Korg M3 as host to use VST instruments

[MartinSt1]

Hi everybody,

I recently decided to switch to software instruments and use my M3 basically as MIDI keyboard to trigger the sounds. I have omnisphere and just recently bought Komplete8. Besides setting Local Control to off is there anything to consider? If I only use the keyboard for MIDI note triggering do I need to be in a specific mode (Combi/Prog/Seq) as I am not using the internal Synth of the M3 or doesn't it matter? I am asking because I sometimes feel that sounds are very soft, when changing modes sometimes they become louder etc. strange... Anything else to consider in the parameters as sounds sometimes seem to be slightly distorted?
(It seems I didn't have the issue with Omnisphere but just installed Kontakt5 player and experienced this phenomenon)...don't know after all if it is a Korg or NI issue... Anyway, I would be really appreciative if you could give me some advice which settings to consider on my M3 for best results... THANKS! Martin

[alland]

I recently decided to switch to software instruments and use my M3 basically as MIDI keyboard to trigger the sounds. I have omnisphere and just recently bought Komplete8. Besides setting Local Control to off is there anything to consider? If I only use the keyboard for MIDI note triggering do I need to be in a specific mode (Combi/Prog/Seq) as I am not using the internal Synth of the M3 or doesn't it matter? I am asking because I sometimes feel that sounds are very soft, when changing modes sometimes they become louder etc. strange... Anything else to consider in the parameters as sounds sometimes seem to be slightly distorted?
(It seems I didn't have the issue with Omnisphere but just installed Kontakt5 player and experienced this phenomenon)...don't know after all if it is a Korg or NI issue... Anyway, I would be really appreciative if you could give me some advice which settings to consider on my M3 for best results... THANKS! Martin

I'd check out few things on M3

1) Ensure that M3 does not send anything you do not want to send - but you have to decide what must be filtered out - program/bank changes or some other control changes too that may affect VSTi syths. See Parameter Guide p382

2) Have proper velocity curve. For external soft synths you need to adjust PreMIDI curve. See Parameter Guide p372

You may also want to capture your M3 Midi flow with some midi monitoring tool (MidiOx for PC) if you still think that your VSTis behave strangely and find out exactly what messes your synth up.

3) You may want to set up M3 to send Midi clock and your VSTi to receive (get synced). Good for any tempo related sounds, arps, effects etc.

[MartinSt1]

Thanks! Will try...

[MartinSt1]

Unfortunately it doesn't work... Especially when selecting piano sounds, and playing forte completely distorts my sounds... Also my m3 reacts strangely.,. Depending on the mode I select (prog/combi/seq) also overall volume changes from sometimes extremely soft too very load but with very strange velocity curve - all notes very load even if I play softly...hope somebody can help me... I am using an M3, m-audio fast track c400, have connected my m3 to the interface with midi and audio and the interface to my pc and monitors.., please let me know if you need further information ... Happy for any help I can get

[alland]

Well, what exactly "did not work"? What M3 midi filtering did you apply? Did you try proper and different velocity curves on M3? Which ones and how exactly you did? Did you analyze midi your M3 is sending?

It still seems from information you provided, that while changing programs/combi M3 sends program change information over midi and some of your VSTi receives it and adjusts its behavior accordingly.

If you need some more specific help, please provide exactly as possible your setup and occasion - M3 side (MIDI setup all seetings from global MIDI pages, what factory combi/program you use when undesired phenomenon happens - you switch from what to what) and also computer side (OS, do you use any host DAW app for your VSTi, what VSTi and what program there gets distorted and how exactly this "distorsion" looks (too loud, some undesired effect applies etc).