Korg M50-61 Reviews
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MineHeadfrom Greensboro, NC June 2, 2011Music Background: multi-instumentalist since age 8/rec & elect eng/project studio the BOMB !! Best In Class - Hands Down !wow, without question this is the finest workstation on the market in this price class, first class sounds courtesy of the EDS engine, and KORG's touch-view screen makes editing and access to finding sounds, patterns, FX, tweaks fast & furious...I had lost my inspiration over the last few months and this baby has given me food for thought for the next few years ! ...maybe I'll get a KRONOS someday, until then, this is a massive amount of value for $$...get the KARMA Software online that will put the M3 power in your hands...
Beaufrom Florida February 14, 2009Music Background: Hobbyist WowI don't even know where to start concerning this board. I am in the market for a new board so i've been researching which board I want. I was really considering the motif but when I played this board DANG!!!! I just couldn't stop playing it is so fun to play the sounds are just insane....I haven't kept up with all the new boards as a matter of fact I have a korg n364. But playing this after I played a mo there is really no comparison the piano amazing the organs really amazing I really like how the leslie can be swithed on and off wow. The guitars, brass...everything is so controlled every nuance. Just do yourself a tremendous favor and check this board out.
Mikefrom Cleveland, OH January 1, 2009Music Background: Full-time. Korg M50Ya, you gotta see & hear this thing! If your even considering a MO series rig, GO LOOK AT THE KORG M50!Ease of use is AMAZING for what this thing can do.. The touch screen makes it so all you need to learn is the basics, the touch screen makes it feel like it's Windows! Just check it out before you buy something under $2500! Mike
Coery jacksonfrom Beaufort, SC December 31, 2008Music Background: Songwriter, Singer & Recording WOW!!!First of all, this is by far Korg's most inexpensive workstation. To date, I've owned four ranging from the N series, to the Triton and Triton Extreme. But don't allow yourself to think that this is a "cheap" board. The sounds on this thing are a much needed shot in the arm to the Korg line-up. It has a wide range of what I refer to as "useable sounds" and not too many songds that fall into the "I'll never use in a song" category. The only draw back are keys. They're sturdy, but they have a unsturdy feel to them. However, get the M50-88 and you're good to go. I can say a lot about this board, but long story short, I'm impressed.
I. L. Mullins, Jr.from Atlanta, GA. December 20, 2008Music Background: Recording artist GET IT GET IT GET IT!!!!WOW is all you can say aboutthis piece of awesome, lightweight gear! Light in weight and price, how can a gigging musician beat that?!The pianos may need a slight tweak to suit your tastes however these sounds are all excellent right from the carton. I was especially surprised by the organs. Although I doubted to leslie reproduction they worked in the live mix quite well. The grooves are nice and the sequencer is the usual easy Korg fare. And a touch screen at this price? Thanks Korg!
Robert Bowdenfrom Paris, TN December 11, 2008Music Background: Home Studio Hermit This is one fantastic value in a compact workstation keyboard!If you're want tons of great sounds and megatons of editing capability then you can't beat the Korg M50 for twice the price. I was looking to replace my aging, worn out X3 and Korg could not have released this unit at a better time for me. While I likely will never use the built in sequencer since I sequence with software, everything else about this machine fit's perfectly into my studio routine. I love the Touch/View editing screen! Sure, if you need a full sized keyboard with weighted, "realistic" feeling keys then you won't like it and you will need to spend a whole lot more money. But, if you're looking for nearly unlimited synth power on a budget, for studio or live use, then look no further than the Korg M50!
Mr. Keysfrom Winnipeg Manitoba Canada November 29, 2008Music Background: recording artist , pop rock , prog rock, folk rock mmmm50 :)what can i say, its just one of those things that come along every now and then that make you jump for joy ( at least i did). its an exceptional product.. the sounds, the editing capabilities. The sounds you get and what you can do with them will blow your mind...thinking about getting some kinda retro analog synth? well, you wont believe the old school sounds in this thing,the trance sounds, the lead synths. into orchestra? try the authenticity of the strings, the horns,the pianos, the warmth the bigness fatness and richness. I didnt even get into the touch screen, dual arps and so mch more. It looks cool, its light yet solid and confident. I have read some reviews on how the keybed is plastic feel and crappy...compared to what? keep in mind the price of this beauty. the roland gt 3 x as much and doesnt feel a heck of a lot better imo... i personally think it feels just fine and is very solid inside out...it will last me years, im sure of it...nothing to complain about a synth that i paid 1200 for which gives me the power and capabilities (and simplicity people!!) of synths that one can justifiably spend 2 or 3 times as much on. what ever reason any1 may have not to buy this, i imagine it would be the typical (subject to argument) gripes on (minor) imperfections based on the fact that korg did indeed cut corners to create a pro synth...lets be reasonable...its a darn good deal, a real bang for buck!!!! get it or get me started!!! :)
Peoplesmachinefrom Louisville, Kentucky USA November 3, 2008Music Background: 22 years Keyboard in Progressive theatrical rock and industrial rock Best of the best in its price!"As a keyboard/synth player of 22 years and always only buying Yamaha Keyboards, I have been disappointed with their product for a few years now. I switched to Korg and this is my first Korg ever and I can say I should have switched long ago.The M50 packs more power than any other brand synth in this price and is more powerful than even the Tyros 2 that Yamaha makes but at a fraction of the cost. It goes to show you that Yamaha and Roland can make powerful instruments for less but refuse to with overblown prices and not giving you enough. The M50 has technology trickled down from the OASIS and the M3 and gives you so much power and editing and what I call Ultimate Sound that nothing and I mean nothing could be compared to this synth. I will never ever play any other brand again, Yamaha has dropped the ball and Roland caters to much to specific genre's to have my money. Hey if Jordan Rudess likes it then why bother with anything else.
Ivoryman73from chicago,IL September 23, 2008Music Background: Pro & recording artist Great Keys and sound packageI just recieve THE korg today from New york and shipped here to chicago. I was blown away with the Korg M50. it is like my M3. I HAVE should have waited until M50 was released before buying the M3. BUY THIS PRODUCT!
Forrest Williamsfrom Dayton Oh January 10, 2012 Good BoardGood synth for the money. The M50 has powerful sounds and is lightweight, has a sturdy touchscreen and is easy to organize sounds for live stage use. I like this board better than my Triton Exterme and Roland Juno G. No problems so far.
Youngfrom Arvada Colorado February 18, 2011Music Background: Pro Musician/ Hobbyist. GreatThe Korg M50-61 keyboard is the best for the price. I have the triton extreme workstation and the M50 is a great addition.
Kurtfrom Chicago November 8, 2010Music Background: Musician, Recording Engineer, Studio Tech, Great Board, but I hate AC AdaptorsThis thing does sound awesome. I just wish they would take the keys from the older boards for this one, they have a cheap feel when you play. OK, now heres the question. Is it really that big of a deal to have a few less pounds with a board and sacrifice the quality? I would rather have the power internal and use only the standard AC cord that most other electronics run off of. Having a separate adaptor that plugs in like a laptop is really risky when playing live. If you lose it, your screwed. Korg, please eliminate this. Its stopping me from buying your products.
Jefffrom Port Aransas, TX June 13, 2009Music Background: cinematographer The Best For LessIf your looking for a quality Korg product, then this keyboard will not disappoint you. Great sounds, features and programs. It even has an instruction book that is understandable. You will be rocking in no time.
Chris Scribnerfrom Fredericton, NB CAN March 22, 2011Music Background: Student Great as a master keyboard for gigs!I use this live on stage as my master keyboard to control an Alesis Micron and an old Roland synth and it's so easy to set up!The touch screen makes it so easy to change things on the fly, and virtually any parameter you could imagine needing is easily accessible. However, I wish it would not remove the ability to play when you try to change global settings on the fly. It's capable of creating any sound I can think of needing! I only wish I had gotten the 73 key version! 
Rich K-from NJ, USA October 18, 2011Music Background: Guitar, Bass, Drums, Keyboards, Brass-40 years experience Budget-KorgGot the M50-61 key as main gear for a secondary studio I am building offsite. I already have the Korg M3 in the main studio so if I need to do anything with more functions I can use the M3. If you do not use sampling, and aftertouch is not important to you the M50 would be a good fit. I actually like the arpeggiator in the M50. Sounds are similar to the M3 you just do not have as many controllers on the M50 as the M3. Also missing is the ribbon controller. But, since the M50 is $1000 less than a M3 you can't expect that. The keyboard is also very lightweight. The touchscreen menu is similar to the M3-but it is a black & white. The sequencer is also very similar. If lost, stolen, or if it just died I would buy this again. One bonus the M50 has over the M3? Well, it starts up in about 1/8th the time!
Peter Smallsfrom Trinity, NC October 19, 2011Music Background: Recording Engineer / Producer It's OKFirst of all, 2 stars sounds like i'm disgusted but the rating system calls 2 stars average.Sound: The sounds are pretty good. Nothing amazing. My old n364 had better sounds albeit grainier. There's no depth in these sounds. Very 1 dimensional. Kurzweil and Yamaha got this beat. The selection of sounds is small. The reverbs inside are horrible. Other effects are good. Drums are pretty good and there is a fair selection. Kurz PC3LE if you want killer sounds/effects but a weird sequencer. Value: Fair Reliability: Poor. So far, it has froze up several times. The Headphone output is failing, making distorted noises and losing output in left ear. Korg claims to have upgraded the buttons. Korg buttons always break. Feel: Keybed feels cool. Very playable EXCEPT NO AFTERTOUCH! I'm disgusted. My N364 had aftertouch. The rest of the board feels just solid enough to not be toyish. The lightweight thing is nice but I don't take it anywhere and a solid heavy feel would make me more comfortable with my investment. Korg and the rest of these keyboard makers seem to be trying to make these things as cheap and light as possible. Not good news... Features: No after-touch. No sampler. No aux outputs. No USB/MIDI keyboard control. No quick transpose. Truth is, Korg put nothing in this keyboard to make it stand above the rest. Chord buttons? Why? Overall: I've owned maybe 10 workstation, I compare this to my old N364 for obvious reasons. It wouldn't be fair to compare it to my fantom or motif. I do ask for a lot when it comes to my gear so I am hard to please. I am going to keep this board for a while and try to extract all I can. Buy this if you love touch screens, Korg, or black.
Y Maxfrom Detroit, MI. November 11, 2009Music Background: Pro keyboardist Where's the beef?New sounds often inspire new ideas for original music. But is the M50s weight a matter of convenience,, or did they forget to put some vital parts in it? The overall sounds are ok,, but when playing live, especially in the brass and woodwind areas,, it has no balls,,no meat. Things can sound pretty thin. And it does play like a cheap keyboard. It seems I have a whole lot of tweaking to do. Didn't have to do as much tweaking with my other keyboards.My old TS10 is better live than my M50 :-( One thing that is noticeable has to to do with sequencing. If you play a chord at the same time a sequence ends,, that chord will likely NOT sound. 
BMfrom cleveland August 10, 2009Music Background: multiple instrumentalist not as good as what it replacedi will keep it short. it is cheaply made and has to much cheap plastic. the setup of the instrument is hard to use. for the price you could get a good used triton or tr series. or if you have a little more to use get the m3. it has the rh3 keyboard but it does not feel as good as the higher priced instruments. also has the same sound banks as the m3 but they do not sound as good either.inSync Review
Tony Dayton
7-27-2009
The first thing that I really loved about the Korg M50 was the ease of use and the beats and sounds that come out when you use the Combi programs. I played it without reading the manual, and it was easy with the touch screen to get good sounds right away. The first note you hit throws the drum beat down and then you can start making music. Piece of cake! Of course you can switch the drum beats, sounds, etc. with the press of the onscreen virtual button. It was really fun to make music with the Combi programs.
It took me a bit to figure out the dual arpeggiator, but there are a lot of options, once you find the different buttons on the LCD. ARPEGGIATIONS GALORE! Great for making your performances sound professional and full. One of the features that was especially fun was the chord saver. You can save up to four chords. Then you just press one of the four buttons and it plays your saved chord. Plus, when the arpeggiator is on, the chords are arpeggiated. That would be great for live applications. The 16-track sequencer is awesome for playing backup tracks for live, or just getting ideas down onto your SD card or hard drive via USB. It took awhile to figure out; nothing the manual can't fix though. You can also use four knobs to tweak your patch or arpeggiation. Or use the joystick to bend and modulate your tone. You can use it for traditional pitch bend (up or down to a whole step), or use it for a couple of program functions (wah, filter). I think this is faster and easier to use than the usual modulation wheel on the side of most controllers or keyboards. For 600 sounds, oodles of arpeggiations, and rad Combi patches with drums beats already programmed in - this is a killer, complex, yet easy-to-use keyboard. Perfect for live applications or personal composition. 
Korg M50-6161-key Workstation with 896 Programs, 1,600 Drum Samples, 16-track Sequencer, TouchView Display, and Semi-weighted Keys 
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