Korg M50 61

Korg M50 61 Key Synthesizer Keyboard captures all the sonic firepower of the M3, distilled into a performance instrument that is second to none.
Incredible new sounds; fatjuicy combis, splitslayers; a plethora of ace effects; dynamic Drum Tracks; enhanced poly-arpeggiators; classic sequencing tools, a solid, confident keybed; up-to-date SD storage; companion editing softwareour famous TouchView interactive display - it all adds up to an invigoratingsexy keyboard instrument that could only come from Korg.

Tipping the scales at a mere 15 pounds, the seriously portable 61 key version of the M50 sports a new semi-weighted Natural Touch keyboard. This new fastresponsive synthesizer keybed facilitates expressivedynamic performing.

A Natural Performer
Made to be played, the M50 is invitingcomfortable. The TouchView screen is intuitiveinteractive, allowing the uniquely angled front panel to remain refineduncluttered. The buttons themselves are rock solid, backlitrounded for visibility ease-of-use under any playing conditions. In addition to Korg´s four-way joystickmulti-function knobs, the M50 offers four Chord Triggers that provide a flexiblefun way to play chordstrigger arp patterns. A ten key numeric keypad allows on-demand instant access to sounds, combisother parameter/values.

Perfectly Shaped Sounds
M50 is packed with over 600 individual sound programs, each one created by Korg´s renowned international voicing team. With a robust 256 MB of sample data - recorded in exacting studio conditions - the acoustic instruments are delivered with authenticityrealism, providing rich, natural articulation; synth sounds can be bombasticaggressive, lushenveloping,puredelicate. But firstforemost, the M50 remains a keyboard cornerstone for any musician. The remarkable piano offers three layers of stereo switchingan additional resonance layer for faithfulnatural reproduction of the piano´s entire dynamic range.

In addition to the grand pianos, a myriad of other pianokeyboard mainstays are included - from a mono piano for pumping it out live on stage, to the ever in-demand vintage Korg SG-1 Sampling Grand. The electric pianos are responsive, dynamicexpressive, with all the tinehammer-slap you can muster. The new clavs feature all the classic settings with wide dynamic response,there are even stringflute sounds taken from the tape-driven keyboards of days gone by. Korg´s REMS pickup/amp/cabinet modeling technology provides that finishing touch. All the classics are there at your finger-tips; with spot-on programs that are a blast to play!

Need to quickly tweak a sound to your liking? No problem, Tone Adjust allows simple access to the most important parameterscharacteristics of a sound without having to dive deeply into programming. Available in Program, CombiSequencer modes, you can get done what you need to with a minimum of fusseffort.

MixMatch
In addition to the individual programs, a combination (or combi) allows up to 16 sound programs to be stacked, split, layeredzoned across the keyboard;set to individual MIDI channels. Nearly 400 of these combis come preloaded offering up tasty blendssplits for live performance. All of the preloaded sounds are completely editable,there is plenty of room on-board (640 Programs, 512 Combinations) for all the sounds that you edit, modify,create on your own.

Effect-ive Energy
The generous effect section of the M50 brings your sounds to life. Five effectstwo master effects can be assignedrouted at will, with a total effect to add that final polish. From spaciousluxurious reverbs to space-warping modulation types, the effects can not only embellish a sound after the fact, they can be part of the sound programming itself - adding uniquedefining sonic elements.

Let There Be Drums!
Korg has squeezed in over 1,600 drumpercussion samples that can be laid out into full drumkit programs. Readywaiting are 32 drumkits, with room for 48 more of your own. But there´s more! In addition to drumkits, the drum track feature hosts some 670 drum grooves that you can jam along to,use to kick-startinspire your own song ideas. In fact, each program has a matching drum track pre-assigned to get you started. BAM!

Rapid Results Sequencing
Korg wrote the book on workstations,the M50 delivers every chapter! The on-board sequencer is the core of your music production studio. Over 200,000 notes can be recorded on 16 MIDI tracksup to 128 songs. Enhanced 480 ppq resolution captures your performance with pinpoint accuracy ¨C whether you play in realtimestep notes in one at a time. A plethora of advanced, yet easy-to-use editing features are available to help you sculpt your song into its final form.

Computer Integration
Your new M50 includes both stand-aloneplug-in sound editing software for more detailed graphic editing on your computer,connects directly via USB. The plug-in version allows you to edit the M50´s sounds from inside any DAW (VST, Audio Units,RTAS formats), allowing your editschanges to be part of the song file,without having to switch applications to tweak a sound. The M50 also uses convenient SD cards for economicalreliable data storage.

Overview
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 multisamplesvelocity 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, crossfadeslayers
Filters:
4 types of filter routing (single, serial, parallel, 24 dB)
2 multi-mode filters per voice (low pass, high pass, band pass, band reject)
Driver: Per-voice nonlinear driverlow boost
EQ: 3 bands, with sweepable mid
Modulation:
For each voice: two envelope generators (Filter & Amp)
2 LFOs
2 key tracking generators (Filter & Amp)
2 AMS mixers
Pitch EG
Common LFO
2 common key tracking generators

Combination Structure
Up to 16 timbres
For each Timbre: keyboardvelocity split/layer/crossfade
INT, OFF, EXTEX2 MIDI status settings
3-band EQ with sweepable mid
Pitch/Transpose
Use OSC1, 2Both
Force Osc Mode (PRG, MONO, LEGATO, POLY)
PortamentoBend range settings
Controller filters
Modifications to the program settings via the Tone Adjust function

Drum Kit Structure
Stereomono drum samples
4-way velocity switches with crossfadesadjustable crossfade shapes (Linear, Power, Layer)
Exclusive keygroups
Per key 3-band EQ, Drive, Lo Boost, filterlevel 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,sweepable mid band) Per Program in Program Mode, per Timbre in Combination mode (16 total),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 ¨C 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 consecutivelyrepeatedly in up to 99 steps, A cue list can be converted back into a song
Standard MIDI File (SMF) format 01 available
Auto Song Setup function (One Touch Record) for easily going from a ProgramCombination into record-ready status

Dual Polyphonic Arpeggiator
2 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)Zone (KeyVelocity) settings can be specified
Program ion, 3-band EQeffect bussing available

Audio Outputs
L/MONO, R - 1/4 inch TS (Mono), unbalanced
Headphones - 1/4 inch TRS (Stereo), Output Impedance: 33 Ohms, Maximum Level: 32+ 32 mW @33 Ohms

Interface
MIDI: IN, OUT
Computer: USB type B connector (for MIDI interface, USB 2.0 supported)

System Requirements
Computer with the KORG USB-MIDI Driver

Windows
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition/Professional Service Pack 2later (MIDI Driver for the 64-bit editions is a Beta version), all editions of Microsoft Windows Vista (MIDI Driver for the 64-bit editions is a Beta version), computer supports Windows XP/Vista with USB port (Intel USB Host Controller recommended)

Macintosh
Mac OS X 10.3.9later, Apple Macintosh with USB ports supports Mac OS X 10.3.9 (PowerPC/Intel-based supported)
Please use the latest Korg USB/MIDI driver

M50 Editor/Plug-In Editor

Windows
Windows XP Home Edition / Professional Service Pack 2later, Intel Pentium III/1 GHzfaster, 512 Mbytelarger memory (1 Gbytelarger recommended)

Macintosh
Mac OS X 10.4later, G4/800 MHzfaster (Intel-based Mac supported, G5 and/or Core Duo recommended), 512 Mbytelarger memory (1 Gbytelarger recommended)

Options
XVP-10: EXP/VOL Pedal
EXP-2: Foot Controller
DS-1H: Damper Pedal (supports half-damping)
PS-1: Pedal Switch

General
Keyboard: 61-key version uses a semi-weighted Natural Touch keyboard
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)

Included Accessories
Three-Pronged IECC13 Power Cable
Owner´s Manual (M50 Operation Guide)
CD-ROM (M50 Parameter Guide (PDF)
Voice Name List (PDF)
KORG MIDI driver
M50 Editor stand aloneplug-in versions

Physical
Dimensions (W x D x H): 40.43 x 11.57 x 4.17 Inches
Weight: 14.9 Pounds
Current Consumption: 35 Watts