The Korg M3 XPanded is a Music Workstation/Sampler with added features and sounds.

The Korg M3 XPanded features updated internal PCM plus 384 Mbytes of free sample expansion, delivering a staggering number of sound variations. The sequencer and interface have also been enhanced, significantly increasing its power as a music workstation.

The 256 MB of PCM memory on the original M3 has been revised to include a number of newkeyboard instrument sounds. New samples of various vintage keyboards have been added, including two acoustic pianos, tine and reed electric pianos, and four clav settings.

In addition to this, the M3 XPanded includes for free all of the data in the EX-USB-PCM01/02/03 libraries that were originally planned as options, as a “thank you” to loyal Korg owners. This adds 128 MB of brass, 128 MB of woodwinds, and 128 MB of of a new piano, for an extra 384 MB of sample data that brings the M3 XPanded to an incredible total of 640 MB (when calculated as 16-bit linear data) of PCM waveform memory.

160 new programs and 32 new combinations using this data have also been added. In conjunction with the 512 programs of the original M3 and the 512 programs added in M3 version 1.2, together with 32 vocoder programs, this means that you now have a total of 1,216 (EDS) onboard programs and 416 combinations available for use.

An M3 XPanded in which the EXB-M256 memory expansion board is not installed can load only one of these three sets of PCM data at a time for a total PCM memory of 386 MB. Adding the EXB-M256 allows all three titles to be loaded at the same time, and still provides almost 128 MB of additional user sampling. We recommend that you install the EXB-M256 in order to take the fullest advantage of these PCM expansions.

Sequencer mode now provides a Piano Roll editing screen, Track View arrange/edit page, and the capability to edit MIDI system exclusive data, allowing you to produce tracks even more efficiently.

Each of the effects algorithms in the M3 now have high-quality presets available, which were created by professional sound designer and engineers. A total of 700 effects presets make it quick and easy to get the sound and mix you desire from wealth of effects processing available.

With the addition of 149 new realistic drum patterns, the number of preset patterns has increased to 671, giving you additional possibilities for song production with the sequencer, for live performance, or for use with the RPPR (Realtime Pattern/Play Recording) function.

The acclaimed TouchView interface now adds Touch Drag Editing functionality, allowing you to operate knobs or sliders by touching and dragging them directly onscreen.

Users of the current M3 can upgrade to the M3 XPanded by downloading data from the KORG Website.