Hi guys, I recently purchased a Korg M3 and Reason and Record. I am very happy with both products BUT aside from using my M3 as a midi controller I was assuming I would be able to use the Firewire expansion board with my M3 and use the Korg M3 Editor Plug-In and Hardware Virtualization funtions so Reason/Record would see the M3 as a device.

I have found documentation where other sequencers do this BUT I don't think Reason/Record do. It seems Record/Reason are more standalone in that regard, only able to use their own software devices writting into the program code and not able to use 3rd party plug-in devices.

It seems Steinberg Cuebase may be my best option for desktop PC sequencing with the Korg M3.

Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks!

I'm not familiar with your particular synth or the functions within, but you can record audio in to Record from an external source if that is what you are trying to achieve.

Dose

Thanks for the reply. Yes I can do that fine, create an audio track from the M3. When you add the Firewire expansion board on an M3 and install the M3 Plug-In Editor, it allows most sequencer programs to "see" the M3 as an actual device, not just an audio track or midi controller. The document I have attached describes how to add the M3 in several sequencer software packages but not for Reason/Record.

Also here is a paragraph from that same Editor manual (sorry about the CP formatting):

Main features
The M3 Editor and the M3 Plug-In Editor are applications for Macintosh or Windows that
allow you to edit the M3’s EDS programs, RADIAS programs (if the EXB-RADIAS is
installed), combinations, songs, KARMA settings, effects, and global settings.
The M3 Editor is a stand-alone editor.
The M3 Plug-In Editor is an editor that is compatible with the VST, Audio Units, or RTAS formats.
It lets you use the M3 just like a plug-in instrument from within your DAW (Digital
Audio Workstation) software or other host application.
By installing the EXB-FW FireWire option (sold separately), audio and MIDI data can be sent
to and from your computer via a single FireWire cable. This will also allow the M3 to function
as a true “plug-in” inside another audio recording/sequencing application.

Ah, ok.....I see what you are trying to do. No, unfortunately Reason/Records won't let you do that. It sees that just like a VST, which Prop's doesn't support. You will have to record as audio only or use your synth with another DAW. If you go that method, you could just rewire Reason into that DAW.

Dose

That makes sense, thanks for the information and taking the time to reply.

I should have done a bit more research upfront. Dusting off my keyboard and guitars after many years, I decided to upgrade my keyboard and music software from really ancient stuff I had. The use will be in home studio personal enjoyment use. So I saw that Reason/Record has a sequencer in addition to what makes Reason/Record so unique and I decided to go with them. It's not a huge issue for me BUT having a PC based sequencer with the M3 fully controlled inside the software will be nice.

The M3 has a very nice onboard sequencer but I prefer more control and bigger screen, using the mouse and all for buidling music. I am thinking of Cuebase when the time comes, it seems like a popular full featured package.

I am very impressed with Propellerhead products and the company, an amazing amount of music making power is possible with them. I was hoping I could have my M3 "device" on the rack, I hope they implement this someday. Being able to have your own keybord, programs and all inside of Reason/Record as a device would be heaven.

Thanks again!

First off, that M3 is a monster. I played around with one at a friends studio and was really digging it. Cubase is a good program to use. I believe it should do what you want it to. There are many programs out there (Cubase, Logic, Pro Tools, etc.), and like everything else in the world...they all have pros and cons. Maybe research a little via forums, demos, videos....just to make sure your M3 will work well with it before you purchase it.

I think we all wish Prop's would implement some kind of VST support. However, I just don't see it happening. It took them forever to be able to import/record audio (via Record). Their niche is having the "all in one" package. Again, pros and cons.

Dose

I am very pleased with the M3. It's an amazing keyboard IMHO. It sounds great and the more I use it the more I have come to really appreciate all that is possible with it. It’s a very capable self-contained DAW. I looked around for quite a while before deciding to get the Korg M3, it definitely will do all I need it to. I have added the Radius and Fire wire expansion boards for additional functionality/interoperability and the rich Radius sounds.

WRT to Propellerhead Reason/Record integration of hardware devices within it...after using Reason/Record I can see why it's not that easy to do. For example Reason/Record does some very impressive things just by dragging a device around to different locations on the rack, depending on which device is highlighted the device that is being re-located will be connected in different ways. It seems that functionality alone would take some sort of proprietary coding in the software and within each software device in order for these things to happen as they do. So I am not surprised non-Propellerhead devices can’t be fully integrated, but it sure would be sweet if they could be.

Reason/Record are fantastic products, just a joy to explore, learn and use. I am also very impressed with the video tutorials. Good stuff for sure and being able to record audio tracks into the composition will be fine…I suppose

Thanks again for the information and your time!

I am very impressed with the products and the company Propellerhead, an incredible amount of power can make music with them. I was hoping I could get my M3 "device" on the grid, I hope that the implementation of this some day. Being able to have their own keybord, programs and everything within reason / Register as a device would be heaven.

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I think we all want to apply Proposition any VST support. However, I do not see this happening. It took them forever to be able to import / audio recording (through registration). Its niche is having the "all in one" package. Again, the pros and cons.

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