19" korg X3R (1993) 16 track sequencer

[chrisNova777]

16 track sequencer
http://web.archive.org/web/20111225083029/http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/1994_articles/feb94/korgx3r.html
http://www.vintagesynth.com/korg/x3.php

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaipCBWHvRo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PicSiNtxTms

X3R BRIEF SPECIFICATIONS
• POLYPHONY: 32-voice

• VOICES: 200 program, 200 combi (same again on card), plus 136 GM programs

• EXTERNAL STORAGE: 3.5-inch disk drive, program and PCM card slots

• MULTITIMBRALITY: 16-part

• INTERNAL FX: 2 x multi FX DSP with 47 algorithms each

• SEQUENCER: 10 songs, 100 patterns, 32,000 notes

• OUTPUTS: L/R, 3, 4

 
KORG X3R £1199
PROS
• Sound quality.
• Quality and number of effects.
• Disk drive.
• SMF/GM compatible.
• Can be used as data filer.

CONS
• Poor user interface.
• Over-complicated sequencer.

SUMMARY
A capable synth module with a very large number of quality voices and excellent effects, hampered somewhat by an inelegant user interface and fiddly sequencer. GM and Standard MIDI File compatibility come as useful bonuses which in no way compromise the X3R's standing as a serious synthesizer. On-board disk drive unusual on a module and very convenient.