More entries will be added as they come up. If you have a question, post it under 03R/W Questions in the Discussions area.
Checking the version of the onboard software:
** WARNING ** When I did this, All Programs and Combis were reset to
InitProg. If you have any custom programs loaded, make sure you back them up before
checking the software version.
The current software version according to Korg USA is 15. But I
have heard from someone in Product Support for Korg Australia that they are burning
version 20. I contacted Korg USA about it and they are "checking into it".
If you do not have the current version and want to upgrade contact your local Korg dealer.
In the US contact Korg at: product_support@korgusa.com
and tell 'em we want version 20!
Korg has stored the factory patches and settings internally. Page 5C of Global mode will reset the synth to the factory patches, all non-factory patches will be lost, so make sure you have a backup copy of them.
You can find the average selling price here: http://www.prepal.com/data/Korg.htm
Here's what Synthcom's used gear list showed for the 03R/W in December 1997:
Korg 03R/W mod
(12 Price entries)These were the last 12 entries found in the Newsgroups for the 03R/W (12/97).
03R/W finder:
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In order for the 03R/W to receive system exclusive (SYSEX, .SYX) data, the EX MIDI
Global/Filter must be enabled. This is done by pressing the Global Multi button until you
see the window that has the first line of: 00A TUNE/TRANS
Once this is displayed, press the Page+ button two times. The first line of the window
should now show: 02A Midi Global
Now press the +10 button 5 times. The top line of the window should read: 02C MIDI FILTER.
On the second line you should see EX: with either ENA or DIS flashing. ENA is the setting
you need to enable system exchange updates. If DIS is flashing press the +1 button once.
This should change it to ENA.
You must also make sure that the memory protection for both programs and combinations is turned off. This is done by pressing the Global Multi button until you see the window that has the first line of: 00A TUNE/TRANS
Once this is displayed, press the Page+ button three times. The first line of the
window should now show: 03A PROTECT
Now press the -1 button until the second line of the display reads PROGRAM: OFF (or set it
to PROGRAM: CARD if you have a program data card that you want protected). Now press the
+10 button one time. The first line of the window should now show: 03B PROTECT. Press the
-1 button until the second line of the display reads COMBINATION: OFF (or set it to
COMBINATION: CARD if you have a program data card that you want protected).
That's it! As long as you have both the MIDI In & OUT cables connected properly to
the computer and your MIDI interface is working, you should be able to send .syx files to
the 03R/W.
Several ways to get new sounds from your computer to the 03R/W:
Sequencer - Most sequencers have the ability to send SYSEX data to your synth using the
midi port. Some, like Cakewalk, have defined dump request macros which allow you to load
the program and combi banks as well as multi-setups from the 03R/W and save them for
future use. This means you can save a different multi-setup for each sequence and load it
when you want to work with the sequence.
Universal Editor/Librarian - These often go beyond the capabilities of sequencing software
by allowing you to create custom banks of sounds. Some even let you edit the patches and
combis by using a GUI (Graphical User Interface). I use Midi Quest which supports hundreds
of synths. Another popular editor is Unisyn.
Midiex/Sysex Utilities - There are several generic utilities available to send .syx files
to a synth. They basically give you the ability to dump a bank of patches at a time. Some
will even save data sent from the synth for future use. The midi dump normally has to be
initiated from the synth and can be a little cumbersome. I have included Freeloader
in the Software section of this site. I have
confirmed that it works for both downloading sounds to the synth and uploading sounds from
the 03R/W. I have included a quick and dirty set of instructions on how to use Freeloader
with the 03R/W!
03R/W specific - There is an old DOS editor for the 03R/W that can be found on the
internet. I have never used it, so I can't say how well it works.
I have not figured out why this happens. It only happens occasionally and once it does the drum programs don't work in any of the sound banks. To get the drum sounds working reset the 03R/W to factory defaults. Don't forget to enable the EX MIDI Global/Filter after the reset is complete so that the 03R/W will be able to load sound banks.
You can use sysex strings to turn individual midi channels off. Most sequencing software allows you to transmit sysex data either as part of a track or as a separate send before the sequence is played. Check out the Sysex Strings section of this site for the messages you need to do this .
Revised: August 20, 2005