SeriesKorg ElecTribe

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 !

I acquired this unit because I felt like I wanted to update the sound of my drums and add some groove to it, since i was only using Jeskola's Buzz and some drum samples for my drumming. I got the drum machine at guitar center for about five-hundred dollars. The Unit is great because there are tones of fresh samples and ten effects that sound great, as well as delays, and preset loops. It has room for more samples to be added and up to ninty seconds of recording time. Its coolest feature in my opinion, though, is that when another drum loop is put into the machine, the es-1 automatically cuts it up, so you can screw around with it more. You can also add swing to the beats as well, adding more of a human element to the drumming. Its hard to add more than one effect to a track, and adding delay to one certain part of the drumming is dificult as well. Its a durable little thing, compact and also eye catching. A great piece for anybody who can't play drums and wants to have something that sounds professional and catchy as well. Very easy to work, and it looks nice too. This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

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 started out learning to become a dj at the age of ten. I am now 27 years old, and have further ventured into recording /digital effects/studio operations. I played piano for several years, got bored switched to guitar but got bored again. when I first learned to mix records, I was in love and have eve since. I like techno/house music but have spent years evaluating many genders of music,70s 80s 90s etc. I had never before until now purchased any korg products and when i did i was very dissapointed,and very pleased at the same time. I bought an electribe sx. It was supposed to be a sampler and digital fx processor . well it sucked as a sampler, in fact I dont plan on ever using it for that purchase. but it was a great digital fx processor though. well if youre looking to purchase a sampler try the boss sp303,its affordable works very well,if you use it right. there are a couple of functions that are hard to grasp(editing samples) . 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

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)

This little unit is quite feature less.Although you get some very basic analog synthesis abilities,the little unit lacks heavily on effects. price paid: FREE UTILIZATION If analog synthesis is tough for you try getting your hands on one of these.It truly doesn't get any easier than this.A very hands on approach to analog sounds of your own creation quickly and easily. SOUNDS I can't really recall how long this little synth has been out,but I remember it being the rage at the time.It's sound quality is pretty superb even to me today,I often find myself playing on this rather than my microKorg and tweaking the preset sounds to madness. OVERALL OPINION This little thing is several years old and was used before I got it in a trade in,but is still in perfect condition and still to this day looks and sounds great. I really love this synth.It's almost a guilty pleasure to work on something so basic as this rather than a much more complex analog synth. Originally posted on FutureProducers.com Posted by: TheOracle ( 6-, 2005)