125^th AES CONVENTION, SAN FRANCISCO, CA, October 3, 2008 — Korg unveils the M50 Music Workstation, distilling the sonic essence of its acclaimed M3 XPanded flagship into a seriously portable and affordable new instrument. Packed with up-to-the minute sound and features, the M50’s streamlined, modern design includes an angled control panel for easy viewing and Korg’s exclusive full-size TouchView interface for the first time in a mid-priced instrument. Drawing on Korg’s long history of workstation expertise, the M50 is both an ideal performing instrument and a full-featured studio solution for all musicians, available in both 61- and 88-note models.

The EDS (Extended Definition Synthesis) sound engine delivers stunning sounds and brilliant effects. New additions include a three-stage velocity-switched stereo piano programmed in conjunction with samples of the damper resonance, producing an extraordinarily natural sound. Also new are a number of vintage keyboards, including the classic Korg SG-1 Sampling Grand, acclaimed by artists around the world, numerous authentic electric pianos and clavs, along with legendary 1960s-era tape playback strings and flute sounds.

The M50 offers an enormous 256 MB* of PCM data shaped into 608 Programs, as well as 384 Combinations by Korg’s renowned voicing staff, covering all the acoustic, synthetic and imaginative sounds that current players demand. User-edited data can also be saved into the internal memory, with space for 640 Programs, 512 Combinations and 48 Drum kits. The M50 offers several advanced sound-shaping features, including low-aliasing oscillators, a powerful Filter topology and detailed EGs (Envelope Generators), plus a Drive parameter and AMS (Alternate Modulation Source) Mixers.

*(when calculated as 16-bit linear data)

The M50 provides 5 Insert Effects, 2 Master Effects and 1 Total Effect, along with 170 Effects types; up to 32 Effects Presets are available per effect. An independent three-band EQ is available for each Program, the Drum Track and each of the sixteen timbres/tracks.

The Drum Track gives users over 670 natural-sounding grooves to jam with in Program and Combi modes, and to help stimulate the songwriting process. Dual arpeggiators offer up traditional arp performance with five preset patterns (UP, DOWN, ALT1, ALT2, RANDOM), as well as advanced polyphonic arpeggiation that can generate everything from simple phrases to complex rhythmic gestures – even fixed note drum and percussion grooves. Two patterns can be used simultaneously in Combination mode or Sequencer mode to create complete ensemble backing, especially when used in conjunction with the Drum Track.

An intuitive sequencer provides 16 MIDI + 1 Master tracks with all the tools needed to capture and easily shape musical ideas into polished productions. It features up to 128 songs, allows users to record 210,000 notes and offers a high resolution of 480 PPQ (parts per quarter-note).

The proprietary M50 Editor and Plug-In Editor software lets users edit the sounds using a computer, and allows the M50 to act as a plug-in instrument for their DAW (VST, Audio Units and RTAS are supported). The editor librarian also enables users to exchange sounds between the M50 and M3. Further, an SD card slot provides easy and affordable management of Programs, Combinations and Sequences, as well as sounds, songs and other data.

Korg’s proprietary 320x240 pixel TouchView^™ display ensures excellent visibility and operability, making it easy to select sounds and adjust parameters. Other controls include a joystick and multiple switches and triggers.

By Laura B. Whitmore

What’s NAMM? Only the coolest collection of music gear under one roof in the world. Every year, this industry-wide, trade-only show takes over the Anaheim Convention Center, with every instrument you could ever dream of on display and ready to play. And you better believe that Korg was there with new gear, time-honored classics and a stable of artists and performers who wailed for days on end live on the Korg performance stage.

Here’s a sneak peak at some of the highlights onstage and off.

The Korg Booth
Think this looks crazy? Yep, it was packed and hoppin’ at the Korg Booth!

Jordan Rudess
Jordan Rudess of Dream Theater and Korg’s own sound designer Jack Hotop dazzled the crowd with their combined keyboard pyrotechnics!! Jack showed off the M3XPanded and M5088 as Jordan dug into his OASYS.

David "Fingers" Haynes
David “Fingers” Haynes took the stage with his laptop and created some great performances using the amazing nanoSERIES MIDI Controllers. David’s fingertip rhythm prowess is the star of many YouTube videos.

Brian Auger
Organ legend Brian Auger, of the famed Oblivion Express, tore down the house with his performance using the Korg BX3 and M3 Xpanded.

Edgar Winter
Rock legend Edgar Winter got busy behind a Korg M3 and got the audience on their feet for an unforgettable performance.

Dave LaRue
Bass master Dave LaRue dazzled the crowd and put the Pandora PX5D through its paces. Check out more about Dave in our GuitarVille article this month.

Eldar
Grammy-nominated contemporary jazz artist Eldar performed on the Korg M3 XPanded (complete with RADIAS-R module) in a one-off trio that included Soulive guitarist Eric Krasno for a genre-bending, melodic set of tunes.

Guns N Bombs
Dance duo Guns N Bombs took the stage with a table full of Korg gear and delivered an invigorating performance using a Korg ZERO8 mixer, KP3 KAOSS Pad, microKORG, and padKONTROL.

Keith Emerson
Not only was Keith on hand to sign autographs and receive a Korg Lifetime Achievement Award, he also pulled up a Korg M3 and treated the crowd to a rousing set, complete with Mark Bonilla on guitar, and Travis Davis on Bass.

Herbie Hancock
Jazz icon Herbie Hancock also was honored with a Korg Lifetime Achievement Award.  Following the ceremony, he signed autographs and greeted fans.

WINTER NAMM SHOW, ANAHEIM, CA, January 15, 2009 — Korg displays its M50 Music Workstation, which distills the sonic essence of its acclaimed M3 XPanded flagship into a seriously portable and affordable new instrument. The recently unveiled 61- and 88-key models are now joined by the new 73-key unit. Packed with up-to-the minute sound and features, the M50’s streamlined, modern design includes an angled control panel for easy viewing and Korg’s exclusive full-size TouchView^™ interface for the first time in a mid-priced instrument. Drawing on Korg’s long history of workstation expertise, the M50 is both an ideal performing instrument and a full-featured studio solution for all musicians.

The EDS (Extended Definition Synthesis) sound engine delivers stunning sounds and brilliant effects. New additions include a three-stage velocity-switched stereo piano programmed in conjunction with samples of the damper resonance, producing an extraordinarily natural sound. Also new are a number of vintage keyboards, including the classic Korg SG-1 Sampling Grand, acclaimed by artists around the world, numerous authentic electric pianos and clavs, along with legendary 1960s-era tape playback strings and flute sounds.

The M50 offers an enormous 256 MB* of PCM data shaped into 608 Programs, as well as 384 Combinations by Korg’s renowned voicing staff, covering all the acoustic, synthetic and imaginative sounds that current players demand. User-edited data can also be saved into the internal memory, with space for 640 Programs, 512 Combinations and 48 Drum kits. The M50 offers several advanced sound-shaping features, including low-aliasing oscillators, a powerful Filter topology and detailed EGs (Envelope Generators), plus a Drive parameter and AMS (Alternate Modulation Source) Mixers.

*(when calculated as 16-bit linear data)

The M50 provides 5 Insert Effects, 2 Master Effects and 1 Total Effect, along with 170 Effects types; up to 32 Effects Presets are available per effect. An independent three-band EQ is available for each Program, the Drum Track and each of the sixteen timbres/tracks.

The Drum Track gives users over 670 natural-sounding grooves to jam with in Program and Combi modes, and to help stimulate the songwriting process. Dual arpeggiators offer up traditional arp performance with five preset patterns (UP, DOWN, ALT1, ALT2, RANDOM), as well as advanced polyphonic arpeggiation that can generate everything from simple phrases to complex rhythmic gestures – even fixed note drum and percussion grooves. Two patterns can be used simultaneously in Combination mode or Sequencer mode to create complete ensemble backing, especially when used in conjunction with the Drum Track.

An intuitive sequencer provides 16 MIDI + 1 Master tracks with all the tools needed to capture and easily shape musical ideas into polished productions. It features up to 128 songs, allows users to record 210,000 notes and offers a high resolution of 480 PPQ (parts per quarter-note).

The proprietary M50 Editor and Plug-In Editor software lets users edit the sounds using a computer, and allows the M50 to act as a plug-in instrument for their DAW (VST, Audio Units and RTAS are supported). The editor librarian also enables users to exchange sounds between the M50 and M3. Further, an SD card slot provides easy and affordable management of Programs, Combinations and Sequences, as well as sounds, songs and other data.

Korg’s proprietary 320x240 pixel TouchView display ensures excellent visibility and operability, making it easy to select sounds and adjust parameters. Other controls include a joystick and multiple switches and triggers.