Korg M3 88

semmi78 · Post by **semmi78** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 2:52 pm

Hello,

I am looking around for the M3 88. I would like to know how the keys feel when playing. Is it suitable for fast one-note actions for example? Since the M3 should be my main writing machine I should be able to play
Classical piano, progressive rock leads, hammond.

Furthermore I would love to hear your opinion on the exterior of the 88 version. Is it really different than the 61 key version?

And what about the orchestral sounds? Are they fulfilling? I was used to Kurzweils orchestral ROM, which sounds fantastic but is already a few years old.

grtz
Semmi!

GregC · Post by **GregC** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 2:59 pm

hmm. have you ever played a weighed key 88 keyboard ?

I think the M3 orchestra sounds are excellent. Some will say there should be more more selection.

Why don't you listen to the M3 demos ?

I would think they sound quite different vs the Kurz

semmi78 · Post by **semmi78** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 3:05 pm

GregC

I listened to the demo's but they never do it to me personally. Ok, once and that was Kurzweils demo for the orchestral ROM.
Haven't seen an Orchestral demo for the M3 though. Or maybe I overlooked it.

I never played the RH3 keys before and there isn't an M3 88 nor a Oasys in our local shop to try out.

MartinHines · Post by **MartinHines** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 5:11 pm

semmi78 wrote:I never played the RH3 keys before and there isn't an M3 88 nor a Oasys in our local shop to try out.

The Triton Extreme 88, OASYS 88, and TR88 all use the Korg RH2 Weighted action keyboard.

The RH3 keyboard is only on the M3 88, SP-250 digital piano and the newer Korg Concert pianos (the ones like look like upgright pianos like the C-320).

Although I have never played an RH3 action, I assume it would be at least as good as the RH2 action it replaces.

khol · Post by **khol** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 5:22 pm

I tried an 61-key and an 88-key in the store.
I cant tell you much about the wheighted keys. But as far as the build-quality i must say that the 61-key version felt much more "soft" and plastic in it's construction. The 88-key and 73-key is (i think) build more on a metallic frame that give this extra quality feel to it.

I bought a 73-key mostly due to just that plastic-metallic difference between the 61 and 88-key.

And i have to say.... the keybed on this freakmachine is faaantastic. I just love the keys, how they respond, aftertouch... everything.

Im not much of an orchestral-sound-player, but i have tried out a few and there is not much more to ask for (for my needs).

And then, when you find a sound that is quite nice, you press the KARMA button and the fun can begin. My god i love this machine !

GregC · Post by **GregC** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 5:50 pm

semmi78 wrote:GregC

I listened to the demo's but they never do it to me personally. Ok, once and that was Kurzweils demo for the orchestral ROM.
Haven't seen an Orchestral demo for the M3 though. Or maybe I overlooked it.

.

dude, orchestra demos:

http://korg.com/gear/prod_info.asp?A_PR ... egory_id=1

semmi78 · Post by **semmi78** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 9:20 am

MartinHines wrote:
semmi78 wrote:I never played the RH3 keys before and there isn't an M3 88 nor a Oasys in our local shop to try out.
The Triton Extreme 88, OASYS 88, and TR88 all use the Korg RH2 Weighted action keyboard.

The RH3 keyboard is only on the M3 88, SP-250 digital piano and the newer Korg Concert pianos (the ones like look like upgright pianos like the C-320).

Although I have never played an RH3 action, I assume it would be at least as good as the RH2 action it replaces.

thanks for that info. didn't know the Oasys was equipped with the RH2 keybed. How does the RH3 feel when playing fast one-note actions, so how is the reaction of the keys? I had many problems with my Kurzweil PC1x which had a very slow release of the keys after pressing down. That resulted in bad velocity and thus bad playing when playing fast stuff.

mikeyd · Post by **mikeyd** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 1:40 am

I have the 88 and the feel is excellent. I played my 1st gig with it on New Years Eve and it was great. Just remember it's a synth and not a Steinway. Like every weighted synth it's still not going to feel like a real piano, but I really like it. Hope you will too. Try it out, it's always a matter of preference.

As far as the Orchestra sounds go, they sound as good as any synth I have owned or heard. I don't like some of the Karma backing with them (the appregios that are pre-programed are not very good IMO) but the Brass, Strings and Woodwinds sound great. This is a great board and I believe the best out there. Good luck!

Bubba · Post by **Bubba** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 4:54 am

It depends on what you mean by "fast". Fast as in Classical or Jazz piano style of play, or fast in terms of synth oriented type of music? I've had several opportunities to play the 88 and 61. If you're a piano player you will like the RH3. It feels like a piano more than any other Korg action IMO. It responds very well to lighting fast jazz and classical scales. But, hammond organ sounds or very quick synth stabs respond a bit more sluggishly. I love to play fast and syncopated using analog synth sounds on Korgs. The M3 73 best suits my needs. I have a dedicated digital piano for piano music. But, if I could only have one keyboard I would do the best I could on the M3 88.

semmi78 · Post by **semmi78** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 7:10 pm

With 'Fast' i mean fast one-note-action. But reading all this it should be not a problem. Like I said, my Kurzweil had issues when playing one-note-actions. The first note had a velocity of 110 and the second note 30 (with the same playing). Don't know the exact numbers, but just to show how it sounded.

I will try out an M388 very soon. I finally saw one in a local shop.