All user reviews of 5/5 for the Korg ElecTribe EMX1

Current Output December 2003, the Electribe MX is a direct evolution of the ElectribeM (EM1) showing some features of the EA1 the same manufacturer ...

Small summary: the EM1 was a very handy black groove box with 2 synth part, 10 drum part, 16 different effects assignable to each unit and a filter bank to modify at will the PCM samples of the machine. For its part, the EA-1 was a multi-timbral synthesizer in two parts with a monaural audio in, and intended for use with the ER-1 (a good enough rhythm synthesizer sound but lacked a bit of momentum and variety). Note also that the direct evolution of these two machines, respectively named EA-ER-MK2 and MK2 were announced there is little on the manufacturer's website.

These details specified, return to the EMX-1, which presents itself as a successful fusion of EM-1 and EA-1, both the color level of the characteristics based on a synthesis two oscillators, pcm sounds, effects, and advanced sequencer.


The progress of version MX

The changes are numerous, the machine wanting fuller, more serious: in short, more professional ... It begins with a design to the outrageously futuristic and whose stunning electric blue hue would not have displeased the director of Blade Runner (note: Ridley, if you look at us ...). The knobs are wider and manageable and can now be used to control MIDI controllers: A wish of user old Electribe finally realized.

Electribe MXEn the screen instead of the austere digital screen now stands a large backlit screen that shows at any time the parameter being modified, mutated tracks and the output used. One of the major innovations is the addition of an auxiliary output to relieve some stereo mix in charge of the machine space. This is a good initiative from Korg although it is regrettable that this auxiliary output can not be switched to be 2 Sends Mono. It is just a second independent stereo output.

Power has changed and it is not the old users who will complain: how are we to have remained stupefied before a Electribe cramée? It was therefore entitled to an external power supply worthy of the name, provided with an on / off switch in addition to the machine. The connection is via a 4-pin DIN socket, suitable to the needs of the scene as the old Korg adapter. The cable is relatively long (about 2 m) and allows to move the machine from the electrical outlet to avoid many common disasters in home studio and on stage.

In an Audio has been added. It is equipped with a meter and a gain switch and a mic / line to adapt the input level to the source. I admit that my Strat Japan and my poor low-end Sennheiser not yet returned from their passage through the filters of the Electribe! You can either listen to the raw signal (Audio Thru) or use this signal as an oscillator in order to pass the filters and the beast processors.

Slider of Electribe MXAudacieuse innovation: the addition of a powerful arpeggiator touch to make breaks and bearings on the fly. Its use with Synths Parts however requires some experience. Indeed, if the interpretation of the ranges is not always relevant, it allows the construction of an original musical discourse and developed through almost instantaneous change and a clear pattern for the transition to the next.

The last major advance lies in the provision of 2 lamps Electroharmonix amplification 12AX7 and ECC83 (the same that is found on Marshall?), Which give a warm hue and fat sound. Their musicality is not necessarily obvious to the ear, my mixer having quickly recovered in the red when the sound went through the two lamps. In fact, they add a lot of grain to sound and allow to measure the intensity and feeling the sound during play of a pattern set.

The stamps

The sound of Drum Parts 9 is generated by the 207 PCM sounds in ROM. We can change their pitch and envelope Decay but they do not take advantage of the filter synthesis section. The range of sounds is classic TR909 / 808 diverse and varied percussion instruments like claves, congas, tabla or the scratches and other "BNI" (Unidentified noise). The envelope generator works for his part as the old Electribe (it acts as either a decay or as a Release) but nevertheless shows softer than before and reacts without latency.

The sound of the Synth Parts is generated by 16 types of synthesis with various waveforms (sawtooth, pulse, triangle and sine, combined, cross ...): additive synthesis, cross modulation ... There is even an excellent synthesis Okay, what was missing most previous models.

These synthetic possibilities are being supplemented by a bank of 76 PCM sounds from the EM1. Side patch, it goes from Rhodes to slap bass through the sitar or kits of the ER-1 ...

To this is then added 4 filter types: low pass, high pass, band pass more (fat) filter and found the drive of the EM-1, always aggressive, biting, and can transform a pitbull in clavinova . Note in passing that if all synth parts can be filtered, this is not the case for Drum Parts.

Finally, it is possible to use a signal as Audio In oscillator and apply filters are the effects and LFO.

Taking advantage of all these elements, the new Electribe offers a more precise, more dynamic and depth than the previous model. It also sounds much less "cold" and the industrial Em-1. The sounds produced are well defined and has less trouble distribute instruments in space thanks to the auxiliary stereo bus.

Finally, note that it can record up to 256 patterns including 192 factory. The preset styles are mostly oriented modern music: Drum & Bass, 2 Step, Electro ... Alas, outside oriented patterns Ambient / Ragga / Hip Hop and Jazz, the factory presets are disappointing and do not honor the advanced capabilities of the machine.

You said FXs?

Effects of Electribe MXCette groove-box carries three independent effects processors that can be chained to enjoy both delays or reverb with at least one modulation and filter effect. There is everything from the effects Korg class, as usual, in three different categories: Mono, Stereo and Stereo cross.

Stereo: modulation effects for most popular as Chorus / Flanger, Phaser, Ring Modulator, but also filter high / low pass, Decimator (reduction in frequency and sampling resolution)

Stereo Cross: Short Delay and BMP Sync Delay, two stereo surround effects

Mono: more classic ambience effects Reverb type, Modulation Delay, Distortion, Pitch Shifter, Grain Shifter (sort of mini BPM Synced Sampler) ...

Big downside, the general deadline that really was part of the process and composition in previous models has been removed. We will do without but shame.

Big bonus however, the LFO is awesome and allows all out effects like creating cadences original agreement of the Drums PCM, tremolos, the autowhas ... It has 6 possible destinations LFO (Pitch, Edit 1 & 2 oscillators, Cutoff, Amp and Pan) and is based on 6 waveforms (square, saw-tooth, pulse ...). It may or may not synchronized to the tempo and you can adjust the speed and depth of its modulation to roughly 63%. So, it allows all kinds of effects even if he will spend some time on it to get something.


use

Pattern Mode Set

Word pattern of the Electribe MXLa machine is intended for real-time manipulation: one program quickly its patterns, it organizes them into a pattern set and go. The pattern set is a function found on many machines that typically calls a pattern by pressing Shift and a key.

The reasons for publishing is not on 128/96 with a maximum of 8 lengths of 4 steps or 32 steps against 16 on the old model. It is now possible, thanks to the 5 Synths Parts, achieve comprehensive arrangement with no other machine is needed. Where the EM-1 might seem insufficient to play a full set, it seems to have been designed for the stage.

Indeed, although accustomed to using the previous machine, it took me a while to begin to master the EMX-1 as it is complete. At the beginning we lose a little in the controls but just an hour passed over to realize the enormous opportunities here.

Drum Parts are velocity-sensitive, unlike Synth Parts and it will still go through the Accent for greater control of the latter. bearings can be programmed in addition to the use of accents and use the arpeggiator to create original in-fills. However, as the machine responds to velocity, all we will play more easily with a master key and use the Electribe via a MIDI sequencer as a module should make it formidable.

The sequencer Footsteps is more powerful. He played in 16 or 12 steps. You can specify the time signatures Conventional bit like 8/12 or 11/16. However, these set of information specific to the machine and is not transmitted by the MIDI sync. Why ? Mystery…

It is now possible to save the state of mute, and you can copy part or the sound of a part of a patch to another, transpose a note, some or several at a time, shift a note, repeat and even randomize a share.

Finally, the engineers at Korg have thought that maybe we wanted to erase a pattern of a single movement without having to select and ringing all the parts at once. It is now possible, all part are then reset with the same drum sound for either the same summary for Part Synth.

Song mode

Song mode Electribe MXLe fashion song has undergone a facelift. We start by chaining a number of patterns on a timeline. Pressing play, set the pattern playback starts. It is then possible to record "events" to humanize a little reproduction. These events actually include any motion controllers, manipulations on the keyboard (leads), changes in the groove ...

It can store up to 64 songs with up to 256 patterns per song ... that which leaves room ... But that would put all patterns on a single song?

Playing the card of originality, the selection knob is finally JogShuttle office. So you can scratch its own patterns!

MIDDAY

The Electribe EMX1 is fully compatible MIDI multi-timbral on 6 channels, the Synth Part 1 by Global Channel Office. Big news: most knobs send MIDI messages that can be assigned freely to any controller. They dared to dream but, with this function, Korg achieved FX controller and Sample ideal for Ableton Live, and other Orion Project 5 ... (sequencers which operate also on the same principle as the groove box, especially in the if Orion and Live).

The machine obviously has a MIDI clock sync. In song mode the groove-box sends transport signals to sync with sequencers .. This one may automatically (if a sync is detected the machine adjusts its tempo if it keeps hers), transmitted or received.

MIDI filter is present and lets you toggle the reception / transmission program changes, control changes, SysEx and NRPN. MIDI notes can be specified for each Drum Part and stamps can be called from a sequencer via NRPN (which control the settings of the oscillators and the allocation of PCM sounds). The machine finally sends its own SysEx as the global MIDI channel, the Model Id ... Note that a full MIDI charter including NRPN MSB and SysEx is available on request from Korg.

safeguard

Smartmedia the Electribe MXLa machine is equipped with a Smart Card reader that can read from 4 to 3.3 volts cards 128MB Knowing that all patterns and settings of the machine takes over 5MB, it is quiet on data backup. I have not tried this feature, do not have Smart-Card at the time of the test. Moreover, it is always possible to perform a conventional MIDI-bulk / dump to back up its data if the machine is full or fails.

I already have done a bulk dump of Electribe MX to another when the first I've had in hands began to lose its knobs (!): It works very well but you have to read the documentation carefully before launching, handling is not clearly explained.


Personal opinion

EMX-1L'Electribe MX is a versatile machine and complete that can be used as a separate instrument or as an expander in home studio. The quality of sound, the sequencer 128 steps, the arpeggiator and major developments are a monster cut for DJing.

However, it also will match any composer in search of a sound grain oriented modern music or experimental. With it, the musician will indeed benefit at any time a reserve of varied sounds and quality to make original creations. The Electribe EMX-1 amply deserves its place on stage and in studio. It would be a shame not to go listen to realize the creative potential of the beast.

[+] Design
[+] Quality & variety of PCM synthesis sounds
[+] The increased length of 64 to 128 not: it changes everything.
[+] MIDI controllers
[+] The 3 effects processors
[+] The 24 motions sequences is the foot

[-] The parties routed to the auxiliary output are not affected by effects and preamp! We should have the choice
[-] The limited range of the arpeggiator
[-] The relatively prohibitive price
[-] The elimination of global Delay
[-] Does not send velocity.
[-] Do not always coffee

I would not stay on characteristics, if known.

UTILIZATION

The use is perfect.

SOUNDS

Its sounds have already made many tubes on the planet, and they will make much of another.

OVERALL OPINION

I'll make it short, because it will not notice a technician, but a musician

J uses this machine for over ten years, I have bought one of the first models of its release.

C is a machine made for the creation, it uses al s instinct, it is played after some time LEARNING d just like an instrument, and the more time passes, the more you progress, the more control instinct of the machine. Improvisations can be extraordinarily alive.

The interface is perfect for hands, fingers glide, twirl,
so you can become a virtuoso.

N this is not a drum machine, it's a musical instrument, c is the true meaning of this machine, and c that's why it is a must, an indispensable companion.

I let you see on the net.

UTILIZATION

plug and play. It's simple, almost no need to read the doc to start having fun. The manual is very clear and simple. I find this machine really intuitive.

SOUNDS

a synth sound really typical and particular styles electro closer but very good qualité.Les well as the kik and a multitude of possibilities permetent thanks to modifacations possible.
The sound quality is excelente my taste

OVERALL OPINION

This was my first machine hardware. I had a subsequent MPC500 is far from being as easy to use as the electribe. I also had a roland SP555 and Korg Kaossilator Pro and the only machine that I keep is the electribe.
I never found one as ease of use allows easy free rein to his Creativitee.

Since I eSite to spend on NI Maschine.

What connections (audio, MIDI ...)?
He has an effects section?
How many sounds, styles available?
Are they edited?
Through a utility for Mac / PC?
What are the characteristics of the sequencer?


I refer to the Korg website, even the tab 'info' Audiofanzine of the emx electribe ...
everything is very detailed ...

UTILIZATION

The general configuration is simple?
yes, very ...
This does not mean that the creative possibilities are reduced ...


The manual is clear and sufficient?
yes ..
it remains the language of instruction, not always clear but nothing too bad ...


Common functions are they easily accessible?
yes, thoroughly ..
all facades full of buttons ^ ^
of knobs galore, well enough adapted to be easily manipulated ...
few faders it would have been nice too ...

SOUNDS

The sounds they are suitable to your style of music?
yes ...
I look for an instrument capable of producing rhythms, melodies ...
all that sauce electro, with a good dose of fantasy ...


The expression is good? (Reaction to velocity, aftertouch to)?
there is no velocity on the keys, aftertouch or ...
it can be corrected with the addition of a MIDI keyboard, without breaking the bank, we find the nice ...



Are they realistic?
no ^ ^
but that's just fine, I was looking just sounds artificial, fat (or not), with the possibility to grind in every sense ...


The effects are they effective and responsive?
so,
must not abuse it too either, but being careful, we get good reviews ...
I am not using all the effects, I use the more conventional (delay, reverb) ...



What are the sounds you prefer, you hate?
ben ...
the good old "wave" as "Saw" and "Pulse" are very good, after there are a lot of modulation type ...
the trick is to start a wave of raw and work for something completely different ...

OVERALL OPINION

How long you use it?
since February, that is, 5 months ago now ...

Did you tried many other models before buying it?
no, not really, but I thoroughly search the net, in specialty stores, I ask for guidance from people around me who know this type of instrument ...

What is so special that you love the most, least?
as: very intuitive, allows easy expression
the least: the sequencer, which is very rigid, a note should be here or there, not in between! there is a function "swing" which enables to move notes in time but it's still not top-top ...

How would you rate the quality / price?
no regrets ...
nine is a very little bit expensive, but Cygnus' it is well worth the time, as long as the machine is impeccable ...

With experience, you do again this choice?
the end of my five months of use, yes ...




so basically, by buying it, I knew she did not samplait, she did not polyphony (not agreements), that it was not the best sequencer on the market, that drum sounds were relatively limited ...
I was looking for a machine with great sounds, easy to approach and complex over time ...
it's done!

all recent styles (lounge, hip hop, rnb, trance, house, dnb, electro jazz ...)
Oh I forgot, do not use one, I think, for some analos pads will not warm too because the pads is not his thing
the piece with which to date I have better used this machine (coupled with a Virus TI)


UTILIZATION

very simple as soon as it looks, it can be the first time that I can use a virtual machine to 100% of my hands.

SOUNDS

you have to sort through the sounds and especially the intelligent use to give them their full color) ie, in the right context.
I prefer the sounds bass and leads.

OVERALL OPINION

3 years
I love the most, usability and ergonomics to create and support to small variations, cut a large drum, a bass, then go back on another ground ...
a bit pricey new but not used,
I like the least, the game with a master keyboard to record sound bites in the pattern, it happens but when you want to let go a little on improvisation, not possible, except maybe with the ribbon control for fun down the chromatic scales or penta or other.

See notice or Korg site.

UTILIZATION

Configuration, trs simple instructions I found enough, the functions are accessbiles without any worries.

SOUNDS

For sounds, perfect for electronic music, RnB, House, the styles are DIFFERENT memory.

Overall, I like all the styles on offer, even if my style is more in the Trance, but sounds good if some dates, it is still a good machine and still NEWS.

OVERALL OPINION

I used more or less three months, then changed from something else.

Two MODELS tempt me well, but it is a MODEL for a price consquent.

This is the Machinedrum (Elektron) and Spark (Arturia), but it is still the study for now, not yet taken RULING.

J'apprcie all, it's a good machine trs, even if dj signal as it is a little dated.

The report quality price is right, but for 200 euros more you have a Spark (new), and especially to test whether rflchir effort to take over the machine adapts the needs and especially its music.

Not sr, personal, I'd be more tempted by the Spark, but the Electribe is still excellent.

-2 + 2 output jacks other ... headphone microphone or line. (Bpm sync possible) + midi in / out / thru

-207 Drums, hats, beats etc. ... that's good and all styles!
-76 Cd sounds synth guitar, bass etc ... which is an oscillator synth that can be DIFFERENT change the filters. Note that the ds sounds there are some 76 full drumkits plus 207 others!
-1 Oscillator synth that gives her the oscillation of the audio in
-14 Other oscillators of a great sound of the ball!
---------------------
-16 Effects, possibility of chaining three at once.
-9 + 5 drum synth shares shares

Step-squenceur 16 X 8

-Possibility to record directly from the keyboard squence of electribe

-All of rglages knob are saved for each game: pitch, glide, pan, level, eg time.

more for the synth: cutoff, resonance, egtime, overdrive ... rglage type of oscillation

Motion-based recording squence for all the buttons used.

...

And so on of the best, the possibilities of the machine are completely infinite!!

UTILIZATION

Quick even for beginners.

Very handy and easy to use trs.

For now the manuals (extremely comprehensive) are provided in English. it will take several months to get it in french. For the impatient appointment at the site of korg France.

SOUNDS

Excellent sound and ractions keys instantly. Really thundering!

Warning qd even not too EXAGRES on rglages effects, especially the tube overdrive! the risk of damaging the speakers!

OVERALL OPINION

What's good for a price not bad at all (in Belgium
Although my exprience on the hardware components for the TRS is not evolves, I think this machine worth the dtour. To be sure ask a habitus.

Hopefully in a korg shuffled out of MX and SX (sampler) This machine Exceeds all other groovebox home korg.

Possde squenceur a good (up to 128 notes per pattern), very easy to use. We relied on one of the nine tracks of perceived or 5 synth tracks and recorded notes in the pattern, not more complicated! Trs Possde a good effects section (three effects simultaneously). Each track can be directed to one of three effects. The effects can be chains (1,2,3 indpendants or 1 to 2 and 3 alone or 1 to 2 to 3). I drive my Novation Nova Russi from squenceur what is really practical given the "limitations" of the synth part and the lack of variation on percussion. Question types of effects have been right a lot, a fact which "form" imitating the human voice, not bad at all, a 2-band EQ and a compressor that brings some punch to the sound! In addition to the tubes can really bring more to the song. We can get more via the audio IN and synchronize squenceur from the BPM of the audio IN (I have yet to test this functionality. There are 4 or 5 types of LFOs that are routable on the filter, the CSOs or CSO paramtre EDIT1 Edit2 affecting paramtres two main oscillator is chosen, the volume or pan.

UTILIZATION

Trs simple config, everything from buttons and Grable potentiomtres. Only a few functions used are less Grable only from the menu screen. The manual looks clear and well described, but unfortunately in English.

SOUNDS

The sounds of classical percussions are hyper, dj as seen and heard but hey it works! The synth sounds are not bad and it is possible to get a lot of original sounds from DIFFERENT types of oscillators but synthse dire need of such CONTRL from my novation nova or even my Juno 106 (not ADSR EG trs just a basic ADSR envelope, not on filters - part here as a basic EG - which is a shame). Nanmoins can get good bass sounds, sounds trance style but in terms of "strings" or "pads" that's not the top ... L is far from a Nova or other VA. It is the most comprehensive synthesis that is handy. The effects are effective trs but be careful not to abuse it!

OVERALL OPINION

Only a few hours on the bte but overall I am happy and I feel trs there are ways to do many things with the MX, but can not be alone ... A small sampler and a good synth (analog / VA) will come to trs well complter a good groovebox dj trs.

See above for technical info

UTILIZATION

With regard to the first machine for someone who is a novice like me, it does not take long to get some ides intrressantes succeed.
The manual is clear and informative.
The functions are quickly assimilated and it's good to have fun and get a RaPD rsultat giving good.
Of course there are a few hours to spend on it to be comfortable but you get something for nothing.
Conseillle same when I record your diffrent sequences with a MIDI keyboard connect your electribe rather than saving them not only not. This is much faster and much more musically informative (at least you learn to use a keyboard).

Let's talk about the possibilities live.

This machine is made for that.
All the controls are under your nose in the form of knobs (volume, pitch, filter, eg time ...).
In short all to change the sound in real time.
When I mention it looks easy but the work must have to live for hours and hours of training in order to give a true sense of his music can be good but ds Premire the hours pass on its a grind, and mumuse to piss off the neighbors.

The arpegiator is super super nice what do I with DCON.

SOUNDS

With regard to the sound ah ah .....
The sound is warm
From my point of view I sastisfait.
The sound is well suited for all electronic music.
Of course if you want to do the dance hall I advise you arcordeon and a good CD Yvette Horner I embrace the transition.

Ngatifs points:

- Lack a little in the low agressivit.

- Instruments such as violins, guitars are really poor quality (for me)
Pros:

- Y a lot, but the main one being the possibility of cre your sound and your music.

OVERALL OPINION

It has been three months since I use my tribe (and yes we are close now) every day.
I use it in any compound I cre.
It is part of my music and it is an instrument for Entire.

There are some who love or not love, each of these tastes.

At this price CHRE as usual but not regret the purchase.

If I remake c'tait again.

See below ...

Sequencer a little short, but we believe that most contemporary éléctrocompositeurs were too lazy to program beyond measures 8 ...

UTILIZATION

After a year with my beast .... I would not trade for anything in MONDE.Idéal or more for live performance, ergonomics foolproof, that makes me spend hours tinkering with my patterns and sounds . As for the arpeggiator, and well ... just for him I crack.
In short, everything to the touch, flexible and intuitive ... not to feel bullied, if not ultimately by the relatively small number of sounds ...
Not seen better for the price, I feel we will grow old together ...

SOUNDS

PCM sounds a little ridiculous (but usable with a little humor and lots of delay); waveforms malleable and powerful (beautiful unison, Sin not far from the ultimate sub ..). Sounds bass drum vibrating and I assure you that with a little sound, one begins to quickly jeu.Snare Drums somewhat less successful, but it plays when meme.Les internal effects are cepandant a little "cheap" overall (reverb ...). forget we still under the fingers of a machine that runs the old school to tek sounds much less heard.
In my opinion, the lights, it's not just about dressing, bommage the outputs 3 and 4 to escape ...

OVERALL OPINION

In the end, a beautiful réussite.Pour me, it is the center of my config, backed by a sampler and a synth a bit more advanced, it was there under your fingers a powerful potential ....

I'll have a second if I had more hands.

See the test that says all there is to know!

UTILIZATION

Trs easy to use, I got a lot of fun ds over the first few days, yet this is my first machine. All rpond the finger and the eye and everything is accessible directly (no submenus cache). The manual is after three months that the situation in order to better dissquer bbette this and find 2 or 3 dernires tips we would not notice. Not bad rdig this manual also is plutt clear and well explained.

SOUNDS

The sounds sound terrible! I think it is this strength that made me lean toward the purchase of the groovebox. I will not go until they tell me to poustoufl ism but it's really enjoyable ear. Any fawn is to make electro, not the classic, then ism ...
The effects are sympatoches. It can be applied by 3 pattern and combine them if necessary. Combining the three gives a mess in niagaresque dpart but once rglages well Doss, lets out sounds really crazy.

OVERALL OPINION

I possde for 1 year and I intend to keep it. I use it to make music studio (yes!) And even if it's not the machine for idalie, and well suits me well trs. The thing that kills me is for the "motion sequence" (24 per pattern I think): the pure ball!
What can I say except that I love this machine, it is idalie for beginners in electronic music, and is super mimi!
Voil.