Korg Forums

ferchis · Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2009 12:42 am Post subject: x50 vs m50

I know the m50 is brand new, but would it be a reasonable upgrade from my x50 if I want BETTER and MORE sounds and a sequencer?

thanx
_________________
Fernando
Music IS EnTeRtAiNmEnT

Kronos 88 - Korg M50 61 - Morphwiz - Alchemy synth

kanthos · Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2009 4:27 am Post subject:

Definitely would. The M50 is based on the new EDS engine used in the M3; the x50 uses the HI engine used in the older Triton generation of keyboards. You may not necessarily get *more* sounds (I can't remember how many patches are in each), but the M50 certainly has better-quality sounds.
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Keyboard Rig: Korg Kronos, Moog Sub 37, Waldorf Blofeld Module, Neo Instruments Ventilator II, Moog MiniFooger Delay, Strymon BigSky, Roland KC-150, Mackie 802-VLZ4 Mixer

Bigs · Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2009 2:47 pm Post subject:

It's definately a big upgrade in many many ways. The only thing that both the X50 and the M50 lack is aftertouch. But the M50 offers plenty other modulation controls imo.

Of course if you spend a bit more money there are even better synths you could buy Smile

ferchis · Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2009 3:51 pm Post subject:

kanthos · Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2009 4:16 pm Post subject:

From the little bit of playing I did when buying my TR, I found the Juno G to be inferior even to the TR, let alone the M50. I wasn't impressed with the sounds at all, other than some of the world instruments.
_________________
Keyboard Rig: Korg Kronos, Moog Sub 37, Waldorf Blofeld Module, Neo Instruments Ventilator II, Moog MiniFooger Delay, Strymon BigSky, Roland KC-150, Mackie 802-VLZ4 Mixer

ferchis · Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2009 4:20 pm Post subject:

yeah, that's the impression I had, that the sounds in the juno g haven't got a patch on the m50 by far and away. maybe it's the possibility of sampling and audio recording what tempts me, but I think I would definitely go for the m50 if I can... here in Argentina this monsters are prohibitively expensive!!!

thanx
_________________
Fernando
Music IS EnTeRtAiNmEnT

Kronos 88 - Korg M50 61 - Morphwiz - Alchemy synth

ferchis · Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 7:49 pm Post subject:

I've found an interesting bargain for the FANTOM S (I currently own the korg x50 and was considering getting an m50).

any opinions here? would it compete with the m50 in any way?

I keep asking about the combis in korg and HOW ROLAND MATCH THIS IN THEIR SYNTHS; no one has ever given me a concrete answer... how do they make up for this amazing capability of layering 8 (or 16 now!!!) sounds together???!!!!
_________________
Fernando
Music IS EnTeRtAiNmEnT

Kronos 88 - Korg M50 61 - Morphwiz - Alchemy synth

The_Rev · Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2009 2:42 pm Post subject:

FantomS

Keyboard
61 keys (with velocity and channel aftertouch)
Sound Generator Section
Max. Polyphony 64 (shared with the sampling section)

Parts 16

Wave Memory 64MB (16-bit linear equivalent), Waveforms: 1,228

Preset Memory Patches: [S] 640 + 256 (GM2),Rhythm Sets: 32 + 9 (GM2), Performances: 64

User Memory Patches: 256, Rhythm Sets: 32, Performances: 64

Card Memory (SmartMedia) Patches: 256, Rhythm Sets: 32, Performances: 64
Sampling Section
Data Format 16-bit linear (File Type: .WAV/AIFF)

Sampling Frequency 44.1kHz (fixed)

Max. Sampling Time [Internal memory (32MB) only] mono: 360 sec. approx., stereo: 180 sec. approx. [with DIMM (288MB)] mono: 54 min. approx., stereo: 27 min. approx.

Number of Samples User memory: 2,000 (maximum total approx. 16MB), Card memory: 7,000 (128MB SmartMedia)

Sequencer Section
Tracks Phrase tracks (16 MIDI channels per track): 16, Pattern track (16 MIDI channels per track): 1, Tempo track: 1, Beat track: 1
#The Pattern Track can hold up to 100 patterns.

Resolution 480 TPQN

Tempo 5 to 300 bpm

Song Length 9,998 measures

Recording Method Realtime, Step

Effects Multi-Effects: 3 systems, [S] 77 types/ [S88] 78 types, Chorus: 3 types, Reverb: 5
types, Input Effect: 6 types, Mastering Effect: 3-band Compressor

Others
Arpeggiator Preset: 128, User: 128

Rhythm Pattern Preset: 256 (32 groups), User: 256 (32 groups)

Chord Memory Preset: 64, User: 64

Display 320 x 240 dots, four-shade graphic LCD (QVGA)

Pads 16 (velocity and aftertouch sensitive)

Controllers Pitch Bend/Modulation Lever, Control Knobs x 4, Assignable Switch x 2, D Beam Controller

Connectors Headphones, A (MIX) Output (L/Mono, R) (1/4” TRS phone type), B Output (L, R) (1/4” phone type), Input (L/Mono (MIC), R) (1/4” phone type), Hold Pedal (Half Pedal possible), Control Pedal
(assignable), MIDI (In, Out, Thru), USB Connector (supports file transfer (mass storage class)), Digital Audio Interface (COAXIAL/OPTICAL OUTPUT only), AC Inlet

Power Consumption 17W (AC
117/230/240 V)
Accessories
Sound/Parameter List, Sample Data (Audio) CD, CD-ROM (Editor)
Options
Wave Expansion Board (SRX Series), Keyboard Stand ([S] KS-12/[S88] KS-17),
Pedal Switch (DP Series), Foot Switch (FS-5U), Expression Pedal (EV-5)

Size and Weight
Width 1,050 mm 41-3/8 inches

Depth 358 mm 14-1/8 inches

Height 109 mm 4-5/16 inches

Weight 12.5 kg 27 lbs. 9 oz.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

M50

Synthesis Technology

EDS (Enhanced Definition Synthesis)

Tone Generator

256 Mbyte (when converted to 16-bit linear format)

1,077 Multisamples

1,609 Drum Samples

Maximum Polyphony

80 voices, 80 oscillators max, single mode

40 voices, 80 oscillators max, double mode*

* The actual maximum polyphony will vary depending on oscillator settings such as stereo multisamples and velocity crossfading.

Sounds

Programs

640 total locations, 608 preloaded

Combinations
512 total locations, 384 preloaded

Drumkits
48 total locations, 32 preloaded

GM
256 GM2 programs, 9 GM2 drum kits

Program Structure EDS

Oscillator
OSC1 (Single), OSC1+2 (Double)

Stereo multisamples are supported

4 velocity zones per oscillator, with switching, crossfades and layers.

Filters
Four types of filter routing (single, serial, parallel, 24 dB)

Two multi-mode filters per voice (low pass, high pass, band pass, band reject)

Driver
Per-voice nonlinear driver and low boost

EQ
Three bands, with sweepable mid

Modulation
For each voice: two envelope generators (Filter & Amp)

Two LFOs

Two key tracking generators (Filter & Amp)

Two AMS mixers

Pitch EG

Common LFO

Two common key tracking generators

Combination Structure

Up to sixteen timbres

For each Timbre: keyboard and velocity split/layer/crossfade

INT, OFF, EXT and EX2 MIDI status settings

3-band EQ with sweepable mid

Pitch/Transpose

Use OSC1, 2 or Both

Force Osc Mode (PRG, MONO, LEGATO, POLY)

Portamento and Bend range settings

Controller filters

Modifications to the program settings via the Tone Adjust function

Drum Kit Structure

Stereo and mono drum samples

4-way velocity switches with crossfades and adjustable crossfade shapes (Linear, Power, Layer)

Exclusive keygroups

Per key 3-band EQ, Drive, Lo Boost, filter and level offsets

Effects

5 Insert Effects (stereo in/out), 2 Master Effects (stereo in/out), 1 Total Effect (stereo in/out) are available simultaneously

2 effect control busses, 2 effect common LFOs

170 types (can be used for Insert/Master/Total.) Note: double-size effects cannot be used as a Total effect.

Effects Presets: Up to 32 per Effect, 700 provided in OS 1.10

3-band Track EQ (High, low, and sweepable mid band) Per Program in Program Mode, per Timbre in Combination mode (16 total), and per Track in Sequencer mode (16 total)

Sequencer

16-track MIDI sequencer with 480 ppq resolution

128 Songs, 20 Cue Lists, 210,000 notes (max)

Tempo: 40.00 – 300.00 BPM (1/100 resolution)

16 preset/16 user Template Songs

522 preset patterns, 100 user patterns (per Song)

Cue List function: 20 cue lists, Songs can be arranged consecutively or repeatedly in up to 99 steps, A cue list can be converted back into a song

Standard MIDI File (SMF) format 0 and 1 available

Auto Song Setup function (One Touch Record) for easily going from a Program or Combination into “record-ready” status

Dual Polyphonic Arpeggiator

Two arpeggiators, useable simultaneously
(Combination, Sequencer modes)

5 preset arpeggio patterns; 216 user arpeggio patterns (200 preloaded)

RPPR (Realtime Pattern Play/Recording)
A set of 100 patterns are available per Song

Drum Track

671 preset patterns/1,000 user patterns

Patterns created in Sequencer mode can be converted to drum track user patterns

Trigger Mode (Immediate, Wait for Keyboard), Sync (On, Off) and Zone (Key and Velocity) settings can be specified.

Program selection, 3-band EQ and effect bussing available

Audio Outputs

L/MONO, R - 1/4" TS (Mono), unbalanced

Headphones - 1/4" TRS (Stereo), Output Impedance: 33 Ohms, Maximum Level: 32+ 32 mW @33 Ohms

Interface

MIDI
IN, OUT

General

Keyboard
61-key, 73-key versions use a new semi-weighted Natural Touch keyboard

88-key weighted action (RH3: Real Weighted Hammer Action 3 keyboard with 4-zone graded action response)

Controllers
Joystick, [SW1], [SW2]

Display

5.7 inch TouchView™ GUI, 320 x 240 dot

Control Inputs
Damper Pedal (half damper pedaling supported), Assignable Switch, Assignable Pedal

Common specifications
Frequency response: 20 Hz–20 kHz, +/-1.0 dB, 10 k Ohms load

THD+N: 20 Hz–20 kHz, 0.08 % 10 k Ohms load (typical)

Dimensions

M50-61:
40.43"(W) x 11.57"(D) x 4.17"(H)

M50-73:
46.90” (W) x 11.57” (D) x 4.17” (H)

M50-88:
55.47” (W) x 12.91” (D) x 5.94” (H)

Weight

M50-61: 14.9 lbs

M50-73: 17.6 lbs

M50-88: 45.86 lbs