES 1–8

These switches will control the function you’ve selected in the CONTROL ASSIGN section.

Note: Use the menu command Panel-SW Solo Mode On to switch these between the PLAY/MUTE function

and SOLO On/Off function.

MIX VOLUMES, CUTOFF...EG RELEASE, USER1...4

SLIDERS 1/9–8/16

These sliders will control the function you’ve selected in the CONTROL ASSIGN section.

Front and rear panels Front panel

There will be a slight discrepancy between the value and the controller position when you move a controller near the minimum or maximum

position of the slider. For details, please see: Program mode: “0–8: Control Surface” on page 14 of

the Parameter Guide Combination mode: “0–8: Control Surface” on

page 130 of the Parameter Guide Sequencer mode: “0–2–8: Control Surface” on page 207

of the Parameter Guide Sampling mode: “0–8: Control Surface” on page 309 of

the Parameter Guide

RESET CONTROLS switch

This switch resets the controllers of the control surface, or returns the settings to stored values.

To reset a single control, hold down RESET CONTROLS switch and then move a Control Surface slider, press one of the control surface switches.

To reset an entire page of the control surface all at once, including all sliders, and switches, hold down RESET CONTROLS switch and then touch any of the CONTROL ASSIGN switches, such as REALTIME CONTROL or TONE ADJUST.

For details, please see “Resetting controller values” on page 199.

LINKED LED

This will light if Link to DT of each KARMA module is on. If this is lit, the KARMA function on/off status will be controlled in synchronization with the on/off status of the Drum Track function.

LATCH switch

When LATCH is turned on, KARMA will continue to play even after you’ve stopped holding notes on the keyboard, drum/chord pads, or MIDI In.

This is convenient when you want to play on top of a KARMA-generated groove, for instance.

MODULE CONTROL switch

In Combination and Sequencer modes, KARMA has four independent Modules, each of which can be generating a different musical effect. When used to control KARMA, the Control Surface sliders and switches are ﬁve layers deep: one for each Module (A- D), and then a Master Layer which controls selected parameters from all of the Modules at once.

The MODULE CONTROL switch selects whether the KARMA Sliders, Switches, and Scenes will control either a single Module independently, or the Master Layer. In Program mode, only a single Module is available, and the Master Layer is used to control it; you cannot select other settings).

SCENES

Quick Start

Introduction

SetupProgram

Combination

Sequencer

3. DRUM TRACK

DRUM TRACK ON/OFF switch

This switch turns the Drum Track function on or off. When the DRUM TRACK ON/OFF switch is off (the

LED will go dark), pressing this switch will make the LED light or blink.

If the LED lights, the Drum Track pattern will start simultaneously. When you turn it off, the pattern will stop.

If the LED is blinking, the Drum Track pattern will be in ready mode; it will start when you play the keyboard or receive a MIDI note-on message.

4. KARMA

KARMA stands for “Kay Algorithmic Realtime Music Architecture.” It’s an immensely powerful recording and live performance tool, which can provide a wide range of musical effects including:

• Arpeggiation

• Drum and instrument grooves

• Complex CC gestures (as if it was automatically

moving sliders or joysticks for you)

• Musical phrase generation, such as piano flourishes

• Gated and chopped dance production effects

• Any combination of the above

• …and much more.

ON/OFF switch

This switches the KARMA function on and off. As with the other KARMA switches, the switch’s LED will light up to show you that it is turned on.

SWITCHES 1/5…4/8

These switches select KARMA scenes 1–8. When you press the CONTROL ASSIGN KARMA

switch, the 1–4 or 5–8 LED will blink to indicate the candidates for the selection you are about to make. When you then press a switch 1/5–4/8, the corresponding KARMA scene will be selected.

If you once again press the KARMA ON/OFF switch while 1–4 or 5–8 are blinking, the blinking state will be cancelled.

5. Drum/Chord Pads

PAD 1…8

These velocity-sensitive pads can trigger single notes or chords of up to eight notes each. You can use them for playing or programming drums, for triggering chords (especially useful in conjunction with KARMA), or for selecting chords to play from the keyboard in Chord mode. For information about Chord mode, please see “Assigning notes and chords to pads” on page 44.

Assigning notes to the pads is fast and easy.; see “CHORD ASSIGN switch” on page 12 for details.

The notes and/or chords assigned to the pads are stored with each Program, Combination, and Song. There are also Global settings for use when the Control Surface is set to EXTERNAL, for easy control of external sound modules or plug-ins.

PAD MODE switch

The PAD MODE switch switches the pads between being velocity sensitive (so that the loudness varies depending on how hard you hit the pad) and playing a single, ﬁxed velocity for each note (handy if you want

SamplingGlobalMediaEffectKARMA

Drum Track

Other

Appendices

Introduction to the M3

the same results every time, regardless of how hard you play).

CHORD ASSIGN switch

Use this switch to assign single notes or chord to the pads. (See “Assigning notes and chords to pads” on page 44)

6. TouchView display

This is a touch panel featuring the TouchView system. You can select pages, tabs, and parameters by pressing objects shown in the display, and then specify their value in the display or by using the V ALUE contr ollers. This allows quick and intuitive editing.

This display also functions as an X–Y controller. You can assign oscillator or timbre/track volume, program parameters, or effect parameters to the X-axis and Yaxis, and control them in realtime. When you do so, the color of the display will change in response to the movement of your ﬁnger . You can also use X–Y Motion to capture the movement of your ﬁnger, and use this captured motion to control parameters.

7. Contrast knob

This adjusts the contrast of the display. Adjust this as necessary if the visibility is not optimal.

8. X–Y control

X–Y control lets you use movements of your ﬁnger on the display (X–Y mode) or an X–Y Motion recorded in this way to control the volume balance between OSC1 and OSC2 (or between timbres/tracks), or to generate control changes that will modify the program or effect.

The X–Y Volume Control and X–Y CC Control settings specify the function to be controlled. (See “Volume Control and CC Control” on page 62)

You can also use a foot switch to control the MOTION START/STOP switch function.

9. MODE switches

M3 has six different operational modes, each one optimized for a speciﬁc set of functions.

Press one of these switches (the LED will light) to enter the corresponding mode.

COMBI switch

This selects Combination mode. Since a combination consists of multiple programs in a split or layer conﬁguration, it can produce more complex sounds than a program. In Combination mode you can play or edit these combinations.

PROG switch

This selects Program mode. Programs are the basic sounds you play. In Program mode you can play or edit programs.

SEQ switch

This selects Sequencer mode, for recording, playing, and MIDI tracks.

SAMPLING switch

This selects Sampling mode, for recording and editing audio samples and multisamples.

GLOBAL switch

This selects Global mode, for making overall settings, and Drum Kits, and more.

MEDIA switch

This selects Media mode. In this mode you can save or load data using a USB storage device connected to the USB A connector. You can also edit WAVE ﬁles on a USB storage device, or create an audio CD.

X–Y MODE switch

This turns X–Y MODE on or off. If you turn this on and move your ﬁnger across the display, the volume or tone will change according to the function that is assigned.

If this is on, the switch will light and the color of the display will change.

If this is on, you won’t be able to select parameters in the display. Turn this off if you need to modify settings. For details on how to preserve the On state, please see page 141.

HOLD switch

When you turn on the HOLD switch (the LED will light), the X–Y MODE effect will be maintained even after you take your hand away, preserving the state of that moment. If this HOLD switch is off, the point will return to the center value when you take your hand away.

MOTION START/STOP switch

This records or plays-back an X–Y Motion. Recording or playback will occur while you continue pressing the switch (the LED will light). For details on how to play back an X–Y Motion, please see “X–Y controller” on page 43.

10. BANK SELECT switches

I–A, I–B, I–C, I–D, I–E, I–F, I–G, U–A, U–B, U–C, U–D, U–E, U–F, U–G switches

Use these switches to change banks when selecting Programs or Combinations. The LEDs in the switches light up to show the current bank.

In Program mode, these switches select the Program bank.

In Combination mode, these switches have two functions:

• When you’re selecting Combinations, they choose the Combination bank.

• When you’re assigning a Program to a timbre within the Combination, they select the Program bank.

In Sequencer mode, when a track’s Program name is selected, these switches change the Program bank.

11. VALUE controller

When you’ve selected a parameter on the TouchView display, you can edit it using any of the four frontpanel VALUE controllers:

• The VALUE slider

• The Inc q and Dec u switches

Front and rear panels Front panel

• The VALUE dial

• The numeric keypad

VALUE slider

Use this to edit the selected parameter’s value. This control is convenient for making large changes to the value, such as moving quickly to the minimum or maximum setting.

You can use the value slider as a modulation source, but only when the following are true:

• You’re on the Program mode P0: Play– Main page, and the big Program name is selected, or

• You’re on the Combination mode P0: Play– Program T01–08 page, and the big combination name is selected.

In these cases only, the value slider sends MIDI CC#18, and can be used as a modulation source.

Inc q and Dec u switches

These are used to increase or decrease the parameter value by individual steps. They’re convenient for making ﬁne parameter adjustments.

VALUE dial

Use this dial to edit the selected parameter’s value. This control is convenient when you want to scroll through a very long list of selections.

0–9, –, ., and ENTER switches

These switches are convenient when you know the exact value that you want to enter. Use the 0–9, –, and decimal (.) switches to enter the value, and then press the ENTER switch to conﬁrm the entry.

The – switch inverts the sign (+/–) of the parameter value; the decimal (.) switch inserts a decimal, for entering fractional values.

Functions that use the ENTER switch in conjunction with another switch

ENTER has a few special functions when it is pressed in combination with other switches.

Whenever a parameter on the display lets you enter a musical note (such as G4 or C#2), or a velocity level, you can enter the note or velocity directly by holding down ENTER while playing a note on the keyboard. (This is not available in menu command dialog boxes.)

By holding down the ENTER switch while you press a numeric key (0–9), you can select up to ten menu commands from the current page.

In Program and Combination modes, you can hold down the ENTER switch and press the SEQUENCER REC/WRITE switch to use the Auto Song Setup function. This imports the current Program or Combination into Sequencer mode for quick and easy recording.

While a dialog box is displayed, the ENTER switch corresponds to the OK button. (The EXIT switch corresponds to the Cancel button.)

In Sequencer mode, you can hold down the ENTER switch and press the LOCATE switch to operate the menu command Set Location.

12. COMPARE

COMPARE switch

Use this switch to compare the sound of the Program or Combination that you are currently editing with the saved, un-edited version of the sound.

You can also use this switch to make “before and after” comparisons when recording or editing in Sequencer mode.

For details, please see “COMPARE switch” on page 23.

13. PAGE SELECT

Here you can select pages within each mode.

PAGE SELECT switch

Press this switch when you want to move to another page. When you press this switch, a list of the pages within the mode will appear in the display. Press the button of the desired page. Alternatively, you can move to a page by holding down this button and pressing a numeric key 0–9.

EXIT switch

If you’re in a page other than page 0 (e.g., Prog P0: Play) of each mode, pressing this switch will take you to page 0.

This switch makes it easy to return to the main page of the current mode:

• Press it once to go to the previously-selected tab on the main P0 page.

• Press it again to go to the first tab on the main P0 page (such as the main Program Play page). If you had previously selected a parameter on this page, that parameter will be selected.

• Press it a third time to select the main parameter on the P0 page, such as the Program name in Program mode.

Wherever you are in Program, Combination, or Sequencer modes, pressing EXIT three times (or fewer) will take you back to Program/Combination/Song Select, where you can immediately use the numeric keys or q/u switches to select a Program, Combination, or Song.

When a dialog box is open, this switch cancels the settings made in the dialog box and closes the dialog box, just like pressing the Cancel button. If a popup menu or menu is open, pressing EXIT closes the menu.

14. SAMPLING switches

REC switch

In Sampling, Program, Combination, and Sequencer modes, pressing this switch enters the initial samplingready mode. The switch’s LED will light up.

To continue, press the SAMPLING START/STOP switch, as described below.

START/STOP switch

In Sampling, Program, Combination, and Sequencer modes, pressing this when the SAMPLING REC switch is lit will do one of three things, depending on the setting of the Trigger parameter (on the Sampling

Quick Start

Introduction

SetupProgram

Combination

Sequencer

SamplingGlobalMediaEffectKARMA

Drum Track

Other

Appendices

Introduction to the M3

mode P0: Recording– Audio In/Setup page, and P0– Sampling/Audio In page):

• If Trigger is set to Sampling START SW, sampling

will begin immediately.

• If Trigger is set to Note On, sampling will begin as

soon as you play a note on the keyboard.

• If Trigger is set to Threshold, sampling will begin

as soon as the selected audio source reaches a preset volume level.

On the Sampling mode’s P1: Sample Edit page, pressing this switch will play the selected sample.

This switch is also used to play back WAV ﬁles from the media. You can play back WAV ﬁles in the directory window of various Media mode pages, in the Media mode Make Audio CD page, in the Sequencer mode audio track editing dialog boxes, and in the Select Directory menu dialog box of the Program, Combination, Sequencer, and Sampling modes.

15. SEQUENCER switches

Most of the switches in this section apply only to Sequencer mode and audio CD playback (in Media Mode).

REC/WRITE is the exception; it has special functions in Program, Combination, and Global modes, as described below.

PAUSE switch

In Sequencer mode, this switch pauses the playback of the song. When paused, the switch’s LED will light up. Press PAUSE once again to resume playback, and the LED will turn off.

In Media and Sampling modes, this switch pauses audio CD playback.

<<REW switch

In Sequencer mode, when the Song is playing or paused, this switch will rewind the song. When you press and hold this switch, its LED will light up, and the playback will rewind. (Rewind is disabled during recording, and while the Song is stopped.)

In Media and Sampling modes, this switch rewinds the audio CD.

FF>> switch

In Sequencer mode, when the Song is playing or paused, this switch will fast-forward the song. When you press and hold this switch, the switch will light, and the playback will fast-forward. (Fast-forward is disabled during recording, and while the Song is stopped.)

In Media mode, this switch fast-forwards the audio CD.

REC/WRITE switch

In Sequencer mode, pressing this switch will enter record-ready mode. Once you’re in r ecor d-r eady mode (shown by the switch’s lit LED), you can begin recording by pressing the SEQUENCER START/STOP switch. For details, please see “Recording MIDI in realtime” on page 85.

In Program, Combination and Global modes, pressing REC/WRITE switch will open the Update dialog box. For details, please see “Using the (SEQUENCER) REC/WRITE switch to write” on page 140.

START/STOP switch

This starts or stops recording and playback in Sequencer mode.

In Media and Sampling modes, this switch starts and stops playback on the audio CD.

16. TEMPO controls

TEMPO knob

This adjusts the tempo for the M3 as a whole, including:

• KARMA

• Drum Track

• Songs in Sequencer mode

• Tempo-synced LFOs

• Tempo-synced (“BPM”) delay effects

• EXB-RADIAS modulation source (if the optional EXB-RADIAS is installed)

The LED will blink at quarter-note intervals of the current tempo.

Note: If the Global P1: MIDI– MIDI Basic page MIDI Clock parameter is set to External, or if it is set to Auto

and a clock is currently being received via MIDI, then neither the TEMPO knob nor the TAP TEMPO switch will have any effect.

TAP TEMPO switch

You can specify the tempo by repeatedly pressing this switch at regular intervals of the desired tempo. The tempo will be entered when you press the switch twice. To obtain better accuracy, you should press the switch multiple times.

LOCATE switch

In Sequencer mode, this switch will advance or rewind the song to the speciﬁed locate point. This lets you jump immediately to any point in the current Song. The default locate point is the ﬁrst beat of measure 1.

To set the locate point to the current position, hold down ENTER switch and then press LOCATE switch. You can also set the Locate point directly via the display menu.

Rear panel/Bottom panel

Rear panel

Front and rear panels Rear panel/Bottom panel

Quick Start

1 2 3 9 7 1011 8

1. AC Power

POWER switch

This switch turns the power on and off. Before turning M3 off, make sure that you’ve saved any edits to your Programs, Combinations, Songs, or other user data.

AC Power connector

Connect the included power cable here.

2. USB 2.0

USB A connector (for connecting Hard Disk, CD-R/RW drive, etc.)

This connector lets you connect external USB devices. You can use a USB hard disk or CD-R/RW drive to

save or load M3 data such as PCG or SNG ﬁles, or WAVE ﬁles.

USB B connector (for connecting to computer)

This connector lets you send and receive MIDI between the M3 and your computer.

What is USB?

USB stands for Universal Serial Bus, and is an interface for transferring data between a computer, and/or peripheral devices.

3. MIDI

Connect these connectors between the M3 and external MIDI devices or a computer that is connected via a MIDI interface. MIDI allows you to send and receive performance data such as note messages as well as sound settings.

MIDI THRU connector

MIDI data received at the MIDI IN connector is retransmitted.

You can use this to chain multiple MIDI devices together.

MIDI OUT connector

This connector transmits MIDI data. Use this to control external MIDI devices, or to record

into an external sequencer.

4 5 6

MIDI IN connector

This connector receives MIDI data. Use this to play the M3 from another MIDI device, or

from an external sequencer.

4. Pedals

DAMPER jack

For the damper–also known as the sustain pedal– you can connect either a standard footswitch, or Korg’s special half-damper pedal, the optional DS-1H.

The DS-1H is a continuous pedal designed speciﬁcally for piano-style damper control, with the look and feel of an acoustic piano’s sustain pedal. It allows more subtle control of the damper than a simple switch; the further down you press the pedal, the more that the sound sustains. For details, please see “Half-Damper Pedal and Release Time” on page 26 of the Parameter Guide.

You can also connect a simple footswitch, which will work as a standard on/off damper pedal.

In order to ensure that the pedal functions correctly, please adjust the switch polarity (see “Damper Polarity” on page 371 of the Parameter Guide) and the half-damper sensitivity (see “Half Damper Calibration” on page 383 of the Parameter Guide).

ASSIGNABLE SWITCH jack

This lets you connect a simple on/off footswitch, such as the optional Korg PS-1. The footswitch can perform a wide variety of functions, such as modulating sounds and effects, tap tempo, sequencer start/stop, etc.

The switch’s function is set in Global mode (on the Controller tab of the Controllers/Scales page), so that it always works the same regardless of the current Program, Combination, or Song. For details, please see “Specifying the function of the Assignable Switch and Assignable Pedal” on page 132.

ASSIGNABLE PEDAL jack

This lets you connect a continuous controller pedal, such as the Korg EXP-2 foot controller or Korg XVP-10 EXP/VOL pedal, to use as an assignable modulation source.

Like the ASSIGNABLE SWITCH, the pedal’s function is set in Global mode. For details, please see “Specifying the function of the Assignable Switch and Assignable Pedal” on page 132.

Introduction

SetupProgram

Combination

Sequencer

SamplingGlobalMediaEffectKARMA

Drum Track

Other

Appendices

Introduction to the M3

5. S/P DIF IN & OUT

These jacks provide 24-bit optical S/P DIF input and output, for connecting to computer audio systems, digital mixers, MDs, etc.

Optical S/P DIF is sometimes called TOSLINK, and formally named (hold your breath!) IEC60958, EIAJ CP-1201. Make sure to use optical cables designed for digital audio.

Whenever you use digital audio connections, make sure that all connected systems are set so that there is one and only one word clock master. You can set the word clock for the M3 using the Global page System Clock parameter. For details, please see “System Clock” on page 359 of the Parameter Guide.

OUT(MAIN) jack

This optical S/P DIF output carries a digital version of the main L/R outputs.

Note: That the VOLUME MAIN slider does not adjust the S/P DIF output level.

IN jack

You can use this optical S/P DIF input for recording, sampling, and real-time mixing through the built-in effects.

It can be used simultaneously with the two analog inputs, if you like.

mix. For details, please see “Routing effect settings” on page 155.

(MAIN) L/MONO, R

These are the main stereo outputs; their volume is controlled by the VOLUME MAIN slider. All of the factory Programs and Combinations are programmed to play through these outputs.

When editing sounds, or when setting up a Song in Sequencer mode, you can access the main outputs by setting Bus Select to L/R.

If no cable is connected to the R output, L/MONO will carry a mono summation of the stereo signal. So, if you are connecting to a device which does not have stereo inputs (such as a simple keyboard amp), use the L/ MONO output.

(INDIVIDUAL) 1, 2, 3, 4

These 4 additional audio outputs let you isolate sounds, or audio inputs for recording or complex live sound setups.

These can be used as stereo or mono outputs, in any combination. You can also use the Global P0: Basic Setup– Audio page L/R Bus Indiv. Out Assign parameter to map the main stereo outputs to any of these output pairs, if you like.

Note that the individual outputs are not affected by the VOLUME MAIN slider.

6. AUDIO INPUTS

You can use the audio inputs for sampling, and realtime mixing through the built-in effects.

AUDIO INPUT 1, 2

These are unbalanced 1/4" phone jacks.

LEVEL knobs

This adjusts the input level of the AUDIO INPUT 1, 2 jacks. After setting the MIC/LEVEL switch appropriately, use this knob to adjust the gain.

MIC/LINE switches

These set the input’s nominal signal level. Set these switches according to the type of device that you’re connecting, and then use the LEVEL knobs (described below) to optimize the gain.

Use the LINE setting when connecting to mixers, computer audio systems, signal processors, or other synthesizers.

Use the MIC setting only when connecting a microphone.

7. AUDIO OUTPUTS

All of the analog audio outputs use unbalanced 1/4" phone jacks, referenced to a +4dBu signal level.

Connect these outputs to the input jacks of your amp or mixer. In addition to the L/MONO and R main stereo audio outputs, the M3 provides eight individual audio outputs.

The sound from each oscillator , drum, timbr e/track, or insert effect can be freely routed to any output. Additionally, you can route the metronome sound to an individual output, to separate it from the stereo

8. Headphone jack

This stereo 1/4" headphone jack carries the same signal as the Main L/R outputs.

The headphone volume is controlled by the VOLUME MAIN slider.

9. EXB-FW option

If you install the optional EXB-FW in the M3, you’ll be able to enjoy the following total recall control functionality from a host application in which the included M3 Plug-in Editor is running.

• Send and receive MIDI data to and from the DAW software

• Edit and set up the parameters of the M3’s various modes

• Send and receive the M3’s 2-in and 6-out channels of digital audio.

If the EXB-FW is installed in the M3, it will have the following speciﬁcations.

• Audio input/output: 24-bit, 48 kHz fixed, 2-in/6out

• MIDI input/output: one port in/out (sixteen MIDI channels in/out)

Please note the following points.

• The two jacks have the same function. The connector to which your computer is not connected can be used as a daisy-chain connector for a FireWire device that can be recognized by your computer. (The M3 will not recognize this device.)

• The EXB-FW does not supply bus power.

For details on installing the EXB-FW into the M3, please see page 202.

Front and rear panels Objects in the display

Bottom panel

10. TO KYBD connector

Use the included cable to connect the M3 to the keyboard assembly. For details, please see “Keyboard assembly Manual.”

11. EXB option cover

You’ll need to open or close this cover when installing the EXB-RADIAS, EXB-FW, or EXB-M256 separately sold options into the M3, or when replacing the calendar backup battery.

For details on installing, please see page 202.

Objects in the display

The M3 uses Korg’s TouchView graphical user interface.

By touching on objects shown on the display, you can select pages, set parameter values, rename programs and combinations, write data, and perform many other operations.

If the X–Y MODE switch is on, you won’t be able to select parameters in the display. Turn this switch off when you want to modify the settings.

Note: References in the M3’s manual to the “... button” or “... tab” please see objects shown on the display. References to the “... switch,” “... knob,” “... dial,” or “... slider” please see controls on the front or rear panel of the M3.

g: Popup button (2)

a: Current page

f: Popup button (1)

e: Check box

h: Menu command

Quick Start

Introduction

SetupProgram

Combination

Sequencer

b: T abd: Edit cell c: Parameter

a: Current page

This indicates the current page within the selected mode.

From the left, this area shows the mode name, page number: name, and tab name.

Mode name Page number

Tab name

b: Tab

Most pages are divided into two or more tabs.

c: Parameters

The parameters for various settings are displayed in the display.

d: Edit cell

When you touch a parameter on the display, the parameter or parameter value will usually be highlighted (displayed in inverse video). This is called the edit cell, and the highlighted item will be subject to editing.

For details on how to edit the value, please see “3. Selecting a parameter and editing the value” on page 23.

SamplingGlobalMediaEffectKARMA

Drum Track

Other

Appendices

Introduction to the M3

e: Check box

Each time you press a check box, it alternates between the checked (red) and unchecked states.

The parameter will be active if it is checked, and inactive if it is unchecked.

f: Popup button (1)

When this button is pressed, a popup menu will appear, showing the parameter values that are available for selection.

To enter the parameter value, press the desired value in the popup menu.

When a popup menu is displayed, using a VALUE controller (see page 12) will close the popup menu. If the popup menu is unlocked (see “Pin”), it will close if you touch a location outside the popup menu. The menu will close when you press the EXIT switch, regardless of whether it is locked or unlocked.

* Popup menu Pin

This switches the popup menu display between locked and unlocked.

When locked, the pin will be shown closed, and the popup menu will remain displayed even after you press a parameter value. When unlocked, the pin will be shown opened, and the popup menu will close immediately when you press a parameter value.

Category button

When you press this button, a tabbed popup menu will appear, allowing you to perform the following selections.

• “Category/Program Select,” “Category/ Combination Select”

• Category/GE Select

Press the OK or Cancel buttons to close the tabbed category select popup menu.

The Jump to Sub button will display a sub-category selection menu.

h: Menu command button

* Menu

When this button is pressed, a list of menu commands will appear.

The menu commands that appear will differ depending on the currently selected page.

You can also select up to ten menu commands by holding down the ENTER switch and pressing a numeric key 0–9. The menu will close when you press the display at a location other than the menu, or when you press the EXIT switch.

Menu command button

Menu button

g: Popup button (2)

When you press this button, a tabbed popup menu will appear, allowing you to perform the following selections.

• “Bank/Program Select,” “Bank/Combination Select”: Select programs or combinations by bank

• “Multisample Select”: Select a multisample for a program oscillator by category

• “Effect Select”: Select effects by category

• “Drumsample Select”: Select drumkit ROM samples by category

• Select a KARMA GE

To close a tabbed menu, press the OK button or Cancel button.

Scroll bar

Use this when you wish to see parameter values that extend beyond what can be shown on the display at one time.

Press here to scroll to left or right.

Press here and slide to left or right to scroll to the desired location.

Press here to scroll to the corresponding location.

* Dialog box

The dialog box that appears will depend on the currently selected menu command.

When selecting a program or combination number in a dialog box, use the VALUE controllers (see page 12) to input the number.

To execute, press the OK button. To cancel without executing, press the Cancel button. (The operation will occur when you press and release the button.) The dialog box will close. The EXIT switch corresponds to the Cancel button, Done button, and Exit button.

Text edit button

Cancel button OK button

* Text edit button

When you press this button, the text edit dialog box appears for changing the names of Programs, Combinations, Songs, etc. For details, please see “Editing names” on page 197.

Front and rear panels Objects in the display

Quick Start

j: Radio buttons

Press a radio button to select one value from two or more choices.

j: Radio buttons

e: Check box

k: Other objects

To modify the parameter value of an object shaped like a slider or knob, ﬁrst touch the object, and then use the VALUE controllers to modify the value. There are also buttons which execute an operation when they are pressed and released, such as Done, Copy, and Insert (similar to the OK and Cancel buttons explained under “* Dialog box,” above).

Toggle buttons

This type of button will change its function or switch on/off each time it is pressed.

Play/Rec/Mute button in Sequencer mode

Solo On/Off button in Sequencer mode On/Off button for Effect

Introduction

SetupProgram

Combination

Sequencer

SamplingGlobalMediaEffectKARMA

Drum Track

Other

Appendices

Introduction to the M3

Basic Information

About the M3’s modes

The M3 has numerous functions that let you play and edit programs or combinations, record and play back sequence data, edit samples, and manage media. These functions are grouped into “modes.” The M3 has six modes.

Program mode

Programs are the basic sounds of M3. In Program mode, you can:

• Select and play Programs

• You can use a maximum of one KARMA module to generate phrases.

• You can play back Drum Track patterns while you perform using a Program.

• Sample and resample For example, you can sample an external audio source while listening to a performance generated by the KARMA function, or you can play a Program and resample your performance.

• Edit Programs Make detailed settings for oscillators, filters, amps, EGs, LFOs, effects, KARMA, X–Y control, etc.

EDS (Enhanced Deﬁnition Synthesis) sound generation system:

The oscillators can use the following multisamples.

• Preloaded (256 Mbyte): 1,032 multisamples (including seven stereo)

• RAM (64 Mbyte: if the optional EXB-M256 is installed, a total of 320 Mbytes. However, 512 bytes are used by the system.): RAM multisamples sampled by the M3 or loaded in Media mode

• Create drum programs using drum kits (as created in Global mode)

When the optional EXB-RADIAS is installed: The MMT (Multiple Modeling Technology) sound

generation system will be available for performance and editing.

Combination mode

Combinations are sets of up to 16 programs that can be played simultaneously, letting you create sounds more complex than a single Program. In Combination mode, you can:

• Select and play Combinations

• Use a maximum of four KARMA modules to generate phrases.

• Use one timbre to play back Drum Track patterns.

• Use M3 as a 16-track multitimbral tone generator

• Sample or resample For example you can sample an external audio source while listening to the performance of the KARMA, or resample a performance you play using a combination.

• Edit Combinations Assign Programs to each of the 16 Timbres, each with separate volume, pan, EQ, and keyboard and velocity zones; make settings for effects, X–Y control, and KARMA.

Sequencer mode

Sequencer mode lets you record, play back, and edit MIDI tracks. You can:

• Select and play Songs

• Edit Songs Assign Programs to each of the 16 MIDI Tracks, each with separate volume, pan, EQ, and keyboard and velocity zones; make settings for effects, X–Y control, and KARMA; edit MIDI data

• Record up to sixteen MIDI tracks simultaneously

• Control and play up to four KARMA modules

• Sample or resample You can sample an external audio input source while playing a song, and use In-Track Sampling to automatically create a note event that triggers the sample at the same time as it was recorded. You can also resample an entire song, and then use Media mode to create an audio CD.

• Use M3 as a 16-track multitimbral tone generator

• Record patterns and assign them to individual keys, using RPPR (Realtime Pattern Play/ Recording)

• Create user Drum Track patterns.

Sampling mode

Sampling mode lets you record and edit user samples and multisamples. For example, you can:

• Sample external audio sources (i.e., record samples), including sampling through effects

• Edit waveform data you sampled or loaded in from media, and set loop points etc.

• Create and edit multisamples, which consist of one or more samples spread out across the keyboard

• Quickly convert multisamples into Programs

• Directly sample or rip digital audio from an audio CD in a USB CD-R/RW drive (commercially available). You can also play back audio CDs.

Basic Information About the M3’s modes

Global mode

Global mode lets you make overall settings for the entire M3, and edit drum kits. For instance, you can:

• Make settings that affect the entire M3, such as master tune and global MIDI channel

• Create user drum kits, and user scales

• Create drum kits using ROM, or RAM drumsamples

• Rename program, combination, and KARMA GE categories

• Set the function of the assignable pedals and assignable switches

• Transmit MIDI System Exclusive data dumps

Media mode

You can save or load data using a USB 2.0 compatible storage device. You can:

• Save and load Programs, Combinations, Songs, Samples, and Global setup data

• Format USB storage media, copy and rename files, etc.

SAMPLING MODE

Resampling

AUDIO INPUT

S/P DIF IN R

S/P DIF IN L

(WireFire R)

(WireFire L)

Insert / Master / Final Effect

IFX 1

MFX 1 MFX 2

TFX

IFX 5

Sample

Multisample

Sample

Multisample

• Load Korg format, AKAI, SoundFont 2.0, AIFF, and WAVE samples, and export RAM samples in AIFF or WAVE formats

• Export and import sequences to and from SMF (Standard MIDI Files)

• You can use the Data Filer function to save or load MIDI System Exclusive data

• Edit WAVE files.

• Place the WAVE files in the desired song order, and use a USB CD-R/RW drive (commercially available) to create an audio CD. Create and play back audio CDs

PROGRAM (Option EXB-RADIAS)

Synth

Vocoder off

Carrier

Vocoder

Modulator

PROGRAM (HD-2)

OSC 1

MS1 (Multisample)

Drum Kit

MS2 (Multisample)

MS3 (Multisample)

MS4 (Multisample)

FILTER1

PITCH1

OSC 2

MS1 (Multisample)

Drum Kit

MS2 (Multisample)

MS3 (Multisample)

MS4 (Multisample)

FILTER2

PITCH2

DRIVER1

DRIVER2

AMP1/

AMP2/

Insert / Master / Final Effect

IFX 1

IFX 5

KARMA Module A

DrumTrack

DRUMS PROGRAM

Insert / Master / Final Effect

IFX 1

IFX 5

KARMA Module A

DrumTrack

DRUMS PROGRAM

MFX 1 MFX 2 TFX

Quick Start

Introduction

SetupProgram

Combination

Sequencer

SamplingGlobalMediaEffectKARMA

USB CD-R/RW DRIVE

CD-ROM Write Audio CD

Ripping

Resampling

GLOBAL MODE

DRUM KIT

MEDIA MODE

PCG

KSC

Key Assign

DS1 Drumsample / Sample

DS2 Drumsample / Sample

DS3 Drumsample / Sample

DS4 Drumsample / Sample

USB Strage

(commercially available)

WAVE FILES

PCG / SNG

COMBINATION

TIMBRE9

TIMBRE1 1

PROGRAM

TIMBRE10

TIMBRE2

Drum Kit

PCG

TIMBRE3

TIMBRE4

TIMBRE5

TIMBRE6

TIMBRE7

TIMBRE8

SEQUENCER

MIDI TRACK 1...16

TRACK 1

TRACK 2

TRACK 3

TRACK 4

TRACK 5

TRACK 6

TRACK 7

TRACK 8

DRUM KIT

Preset Drum Track Pattern

User Drum Track Pattern

PROGRAM

TIMBRE11

TIMBRE12

TIMBRE13

TIMBRE14

TIMBRE15

TIMBRE16

TRACK 9

TRACK 10

TRACK 11

TRACK 12

TRACK 13

TRACK 14

TRACK 15

TRACK 16

PROGRAM

Insert / Master / Final Effect

IFX 1

MFX 1 MFX 2 TFX

IFX 5

KARMA Module A

KARMA Module B

KARMA Module C

KARMA Module D

Drum Track

Insert / Master / Final Effect

IFX 1

MFX 1 MFX 2 TFX

IFX 5

KARMA Module A

KARMA Module B

KARMA Module C

KARMA Module D

Drum Track

Other

Appendices

Introduction to the M3

Basic operations

After you’ve turned on the M3, here’s how to perform basic operations such as selecting modes and pages.

1. Selecting modes

• In order to use a particular function on the M3, you must first select the appropriate mode.

Press one of the front panel mode switches to enter the corresponding mode.

COMBI switch: Combination mode PROG switch: Program mode SEQ switch: Sequencer mode SAMPLING switch: Sampling mode GLOBAL switch: Global mode MEDIA switch: Media mode

2. Selecting pages and tabs

Each mode has a large number of parameters, which are grouped into pages. These are further subdivided by tabs into up to eight tab pages.

• Make sure that the desired mode is selected. For details on selecting a mode, see “1. Selecting

modes,” above. In this explanation we’ll use Combination mode as

an example. Press the COMBI switch.

The page in which you were when you pressed the PAGE SELECT switch will be highlighted as an indication.

2. Press the page that you want to view.

As an example here, try selecting “P4 Zone/Delay.” The P4: Zone/Delay– Key Z T01–08 page will appear.

Note: The page that appears will be the page of the tab you selected most recently.

Note: The Combi P0: Play page will appear. (This is shown in the upper left of the display.)

In Combination, Program, or Sequencer modes, you will normally perform in this P0: Play page. You can also make simple adjustments (edits) to the sound while you’re in this page. To make more detailed adjustments, use page 1 (Combi P1: DT/XY/Ctrls, etc.) and following.

Selecting a page

Using Page Select to move

In Combination, Program, Global, and Sequencer modes, you can press the PAGE SELECT switch to view a list of the pages that make up that mode.

1. Press the PAGE SELECT switch.

The page select menu will appear.

Using the PAGE SELECT switch + numeric keys 0– 9 switches to move

• Hold down the PAGE SELECT switch and use numeric keys 0–9 to specify the page number you want to view.

The speciﬁed page number will appear. The page that appears will be the page of the tab you selected most recently.

Note: In pages consisting of multiple pages such as P5– 1, P5–2, P7–1 – P7–4, P8–1, and P8–2, the ﬁrst page (P5– 1, P7–1, or P8–1) will be selected.

Using the EXIT switch to move to page 0

• You can press the EXIT switch to return to page 0 from any page.

Selecting tabs

• You can access tabbed pages by pressing the tabs shown in the bottom line of the display.

This example shows the Program T01–08 page through Mixer T01–08 page of Combi P0: Play.

+ 207 hidden pages

KORG M3 User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Handling of this product

Regarding the display

Data handling

COPYRIGHT WARNING

About this manual

Table of Contents

Quick Start

Setup

Playing Programs and Combinations

Listening to the demo songs

Introduction to the M3

Main Features

Front and rear panels

Front panel

Rear panel/Bottom panel

Objects in the display

Basic Information

About the M3’s modes

Basic operations