by the way, i personally think the r3 sounds glassy and even plastic-y, if that makes sense. I had one for about a month but ended up selling it because I didn't like the overall sonic character. It certainly does have some uses, but I think there's better stuff out there.
It feels like a plastic toy, the vocoder is garbage, the whole thing looks silly as hell and every patch on board makes me want to cry, but with DWGS, 2 timbres and a really deep effects section you can make this thing sound like the m'fin apocalypse bearing down on you. Next to the Blofeld it's one of the dirtiest, meanest bits of kit in its price range for sheer massiveness. I'd buy it again as a rackmount or even a plugin.
Is a nice synth in a good price range, and better that the Minikorg the full size keys. Entry level is ideal and for some use for advanced musicians keyboardists, is nice gear, no waste.
@M0CH4B34R - If you want it to...its all about programming and maximizing the capabilities of your device. You could create a sound like the "dub" that you want to hear and modulate it with your computer or put it through a different synth. The possibilities are unlimited, really.
I'm confused. I can see how to select category of sounds, but how do I then select individual sounds in that category? Are the sounds in-built or do I need samples?
Yeah, about software editors to Korgs various gear, dont be counting too much on them. Korg havent updated their USB-drivers for more than 10 months, so alot of updated computer systems arent supported anymore. OSX updated beyond 10.6.4 isnt supported, that's over 3 months without drivers or support! And there's also an increasing problem with windows 7 in particular, but also vista, although these seem less generalised so far... So be careful when making your choice...
The Gaia and R3 are quite different, each having their own benefits. The R3 has a more powerful OSC with 64 DWGS waves in addition to the basic waves, it has great vocoder, and many more effect types with 2 insert FX per timbre+EQ and 1 MFX. The Gaia has higher polyphony, and knobs/faders for direct editing. The Radias-R is more powerful than both of them, and now priced in the same range.
The R3 doesn't have a midi/song/pattern/rhythm sequencer. It has a modulation sequencer that lets you program/record parameter changes for up to 16 steps. It can be used for advanced arpeggio patterns or as a complex envelope for modulating the filter or amp. The MKXL doesn't have the mod sequencer either. The R3 can record up to 16 vocoder modulations in its formant motion memory. The MKXL doesn't have formant motion. The MKXL has several different waves, including a simple piano wave.
The R3 was released long before the microKORG XL and the R3 is more powerful. The XL is a cutdown version of the R3. The XL has half the effect types of the R3 and only 2 master FX, while the R3 has 2 insert FX per timbre (2 timbres) and 1 MFX, giving it 5 FX engaged vs. 2 on the XL. Most keyboard amps suck vs. powered PA speakers. Korg still makes the R3. However, Korg dropped the price of the Radias Rack, which is better. The R3 has editor software. Get your facts straight folks.
@ItzNickish R3, more flexibility, better sound (in my mind), and not to mention FULL SIZED KEYS. Something lacked back the microkorg and the microkorgxl
@andrew3327820 You can run a guitar amp for practice purposes and quick set up.. i do this regularly with my microkorg. But its always best through a PA system or keyboard amp for better clarity in the bass and treble frequencies, and for more volume and control.
Hey is this much better then the Microkorg XL? Also I am just a begginer and play guitar but I want to add synth sounds to my recordings will this be easy and fun to use?
@andrew3327820 From what I can see there's not a whole lot of difference between the R3 (which I've never used) and the XL (which I own.) The sounds sound to me like they're virtually the same. They are based on the same synthesis engine. They have the same basic voice structure. I believe the R3 has some additional PCM sounds, and it has a better arpeggiator (if I have read the specs and reviews correctly.) It has a much more granulated front panel - that is, more controls available ...
@andrew3327820 for live tweaking. However, the MicroKORG XL computer-based editor (when you connect it via USB) lets you do the tweaking on your PC or Mac, so if it's not live performance, but studio work you're doing, then that's not an issue. I'm not certain the XL handles mod sequencing - I've not tried that yet. It has the same vocoder, though.
Just dived straight in the deep end by buying one of these cheap from ebay, but iv never played any instrument before and i have no idea how to do half the things on it yet! wish this video got broken down a bit more to help me!
@qqqCYBERLEADERppp um if i remeber a synth can sound like anything (even guitar), and playing the piano is oviously more hard cuz ur hands have to play 2 seperate things at once sometimes.
@FireatWill35 a synth can play the sounds of a guitar obviously but you'll never be able to do amazing solos with it...it doesnt sound any good on synth. and maybe you should look again since guitar also needs 2 hands to play since you strum with one and do chords etc on the other.
and anyway you seem to be forgetting this is pretty much like comparing an apple to a phone theyre both completely different instruments
@qqqCYBERLEADERppp what i ment by 2 hands was that ur playing bass and treble clef at the same time, which makes it harder to play. And u can always find good guitar patches for a price, and the only reason why im arguing is because its fun and i think i can win
@qqqCYBERLEADERppp "fundamentally flawed?" its like compairing an apple to an orange there both fruits/instruments and i can pick one that is better, u cant see that a guitar is obsolete. chew on that
Since when are guitar's obsolete!! I've heard tons of amazing guitar tones throughout my life that none of these keyboard synths could ever reproduce. They also do a poor job of reproducing wind instruments such as a sax or trumpet. Face it, all of the keyboard synths out on the market right now will be obsolete long before the guitar or the sax goes out of style!
@FireatWill35 You're confusing a synth with a keyboard. You can synth the sound from a guitar too. I play the piano, the guitar and I synth both, when I feel like it. Search for guitar synth on youtube.
You should learn to play the guitar - it will add a new dimension to your synth capabilities.
damn this is sick i got a korg poly800 II and the microkorg and then also the korg nanopad sick setup but i want one of these damn gotta get some money
I'm a noob, but want to move towards electronic music, and am thinking of getting a synthesiser/vocoder. anyone got any tips? i like the idea of an R3, but is it suited to beginners
@DEVILCHiLDere I'm a beginner. i bought an R3. i love it.
its simple to use, its not over-bearing if you read through the manual, the vocoder's very good.. plus you can upload all the presets from microkorg, ms-20 and ms20b, in case you were looking into those
you can get any sound you want out of it (basically). its no miniMoog, but for 600$ you'd be satisfied for a long time. honestly though, go to a big music store and try out as many Korg, Roland, Alesis, and Akai keyboards as you can.
hey guys im in the market for my first synth after purchaseing a yamaha ypg635 digital piano. I play mainly older 70's and 80's stuff including toto, aha, yes, the who, led zepellin, pink floyd, van halen, journey, boston, ect. Anyways i need a pretty versatile synth that has a lot of more analog and classic style tones. I also want a good selection of effects. My choices are the Roland Gaia and the Korg R3. The Gaia has 3 osscilators, a D Beam, can use 5 effects and an easily tweakable setup!
@hiian123 it's based more on an analog synth so im leaning towards the gaia. On the other side, Korg's R3 has 2 oscilators, a vocoder, and is 100 bucks cheaper. I'm thinking the gaia but does anyone have suggestions? thanks guys!
@hiian123 The GAIA would be a really bad choice for your first synth. The presets Roland chose for that board are terrible. For the interests you listed look into the new Juno series or something with a lot of usable sounds. GAIA is for someone who already owns a few synths, not someone just starting out.
@dshiznit1123 yea. R3 has double polyphony, more effects, waveshapes etc.
The R3 is generally better featurewise.
However, the MicroKorg is based off the MS2000. The filters are designed based on the MS20, so the MicroKorg/MS2000 sound a lot warmer than the XL/R3/Radias.
What do you want to do with your synth is the question I'd ask you.
I'm gunna guess your from Ireland (padraig was the codebreaker),me too!
yeah they're all over adverts and donedeal for 450...don't buy them,you might as well just buy it new and show the bastards you're not paying near full price for a pre-owned synth.
im looking at buying an MS2000b or an R3. and i have nooo idea what i should buy! I want the exact sounds that the original microkorg produces but i dont want those micro keys. can anyone help me with an opinion please?
@jasonmathieu1 On Korg's website, there is a library that is free to download that contains all the MicroKorg's presets converted for the R3 and the libraries from the MS-2000 and MS-2000b. The downsides is the R3's smaller keyboard and its lack of knobs, but as long as you are not looking for a full keyboard or a MIDI controller, it is the choice between the two. Radias would be the best though.
@MeuronDB oh ok thanks heaps dude! i was looking at the radias and im not a bit fan haha. it doesnt look so good. i know i sound dumb by saying that but i am also looking for a nice looking synth. and its quite large, and i wanted something a little more portable. so i think the r3 sounds great if you can use the MS2000 and microkorg sounds on it. do you know if the r3 is easy to record to computer on? like through the usb interface or something? keep in mind this is my first synth ever haha
Where do they find these guys? He looks like a Tim and Eric extra. I have an ms2000, you can do all of this and it has a cool retro interface. That model is discontinued now, so it's even more legit
wow...this looks good....im stuck ...looked at mini ak....micro xl ...microkorg....seen the demos of the gaia too.............but i want the vocoder....i want daft punk kinda voices out of the machine......mini ak was great strong sounds....but vocorder was not up yo much.......seen the microkorg ..with talk box...looks good too anybody that can give me any info that wud b great......
@techstyle123 same here dude! idk which one to get! I just want a nice synth i can get harsh sounds with. but something less expensive than an access virus =O
So I'm looking for a synthesizer that can make a kind of bass sound that sounds like it's saying "wow"..like the one in /watch?v=bii91B3nbaY <-this video at 1:09....is the R3 capable of something similar to this?
@chunkyostrich definitely get the microkorg. you can do literally everything with that. if you are looking for a sound that's not a preset (a situation you'll rarely find yourself in) you can make one. it may take a few hours to figure out, but it is an incredible synth. wayyy better than the r3.
dl (dot) dropbox (dot) com/u/1715217/dubbass.mp3 R3 can do wobble bass. That's a little distorted because I didn't fix the volume enough, but it works.
how do u take the write protection mode off on this synth I try the way the manual tells me and i still cannot accomplish anything if i do i can't or don't even know how i did it*
Judging by this video Korg seem pretty consistent across their range these days. I own an EM-X and to turn off write protection I pressed a "Global" button, went down through the menu system and reached 'write protection' then turned the main knob to switch it off. I then had to press write for it to remember this the next time I switched it on. Hope this bares some relevance to the R3...
this is more of an ad for synths in general... the only specific features of the r3 they mention here are the mod sequence and the parameter displays above the pots
same here...I just can't make the decision whether to get the Microkorg XL or the Korg R3. Seriously. It's really tough. I mean, I'd love the portability and the size - but I'd also like bigger keys and better engine.
erm the vocoder is the same on both... it depends on EXACTLY what you want it for, i recomending geting down to a synth store asking people, but more importantly TRYING THEM =D i did it, and ultimately picked up the microkorg xl, in limited edition beige... just try and see if there is one you fall in love with =]
@mastgrr You're talking as if the R3 were an 88 key synth. It's the same size as the Micro XL. Maybe an inch or two longer.Does that make portability an issue ? I wouldn't bother with the Xl or the original Micro because the keys are a joke.
niteowlsam, hey maybe you or someone else can help. I'm thinking about getting this but I'm wondering about the audio inputs. I'm not sure that I can input music from mp3 off a usb or mp3 player for easy song editing. Is it possible with this or does this only work with .mid and only save in .mid? Also with the mic I assume if it's only for .mid, you can't input your actual voice. Last question, it seems like this is a more powerful synth than the micro xl, but microxl is more expensive? or?
Sorry man.I dont have an R3 and wouldnt know about the stuff u're asking.I have an SH-201 and only use it for basic playing. I can only answer ur last question based on what I read about the R3 online and that it is more powerful than the micro xl and it is more expensive too (I think about $ 100 more).
i was also trying to make this decision. i just bought the R3 at guitar center yesterday. one thing the guy there said was that he started on mini-keys and the switch to regular sized keys was very difficult for him. so keep that in mind when you make your purchase.
@TR0jAX as an example, just said to anonymouse: '@1Anonymouse
dl (dot) dropbox (dot) com/u/1715217/dubbass.mp3 R3 can do wobble bass. That's a little distorted because I didn't fix the volume enough, but it works.'
Ever heard a virus ti? I whould never ever buy a hardware device if it doesn't come with a usb or FW link to a vst. that's one of the good things about this R3 besides the great vocoder use. The rest inside this thing isn't my cup of tea.
I don't have any of them, but from what I've heard, the XL is better than the microkorg, so it's either that or R3. I'm gonna get an R3. If you want battery powered, go with XL.
i own the microkorg...have for a few years. had the r3 been out when i bought my microkorg, i would've gone r3, NO DOUBT. not that the microkorg isn't awesome. it's just nowhere near the level of the r3.
please do not get the microkorg instead of the r3.
certainly wouldn't say it's the BEST...but best for the price, maybe.
in the vein of music this is made to suit, one of the best synthesizers is probably the Radias ("big brother" to this synth). A lot of people might buy the R3 to get a more cost-effective version of the Radias, but eventually you'll find that the Radias has a lot of features that simply make it more flexible than the R3. Enough features to be worth the difference in money.
i was in a sam ash the other day and i played the r3, the microkorg, and the radias for about an hour. in my personal opinion; if you have the money to spend, go for the radias, BUT, and i can't stress that enought, BUT, for half the price of the radias, the R3 BLEW ME AWAY! the microcorg was ok. Flat out, if i was going to walk out of the store with any 1 of those 3 instruments it'd be the R3. I plan on buying my own very soon. for the price, it comes close to the radias...VERY close.
but im stuck between the mircrokorg the XL and the R3
i need it for like a acoustic type thing that requires a lot fo synths
i also do the sudio synths for my band and the guitar live but i need one that can versatile in many diff sounds this sounds and keep up with my many different sounds
OK I got both of them from Guitar Center. The XL on 20/6/09 and the R3 on 22/6/09
for my money I'll keep the R3 why? well the XL is cool but the R3 is made more like the old school synths, it has 16 cats with 8 presets each also the vocoder is easy to use out the box, I love full size keys, I play piano it has a place for a damper pedal. Now I do love Korg besides my new XL and R3 I have Triton Studio 88,Triton Studio 76 and a D 1600 I'll take back the XL and get another R3 but its up to you.
im not sure wether to go with the microkorg xl or the r3? i have enough money for both but with the r3 im worried itll sound too trancy (darude style) and im more into the synth sounds of m83 and air but with the microkorg xl im worried the build quality will be a bit shoddy as it doesnt look tooo durable anyone got any advice?
Korg r3 vs Roland Gaia? Help? lol
clamshell67 1 month ago
"the r3's pads are thick and juicy" - i LOL'ed
by the way, i personally think the r3 sounds glassy and even plastic-y, if that makes sense. I had one for about a month but ended up selling it because I didn't like the overall sonic character. It certainly does have some uses, but I think there's better stuff out there.
VincentsVideoVisions 2 months ago
3:40 That's what she said.
pivotpoop 3 months ago
the R-3 synthesizer looks cool. if i had the money i'd have a few of them-
Kriss364 3 months ago
Is it sad that i know half of what he is talking about?
it it worse that i want tone of these because of this cheesy video?
Coarsoldier 5 months ago
It feels like a plastic toy, the vocoder is garbage, the whole thing looks silly as hell and every patch on board makes me want to cry, but with DWGS, 2 timbres and a really deep effects section you can make this thing sound like the m'fin apocalypse bearing down on you. Next to the Blofeld it's one of the dirtiest, meanest bits of kit in its price range for sheer massiveness. I'd buy it again as a rackmount or even a plugin.
Sunjammer 6 months ago
5:39 HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA
WhytRabbits 6 months ago
THICK AND JUICY
WhytRabbits 6 months ago 2
Wow all digital this it going to be big, haha
shackleton1 6 months ago
thick and juciy thats what she said
notyourtype1 7 months ago
5:39 "Oh yeah I'm cool, I'm playing a Korg ;) "
freddrogoterrance 7 months ago 6
this video sounds like something out of a cheap science education film
YeahQuang 8 months ago 2
@YeahQuang and that's why it's sooo cool :)
alikill 3 months ago
Is a nice synth in a good price range, and better that the Minikorg the full size keys. Entry level is ideal and for some use for advanced musicians keyboardists, is nice gear, no waste.
Go for it.
103959770979 9 months ago
Korg, how can you make such a shit sounding video? This guy's voice sound like it's a 36kb/s mp3. Not impressed
thesoundengine 9 months ago
@thesoundengine becuase they're from cananda
NickofNarnia 8 months ago
Does this synth make that "Wub Wub Wub" sound I hear at raves in dubstep songs?
M0CH4B34R 10 months ago
@M0CH4B34R - If you want it to...its all about programming and maximizing the capabilities of your device. You could create a sound like the "dub" that you want to hear and modulate it with your computer or put it through a different synth. The possibilities are unlimited, really.
PrivateAccount00 10 months ago
@M0CH4B34R I'd reccomend the vst Native Instruments "Massive" for that
senarodrigo 9 months ago
I'm confused. I can see how to select category of sounds, but how do I then select individual sounds in that category? Are the sounds in-built or do I need samples?
NickBrick1 10 months ago
Yeah, about software editors to Korgs various gear, dont be counting too much on them. Korg havent updated their USB-drivers for more than 10 months, so alot of updated computer systems arent supported anymore. OSX updated beyond 10.6.4 isnt supported, that's over 3 months without drivers or support! And there's also an increasing problem with windows 7 in particular, but also vista, although these seem less generalised so far... So be careful when making your choice...
MarctheDarc 11 months ago
@MarctheDarc The Korg USB-midi drivers work fine with Windows 7 and Vista.
JQuickXMLGuy 11 months ago
Comment removed
IMaiden89 11 months ago
The Gaia and R3 are quite different, each having their own benefits. The R3 has a more powerful OSC with 64 DWGS waves in addition to the basic waves, it has great vocoder, and many more effect types with 2 insert FX per timbre+EQ and 1 MFX. The Gaia has higher polyphony, and knobs/faders for direct editing. The Radias-R is more powerful than both of them, and now priced in the same range.
JQuickXMLGuy 11 months ago
i like the roland gaia better
heartkiller93 1 year ago
The R3 doesn't have a midi/song/pattern/rhythm sequencer. It has a modulation sequencer that lets you program/record parameter changes for up to 16 steps. It can be used for advanced arpeggio patterns or as a complex envelope for modulating the filter or amp. The MKXL doesn't have the mod sequencer either. The R3 can record up to 16 vocoder modulations in its formant motion memory. The MKXL doesn't have formant motion. The MKXL has several different waves, including a simple piano wave.
JQuickXMLGuy 1 year ago
The R3 was released long before the microKORG XL and the R3 is more powerful. The XL is a cutdown version of the R3. The XL has half the effect types of the R3 and only 2 master FX, while the R3 has 2 insert FX per timbre (2 timbres) and 1 MFX, giving it 5 FX engaged vs. 2 on the XL. Most keyboard amps suck vs. powered PA speakers. Korg still makes the R3. However, Korg dropped the price of the Radias Rack, which is better. The R3 has editor software. Get your facts straight folks.
JQuickXMLGuy 1 year ago
Which is the best, the R3, microkorg or microKorg xl? Im a beginner for synths specifically but have been playing piano for 8 years now
ItzNickish 1 year ago 7
@ItzNickish the R3 is newer than the microkorg xl, it can do all the xl can do and even more so it's easy to decide :).
avaurus 1 year ago
@ItzNickish R3, more flexibility, better sound (in my mind), and not to mention FULL SIZED KEYS. Something lacked back the microkorg and the microkorgxl
guitar4hireMETAL 2 months ago
i'll buy it
ErnestoGustavM 1 year ago
too bad they dont make this anymore
jackspic3 1 year ago
What Am I best to play this though? Could I play it through a Marshall amp?
andrew3327820 1 year ago
@andrew3327820 You can run a guitar amp for practice purposes and quick set up.. i do this regularly with my microkorg. But its always best through a PA system or keyboard amp for better clarity in the bass and treble frequencies, and for more volume and control.
TPOBand 1 year ago
@TPOBand Ok thanks, I have an R3 ready for Christmas now and I bought some Monitor speakers they sounded great :D
andrew3327820 1 year ago
Hey is this much better then the Microkorg XL? Also I am just a begginer and play guitar but I want to add synth sounds to my recordings will this be easy and fun to use?
andrew3327820 1 year ago
@andrew3327820 From what I can see there's not a whole lot of difference between the R3 (which I've never used) and the XL (which I own.) The sounds sound to me like they're virtually the same. They are based on the same synthesis engine. They have the same basic voice structure. I believe the R3 has some additional PCM sounds, and it has a better arpeggiator (if I have read the specs and reviews correctly.) It has a much more granulated front panel - that is, more controls available ...
cvesseytoo 1 year ago
@andrew3327820 for live tweaking. However, the MicroKORG XL computer-based editor (when you connect it via USB) lets you do the tweaking on your PC or Mac, so if it's not live performance, but studio work you're doing, then that's not an issue. I'm not certain the XL handles mod sequencing - I've not tried that yet. It has the same vocoder, though.
cvesseytoo 1 year ago
@andrew3327820 Finally, it seems to have somewhat of a sequencer (perhaps closer to the recording feature in the KAOSSilator) that aren't in the XL.
But again - if you're using it the studio, recording your tracks, those features are much less appealing.
cvesseytoo 1 year ago
@cvesseytoo So its not good for recording then??
andrew3327820 1 year ago
would this be good for an mgmt / empire of the sun kinda sound?
MrJennion 1 year ago
the R3's pads are thick and juicy....hmm
trumpetswim10 1 year ago
Just dived straight in the deep end by buying one of these cheap from ebay, but iv never played any instrument before and i have no idea how to do half the things on it yet! wish this video got broken down a bit more to help me!
vladshady 1 year ago
I play the guitar and have an R3. Sound doesn't have to be all organic or synthetic. Also, not a fag.
personNumber0123 1 year ago
7 people are fags who play the guitar
FireatWill35 1 year ago
@FireatWill35 guitar takes more skill that synth and sounds WAY better...sorry but it does.
i play both btw so dont bother trying
qqqCYBERLEADERppp 1 year ago
@qqqCYBERLEADERppp um if i remeber a synth can sound like anything (even guitar), and playing the piano is oviously more hard cuz ur hands have to play 2 seperate things at once sometimes.
FireatWill35 1 year ago
@FireatWill35 a synth can play the sounds of a guitar obviously but you'll never be able to do amazing solos with it...it doesnt sound any good on synth. and maybe you should look again since guitar also needs 2 hands to play since you strum with one and do chords etc on the other.
and anyway you seem to be forgetting this is pretty much like comparing an apple to a phone theyre both completely different instruments
qqqCYBERLEADERppp 1 year ago
@qqqCYBERLEADERppp what i ment by 2 hands was that ur playing bass and treble clef at the same time, which makes it harder to play. And u can always find good guitar patches for a price, and the only reason why im arguing is because its fun and i think i can win
FireatWill35 1 year ago
@FireatWill35 you can't win an argument that is fundamentally flawed, so since you're too stupid to realize that goodbye
qqqCYBERLEADERppp 1 year ago
@qqqCYBERLEADERppp "fundamentally flawed?" its like compairing an apple to an orange there both fruits/instruments and i can pick one that is better, u cant see that a guitar is obsolete. chew on that
FireatWill35 1 year ago
@FireatWill35
Since when are guitar's obsolete!! I've heard tons of amazing guitar tones throughout my life that none of these keyboard synths could ever reproduce. They also do a poor job of reproducing wind instruments such as a sax or trumpet. Face it, all of the keyboard synths out on the market right now will be obsolete long before the guitar or the sax goes out of style!
blagnarok 1 year ago
@FireatWill35 You're confusing a synth with a keyboard. You can synth the sound from a guitar too. I play the piano, the guitar and I synth both, when I feel like it. Search for guitar synth on youtube.
You should learn to play the guitar - it will add a new dimension to your synth capabilities.
Matt
London
got2hurt 1 year ago
how can a sound be futuristic if its made 2 years ago??
therealquade 1 year ago 2
"the r3 pads are THICK and JUICY!"
FireatWill35 1 year ago
As good as the guy is playing in the video, i see him in about 90% of korg reviews, and he annoys me...
mybdayisoct1 1 year ago
Intense
broken13100 1 year ago
The camera zooms in on the keys: "WOOOOAAAAAAH LOOK AT THOSE KEYS GO"
HawK047 1 year ago 2
I WANT THAT KORG-SHIRT
SoreThroatVocals 1 year ago
damn this is sick i got a korg poly800 II and the microkorg and then also the korg nanopad sick setup but i want one of these damn gotta get some money
richboy1bill 1 year ago
Its a great synth but everything this thing can do can the microkorg xl also do... and they are much cheaper
player042 1 year ago
I'm a noob, but want to move towards electronic music, and am thinking of getting a synthesiser/vocoder. anyone got any tips? i like the idea of an R3, but is it suited to beginners
DEVILCHiLDere 1 year ago
@DEVILCHiLDere I'm a beginner. i bought an R3. i love it.
its simple to use, its not over-bearing if you read through the manual, the vocoder's very good.. plus you can upload all the presets from microkorg, ms-20 and ms20b, in case you were looking into those
you can get any sound you want out of it (basically). its no miniMoog, but for 600$ you'd be satisfied for a long time. honestly though, go to a big music store and try out as many Korg, Roland, Alesis, and Akai keyboards as you can.
hickface 1 year ago
@hickface thanks man, i appreciate it
DEVILCHiLDere 1 year ago
The japs that develop this cool box must be one-finger musicians.
gingervytis 1 year ago
CAn you create patches for the r3 on the pc via a virtual interface?
????
RainK9 1 year ago
i hate they play shit in the demos that i would never play. its always cheesy funk and techno.
Dkolps 1 year ago
hey guys im in the market for my first synth after purchaseing a yamaha ypg635 digital piano. I play mainly older 70's and 80's stuff including toto, aha, yes, the who, led zepellin, pink floyd, van halen, journey, boston, ect. Anyways i need a pretty versatile synth that has a lot of more analog and classic style tones. I also want a good selection of effects. My choices are the Roland Gaia and the Korg R3. The Gaia has 3 osscilators, a D Beam, can use 5 effects and an easily tweakable setup!
hiian123 1 year ago
@hiian123 it's based more on an analog synth so im leaning towards the gaia. On the other side, Korg's R3 has 2 oscilators, a vocoder, and is 100 bucks cheaper. I'm thinking the gaia but does anyone have suggestions? thanks guys!
hiian123 1 year ago
@hiian123 get the gaia hombre.
3 oscillators>2
64-voice>8
although the r3 has a vocoder... look into the radias first though you might find all youre look for there
hickface 1 year ago
@hiian123 The GAIA would be a really bad choice for your first synth. The presets Roland chose for that board are terrible. For the interests you listed look into the new Juno series or something with a lot of usable sounds. GAIA is for someone who already owns a few synths, not someone just starting out.
TomZentra 1 year ago
Since I'm buying my korg in canada, I guess.... LOL @ EPIC GROOVY REVIEW
Cds56 1 year ago
@drakeishfyre thanks man, i ended up getting the microkorg. it was a lot cheaper and all i needed it for was for some basic synth sounds to record
dshiznit1123 1 year ago
i have an R3, and after looking at this video, it makes me wonder if it was made in the 80s!! LOL!!!
InsidahDevelopment 1 year ago
if anyone has a moment.
ive been looking in to getting a synth lately, but im stuck between choosing the r3 or the microkorg. any suggestions??
any huge differences between the 2??
dshiznit1123 1 year ago
@dshiznit1123 yea. R3 has double polyphony, more effects, waveshapes etc.
The R3 is generally better featurewise.
However, the MicroKorg is based off the MS2000. The filters are designed based on the MS20, so the MicroKorg/MS2000 sound a lot warmer than the XL/R3/Radias.
What do you want to do with your synth is the question I'd ask you.
drakeishfyre 1 year ago
Is €450 a good price for a near new one(as in an unwanted gift)?
padraigwastaken 1 year ago
@padraigwastaken 450? That's WAYYYY too much! That's almost full price!
drakeishfyre 1 year ago
@padraigwastaken
I'm gunna guess your from Ireland (padraig was the codebreaker),me too!
yeah they're all over adverts and donedeal for 450...don't buy them,you might as well just buy it new and show the bastards you're not paying near full price for a pre-owned synth.
BitsInAByte 1 year ago
im looking at buying an MS2000b or an R3. and i have nooo idea what i should buy! I want the exact sounds that the original microkorg produces but i dont want those micro keys. can anyone help me with an opinion please?
jasonmathieu1 1 year ago
@jasonmathieu1 On Korg's website, there is a library that is free to download that contains all the MicroKorg's presets converted for the R3 and the libraries from the MS-2000 and MS-2000b. The downsides is the R3's smaller keyboard and its lack of knobs, but as long as you are not looking for a full keyboard or a MIDI controller, it is the choice between the two. Radias would be the best though.
MeuronDB 1 year ago
@MeuronDB oh ok thanks heaps dude! i was looking at the radias and im not a bit fan haha. it doesnt look so good. i know i sound dumb by saying that but i am also looking for a nice looking synth. and its quite large, and i wanted something a little more portable. so i think the r3 sounds great if you can use the MS2000 and microkorg sounds on it. do you know if the r3 is easy to record to computer on? like through the usb interface or something? keep in mind this is my first synth ever haha
jasonmathieu1 1 year ago
Iyeeee I yiiiiii
The R3's pads are thick and juicy.
rapideye89 1 year ago
Comment removed
Metal758 1 year ago
Where do they find these guys? He looks like a Tim and Eric extra. I have an ms2000, you can do all of this and it has a cool retro interface. That model is discontinued now, so it's even more legit
sheatheman 1 year ago
wouldn't a Korg X50 be better to buy than this synth since it has 61 keys and it's $100 more than this??
hardcorefan343 1 year ago
wow...this looks good....im stuck ...looked at mini ak....micro xl ...microkorg....seen the demos of the gaia too.............but i want the vocoder....i want daft punk kinda voices out of the machine......mini ak was great strong sounds....but vocorder was not up yo much.......seen the microkorg ..with talk box...looks good too anybody that can give me any info that wud b great......
techstyle123 1 year ago
@techstyle123 same here dude! idk which one to get! I just want a nice synth i can get harsh sounds with. but something less expensive than an access virus =O
RYETJEAN 1 year ago
ROTFL @ 6:29
willdatsun1 1 year ago
Damn this sounds like a video in science class, and im saving up for this as we speak.
DFildez 1 year ago
@DFildez lmao it does .. i already got it. ;)
rayaustinD 1 year ago
have you seen the brand new Roland SH-01?
no menu, no screen and plenty of sliders and knobs.
it recreates the vintage interface of the 1970s original SH series exactly.
its portable and runs on batteries.
Roland SH-01 is the new king of portable affordable virtual analog synths.
pixusbubblejet 1 year ago
I'm so sick of those trance sound examples. Youtube could use less of those.
YvesIsaki 1 year ago 37
@YvesIsaki it's not youtube.? it's the people who made the video ?
maffyu30 1 year ago
@YvesIsaki trance sells
tionik06 11 months ago
@YvesIsaki Oh my god this.
Zhevros 8 months ago
@YvesIsaki Trance for Life bitch
DeadontheRunway 4 months ago
Best synth ever
sjmeerkees 1 year ago
This is the cheesiest review ever. Also, I want an R3 now.
the1337n00b 1 year ago 60
So I'm looking for a synthesizer that can make a kind of bass sound that sounds like it's saying "wow"..like the one in /watch?v=bii91B3nbaY <-this video at 1:09....is the R3 capable of something similar to this?
chunkyostrich 1 year ago
@chunkyostrich Yes it is able to.
6c45pi 1 year ago
@6c45pi Awesome!! Thanks. Have you ever used one before? That's definitely my favorite bass sound pretty much ever!! ha!
chunkyostrich 1 year ago
@chunkyostrich definitely get the microkorg. you can do literally everything with that. if you are looking for a sound that's not a preset (a situation you'll rarely find yourself in) you can make one. it may take a few hours to figure out, but it is an incredible synth. wayyy better than the r3.
s3dje 1 year ago
that's called wobble bass and i've only ever seen it done on computer programs.
1Anonymouse 1 year ago
@1Anonymouse
dl (dot) dropbox (dot) com/u/1715217/dubbass.mp3 R3 can do wobble bass. That's a little distorted because I didn't fix the volume enough, but it works.
drakeishfyre 1 year ago
Comment removed
chunkyostrich 1 year ago
WOW! 8 voices at once !!! ^ ^
torgausen 1 year ago
thick n' juicy ahhaha but seriously I want this synth
classicalsteve48 1 year ago
how do u take the write protection mode off on this synth I try the way the manual tells me and i still cannot accomplish anything if i do i can't or don't even know how i did it*
toddmohr 1 year ago
Judging by this video Korg seem pretty consistent across their range these days. I own an EM-X and to turn off write protection I pressed a "Global" button, went down through the menu system and reached 'write protection' then turned the main knob to switch it off. I then had to press write for it to remember this the next time I switched it on. Hope this bares some relevance to the R3...
Astrosisphere 1 year ago
Those l.e.d. knobs have to be like the coolest feature on the whole thing...
HowNotToRap 2 years ago
the fella looked embarrased doing the robots in diguise vocal lol
BRAKESUK80 2 years ago
3:13 "blade runner esque"
Largetreestump 2 years ago
Would this be an approiate snyth under $1000 to produce Hardstyle?
mitcho8653 2 years ago
Yes, Wildstylez uses this one
DecodeProject 2 years ago
OKay I have a Roland Fantom xa but now I need some kind of synth to rack on top of it for better electronic sounds and arpegios.
this seems like a great synth but it looks very complicated for playing live shows. I need something with presets and simple. any help please?
PhantomWarlock 2 years ago
take a look at waldorf blofeld, it is a synth, but with about 1000 presets.
(btw it is the best value for money gizmo in the universe) :)
sigmundklaus 2 years ago
this is more of an ad for synths in general... the only specific features of the r3 they mention here are the mod sequence and the parameter displays above the pots
Sweet synth though, especially for its price
AhhThatGuy 2 years ago
does the r3 have the piano sound that is on the microkorg xl?
vonbontempi 2 years ago 2
I got myself one a few month ago. For me, really worth the money . I'm playing it every day
InggriDJ 2 years ago
Can anyone tell me what cables I would need to connect this to my hi fi?
RVMstudios 2 years ago 2
i have this
now i need
a drum machine
hattymcmatty 2 years ago
ahem..... (emx) :)
BRAKESUK80 2 years ago
how much does that costs???
GaarapunKx3 2 years ago
bout $600
whammybarfreak 2 years ago
i dont no much about synths but looking at all the other demos so far this is my favourite, i want now
Cougar11BC 2 years ago
same here...I just can't make the decision whether to get the Microkorg XL or the Korg R3. Seriously. It's really tough. I mean, I'd love the portability and the size - but I'd also like bigger keys and better engine.
mastgrr 2 years ago 2
erm the vocoder is the same on both... it depends on EXACTLY what you want it for, i recomending geting down to a synth store asking people, but more importantly TRYING THEM =D i did it, and ultimately picked up the microkorg xl, in limited edition beige... just try and see if there is one you fall in love with =]
robbot1234 2 years ago
I'd get the Microkorg XL. The R3 uses mouse fur to insulate the backlit LCD screens & to me thats just unethical
Wherearetheverses 2 years ago
@mastgrr You're talking as if the R3 were an 88 key synth. It's the same size as the Micro XL. Maybe an inch or two longer.Does that make portability an issue ? I wouldn't bother with the Xl or the original Micro because the keys are a joke.
niteowlsam 2 years ago
niteowlsam, hey maybe you or someone else can help. I'm thinking about getting this but I'm wondering about the audio inputs. I'm not sure that I can input music from mp3 off a usb or mp3 player for easy song editing. Is it possible with this or does this only work with .mid and only save in .mid? Also with the mic I assume if it's only for .mid, you can't input your actual voice. Last question, it seems like this is a more powerful synth than the micro xl, but microxl is more expensive? or?
hammertlme 2 years ago
Sorry man.I dont have an R3 and wouldnt know about the stuff u're asking.I have an SH-201 and only use it for basic playing. I can only answer ur last question based on what I read about the R3 online and that it is more powerful than the micro xl and it is more expensive too (I think about $ 100 more).
niteowlsam 2 years ago
which is better korgR3 or microkorg? both sounds great!
JustAcoolNerd 2 years ago
Korg R3
it has more features than the MK, and there's a patch available online from korg to give it MK/MS2000 sounds.
drakeishfyre 2 years ago
okay thx..
JustAcoolNerd 2 years ago
i was also trying to make this decision. i just bought the R3 at guitar center yesterday. one thing the guy there said was that he started on mini-keys and the switch to regular sized keys was very difficult for him. so keep that in mind when you make your purchase.
tsbrownel 2 years ago
well, the R3 has full size keys, so...thats what im prolly getting:D
simon12332 2 years ago
I like the bass at 2:06-2:14
man... I kinda want one of these now... to go with Triton Le...
TehKeytar 2 years ago
is this good for dubstep?
TheMorttt 2 years ago
no for dubstep buy better a saxophone !
TR0jAX 2 years ago 14
@TR0jAX errr, I can make an amazing wobble bass on my R3, in fact its my favorite dubstep synth... only genre I feel it excels in
drakeishfyre 1 year ago
@TR0jAX as an example, just said to anonymouse: '@1Anonymouse
dl (dot) dropbox (dot) com/u/1715217/dubbass.mp3 R3 can do wobble bass. That's a little distorted because I didn't fix the volume enough, but it works.'
drakeishfyre 1 year ago
damn wheres the hq button ...
hanfbrot 2 years ago 2
Ever heard a virus ti? I whould never ever buy a hardware device if it doesn't come with a usb or FW link to a vst. that's one of the good things about this R3 besides the great vocoder use. The rest inside this thing isn't my cup of tea.
drkorg 2 years ago
lol 5:01 i think he just fell in love,
noler85 2 years ago 3
Do you have to plug this into a computer to get the sound out of it?
Or can i just plug it into an amp, and play it with my band in the garage?
TruthFilms16 2 years ago
You can plug it straight into an amp :)
imamacyoureapc 2 years ago
Plug n play, you don't need a computer, but you can use one.
PKTO92 2 years ago
wow very nice machine :P ima get one for christmas i think :D
samdaftpunk 2 years ago
I've used one...kool features, but sounds very harsh and digital
MARANTZamp 2 years ago
Im geussing your able to do a Soundwave voice out of Transformers
MrSoundwave64Z 2 years ago 2
super:)
evgenij6 2 years ago
i want to buy a korg,
which should i choose?
R3, Microkorg, or Microkorg xl ??
thanks
nilstielen 2 years ago
I don't have any of them, but from what I've heard, the XL is better than the microkorg, so it's either that or R3. I'm gonna get an R3. If you want battery powered, go with XL.
gimmeadollr 2 years ago
i want to know the same thing
StevenMovieMaker7 2 years ago
GET THE R3!!!
i own the microkorg...have for a few years. had the r3 been out when i bought my microkorg, i would've gone r3, NO DOUBT. not that the microkorg isn't awesome. it's just nowhere near the level of the r3.
please do not get the microkorg instead of the r3.
zenocomplex 2 years ago
Sounds good, would you say this is the best keyboard for Trance and electronic music? without going into workstations?
PKTO92 2 years ago
certainly wouldn't say it's the BEST...but best for the price, maybe.
in the vein of music this is made to suit, one of the best synthesizers is probably the Radias ("big brother" to this synth). A lot of people might buy the R3 to get a more cost-effective version of the Radias, but eventually you'll find that the Radias has a lot of features that simply make it more flexible than the R3. Enough features to be worth the difference in money.
zenocomplex 2 years ago
for the price of it id definately say so
joenemeth1 2 years ago
i was in a sam ash the other day and i played the r3, the microkorg, and the radias for about an hour. in my personal opinion; if you have the money to spend, go for the radias, BUT, and i can't stress that enought, BUT, for half the price of the radias, the R3 BLEW ME AWAY! the microcorg was ok. Flat out, if i was going to walk out of the store with any 1 of those 3 instruments it'd be the R3. I plan on buying my own very soon. for the price, it comes close to the radias...VERY close.
JOELAB1020 2 years ago
ve are ze robots
dejahthoris 2 years ago
how much ass does this kick?
dejahthoris 2 years ago
as(s) much as you want :D
easytolearnmagicstuf 2 years ago
hey guys how many custom user patches does it hold? thanks.
trunks2861 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
I'd like to know this too
miniroll32 2 years ago
i think he says 6 patches :D
easytolearnmagicstuf 2 years ago
I just got one of these and was really disappointed with it. The MicroKork XL sounds a lot better in my opinion.
certificate18flix 2 years ago
"Robots in Disguise" at 6:30 LOL
zsyed12345678 2 years ago 2
ok so i want a synth
but im stuck between the mircrokorg the XL and the R3
i need it for like a acoustic type thing that requires a lot fo synths
i also do the sudio synths for my band and the guitar live but i need one that can versatile in many diff sounds this sounds and keep up with my many different sounds
SOILDERMAN88 2 years ago
go with the r3. it 100 bucks more, but personally, i think its worth it.
jmotter92 2 years ago
Go to guitar center and play with them, I found R3 is a bit more mind blowing.
TheDJTyler 2 years ago
mind blowing as in better correct
SOILDERMAN88 2 years ago
R3 for sure dude , seriously so many ways R3 is better
kickflipindy78 2 years ago
Lol did he say robots in duisguise xD??
Derantikorper 2 years ago 3
Velocity sensative keys...AKA touch sensative...:P
HeroMax1234 2 years ago
4 MULTI_FUNCTION KNOBS!!! WOW!!! :-p Come on, there's got to be more to this synth than that!
Is this any good on grungey leads/basses?
snake10143 2 years ago
OK I got both of them from Guitar Center. The XL on 20/6/09 and the R3 on 22/6/09
for my money I'll keep the R3 why? well the XL is cool but the R3 is made more like the old school synths, it has 16 cats with 8 presets each also the vocoder is easy to use out the box, I love full size keys, I play piano it has a place for a damper pedal. Now I do love Korg besides my new XL and R3 I have Triton Studio 88,Triton Studio 76 and a D 1600 I'll take back the XL and get another R3 but its up to you.
air4s1air4s1 2 years ago
im not sure wether to go with the microkorg xl or the r3? i have enough money for both but with the r3 im worried itll sound too trancy (darude style) and im more into the synth sounds of m83 and air but with the microkorg xl im worried the build quality will be a bit shoddy as it doesnt look tooo durable anyone got any advice?
papersky1 2 years ago