Groove Machines

UPDATED after a few days, this box is awesome !!! Hey all, I've been using my new electribe for 2 weeks now, so here is a short list of pros and cons for people considering buying one. Enjoy and feel free to correct me if I'm wrong or if I couldn't find the tricks (please tell me I'm wrong for all the cons...). I'm doing hardtek/tribe/trance/hardcore as a music lover, sometimes playing live for friends. Coming from EMX and different synths like TR-8 and TB-3. Pros : - filters (f*ck yeah, way beyond the emx toy filter), especially the acid one (considering selling TB-3) ! - attack knob, wtf, how could Korg make a synth without this before ??? on the emx I used EG/int or ramp modulation, but well, you know... (notice that when EG amp is not activated, the attack knobs modifies the filter enveloppe, smart !!!) - synhs sound, much clearer and well defined, no aliasing - sound is awesome for this price range, sound is very clear, and it's a pleasure to work out new sounds compared to EMX where they all sounded the same and so muddy !!! filters, attack/decay and modulation allow you to really sculpt sound now - ergonomy is great, as usual with Korg - knob quality - pads - catch mode for knobs, no more jumps in values - 16 parts with any kind of sound and filter and pitch - polyphony, chords !!! - different insert FX on each part - edit parameter for drum sounds (well, pre-defined and sometimes not so useful, but I like changing kicks texture without using an effect) - different length (last step in a bar) for each part - drum sound are really good, much better than I thought at the beginning, and after a few tweaks they are really great - signal/noise ratio is one of the best I've heard... If you switch on the EMX connected to the same mixer, you'll hear what I mean - "pattern level" function is great when working on a mix if you don't want to adjust every part level each time you notice a difference when switching patterns - using scales in keyboard mode is awesome to create new melodies you are not used to play ! You can even play random and sometimes it's ok - "jump" function is awesome ! Cons : - mute mode is a switch, so we cannot use keyboard or trigger at the same time, what a shame... mute key should be a function key like emx !!! - no way to select a part without triggering it or using "prev" and "next" button, we need a direct and quicker access ! - no step recording : you can't enter notes (or tie) with pads and jump automaticaly to next step !!! WTF Korg ??? there is no way to choose a note with the pads, you always have to use the value knob, this is a real pain ! - no "repeat" or "move" function, come on Korg, with no step rec and no repeat, are we supposed to kill the value knob in one week ? - no "shift note" function, again, are we supposed to shift notes one by one with knob value ? this is silly ! - no transpose function (although you can use the scale parameter to change tonality, but within one octave range only, and no shortcut) - max length of notes is now reduced to 1 step, so for longer notes you have to tie several notes... it means if you want to change a note, you have to change all of them, pain... - arpeggiator does not do arpeggios !!! it's just a kind of rhythm toy associated with the toy touchpad... shame !!! - one edit parameter for synths... - one edit parameter for effects....... unusable for most of them !!! - only one master effect - master effect only editable with the f*ck*ng toy touchpad - bass drum sounds are poor (except for 808 and 909, I'm selling my TR-8 right away !) and fx sounds and real instruments (voices, pianos...) are bad, but hey, Korg needs to sell the sampler version ! - bass drums sometimes lack decay to really fuck them up with effetcs or modulation (but this maybe specific to a style !) - power cable is a too short if you want to jam comfortably sat on the sofa - no separate outputs to route all drums into one part for FX on whole drumset (but insert FX and filters on drums compensate) or simply use external FX In conclusion, I had really good surprises after unpacking, and after a while I was really disappointed by some weird choices from Korg, going deeper in editing and playing... But in the end, despite poor editing capabilities, sound is so awesome that I think this box could be my only one or at least the center of my setup :-) For this price range, the new electribe rocks !!! I just hope Korg will be efficient and reactive with updates, because everything mentionned could be easily improved ! Have a good day, weirdos !

Sequencer is very powerful and can take any mpc (not takin 4000 in count) out. editing sequences is easy, adding groove, and live-helps are very nice. Price paid 990€ UTILIZATION Read the manual once, learn the rest by using it. Very simple. unless you're an idiot. I've had mine for about 3 years now, never needed any service. Knobs seem solid and it's made of aluminium/steel, very rugged material. SOUNDS Very clear and good samplewaveforms. Editing on sounds is easy and layering em makes em more solid and stronger. Drums and bass-sounds are definitive strong points here, lack of pianos etc is a drag, but you can get another ROM for that. OVERALL OPINION It's one machine I won't be selling anytime soon. Fully expanded with roms, i've got the OS in my backbone. Makin beats with it is still as fun as it was the first day. Originally posted on FutureProducers.com Posted by: 1005 ( 6-, 2005)

The D2 Groovebox has some very nice features. The MEGAMIX button allows you to replace part of a pattern with that of another one, and SONG mode lets you enter patterns in a specific order, so that you dont have to always be selecting patterns all night. $250 UTILIZATION Very easy to use, once you read the manual, which makes perfect sense. the only part of the interface i dont like is the multifunction jog wheel. if you want to jump back and forth between lots of patterns, better use the song mode. When i first got it, there was a stability issue (i.e. freezing up occaisionally). i called up tech support and a very helpful fellow told me how to fix it. easy as pie! SOUNDS I would have to say that this thing sounds great. The sounds are definately focused on techno and hip hop. The low frequencies in the presets could be a tad bassier though. OVERALL OPINION I love this thing so much. youd have to pry it out of my cold, dead fingers:-D Originally posted on FutureProducers.com Posted by: Unknown ( 1-, 2003)

The features are tremendous. 16 track sequencer suitable for live use, great sounds, very hands on tactile control. Every single knob and button can be assigned to your liking if desired. Almost every menu and editing feature is never more then 2 button presses away. The box features 2 midi outs, 4 audio outs as well as digital audio outs. There is only midi in however and the command station can only sequence 16 tracks at a time despite its 32 track capabilities. Effects are limited usually to the machine as a whole, but can be overcome with the use of the filters much of the time. It also features a usb plug, which only has limited functionality. I think it was added merely as an after thought by EMU Price paid: 500 USD UTILIZATION Initially the box is very intimidating. its quite heavey and well built, and the manual is well over 260 pages. more then 300 with the many addedums from OS updates. The manual is very easy to read, and once its read through opeation is a breeze. The command station was designed for live use, and succesds at it. Features are merely a touch away and everything can be done with two hands. Things can be touch at times with the smaller lcd screen, but due to almost everything being labled and accessable through the triggers and knobs navigation does not need to rely on reading the lcd screen. SOUNDS Overall the sound quality is very nice. The XL-7 is a rompler, which provides both flexabilities and limitations to the sound making capability. All of the standard waveforms are there including some variations on them called "Audityxxxxx" (insert your favorite wavfrom into "xxx". Since the wavforms are samples, not DSP or analog they sound quite good, but not exact. Unless your going for a classic saw rip or something similar however one will not know the difference. there is also quite a collection of other noises, hits pads, samples and such suitable for electronic music. Each patatch in the XL-7 is saved independantly, and you can use any sample in the box to create patches with up to 4 layers per voice. Each layer can be routed, and patched through various key ranges on a keyboard to create evolving sounds. There is also an extensive patchord system which allows you to rout ANY paramater to modulate any other paramater. This goes way beyond any simple LFO routing. To add even more to this you also have the delicious z-plain filters which make EMU gear so famous. up to 12 pole filtering capabilities with EQ, distortions, Wahs and much more. Of course the classic LPF, HPF, BPF are included as well. the only problems arise that since the routing is so deep the sound can often times get out of your control. a sound maybe modulating or changing, and you just cant figure out what is affecting it. you'll be scrolling through patch-chords and filters and cant figure it out sometimes. OVERALL OPINION Very well built. its an aluminum or steel casing. the sides are black plasitc, but I have not had any problems with them. They are easily removeable to rack mount the command station. Repair is easy as the machine opens up nicely and is easy for a user to install new roms if desired. I love this thing with all my heart. They are sadly now discontinued. Buy one if you can. It is the heart of my live Pa project and is equally powerfull in the studio. Owning anything discontinued always draws envy. The bright yellow casing always drasw people's attention to the stage or in the studio. The "wow" factor certainly is present. The flexability is quite remarkable. The power of a synth, but with the added features of layerable and mixable sounds. As a standalone midi sequencer in and of itself it is probably one of the best around, and can be the heart of anyone's studio if they want it to. Originally posted on FutureProducers.com Posted by: sup909 ( 8-, 2004)

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

The SFX60 MKII is a table top sequencer and synth that has a 6 track sequencer. The effects are really what stand out to me with this synth. The compression is very good and so are the reverbs and chorus effects. There are a total of 54 effects on it and I am a big fan of all of them, most table top synths do give a lot of effects they focus more on the sound engines. There is no sampling on this unit but it does have 2 input types and 6 output types. It is MIDI capable with MIDI in , out and thru. This unit does not work on batteries just on an AC adapter (which comes with it). UTILIZATION The value for the price of this sequencer/synth is right on, I think it is priced accordingly. I have been working with it since 2010 and having had any issue with it or had anything stop working. Elektron has always been so good to me and if you keep your eye out or join the mailing list they will send out coupon codes and let you know when they are having sales so you can save some good money. SOUNDS This synth/sequencer has 128 user programs and 24 user program songs. There are 6, 1 band EQ’s and up to 6 chorus and ring modulation effects. I do not recommend purchasing the SFX60 MKII unless you have a general knowledge of working with synths of this style because if you are a newbie it could leave you scratching your head for a while. If you are just starting out with table top synths I suggest going with a basic version just to get your feet wet. This synth is definitely for someone who knows what they are doing. OVERALL OPINION The sequencer is good and the sounds are even better. This little box can really do a lot for anyone and I recommend spending the money on it because you will your money’s worth out of it pretty quickly.

I have recently started using the Feeltune Rhizome LE; it is great for a stage performance or for a studio session. It has 16 buttons that you can use to control your session and all of the buttons are backlit. The Feeltune Rhizome LE is VST compatible and can work great with both your Mac and your PC. It comes with rhizome OS2 software, which I do not use that much. It has a built in sequencer, drum machine, synths, and plenty of effects to use. The display screen on the Feeltune Rhizome LE is pretty big; it is a full color screen that makes navigation a breeze. All of your controls are in real time; it is pretty much letting you forget about your mouse. Just start tweaking knobs on the Feeltune Rhizome LE and let the fun happen. UTILIZATION The software that comes with it does install easily and quickly. It does seem to operate a little different on my PC than it does on my Mac. On my PC it installed quicker but runs a little slower and on my Mac in installed a little slower but runs quicker. But it has never crashed on either of my systems and works great. SOUNDS The effects are pretty good for the price range that it cost. I use them a lot now every since I got a chance to own the Feeltune Rhizome LE. OVERALL OPINION The Feeltune Rhizome LE is a great hardware and software integrated unit. You can assign all of the buttons and switches to whatever you want them to control in your software. I have used the Feeltune Rhizome LE with about 4 different DAW programs and it has never given me an issue with any of them. The Feeltune Rhizome LE does cost a little more than a lot of other units that are similar but it is more user friendly and better built.

from www.musicproducts.com, for less than $400 US despite its compact size, this piece of gear is basically a self-contained music-making machine. the sequencer is amazingly versatile, you can program up-to-8-track patterns (phrases) which you can "copy" and "paste" into your songs. the 500+ sounds are also very wide-ranging in the musical styles they are suitable for. the editing capabilities of the qy100 is also very impressive. i love that each sound can be played through a virtual 8-octave keyboard. 8!! so you can play the sound at an extremely low or high frequency and come up with really neat sounds. like most people who have used the qy100, the batteries get eaten up in no time. if the keyboard was velocity sensitive, it would be an even greater stand-alone workstation. it would also be nice to have included a sampling capacity (although right now you can record analog instruments into it). otherwise, it has won my heart. plastic case, rubber keys. it would be nice to have an MC-303/505-type of keyboard on it. i love it! the time spent on the manual is well worth it. there are so many musical things you can do. i think this little machine is actually a challenging medium for song writers. because of its limited screen space, you can't see everything you do, which makes you compose and think of the composition in a different way than you would if you were writing it on staff paper or something. just my more philosophical two cents. This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I bought the Er-1 from an E-bay seller for $200. I wanted a nice drum machine to make drum-n-bass/garage/jungle beats to back up an experimental electronica/jazz outfit. I wanted a machine where i could control every aspect of the beat, but didn't have the cash for a nice analogue synth. When I heard about this small analogue drum machine i was excited. The Electribe ER-1 fulfulled my dream of an affordable analogue beat unit. Although there are only 4 synth key to control and 4 sampled percussion sounds you can control and tweak each of them with a variety of parameters, creating an enjoyable selection of bangs,buzzes,blips, and spacey weird noises. Best of all you can save up to 256 patterns of up to 4 different measures long and play it back for continous play. You can save changes you make in realtime-creating coll jungle delayed drums or even scratching sounds. Ive heard people complain that the sound isnt as strong as it could be, and i admit some sounds aren't as hard or agressive for cool backbeat stuff, but for anything in its price range it is amazing . Through the headphones the sound isn't that cool anyway, but set it up to a nice pa system equalize the bass and it booms and shakes your soul-no joke. okay this is one area that i still don't like about the electribes - they're made of plastic. Design wise they look beautiful ,but the material distracts from the beauty, and I am seriously afraid to drop it or step on it accidentally. Despite the cheap housing materials, the electribe Er-1 is very versatile, you feel totally in control, and is great to back up a live act. This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

Multiple Midi Outs would be sweet. A way to save user patches. A way to hear other tracks while recording in X0X mode. Price paid $700 UTILIZATION The interface can be hard to get used to. There is a lot of sub-menus where certain features hide. It's a very easy machine to use though and it has never crashed or anything similar. The only big glitch is that after a lot of use the keys become worn and unresponsive. The manual is ok and should get you up and ready in little time. Once again, the only big glitch is that after a lot of use the keys become worn and unresponsive. SOUNDS Sound is not where the Rm1x excels in my opinion. It's sequencer might be top notch but it really lacks in the sound dept. If this is your only peice of kit you will want to expand. However, its sounds compliment other synths well. OVERALL OPINION Aside from the few things I mentioned the Rm1x oooozes class. It's sequencer is top notch and suits both studio work and live work. While I dont think it's sounds are amazing they still have the ability to inspire and do work well when placed in a composition with other sounds. Originally posted on FutureProducers.com Posted by: Unknown ( 4-, 2002)

If you are a newbie to the world of music production, this product will suit you great. It's only just come out on the market and the price no doubt will drop soon. It has loads of memory storage but the main limit on this product is that it can only cope with 4 bars per memory store where as most trance producers work with 8 bars of music in each pattern. It also only features 2 synths, but for the size that it is it's pretty impressive. Price paid £350 UTILIZATION I've rated the usability quite high as if this product was being used live in a club, the ability to swap from one pattern to another is great. Changing the sounds and knocking in and out parts live works a treat. The interface is very flashy with all the soft rubber 'press' buttons lighting up. The unit is very easy to hook up to midi aswell. I managed to blow the power supply that ships with the em-1 on the first day i got it, due to the power supply 'supplying' not enough current for what the em-1 needs. This was due to me having the em-1 switched on when i plugged my power supply in, although the unit should be able to deal with that without a problem anyway. If you're going to take this unit out to a club i'd suggest getting a padded bag for it, although my unit has survived quite a few drops on the floor so far. SOUNDS The sound on the korg is slightly limited, it has 50 synth-waveforms, which sound very similar to one another which was quite disappointing, these sounds though can be altered using the effects and other sound controls. The biggest problem is that the sound is only capable of playing one note at a time, making chords an imposibility unless using the 2 synths at the same time, but still only having 2 notes at a time. The sound waves on the em-1 sound very digital and there is nothing near a string like noise. OVERALL OPINION I wouldn't suggest this unit if you're building on a pro studio, or if you've been in the production side for a long time. I was disappointed by the limit on the variety of sounds. I want to produce more trance than anything else, korg were meant to make this product in mind of producing a variety of styles although i think it concentrates on a lot of drum and bass. I'd definately advise it as a first unit. The korg travels everywhere with me though as it is so light. Originally posted on FutureProducers.com Posted by: Unknown ( 4-, 2002)

Every sound is tweakable like a synth so that is a plus. The step sequencer is cool you can tweak your sounds and set up your patterns ont he fly with ease because you just click a sound pad and then click the steps on the sequencer where you want that sound to play. The ERMKII can link up with other Electribe equipment in the series line for more tweaking and more sounds so that is a plus as well. For a small box and an ok price the ERMKII has solid features that fit it. Price paid: 275.00 USD UTILIZATION I found the ERMKII easy to use. If you understand the concept of step sequencers it's pretty much pick up and go. On the tweaking hand, it is also pretty easy. You can just play with the knobs and hear the differences in the sound on the fly or you can look at the manual and get in depth and see what each knob does. Their wasn't anything with the ERMKII or any point of time during usage that something became difficult of confusing. Tweaking sounds was alittle confusing at first and I just played with them without knowing what I was actually changing but it's user friendly and a good starting tool. SOUNDS The sounds contained within the ERMKII and the sounds that can be created with it are mostly techno/dance sounds. Every sound can be tweaked to make a ton of compelty new sounds but theres only so much you can tweak the eventually you get the same sounds after a while. If your heavily into techno/dance and step sequencing the ERMKII would be a nice start for you. Their isn't really alot of amazing or crazy sounds in the ERMKII though. If your a techno/dance head you have most likely heard a lot of these basic sounds before. Even with the tweaking, it's not very in depth so the variations aren't really wide. OVERALL OPINION The casing is pretty solid but I wouldn't trust dropping it on hard ground. The knobs aren't really sturdy and you can wobble them, I didn't like that. The pads were ok, a little stiff but they were solid. I am careful with my equipment so I can't really say if it holds up to a a real strength test. I only had it for about 2 months because I am more hip hop based while the ERMKII is more techno/dance oriented. It was cool to use sometimes. I would just sit down and and just start putting in patterns on the step sequencer easily and tweaking sounds on the fly. I'd reccomend it to someone just getting started with making beats and only if they have techno/dance oriented music in mind. Originally posted on FutureProducers.com Posted by: H&R ( 4-, 2006)