Step 1. Start by routing the external audio input to the M3’s effects. The M3 has two external inputs, which can be two analog inputs or digital S/PDIF. Hit the Global button to call up the Global screen, then touch the Audio tab. Note that the input shows Analog, and Input 1(the one with the mic plugged in) is being routed to IFX1, the start of the Insert FX chain that consists of five series effects (IFX1-IFX5).
Step 2. Call up a Program, then click on the Menu button and select Write Program. This lets you name the Program and save it. Select Page 8 of the various Program pages, and touch the Routing tab. Unless you want to play along with the external input using the keyboard, disable the oscillators by setting the Bus parameter to Off.
Step 3. While still on Page 8, touch the IFX Setup tab to insert particular effects in the desired order. This vocal chain has five effects in series: Compressor, 4- Band Parametric EQ, Exciter/Enhancer, Chorus, and Reverb. Under Bus, we’re sending the output to the main L/R bus; which means we’ve managed to synthesize a satisfying stereo field from a mono source.
Step 4. Now tweak the effects for the sound you want by touching the tab for the desired effect. This screen shot shows the EQ (IFX2), with a low-frequency rolloff to reduce plosives, a peak boost around 3.6kHz to emphasize the vocals, and a high shelf starting at around 7kHz to give a little “air.” Of course, these settings are for a specific voice with a specific mic — edit as desired.
But are a synth’s processors any good? You bet: The days are long gone when built-in synth effects ran a poor second to rack gear. You’ll likely find a fine selection, from standard effects such as delay, chorusing, EQ, and reverb to more esoteric options like amp simulators, lo-fi processors, and vinyl emulation. Even more importantly, you’ll find quality sound as well; furthermore, you’ll save money because you won’t need to buy additional processors if they duplicate what’s already in your keyboard.
We’ll show how to use Korg’s M3 as a signal processing rack for vocals, but other synths use the same basic principles. We’ll assume you’ve plugged a mic into an external audio input, and know how to set levels.
The screen shots cover the basic steps, but don’t stop there: With the M3, you can control selected parameters with MIDI continuous controller signals or the M3’s physical controllers (mod wheel, joystick, ribbon controller, sliders, etc.), or control an effect from a sidechain bus. You can even jump over to Program Page 9 and add “Master” (send) effects and a “Total Effect” at the output — like a limiter to make sure the overall level doesn’t exceed a particular level. Get creative!
Record using your synth’s FX power
• Tell the synth to listen to its audio input — not its internal oscillators — and route the audio signal to the internal effects.
• Create a preset, and insert the effects you want.
• Route the effect chain’s output to the desired audio output.