Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 2 stores. Prices updated .

Average Price: $7

Budget/Beginner

$500

$1501+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

The nineties update to the legendary M1. Launched in 1993, it expanded on what made the M1 such a great machine and featured a range of solid, entirely usable sounds. The Strings and Basses are exceptionally good, although truly analog sounding sweeps and pads are not what this machine was about. The X3 (and subsequent X-series models that came after it) was designed as a middle-weight workstation, with the warmer and more powerful 01/W series taking the reins as Korg's premiere ROMpler workstation of the early nineties.

The X3 is 61 key AI2 Synthesis workstation instrument with 6 MB ROM samples with room for expansion via rom and ram cards. It features 200 programs, 200 combinations, and, a 10-song, 16-track multitrack MIDI sequencer. 2 multi-effects processors are also provided for adding effects. It also has the X/Y joystick and a backlit LCD screen

Product specs

Brand Korg
Model X3
Finish Black
Year 2000s
Categories Digital Synthesizers, Keyboard Synths
Analog / Digital Digital
Key Size Full Size
Keyboard Action Synth Action
MIDI I/O MIDI Input, MIDI Output, MIDI Through
Number of Keys 61 Keys
Polyphony 32 Voices

FAQs

What type of synthesis does the Korg X3 use?

The Korg X3 uses digital synthesis, providing a wide range of sounds with its digital multi-effect processors that can produce effects like reverb, delay, and chorus.

How many keys does the Korg X3 have and what is the key action?

The Korg X3 features 61 full-size keys with a synth action, making it suitable for a variety of playing styles.

What is the polyphony capacity of the Korg X3?

The Korg X3 offers 32-voice polyphony, allowing for complex layering and rich soundscapes.

Does the Korg X3 have MIDI connectivity?

Yes, the Korg X3 includes MIDI Input, Output, and Through, enabling it to connect seamlessly with other MIDI-compatible equipment.

Can the Korg X3 produce analog-style sounds?

While the Korg X3 excels in digital sounds, it is not specifically designed for analog-style sweeps and pads. It is better suited for digital textures and effects.

Midiverse - TV

Midiverse - TV

Korg X3 Workstation - Exploring the Presets - MIDIVERSE MONDAYS #4

Video thumbnail for Korg X3 Workstation - Exploring the Presets - MIDIVERSE MONDAYS #4 by Midiverse - TV

Korg X3 Workstation - Exploring the Presets - MIDIVERSE MONDAYS #4

Midiverse - TV

Midiverse - TV

Video thumbnail for KORG X3 - 1993 - TEST SOUNDS - (FACTORY SOUNDS) REVIEW by TIAGO MALLEN #korg by Tiago Mallen

KORG X3 - 1993 - TEST SOUNDS - (FACTORY SOUNDS) REVIEW by TIAGO MALLEN #korg

Tiago Mallen

Tiago Mallen

Video thumbnail for Korg X3 Keyboard Review Demo with worship leader Jared Stepp by pastorjaredstepp

Korg X3 Keyboard Review Demo with worship leader Jared Stepp

pastorjaredstepp

pastorjaredstepp

Video thumbnail for Korg X3 Pads and Atmos Sounds by The Obsolete Studio

Korg X3 Pads and Atmos Sounds

The Obsolete Studio

The Obsolete Studio

Video thumbnail for Vintage KORG X3 - random sound examples by marcoballa

Vintage KORG X3 - random sound examples

marcoballa

marcoballa

Video thumbnail for KORG X3 (FACTORY SOUNDS) by TIAGO MALLEN by Tiago Mallen

KORG X3 (FACTORY SOUNDS) by TIAGO MALLEN

Tiago Mallen

Tiago Mallen

Video thumbnail for Korg X3 | Curing What Ails It by Psionic Audio

Korg X3 | Curing What Ails It

Psionic Audio

Psionic Audio

Video thumbnail for Korg X3 Démo 'Ambient Sounds' by Piano Web

Korg X3 Démo 'Ambient Sounds'

Piano Web

Piano Web

Reviews

PROS

  • Excellent for live gigs with easy transport

  • Great Hammond B3 tone replication

  • Offers more voices and better effects than Korg M1

  • Lightweight compared to similar models

  • Good keybed with instant access to classic Korg sounds

  • Can produce thick, full sounds especially when re-sampled through analog gear

  • Display provides sufficient detail for navigation

CONS

  • Original sounds may feel somewhat dated

  • Lacks realtime controllers, leading to menu diving

  • Display not as detailed as the Korg 01/W series

  • There are more versatile synthesizers available today

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Korg X3.

Setup and maintenance

  • The Korg X3's internal battery replacement is crucial; failing battery causes preset loss and erratic behavior.

    Source

Software and compatibility

  • Factory presets can be reloaded via a USB to MIDI interface instead of using the unreliable floppy drive.

    Source
  • Using the "x3_factory_all.syx" file may restore presets but also fills internal memory with demo songs, requiring manual deletion.

    Source
  • Owners report tedious downloading of Sysex files from online databases like SysexDB, which may not directly include all necessary presets.

    Source

User experience

  • White noise issues may indicate power supply problems, not physical dirt, and require technical expertise to resolve.

    Source
  • The process of restoring presets can be complex and may risk wiping existing data if not done carefully.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The X3 does not support external disk drives; sound files must be transferred over MIDI if the internal drive fails.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • MIDIOX is frequently employed by users for transferring Sysex files to the Korg X3, indicating its reliability and popularity for this process.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Korg X3 (MT Sep 93)

muzines.co.uk

The Korg X3 is a solid multitimbral workstation with a strong effects section and quality sound, especially in drum and pad areas. However, its limited two-output setup and cumbersome sequencer navigation may frustrate users seeking flexibility and ease of use. While not groundbreaking, the X3's sound quality and competitive price point warrant attention, though it may not replace your go-to synth for piano sounds. If you're drawn to its unique combinations and sound palette, it's worth considering, but be wary of its user interface challenges.

Add

4.0 out of 5

Based on 3 Reviews and 7 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
ro5
ro5

3582

Cheap access to some classic M1/T1 sounds but requires menu diving...

The Korg X3 is cheap to pick up nowadays and gives you a good keybed with instant access to some classic (but somewhat dated) Korg sounds from the M1/T1 era . It does not have a lot of realtime controllers (knobs etc...) so will require some menu diving (luckily it does have an LCD to help you out with that. In that price/sound range you might as well look into an 01/W or Wavestation or the excellent Korg Legacy (VSTs) which have the M1 and Wavestation with all the extra sound cards.

elothesource

This is a 90s Beast

I love this keyboard it has so much it can do I run it through some analog gear and through a Tone port UX8 Rack and into my DAW for re-sampling the sound are so thick and full I am very pleased with this 61 key Music work station.

zakk_hensley

I really like it

It is fun to use, while also being quite easy.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Hayley Williams uses Korg X3

Hayley Williams

Singer, Guitarist

Paramore

...
Verified via Photo

In this photo from 08 or 07, Hayley is seen playing the Korg X3 in a performance.

See how Janne Wirman uses Korg X3

Janne Wirman

Keyboardist

Children of Bodom

...
Verified via YouTube

In the official music video for "Deadnight Warrior" by Children of Bodom, Janne Wirman is observed using the Korg X3 synthesizer at the 1:17 mark. This particular synth was utilized during the recording of their debut album, "Something Wild," before Wirman transitioned to using the Korg X5D.

See how Caleb Shomo uses Korg X3

Caleb Shomo

Singer, Guitarist

Beartooth

...
Verified via YouTube

In this video Caleb states he used a korg x3 to record keys and synth for attack attack

See how Purple Disco Machine uses Korg X3

Purple Disco Machine

Music Producer

...
Verified via Facebook

the synthesizer underneath the MicroKorg is an X3 like PDM stated after being asked if it was an M1

See how Paddy McAloon uses Korg X3

Paddy McAloon

Singer, Guitarist

Prefab Sprout

...
Verified via Soundonsound

Korg X3 featured in the photo of his home studio in SOS article

https://www.soundonsound.com/people/prefab-sprout

See how Paul Hardcastle uses Korg X3

Paul Hardcastle

Keyboardist, Composer

...
Verified via Soundonsound

"The M1R gets used for its Bottle Bell patch, but I have to say that I'm a bit disappointed by Studio Electronics' MIDIMini analogue synth, as the tuning drifts quite badly. However, I also have their SE1 analogue synth which is great for bass. Surprisingly, the little Peavey Spectrum Bass also has some great bass sounds that I use — patches three and four. My Vintage Keys is only used occasionally, mainly for the Wurlitzer piano, while the Korg X3 is left set to patch 10, a kind of Rhodes sound. The JV1080 also has a lovely electric piano sound on it, but I'm a bit disappointed with the Technics WSA1R as it doesn't have many really usable sounds. I've just bough a Yamaha CS2X for a bit of fun, for sequencing and so on, and the Trinity I still like."

See how Tom Schmitz uses Korg X3

Tom Schmitz

Keyboardist, Composer

Mushroomhead

...
Verified via YouTube

At he beginning of the video you can see schmotz use a Korg X3 as one of his keyboards

See how Tilo Wolff uses Korg X3

Tilo Wolff

Composer

Lacrimosa

...
Verified via Photo

Tilo Wolff used the Korg X3 during Lacrimosa's 1997 live performances, as evidenced by a user-uploaded photo.

See how Steinar Sverd Johnsen uses Korg X3

Steinar Sverd Johnsen

Keyboardist

Arcturus

...
Verified via YouTube

Sverd uses a Korg X3 workstation, one can be seen and heard in most - if not all Arcturus live footage and recordings.

See how Fabian Del Priore uses Korg X3

Fabian Del Priore

Composer

...
Verified via Twitter

"A picture of my music studio from 2001. Roland JV1080, Kurzweil K2000, Korg X3, Korg Wavestation, Yamaha Promix01, Sony DTC-790 DAT Recorder and more :) #studio #homestudio"

See how Anne Nurmi uses Korg X3

Anne Nurmi

Singer

Lacrimosa

...
Verified via Photo

Anne Nurmi of Lacrimosa used the Korg X3 synthesizer during the band's live performances in the 1990s, as evidenced by a user-uploaded photo.

See how Andrea De Paoli uses Korg X3

Andrea De Paoli

Keyboardist

Labÿrinth

...
Verified via Audiofader - RecMixMasterSoundDesign

Andrea De Paoli, a keyboardist known for his work with the band Labyrinth, confirmed in an article on Audiofader that he used the Korg X3 synthesizer both in the studio and on stage starting in 1997. He stated, "I started playing keyboards with Labyrinth in 1997. At the time, both in the studio and on stage, I used a Korg X3 and an 01W for mainly acoustic sounds." This disclosure provides direct evidence of his usage of the Korg X3 during his early years with the band.

Album Usage

The Korg X3 has been featured on the following albums:

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Korg X3, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Korg Wavestation
Korg Wavestation Synthesizers
2
Korg Trinity
Korg Trinity Synthesizers
1
Roland V-Drums
Roland V-Drums Electronic Drum Sets
1
KORG 01R/W
KORG 01R/W Synthesizers
1
Studio Electronics Midimini
Studio Electronics Midimini Synthesizers & Sound Modules
1
Roland JV-2080 Synthesizer Module
Roland JV-2080 Synthesizer Module Synthesizers & Sound Modules
1
E-mu Vintage Keys
E-mu Vintage Keys Sound Modules
1
E-Mu Proteus 2 Orchestral module
E-Mu Proteus 2 Orchestral module Synthesizers & Sound Modules
1
Kurzweil K2500R
Kurzweil K2500R Synthesizers
1
E-mu Morpheus
E-mu Morpheus Synthesizers & Sound Modules
1

Community setups

Show yours
theweekendwarrior

theweekendwarrior

Gear IQ 552

More Korg Synthesizers

Korg Minilogue

$411.00 - $699.99

# 10

Rank

Aphex Twin King Krule Misha Mansoor
132 artists using
Korg MicroKORG

$385.00 - $538.00

# 16

Rank

Kevin Parker Frank Iero Joe Duplantier
324 artists using
Korg MS-20 Mini

$500.16 - $899.99

# 20

Rank

Kevin Parker Mike Shinoda Deadmau5
93 artists using
Korg microKORG XL+

$425.00 - $749.99

# 52

Rank

JPEGMAFIA Tobacco Neil Cicierega
19 artists using
Korg Volca Bass

$119.99 - $159.99

# 53

Rank

Richie Hawtin Eric Avery Amir Derakh
39 artists using
Korg PolySix

$42.36 - $99.99

# 74

Rank

Frank Ocean Roland Orzabal Benny Blanco
73 artists using
Korg microKORG S

$444.00 - $749.99

# 90

Rank

Stu Mackenzie SEMATARY Arca
10 artists using
Korg Wavestate

$549.99 - $649.99

 
Jordan Rudess Vangelis Jean Michel Jarre
8 artists using
Korg Opsix

$329.00 - $423.60

 
Damon Albarn The Chemical Brothers Jordan Rudess
12 artists using
Korg Karma

$14.99 - $240.85

 
Phil Collins Rick Wakeman Herbie Hancock
29 artists using

Similar

Gear Guides