Korg announces the release of Version 3.0 software for the PA-80 Professional Arranger, which provides enhanced functionality. With the Version 3.0 addition of User Sampling plus a true Step-Time Sequencer mode, the PA-80 incorporates all the features of a traditional workstation, plus the advantages of an accompaniment keyboard.

Using the existing audio inputs, the PA-80 can now perform 16-bit, 48kHz sampling in mono or stereo. Other sampling features include Time Slice functions for creating "grooves" of various tempos without altering the pitch of the original sample. These Sliced-Sample Grooves can then be used to create songs, sequences and even new user Styles. Samples and Groove data can be saved onto a Korg FMC-8MB Flash RAM card for easy storage.

Step-Time recording has been added to the backing sequencer, along with individual event level editing. Track Mute and Transpose settings are now saved with the song data. Each of the PA-80's two sequencers can now access its own directory, for faster song selection.

Version 3.0 also adds ten more banks of user Performances, for storing custom PA-80 set-ups. Other performance enhancements include a variety of navigational shortcuts for quick access to common functions. The Trigger pads can be assigned to a host of new operational features such as Effect mutes, Performance advance, Track mutes and others.

The PA-80 is currently being delivered with Version 3.0 standard. Owners of previous versions can update their PA-80 in minutes by downloading the free upgrade from Korg's web site.