3
Main features of the M3 XPANDED
PCM expansion options added,and
multisamples updated
Approximately 384 Mbytes* of multisamples from
PCM expansion options have been added. This
increases the total to a maximum of 640 Mbytes*,
which is 2.5 times as much as the original M3’s 256
Mbytes* of preset multisamples.
* These capacities indicate the size when converted to
16-bit linear data.
The multisamples of the following PCM expansion
options can be used.
• EX-USB-PCM01: Brass and Woodwinds 1
(approximately 128 Mbytes*)
• EX-USB-PCM02: Brass and Woodwinds 2
(approximately 128 Mbytes*)
• EX-USB-PCM03: Stereo Grand Piano
(approximately 128 Mbytes*)
In order to use all of these multisamples
simultaneously, you’ll need to install the optional
Korg EXB-M256 sample memory expansion board
(sold separately). If this is not installed, you can
use only one of these titles at a time.
The 256 Mbytes* of preset multisamples and drum
samples of the original M3 have also been updated.
EX-USB-PCM01: Brass and Woodwinds 1
EX-USB-PCM02: Brass and Woodwinds 2
EX-USB-PCM01/02 Brass & Woodwinds is a PCM
expansion option for the M3 containing brass and
woodwind sounds that were created with painstaking
attention to detail and playability.
• Approximately 256 Mbytes* (when converted to 16-
bit linear) of PCM memory is provided to create 128
new programs and 32 new combinations. This new
data covers a broad range of sounds, suitable for
everything from orchestration to popular music.
• Top of the line instruments were sampled with
variations to cover every musical need; for
example, flutes include piccolo and alto flute,
trumpets include piccolo trumpet as well as cornet,
and clarinet sounds also include bass clarinet.
• Numerous variations of performance techniques
have been sampled, including: dynamics, trills,
falls, growls, and staccato on each instrument. In
addition, the M3’s EDS synthesis engine has been
used to create programs that deliver sounds that
are richly expressive, even when a single note is
played. This would be difficult to produce simply
by playing back sampled data. For example, in
programs that contains a breath sound with legato,
the breath sound is emphasized for the first note
but it’s removed from subsequent notes that are
played legato, providing a more natural
performance. There are also numerous variations,
such as different types of vibrato, and different
attacks which are suitable for staccato playing.
EX-USB-PCM03: Stereo Grand Piano
EX-USB-PCM03: Stereo Grand Piano is a sound library
created using a single-point stereo recording of a top-
class full concert grand piano. It uses four-level
velocity splits to ensure rich and natural sound, and
allows a high degree of expressive power.
•Approximately 128 Mbytes* of PCM data contains 7
programs and 2 combinations, covering a range of
sounds appropriate for any production in styles
ranging from classical to rock and jazz.
• One-point stereo recording was used to preserve
the stereo image. From the attack on the strings to
the decay, a natural stereo image has been lavishly
captured. The natural resonances of the strings
when the damper pedal is held down has also been
recorded. These sounds are used by the M3’s EDS
synthesis engine to faithfully reproduce the full
natural decay of the vibrating strings decaying to
silence, as well as the subtle sounds of pedal
control.
Updated multisamples and drum samples
The 256 Mbytes* of preset multisamples and drum
samples on the original M3 has been updated. In
particular, stereo piano and vintage keyboard sounds
have been updated to deliver even more realistic piano
sounds that include a monaural piano often used in
band ensembles as well as the Korg SG-1 sampling
grand beloved by artists, in addition to PCM data
capturing the sounds of tape-type samplers.
New and updated programs and
combinations
Together with the 512 preloaded programs of the M3
v.1 and the 512 programs added in M3 v.1.2, as well as
the 32 vocoder programs, this gives you a total of 1,216
(EDS) preloaded programs and 416 preloaded
combinations.
☞Refer to “Playing the programs of PCM expansion
option” (page 5) in this guide.
The programs have been organized by instrument type
to make it easy to compare sounds in the same
category.
