Future upgrades in sounds or not

Kyobanim · Post by **Kyobanim** » Tue Feb 23, 2010 8:50 pm

Actually, it is possible to write new patches to ROM.

Base instructions on a computer are done on the ROM chip. When you flash, or update the computer's bios you are re-writing the code on the ROM. So re-writing ROM isn't the issue.

I'm not sure on this but I believe that the OS on the M50 is in ROM. At least that is my supposition. (I could be wrong, wouldn't be the first time). IF that is the case then it is entirely possible to add new patches.

Caviate: this could all be a load of BS cause I really don't have the information on how the board is put together on the M50. There are lots of variables. This is just a theory.

dnlfacundo · Post by **dnlfacundo** » Tue Feb 23, 2010 9:04 pm

I just gotta have faith that korg will make some new sounds,I mean what was the perpose for the vintage keys then?And I'm pretty sure the korg editor could have some capabilities to introduce future updates in sounds.

CfNorENa · Post by **CfNorENa** » Tue Feb 23, 2010 10:13 pm

dnlfacundo wrote:I just gotta have faith that korg will make some new sounds,I mean what was the perpose for the vintage keys then?.

Vintage keys were not new SOUNDS. They were new PROGRAMS. You really gotta get your head around the difference.

X-Trade · Post by **X-Trade** » Tue Feb 23, 2010 10:16 pm

The vintage keys programs were only patches - programs - whatever you want to call them.

sets of data that tell the synthesiser to do new things with the samples already on the board.

We also know that the sample ROM (usually a different chip to the OS ROM) is packed and any addition of new sounds would probably require the removal of old sounds.

No-one is saying that it isn't possible for anyone to create something new with the M50, but you have to start from the same recorded audio content and processing blocks.

You'd be surprised what you can do to a guitar or EP simply by changing the envelope, filter, adding or removing effects, etc.
Especially for synth sounds, you don't need new samples - just new programs that use the built in analog waveforms.

secondly, you don't necessarily need KORG themselves to create new programs for you - I'm sure they're busy with new products and other. You should consider yourself lucky that KORG created any new programs at all, its a bonus, not the norm. Especially in the past with other products from other manufacturers, you got what was on the synth and if you wanted something else, either you or someone else created it from scratch, and you bought them from someone or made it yourself.

and please, in this discussion don't get confused between patches/programs/combis - the things we can create and load on the M50, and samples/sounds - the base audio recordings that the patches/programs start from - which we can't add ourselves and it is unlikely that we'll see any new ones from KORG.

edit: looks like CfNorENa and I were typing at the same time!

CfNorENa · Post by **CfNorENa** » Tue Feb 23, 2010 10:24 pm

X-Trade wrote:edit: looks like CfNorENa and I were typing at the same time!

$5 says the double-whammy response won't make a bit of difference!

jerryv · Post by **jerryv** » Tue Feb 23, 2010 10:40 pm

Kyobanim wrote:Actually, it is possible to write new patches to ROM.

Base instructions on a computer are done on the ROM chip. When you flash, or update the computer's bios you are re-writing the code on the ROM. So re-writing ROM isn't the issue.

I'm not sure on this but I believe that the OS on the M50 is in ROM. At least that is my supposition. (I could be wrong, wouldn't be the first time). IF that is the case then it is entirely possible to add new patches.

Caviate: this could all be a load of BS cause I really don't have the information on how the board is put together on the M50. There are lots of variables. This is just a theory.

ROM is Read Only Memory. It can't be re-written, though it could be replaced .. easily if the chips are in sockets. EPROM is Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory .. this CAN be rewritten. In theory, KORG could produce a whole new set of samples which would replace the ones currently onboard. But why would they? The samples that are currently present are great.

As already noted, there are plenty of facilities built into the M50 to alter the way the samples are used... so with a lot of work and trial-and-error very few sounds would be unattainable. That's the fun of it. And we all wish for a machine that would do it all .. a zillion meg of samples, the ability to create new samples, full control over everything, plus plenty of pre-programmed voices .. built in HDTV, a wet bar, etc. You just can't have it all. The M50 is a great compromise between functionality and cost.

mocando · Post by **mocando** » Tue Feb 23, 2010 11:43 pm

jerryv wrote: The M50 is a great compromise between functionality and cost.

Couldn't agree more.