Playing GM Midi files on the M3

[Zorgan]

Just wondering, is it easier to play through my DAW and configure this way? or load directly into the sequencer with USB? I'm getting strange results, not sure if the M3 is very GM compatible, I had a roland previously which did not need much editing channels etc for drums and instruments.

any tips welcome please. sorry if this has been asked before!

[Bald Eagle]

The M3 should be able to play GM files ok. Use the GM Initialize menu command in sequencer mode. You can read about it in the Parameter Guide on page 273.

[Zorgan]

Yes thanks bald eagle, maybe I need to just try some better quality midi files, as I think the ones I was trying were not very good quality.

[SoundsOfPlanet]

Hello everybody
In the link below you will find a video - Transferring the GM file from Cubase to Korg ( Kronos, Oasys, M3 and Triton)

http://youtu.be/SqRWQtssm0g

Video is intended for all, who have a need to import GM midi files to Korg by means of Cubase – and do not really know how to cope with that.
The movie also presents the elements of file edition in such was, so it sounded good after replacement of patches from GM banks onto the patches from Korg banks.
Applied method for file processing is universal for all Workstation instruments manufactured by Korg.
From my experience I know, that even the simplest import of GM files, either in format 0 or in format 1, usually ends up with failure due to a fact that midi files are created on different machines – and although as a general idea they should have been compatible, but unfortunately it is not so.
After the first view, the video may seem a bit complicated – but my intention was to show and transfer a little bit of knowledge – after getting some experience, you will be able to redo every midi file by means of a few mouse clicks.
I hope that the hints and methods presented in the movie will be helpful for you.
Film was realized based on version 5 of Cubase and Korg Kronos.
All comments and remarks are welcomed

Greetings.
SoP

[countrycreek]

Have you tried global, system preference and set to gm2 and then gm initialize in sequencer mode?

[jwillis35]

Just wondering, is it easier to play through my DAW and configure this way? or load directly into the sequencer with USB? I'm getting strange results, not sure if the M3 is very GM compatible, I had a roland previously which did not need much editing channels etc for drums and instruments.

Keep in mind much of the Roland gear uses the GM2 standard, which is quite a bit different from GM. As others have said, the Korg M3 can be put into GM(2) mode via the Global bank, but you can also configure a bank of 128 sounds to GM standard. In fact, you can configure your I-G bank with your best sounds and not the initial sounds you were given there. My Korg M3 Xpanded came with the I-G bank already configured to GM mode, but in order to use this bank as the standard GM bank you have to tell the M3 by going to Global mode. **If you don't do this then any GM files you try will play from bank I-A (via computer/USB or loaded into the SEQ of the M3).

Alternatively if you don't want to write over your I-G sounds and also do not wish to put your M3 in Global GM mode for these files, then customize your I-A bank with sounds you like the best for each of the instruments according GM standards. Be sure to save your original I-A Bank. There are so many program slots on the M3 that this is possible without compromising many of your other sound banks.

Now go to your SEQ page and set each channel to 1 - 16 (perc on 10), and put a default piano sound in all the tacks except 10. Put a standard Pop drum set in 10. Apply some filters, EQ, EFX as you might like it for that SEQ, then save it as a default on your M3. (def_GM_I-A)

Once this is done, open your fav DAW, then open the Korg M3 plugin, have it save the sounds to your customized GM bank, then also have it save your SEQ file. Now you should be able to call on your SEQ from within the Korg M3 or from within a DAW, and you can also call up the sound set from your customized bank.

**** If the Korg M3 is not in Global GM mode, then the 1st bank to receive MIDI messages is the I-A bank. And remember, GM files do not call on MIDI bank select sys ex files. A GM file will simply call on the instrument patch select, therefore using bank I-A can work for a customized GM bank without having to put the entire keyboard in Global GM Mode.

[orpheus2006]

The M3 is not the best instrument for GM playback, but some effort was done by the Karma-Lab user community a couple of years ago.

For more info, refer to
http://karma-lab.wikidot.com/korg-m3:co ... midi-files

Hope that helps!