Korg M50-73 73-Key Synth Workstation

zZounds' Take on Korg M50-73

A serious workstation usually means a serious investment, but Korg and zZounds want to cut you a break. Every bit the professional performance instrument and studio tool, the Korg M50-73 is priced well within the reach of the working musician, yet delivers incredible sounds and a richly rewarding playing experience.

Korg is one of the biggest names in professional keyboards, and they know that a great workstation needs to excel in many different roles. The M50-73 meets and exceeds expectations as a live performance instrument, an integral part of your studio, and as an inspirational composition tool.

Live Performance Instrument
The finest instruments in the world marry beautiful sonics with a solid and expressive feel, and the Korg M50 is no different. The EDS (Enhanced Definition Synthesis) sound engine gushes with thick synth tones, complex articulated acoustic instruments like strings and brass, and some of the most realistic and playable piano tones in any keyboard in any price range. The main trigger for these sounds is the keyboard--and on the M50-73 that means 73 of Korg's new semi-weighted Natural Touch keys for fast and satisfying synth action. You also get Korg's righteous joystick controller for combined pitch-bend and modulation control. Adding to your performance vocabulary are four real-time control knobs, assignable to any parameter of a patch, but automatically assigned to the ones that you'll get the most use out of. Finally, there are four "chord-assign" buttons which can be used to auto-trigger complex voicing with a single finger, leaving a free hand for melodic playing and turning you into your own accompanist. Adding to your onstage powers is the M50's powerful Combi mode. Up to 16 layers of instrumentation can be combined and triggered simultaneously, and voices can be split by note range or velocity--it's like controlling a whole orchestra with your hands. Topping things off, the M50 supports the KARMA player for the most lifelike, organic, and intelligent backing sequences ever developed.

Integral Studio Component
These powerful sounds are of obvious benefit in the studio, but your M50 becomes so much more when connected to your computer. Via USB, the M50-73 can be accessed as a plug-in with most major multitrack recording programs. Sounds can be triggered directly, and parameters automated just as you would any virtual instrument, and since the M50 powers its own sounds, it takes the processing burden away form your computer's CPU. Of course it also makes an amazing keyboard controller, but the M50 can even act as a DAW control surface. Simply select the appropriate template from a list and get tactile command of your sessions. The Korg M50 turns your entire studio into an expressive instrument.

Compositional Tool
Korg knows the M50 is going to inspire you to think about music in new ways. When you're struck with a flash of brilliance, you're only one button press away from capturing your ideas in a 16-track sequencer. This sophisticated sequencer makes brilliant use of the M50's touch-sensitive screen, which insures you'll never second guess how to access a function or make changes to a mix. How do you move the fader on channel 7? Just touch and slide the graphical slider on the screen. It couldn't be more straightforward, meaning you'll spend less time learning the keyboard and more time making music.

The Korg M50-73 will help you get the most out of your music, and when you get it from zZounds, you'll get the most for your dollar.

Manufacturer's Description for Korg M50-73 73-Key Synth Workstation

Weighing in at just fifteen pounds is the fiery new KORG M50, ready to take on all contenders! Incredible new sounds; fat & juicy combis, splits and layers; 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 software and our famous TouchView interactive display - it all adds up to an invigorating and sexy keyboard instrument that could only come from KORG.

There's One for Everyone

Over twenty years of category-defining workstation expertise beats in the heart of the M50 Music Workstation. Just as the M3 borrowed elements from the legendary OASYS, the M50 captures all the sonic firepower of the M3, distilled into a performance instrument that is second to none. In a word, the M50 just may be the keyboard you've been waiting for. Both 73* and 61 note versions are available, sporting a new semi-weighted Natural Touch keyboard. This new fast and responsive synthesizer keybed facilitates expressive and dynamic performing. Tipping the scales at a mere 46 pounds, the seriously portable 88 key version features our top-of-the-line RH3 Graded Hammer Action, and provides a satisfying performance experience for the piano purist!

A Natural Performer

Made to be played, the M50 is inviting and comfortable. The TouchView screen is intuitive and interactive, allowing the uniquely angled front panel to remain refined and uncluttered. The buttons themselves are rock solid, backlit and rounded for visibility ease-of-use under any playing conditions. In addition to Korg's four-way joystick and multi-function knobs, the M50 offers four Chord Triggers that provide a flexible and fun way to play chords and trigger arp patterns. A ten key numeric keypad allows on-demand instant access to sounds, combis and other parameter/values.

Control Surface

Hundreds of drum track patterns, and over a thousand arpeggiator patterns - including chord grooves, picking-patterns, and more - are instantly available to add punch and pizzazz to your M50 performance, and to provide hours of inspiration. zZounds is an authorized dealer of Korg products.

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 multisamples and velocity 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, crossfades and layers.

Filters:
- Four types of filter routing (single, serial, parallel, 24 dB)
- Two multi-mode filters per voice (low pass, high pass, band pass, band reject)

Driver: Per-voice nonlinear driver and low boost

EQ: Three bands, with sweepable mid

Modulation:
- For each voice: two envelope generators (Filter & Amp)
- Two LFOs
- Two key tracking generators (Filter & Amp)
- Two AMS mixers
- Pitch EG
- Common LFO
- Two common key tracking generators

Combination Structure:
- Up to sixteen timbres
- For each Timbre: keyboard and velocity split/layer/crossfade
- INT, OFF, EXT and EX2 MIDI status settings
- 3-band EQ with sweepable mid
- Pitch/Transpose
- Use OSC1, 2 or Both
- Force Osc Mode (PRG, MONO, LEGATO, POLY)
- Portamento and Bend range settings
- Controller filters
- Modifications to the program settings via the Tone Adjust function

Drum Kit Structure:
- Stereo and mono drum samples
- 4-way velocity switches with crossfades and adjustable crossfade shapes (Linear, Power, Layer)
- Exclusive keygroups
- Per key 3-band EQ, Drive, Lo Boost, filter and level 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, and sweepable mid band) Per Program in Program Mode, per Timbre in Combination mode (16 total), and 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 - 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 consecutively or repeatedly in up to 99 steps, A cue list can be converted back into a song
- Standard MIDI File (SMF) format 0 and 1 available
- Auto Song Setup function (One Touch Record) for easily going from a Program or Combination into "record-ready" status

Dual Polyphonic Arpeggiator:
Two 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) and Zone (Key and Velocity) settings can be specified.

Program selection, 3-band EQ and effect bussing available

Audio Outputs:
L/MONO, R - 1/4 in. TS (Mono), unbalanced

Headphones - 1/4 in. 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 2 or later (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 10.3.9 or later, Apple Macintosh with USB ports supports Mac OS X 10.3.9 (PowerPC/Intel-based supported).

Please use the latest Korg USB/MIDI driver.

General
Keyboard: 61-key, 73-key versions use a new semi-weighted Natural Touch keyboard

88-key weighted action (RH3: Real Weighted Hammer Action 3 keyboard with 4-zone graded action response)

Controllers: Joystick, [SW1], [SW2]

Display: 5.7 inch TouchView(TM) 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 (Model D8B5518003B)
- Owner's Manual (M50 Operation Guide)
- CD-ROM (M50 Parameter Guide (PDF)
- Voice Name List (PDF)
- KORG MIDI driver
- M50 Editor stand alone and plug-in versions

Dimensions
M50-73: 46.90" (W) x 11.57" (D) x 4.17" (H)

Weight:
- M50-73: 17.6 lbs

Current Consumption: 35 Watts

Power Supply: IECC13 Power Cable, Model D8B5518003B (Included)

Dimensions and Weight in Packaging

with Free Sennheiser HD280 Headphones

Shipping Weight: 26 lbs

Base Item

Shipping Weight: 24 lbs

Shipping Dimensions: 55 x 16 x 9 in