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 Korg also recently released the new M3 XPanded. This free major upgrade of Korg’s flagship M3 Workstation offers 640 MB of expansive new sounds, interactive interface functionality, advanced sequencer enhancements, additions to Korg’s exclusive KARMA technology and a bunch more.
M3 XPanded features updated internal PCM, plus 384 MB of free sample expansion, delivering a large number of new sound variations. New piano and classic keyboard samples – including three acoustic pianos, 3-way tine and reed electric pianos and four velocity-switched clavs, plus vintage tape-playback strings and flutes – have been added to the internal ROM, along with 160 new Programs and 32 new Combinations, bringing the total to 1,215 (EDS) on-board Programs and 416 Combinations available for use.
Three sample expansion libraries – offering brass, woodwind and acoustic piano data – have been included on a USB memory stick for loading into sample RAM, bringing the PCM total to 640 MB – two and a half times that of the original M3 (alternately, existing users can download the data or purchase the memory stick separately). The first two collections adapt and customize the EXs3 "Brass and Woodwinds" sample library (first developed for Korg’s OASYS music workstation) for the M3’s EDS synthesis engine, delivering brass and woodwind sounds with a remarkably natural-sounding playability. The piano library features a stereo grand piano lavishly sampled at four velocities plus ambient damper resonance to realistically deliver the richness and natural spaciousness of a top-level full concert grand.
An expanded Sequencer mode adds new screens and convenient functions, for even smoother operation. A Piano Roll edit screen shows event data, such as notes, velocities and control changes, in an intuitive, graphical way. Touch-drag operation can now be used to edit, delete or create note events or control events. A Track View page shows an overview of each track’s events and provides additional intuitive touch-drag operation. Full MIDI system exclusive data editing has also been added to the Sequencer mode, allowing users to easily record, view, control and edit every aspect of the M3’s synthesis, effects and mixing structures in the Event Edit dialogue box.
The Karma function, which generates unique, interactive phrases, has been expanded to Version 2.2, with many new features, including 1,024 locations for user-generated effects when used with exclusive Karma M3 software from Karma-Lab. Users will now be able to switch generated effects in real time while Karma is playing, with seamless transitions.
Other updated features include a number of effect presets voiced to provide instant production-ready settings, 149 newly added drum patterns and an improved TouchView user interface, which allows users to operate knobs or sliders by touch-drag operation on-screen, plus visual metering of timbre and track levels in Combi and Sequencer modes.
The new M3 XPanded upgrade is available for free in the box with all new M3 purchases, with a USB memory stick included containing the new OS and the complete 640 MB of PCM. The M3 XPanded upgrade will also be available for download at www.korg.com/M3/ for existing users. www.korg.com
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