Korg i3 HD User manual

E 1

i3 Owner’s Manual
2
Table of Contents
Introduction
Main Features .................................................................... 3
Part Names........................................................................ 4
Front panel .............................................................................................4
Rear panel ..............................................................................................4
Control panel .........................................................................................5
Display.....................................................................................................6
Getting Ready to Play ...................................................... 7
Connecting the AC adapter ................................................................7
Using this instrument with batteries ................................................7
Connecting speakers............................................................................7
Using headphones ............................................................................... 8
Using a pedal switch or foot controller ........................................... 8
Using a USB flash drive ...................................................................... 8
Connecting an audio player................................................................9
Using a MIDI tone generator...............................................................9
Connecting to a computer ..................................................................9
Basic operations ..............................................................10
Turning the power on/off .................................................................. 10
Adjusting the volume......................................................................... 10
Modes of operation on the i3 ........................................................... 10
Selecting parameters on the display and changing values ..........11
Using the joystick .................................................................................11
Adjusting the tonal character (equalizer) ........................................11
Listening to the demo songs..............................................................11
Turning on the metronome.................................................................11
Performance Mode
Playing the Keyboard ......................................................12
Selecting sounds..................................................................................12
Selecting a sound set..........................................................................12
Changing the sound set settings ...................................13
Turning the keyboard parts on/off, and changing their volume
and sounds............................................................................................13
Changing the sounds on the left and right (split) .........................13
Changing the octave .......................................................................... 14
Changing the key (transpose) .......................................................... 14
Selecting the effect for the keyboard parts.................................. 14
Adding harmony to a melody (ensemble)...................................... 15
Using the set lists............................................................16
Recalling a set list............................................................................... 16
Saving the set list (WRITE) ............................................................... 16
Playing along with auto-accompaniment (styles)........17
Playing with a style you choose........................................................17
Changing the accompaniment pattern........................................... 18
Changing the Style Settings...........................................19
Turning the accompaniment part on/off, changing the
volume and sounds ............................................................................ 19
Selecting effects for the accompaniment parts ........................... 19
Adjusting the volume balance between the keyboard and
accompaniment parts ....................................................................... 20
Recording your performance ..........................................21
Recording as MIDI data.......................................................................21
Recording as audio data (performance recording).......................21
Sequencer Mode
Playing Back and Editing Songs....................................22
Songs (music files) that can be played back .................................22
Playing a song .....................................................................................22
Playing back using different methods ............................................23
Editing a user song.............................................................................23
Settings Mode
Making Settings on the i3..............................................25
Setting mode: basic method of use................................................ 25
Main settings ...................................................................................... 25
List of SETTING mode functions .................................................... 26
Media Mode
Using a USB Flash Drive................................................28
Media mode: basic method of use.................................................. 28
Loading user styles ........................................................................... 28
List of MEDIA mode functions......................................................... 29
Other settings
Appendix ..........................................................................30
Checking the software version........................................................ 30
Restoring the i3 to factory-set default settings........................... 30
Calibrating the expression pedal .................................................... 30
Troubleshooting ................................................................................. 30
List of chords recognized..................................................................32
List of shortcuts..................................................................................33
Specifications..................................................................34
MIDI Implementation Chart...........................................35

Main Features 3
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the Korg i3 Music Workstation.
To help you get the most out of your new instrument, please
read this manual carefully.
About this Manual
The documentation for the i3 consists of the following:
y Precautions (printed material)
This material explains how to safely use the i3.
yQuick Start Guide (printed)
Read this manual first. This guide explains the basic opera-
tions of the i3.
yOwner’s Manual (this document, PDF)
This manual explains the details on using the i3.
yVoice Name List (PDF)
This is a list of the styles (auto-accompaniment), sound
sets, demo songs and other data used on the i3.
Download the PDF from the following Korg website.
www.korg.com
Conventions in this manual
Symbols ,
Note
,
Tip
These symbols respectively indicate a caution, a supplementary
note, or a tip.
Example screen displays
The contents of the displays shown in this manual are examples
only
. The actual display contents may differ.
Main Features
Playing with different sounds
The i3 features a large number of sounds from
many different instruments, and rhythm pat-
terns in a variety of genres. ................page 12
Ready to play with a single touch
(set list function)
The set list function lets you record and recre-
ate the custom settings you like for your own
use—convenient when playing live. ....page 16
Playing along with a style (auto-
accompaniment)
You can select from different genres or
“styles,” which include a backing band and
rhythm accompaniment. Try playing a melody
in your right hand while playing a chord with
your left hand. ......................................... page 17
Support in playing chords (Chord
mode)
This mode lets you play chord progressions
along with patterns at the touch of a button,
even if you don’t know how to play chords on
the keyboard. Suggested chords are already
preset in each style. ...............................page 18
MIDI/audio recorder and player
An onboard MIDI/audio recorder and player
lets you play along with your favorite songs
or make easy recordings. With the i3, you can
play back MP3, WAV and SMF files stored on
a USB flash drive. It’s also easy to record your
own playing. ..................................... page 21, 22
Adding effects to sounds
You can add distortion or reverb to sounds, giving the sound a
different character. ........................................................... page 14, 19

Part Names
4
Introduction
Part Names
Front panel
KeyboardJoystick (page 11)
Display (page 6)Control panel (page 5)
Rear panel
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
1. Cord hook
.............................................................................................page 7
2. DC 12V jack ( )
......................................................................page 7
3. Power button ( )
.......................................................................... page 10
4. USB TO DEVICE port, USB TO HOST port ( )
...........page 8
5. MIDI OUT connector
......................................................................page 9
6. FOOT CONTROLLER jack
...........................................................page 8
7. OUTPUT L/MONO, R jacks
.........................................................page 7
8. AUDIO IN jack
....................................................................................page 9
9. Headphones jack ( )
.....................................................................page 8
10. Battery compartment
...................................................................page 7
Bottom side
10

Part Names 5
Introduction
Control panel
12 534 1298
20 19 18 17 16
1011 13
14
15
76
1. SOUND SET button
...................................................................... page 12
2. GRAND PIANO/SOUND button
............................................. page 12
3. Keyboard part section
................................................................ page 12
UPPER 1 button
UPPER 2 button
UPPER 3 button
LOWER/SPLIT button
4. STYLE PERFORMANCE section
............................................page 17
SET 1–SET 4 buttons
5. CHORD MODE button
.................................................................. page 18
6. Accompaniment part section
.................................................page 17
BASS button
DRUM button
PERCUSSION button
PART 1–5 buttons
7. Mode section
.................................................................................... page 10
SEQ button
SETTING button
EXIT (SHIFT) button
Tip:
For buttons such as “DEMO” and “MEDIA” that have
functions written in a box below the button, these functions
can be accessed by holding down the EXIT (SHIFT) button
and then pressing the desired button (a “SHIFT function”).
See “List of shortcuts” (page 33) for details.
8.
p
button,
q
button
.......................................................................page 11
9. Dial
............................................................................................................page 11
10. + and – buttons
.................................................................................page 11
11. CATEGORY
t
and
u
(CANCEL, ENTER) buttons
........page 11
12. EFFECT button
......................................................................... page 14, 19
13. PERFORMANCE REC button
.................................................. page 21
14. TAP TEMPO button
.................................................................page 11, 17
15. ENSEMBLE button
........................................................................ page 15
16. SET LIST section
........................................................................... page 16
BANK (WRITE) button
SET LIST 1–5 buttons
17. Transport section
.......................................................................... page 18
VARIATION 1/2 button
VARIATION 3/4 button
FILL button
COUNT IN/BREAK button
INTRO/ENDING button
u/(playback and stop) button
SYNC START button
(Record) button
Tip:
The operations shown below each button will apply in
Sequencer mode.
18. EQ knobs (LOW, HIGH)
..................................................................page 11
19. VOLUME knob
.................................................................................. page 10
20. OCTAVE buttons (+, –)
................................................................ page 14
Tip:
You may need to press another button or turn the dial
while holding down a button for certain operations. The icon
shown below is used whenever you need to do this.

Part Names
6
Introduction
Display
21
9
3 87654
10 1211
1. MEASURE
Displays the current measure of the auto-accompaniment
(style) or song. The symbol will light up when the first
beat of the measure plays.
2. BANK
Displays the bank of the currently selected set list
(page 16).
3. TEMPO
Displays the tempo of the style or song.
4. Tempo lock icon
Displays when the tempo is locked (page 18).
5. CHORD
Displays the name of the chord played within the chord
recognition range (page 17).
6. PEAK icon
Lights when the sound signal inputted from the AUDIO IN
jack on the rear panel overloads the input (page 9).
7. USB icon
Displays when a USB flash drive is plugged into the USB TO
DEVICE port (page 8).
8. Battery indication
Displays the remaining amount of battery power when run-
ning on batteries (page 7).
9. Item to set, number
Displays the name and number of the setting shown in the
display.
10. Sound set name or sound name
Shows the name of the currently selected sound set or
sound. The menu name and other information appear when
configuring the i3’s settings and so on.
11. Style name or song name
Shows the name of the currently selected style or song.
The setting value and other information appear when con-
figuring the i3’s settings and so on.
12. Cursor
Indicates what information you can operate using the dial.
Use the pand qbuttons to move the cursor (page 11).

Getting Ready to Play 7
Introduction
Getting Ready to Play
Connecting the AC adapter
1. Make sure that the power on the i3 is turned off.
2. Connect the DC plug of the included AC adapter to the DC
12V jack located on the rear panel of the i3.
Be sure to use only the included AC adapter. Using any
other AC adapter may cause malfunctions.
Hook the AC adapter cord onto the cord hook. Do not use
excessive force when pulling the cord off the hook.
Cord hook
AC adapter
(included)
Be careful not to bend the
part of the AC adapter
plug as shown any more
than necessary.
3. Connect the plug of the AC adapter to an AC outlet.
Be sure to use an AC outlet of the correct voltage for
your adapter.
Using this instrument with
batteries
You can use six AA alkaline or nickel-metal hydride batteries to
power the i3.
Zinc-carbon batteries cannot be used.
Note:
Batteries are not included, so please obtain them sepa-
rately.
Installing the Batteries
1. Make sure that the power on the i3 is turned off.
2. Push the tab on the battery compartment cover that is
located on the bottom of the i3 to open the cover.
Note:
When turning the i3
upside down, place it on a
blanket or similar material to
prevent damage to the dis-
play, joystick and other parts.
3. When inserting the batteries, be sure to observe the
correct polarity (“+” and “–”).
Do not mix new and old
batteries, or batteries of dif-
ferent types. Failing to observe
this guideline might cause the
batteries to leak or burst.
4. Close the battery cover.
Note:
To make sure the correct battery level is displayed,
configure the setting on the i3 for the type of battery you are
using (see “Setting the battery type” on page 25).
Replacing the batteries
A battery indicator is shown at the upper right-hand corner of
the display.
Note:
This indicator will not be displayed when the i3 is con-
nected to an AC adapter.
When the indicator is blinking, this means that the batteries are
nearly depleted, so replace the batteries as soon as possible or
connect an AC adapter to power the i3.
Remove depleted batteries immediately. Leaving depleted
batteries in could result in malfunctions caused by battery elec-
trolyte leakage or similar problems. Also, remove the batteries
if you will not be using the i3 for a long time.
Connecting speakers
Connect the OUTPUT L/MONO, R jacks on the rear panel of the
i3 to a powered monitor speaker, stereo or other audio device.
To output monaural sound, use the OUTPUT L/MONO jack only.
INPUT
INPUT
Powered monitor speaker
(left)
Standard phone plug
cable (monaural)
Powered monitor speaker
(right)
Turn off the i3 and your audio devices before making con-
nections. Leaving the power on when you make connections
may cause damage to other connected devices, or cause a
malfunction.
The speakers may be unintentionally damaged if the
volume is too loud, if you play the i3 right after the speakers
are turned on. For this reason, when connecting the speakers
or turning on the power, make sure that the speaker volume is
turned all the way down. Do the reverse when turning off the
power.

Getting Ready to Play
8
Introduction
Using headphones
Connect the stereo mini plug of a pair of commercially avail-
able headphones to the headphones jack on the rear panel. The
headphone jack will output the same signal as the OUTPUT L/
MONO and R jacks.
Using headphones at high volume for an extended time
may cause hearing damage. Avoid excessively high volume
levels.
Headphones
Using a pedal switch or foot
controller
Plug the pedal switch or foot controller (sold separately) into
the FOOT CONTROLLER jack on the rear panel.
Configure the pedal function (page 25) and polarity
(page 25) in Setting mode, to match the device you are
connecting with the i3.
Pedal switch, foot controller
Connecting a pedal switch
The Korg PS-1/PS-3 pedal switches and the Korg DS-1H damper
pedal will function as a damper switch. As with the damper
pedal on a piano, you can use a pedal with this instrument to
sustain the notes you play, even after taking your fingers off
the keyboard.
Note:
Note that the damper effect does not work on the lower
part (page 13).
Note:
The i3 does not support the half-damper function.
Connecting a foot controller
Connect a Korg EXP-2 foot controller to control the volume of
the keyboard part (page 12).
Using a USB flash drive
To use a commercially-available USB flash drive, turn off the
power on the i3 and plug the flash drive into the USB TO DE-
VICE port on the rear panel. The USB icon ( ) will be shown
in the top right of the display when you turn the power back
on.
USB flash drive
USB icon
Display
Note:
When removing or plugging in the USB flash drive, be
sure to turn off the power on the i3 first.
Note:
Make sure that the USB flash drive is facing the right
direction when you insert it. If you try to push the drive in the
wrong way too hard, the port on the instrument or the drive
itself may break, or you may lose your data.
Note:
Note that you may not be able to correctly play back or
record data when using certain USB flash drives. For details,
see the Korg website.
Tip:
If does not display, turn off the power and reconnect
the USB flash drive.
Storage media that can be used
The i3 supports the use of USB flash drives and storage devic-
es in FAT16 or FAT32 format.
Supported capacities
FAT32: Up to 2 TB (2,000 GB)
FAT16: Up to 4 GB
Formatting a USB flash drive
Be sure to format (initialize) the USB flash drive on the i3 be-
fore using it for the first time.
1
1
3,4,5
2,4,5
1. Hold down the EXIT (SHIFT) button and press the SET-
TING button to enter Media mode.
2. Turn the dial or press the + button to select “Media For-
mat”.
“Push[ENTER]” will appear on the display.
3. Press the CATEGORY u(ENTER) button.
“Data Erase?“No”” will be displayed.
4. Turn the dial to select “OK,” and press the CATEGORY u
(ENTER) button.
“Sure?” will be displayed.

Getting Ready to Play 9
Introduction
5. Turn the dial to select “Yes,” and press the CATEGORY u
(ENTER) button.
6. When the message “Completed!” is displayed, press the
EXIT (SHIFT) button to return to Performance mode.
Connecting an audio player
Connecting your audio player to the AUDIO IN jack on the rear
panel of the i3 lets you input audio to the i3, which you can
play along with. If the audio signal input overloads, the PEAK
icon will show up in the display. Adjust the levels so that the
icon does not display.
Tip:
To adjust the volume balance, raise the volume of your au-
dio equipment while playing on the keyboard. Use the VOLUME
knob to adjust the overall volume.
Tip:
You can adjust the input sensitivity of the AUDIO IN jack
from “Audio In Level” (page 27) in Setting mode.
OUTPUT
Audio player or other device
Stereo mini-cable
Display
PEAK icon
Turn off the power on both your audio equipment and the
i3 before you connect anything. Leaving the power on when
you make connections may cause damage to other connected
devices, or cause a malfunction.
When turning on the power, first turn your audio equip-
ment on, and then turn on the i3. When turning off the power,
stop playback on the audio device, turn off the i3, and then
turn off your audio equipment.
Using a MIDI tone generator
You can play a MIDI tone generator using the i3’s keyboard by
connecting it to the MIDI OUT connector on the rear panel.
MIDI IN
MIDI cable
MIDI tone generator
What is MIDI?
MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a worldwide stan-
dard for communicating various information between electron-
ic musical instruments and computers.
Connecting to a computer
Connecting your computer to the USB TO HOST connector on
the rear panel of the i3 lets you control DAW software using the
i3, or use the i3 as a MIDI tone generator.
USB
Computer
USB cable (A-B
standard)
Tip:
For MIDI-related settings to make after connecting, see
“MIDI Clock” (page 27) and “Local Control” (page 27).

Basic operations
10
Introduction
Basic operations
Turning the power on/off
1. Turn the VOLUME knob of the i3 to the left to turn the
volume all the way down.
2. Press the power button ( ) on the rear panel to turn the
power on.
When turning off the power, hold the power button down
until the backlight on the display goes dark.
The i3 is set by default to automatically turn off if it has not
been played or operated for four hours (via the auto power-off
function). You can adjust this setting (page 25).
Adjusting the volume
yTurn the VOLUME knob on the front panel to adjust the
sound to the optimum level.
This adjusts the audio volume from the OUTPUT L/MONO
and R jacks, and from the headphone jack.
Modes of operation on the i3
The i3 has four operating modes. Use the front panel buttons
to switch between modes.
Performance mode (page 12)
This mode lets you play the sounds of the i3 using the key-
board, or use the styles (auto-accompaniment function) to per-
form. The i3 normally operates in performance mode. To return
to Performance mode after using a different mode, press the
EXIT (SHIFT) button and then press the SEQ, SETTING and EXIT
(SHIFT) buttons to turn those buttons off.
Sequencer mode (page 22)
Use this mode to play back your recorded performance or oth-
er music data (in MP3, WAV or SMF format). You can play the
keyboard during sequencer playback. Press the SEQ button to
enter Sequencer mode. The button will light up.
Setting mode (page 25)
This mode lets you adjust settings such as keyboard touch,
master tune, MIDI and so on. Press the SETTING button to
enter Setting mode. The button will light up.
Media mode (page 28)
Use this mode to save the i3’s settings, performances you
recorded and so on to a USB flash drive, or to load the data
previously saved. To enter Media mode, press the SETTING
button while holding down the EXIT (SHIFT) button (the button
will light).
Note:
You cannot enter Media mode unless you plug a USB
flash drive into the i3.