This person (James Pullen) is accomplished, having mastered the instrument (which is harder to do than buying new gear) and he's humble. Total package.
I seriously only watch sonic lab reviews because this British dude (I don't know his name - the bigger one haha) is bar none the best reviewer on the internet. Keep it up man I'm very thankful you're doing what you're doing!!!
Fat King Korg sounds with a built in sequencer for a fairly low price. What's not to like? And I dig those PCM vocal samples that he demoed, the "hey" type of sounds. They are really useful. Anyway, terrific demo as usual, it's always fun to watch James work, he makes the Electribe sing.
I agree, but not about the hey sounds lol. Find them kinda cheesy. But then, that's what the electribe sampler will be useful for - to use nice and smooth samples
As the proud owner of a KORG Electribe ESX-1, which, by the way, I haven't been able to fully master yet (sometimes it feels like learning to play the Harp), this is the most comprehensive review/ preview of this new version of the Electribe so far. It seems like they 'condensed' all the features of its predecessor in a much more 'user-friendly' workflow. You got me wanting this one BADLY!!! Cheers!
A Top notch piece of kit. I rinsed all the electribes for library and indie releases for years on end. My personal faves were the MX and the EMX, which are such a joy to use. I love the sound of this baby, but looks wise, it's a bit sombre for my taste. A very pro-studio quality sound, and rightly so too. A bargain, too, especially with the abelton integration available.
The original electribe emx1 had a fault while transitions some times (a small kind of click like you can have with samplers at the end of a badly sliced sample). For that I cheat by diminishing the gate time or deleting the note if too close to the end of the pattern and causing the click. With the new electribe I have also noticed this gap. So I am wondering whether this isn't the reason: a compromise between the click and the gap. ??
I was really excited about getting one but this has put me right off. It's strange that they would even feature a track with such noticeable gaps between patterns in this demo. I really hope this is something they fix otherwise it's completely useless to me and I assume many other people. Still, props to Korg as a company. They are doing amazing things
This was one of the first things I noticed. Sounds like a sample looper, like you didn't record the effects carrying on, so each pattern just cuts off at the end. I wonder if this could be fixed in the software before release. If not, it'd be a deal breaker, which is sad. Such a long time waiting for a new electribe.
EMX-1 has the same thing. I've never succeeded in synchronizing it with PC. These gaps between the patterns shift the stream to annoying "offbeat" divergence
We just got one in at my work today. If there was a lag between the patterns, I couldn't hear it. Certainly didn't sound as jarring as the transitions in this video. Good to see they cleared it up a bit!
Bads : 1) Only 4 bars * 2) No song mode * 3) Gap between changing two patterns (effects cuts) * 4) Color and labels readability 5) No proper Midi 6) Crypted panel layout * are critical problems (hope they fix those) Goods : 1) Polyphony 2) Dedicated Fx for each line + insert & master Fx 3) Variety of filters 4) Nice reverbs 5) Ableton Live integration 6) Battery powered 7) Touch velocity pads 8) Small size 9) Better display and lights ?) Really eager to know about LFO and Envelope improvements wanna dig Mistabishi more ? MISTABISHI - UNCUT MIXDOWN USING KORG EMX his best performance on emx-1
Looks very promising .... What I'm curious about , and which a deal breaker for me is , will it be able to sequence other stuff, meaning , will it be able to send MIDI out on different tracks and let me choose if that track should play internally or go external or maybe even both for some fantastic layering. IF this is possible , then it can/will be the centrepiece of my/any studio for some inspirational HW sequencing given it has kaosspad with scales and chords on the pads etc etc.. Im also curious about the audio in and what will be possible with that , perhaps bringing back those layerd sound from external synths for some truly massive thickness and liveliness! The price is right ..... i think korg got another ace here. Looking forward to this one.. =D
I love the dirty sound of my esx-1. This sounds like it lacks all of that gross grit from that era of Electribe. The tubes, though they just seemed like a gimmick, were a really nice touch. This is probably not my thing, but I can see how it would appeal to some people. I'll still give it a try when I see it in a store though.
really good review. some one who actually use's and loves the product. i like em, and use em all the time. they are not perfect or even any where near and are nothing in comparison with the older ones. bashers they are though
For those complaining about the FX cuts, try using the FX sends assuming these have them. (I know my EMX-1SD and SX have them.) The MX/SX reverb was kinda on the bad side so sending it to a pedal chain or even the KAOSS Pads (with midi sync for those delays) was amazing. I understand its a let down, but if the next pattern has different FX what do you expect it to do? I know the Kronos (4,000$~ new) can switch sounds without errors such as this but for 400$ USD~ this is a amazing machine in my mind, sure the 4 bars is kinda dissapointing but with the 250 pattern bank with a SD card that should be no issue, assuming the load time isnt all that long, (Im talking to you, Kronos). and with the SD card its easy moving the parterns close together (cross your fingers for official hardware so we dont have to wait for a fan made one). All in all this machine is amazing and even alone as a 24 polophonic analog-modeling synth with built in FX and nicely modeled filters for about 400$~ this is a dream come true. 10/10 would buy.
I can't wait to sample from my EM1 audio in to the new Electribe2 then into my Elektron SPS 1 UW mkII and just mangle the fuck out of sounds through parameter locks! BOOM!
that would be cool. i'm just wondering why we aren't hearing/seeing much about the new sampling electribe. i bet because it does all of the above plus.
elek snow correct a different league altogether, the elektron is a top end monster, these korgs are budget toys in comparison, korg have alwys been a budget brand since the beginning
Nice concept for a newer machine but I would have been sold with an 8 bar and song mode option. For now I am still using my Command Station that offers up to 32 bars per part.
I think they look great (esp the sampler in black). Some nice things are added. More/better effects, battery power, all synth parts, poly parts, XY pad, more portable. Clock in and out for analog/modular stuff could be amazing! I miss individual outs, song mode, roll, tubes, and the weird synth types from the EMX that had 2 parameters each (as opposed to 1 on this one). I hope the sampler has some granular magic going on under the "Osc" knob!
I never learned my EMX -1 so buying this would kind of be on impulse haha. Looks like a nice little box though wonder if it can pull out the same gritty sounds as its big brother.
My thoughts on this redesign: It looks very dull but sounds good, but then again the sound was never a problem with the electribes to begin with. One of the best things about the EMX-1 and the ESX-1 was the user interface, dead easy to use straight out of the box and the new model doesn't look terribly complex either, but It doesn't seem as hands on as the previous models did. The polyphony is a fine add-on and I don't mind at all that they are keeping those old sounds in, even though processed. The ableton export sounds very good for the people who use it, I'm very glad that they did this. Individual insert effects for each part is great, and hooray for the BATTERIES! I don't like the fact that it has only 64 steps per pattern, I feel like it could be atleast the 8 that we are used to from the previous electribes, so that we wouldn't have to use "BPM cheats" like James did. For a live situation It just makes patterns sound repetitive, unless you are constantly changing them. Changing the patterns seem to have the same old problem of cutting the effects short when it changes. It's very annoying and noticeable. If the labels on those buttons are very hard to see in a controlled (video)studio environment such as this, I can't even imagine how it will be in a dimly lit situation. Sequencer and part selection buttons combined looks something that needs getting used to. Korg uses the phrase "Change your 'live' style" on their website and I'm not really sure if I want to change it.
When they say "Change your live style" I don't think they are aiming electribe emx & esx users but DJ's, who may have already completed with volca's for example. For my personal view, the new electribe 2 will be a decent add to my electribe set, synchronising the monotribe and adding polyphonie (for chords) + the new drum sounds are very neet and powerfull. For the Synth engine I am definitely keeping the emx and the 8 bar of course is a must. I hope they bring out an improved electribe 2.
Yeah, that's good point. I keep forgetting the original target audience for the electribes :) Out of curiosity, have you synced your monotribe to the esx/emx in any way?
No , what I do with the monotribe + electribe is sync manualy a favourite tempo that I don't change. I pass the monotribe through the audio in of the emx using 2 or 3 parts (a bit like having 3 monotribes playing the same thing but with different filters and effects).
Very nice machine. I'm considering getting one as I'm really a groovebox nerd and it looks more capable than the Novation Circuit and the Kaossilator Pro for my leisure House and DnB sessions. Lots of nerdy talk here but I was finally blown away at 14:30 by the DnB track.
Angry? no .No just a comment ,and actually smiling like when I go to the circus to watch a clown...same feeling when I watch this so called "demo"...lol
Too bad it's slightly noticeable when he switches scenes at: 16:30 . It's like all the FX's are resetting, there is no 'tail' in delays & reverb effects from what I hear. EXCELLENT demo non the less.
I noticed that too, but like he said it isn't out yet. Maybe that's just a glitch with this "beta" version of the machine. I'm hoping once it's officially released in December that will be fixed.
Not too shabby demo. Though whenever you interview this James chap, he has the expression of a deer caught in the headlights of your car. He seems very insecure about the whole thing, which ultimately leaves you thinking he doesn't know his stuff (which he does). If Korg is gonna use him for promos like this, they should get him some training to feel more comfortable in front of the camera. Funny thing, i've used the EMX-1 quite a bit, and at some point i started thinking about how it could be improved, drew some schematics etc. This is almost exactly what i had in mind. I would've kept the tubes though; used correctly they did a lot for the sound. But the smaller size and weight is gonna make a big difference. I know i'll be getting 1! Quite ironic how all Korgs analogue stuff is kinda half-assed and poorly built, and their digital stuff is really well thought out and properly built. But it's the analogue stuff people are spassing about.
Well, peeps should learn to be less influenced by body language and more by what he's actually saying. As you say, if anyone knows his stuff, it's 'Bishi. If you want brash confidence, get David Guetta in, but then you have to have his music too. A bit less dogmatism is a refreshing change, if you ask me.
JLongTom "I'm still a novice at this"@19:10, he's still learning this new electribe. I think that could be part of the reason why he looks a bit nervous.
i can't wait for the electribe sampler video demos.. with this they'll go togethere.. then ofcourse, korg will come up with the third one.. or even a fourth one and it's all percussions with reggae vocals..
good review now :) But I will keep the EMX-1 also. this gear is not sexy like the old one, but the engine is awesome. I will extend My Korg desk with this puppy.
Looking forward to this. Love the design but wish they did this one in the samplers color(black) and the sampler in some sort of similar color scheme to the volca sample. Seems silly to care about something like that but I do. There's always custom skins.
I like the SH-101 design aesthetic, a perfect home run. No doubt Roland's designers are itching to glue mirrors to the sides of it and put gold dials and unpopular colors of LED on it. As it is, it looks much more high end than the AIRA competitor. I own the original black one on the table and in its time it was the DnB king. Let's hope this one pursues a more modern sound. Can't wait to hear all the sounds and make my own.
Hey Nick! Please give a review to the Sampler version of Korg´s Electribe "sampler version"... Please please please!!!! THANKS for being soooo cool and diving in so many Audio Hardware and Software stuff!!!!
i'm absolutely sold on this device and counting the undetermined days until its released! i know it was released in japan a few days ago. I do have one concern though, hope anyone can answer me on this before it comes out, I've noticed that there seems to be kindof a very subtle pause between switching patterns, perhaps it's the effects not continuing between the 2 patterns. Could anyone confirm/deny this? is this a case where certain effects that have a longer decay like a reverb or a delay dont flow through patterns when switching seamlessly? Or is it kindof a very tiny pause between the 2? If it is i'm hoping it will be a software issue and that by release it will be ironed out, or updated post release, in all cases it's beautiful. even with this problem, if doing a song extracted to ableton you can always edit it with ableton and fix it, and performing live no one really will notice it. TL;DR Can't wait for this beast!
I liked with the EMX1 that the 16 pads were a chromatic keyboard, essentially making them like a guitar string for example, with markings clearly indicating the black and white keys: A, A#, B, C, C#, D etc. How are the pads arranged, in those terms, on this? I cant guess, with two parallel rows of eight, how it's done here. Also, the fact that they served as steps in the sequencer worked really nicely. Is that similar here, with the top row as steps 1 to 8, then 9 to 16 below, for example? The song feature was pretty important to me, as I would build a tune up in its entirety, including recording all of the knob twiddling in advance (realistically, I would first try to do that 'live' but then adjust it all individually to get it neater, although perhaps a bit too robotic as a result). Anyway then, to record, I could literally just press play. The omission of this feature would presumably require me to completely rethink my approach. I always liked the idea of creating a full set of patterns, then piecing them together with adjustments on the fly, but it would never come close to what I could achieve by doing absolutely everything in advance. Nevertheless, it seems like a very nice bit of gear. But not as pretty as the EMX1 though, in my eyes.
Why is there this annoying FADE OUT just before you go to the next pattern???!! PLEASE FIX THIS! I love my Electribes but this is bad. Vote up to get Korg's attention :(
it's been clarified quite a few times (see the Mistabishi AMA on reddit)... there aren't any pauses between patterns if you don't over-program the synth. If you use similar sounds for each pattern, you won't have any issues. Mistabishi mentioned that he didn't program the Electribe very efficiently when he was writing Traveler.
studioviper Hi I checked out that TH-cam vid, but I'm not convinced he's actually switching patterns. Sound more like improvising with one pattern. I hope you're right though, would love to add this box to my Electribe arsenal ;)
***** Its the number one thing that bothers me... the whole point is to live jam on this thing and switch patterns seemless. No other of my electribes did this.
Thanks, Nick and James for the review. I was wondering if you can transpose the synth sequences in real time easily and how if so? I have owned a Korg Kronos X before and like the instruments Korg makes.
What is it with Korg and four bars? Is it really that hard to make a sequencer or looper that can do eight bars? I'm watching this and I'm going "wow, this seems like a really nifty thing, I wonder what the sampler version is like..." and then Mista Bishi says four bars and I flash back to all the times I've gotten frustrated over the KP3 for only looping four bars. Seriously, are they TRYING to make live electronic music more repetitive than it needs to be? Is there actually any good reason to make a groovebox with a four bar ceiling? I don't get it. I hope the sampler version does eight bars, but I doubt it (can't find any demos of it, so I can't confirm either way).
Well.. It does mean you're forced to creative with your programming and pattern switching, and forces you to go deep into the loop to make it sound human and unloopy. Its difficult but the frustration should be rewarded with a detailed and constantly shifting end-result.
mista bishi I understand that it means you're forced to be creative, but I'd like to channel my creativity primarily into creating instead of into fiddling with workarounds. Four bars seems like a very arbitrary limitation, especially if you're also a vocalist, which usually means you're limited to putting a certain percentage of your concentration (and only one hand if you're using a handheld mic) into such fiddling while performing the vocal parts. How easy is it to constantly switch between patterns with one hand while thinking about lyrics and vocals? Seems to me it would be a good selling point to include the option to make an eight-bar loop, freeing up hands and brainpower to really focus on whatever aspect of the performance demands the most focus, whether it be tweaking parameters, building new melodies and replacing instrumentation, singing, rapping, scratching, playing the violin, making patterns on a different groovebox or whatever else one might do. Something as simple as an eight bar loop length would automatically make the product appeal to a wider consumer base of different types of composers and performers without really limiting creative input. Constant pattern switching is only one small possible part of performing with a groovebox; just because it's one of your personal primary aspects of performance doesn't mean there aren't other ways people might want to use grooveboxes creatively. The four bar limitation is bizarre to me, and I don't know why Korg continues to implement it in everything. I guess with the Kaoss Pads and Kaossilators it's possibly excusable, but I can't imagine it being an unsolvable hardware limitation in a device that works with patterns rather than loops.
mista bishi Not sure how that relates to any of what I said. Who would want to play more than one chord at a time? A guitar doesn't have a built-in limit on the length of a chord progression.
As a esx1 user i cant decide an old fashioned emx or better the new one;)? Suggestions? I love the design of the emx;) but the new sounds and fx are great
Its still cutting to silence at the end of each pattern like in the older vids?!? Deal breaker for me. That would send me bonkers. At least there'll be loads of decent second hand gear on eBay next year ... when they finally release this thing:) it does sound tasty though
Looks fantastic. I wonder though if it's worth getting this when the Electribe Sample, due in March of next year, is basically the same thing with sample capability, the same analog modeling oscs but no PCM. Wouldn't that be better?
The thing I don't like here is how all the labels are so low contrast. I can't read them on the video in several cases. It sacrifices usability for a specific aesthetic, IMO. I have a hard time even seeing the red labels on my Elektron gear in a dark place. The labels should be lit or reflective, or at least white. I know you should know your instrument without labels, but even most home studios are relatively dark, and there will always be buttons/knobs you seldom use and so you need a label you can read. Rarely do folks want to shove a goose neck light over a performance instrument. The other thing that seems necessary is a smaller device to device (not USB) MIDI connector standard so folks aren't using those minijacks. Maybe in MIDI 2 ;) Features look great, though, and sound is good (other than those PCMs). Also, glad no tubes. :)
I feel the same way about the labels and the tubes. I don't mind the midi connector jack, but I do hope that we have a backwards compatible and compact MIDI 2 around the corner :)
I agree, but I like it, I'd rather instruments look professional and the performance booth have a proper table and a spot lamp. I hate all this neon glow in the dark business :(
Christian Blade It's not about young/old. It's also not about the size of the labels, but the contrast. Usability 101 stuff here. I run a 4k display on my PC, at 100% DPI. Small text. Totally readable.
I would like to play my hardware synths (Electribe XL, kaossilator pro and micro korg) with a live band. There's a click track built into the electribe so i'm guess i'd send that to the drummer to keep the drummer in time with the electribe. I was just wondering if anyone more experienced then me here can think of anything else i'd need to play with a life band? Any tips would be really helpful :-)
For godssake Nick tell him to make a sequencer!!! I've bought three of these damn Volcas just to solder midi out onto them. And then they don't even send note-off data!! All we want is a Volca sequencer with midi out. That's it. No sound. Just a 16 step sequencer with swing and I'll pay the same price!!! Get it through their head!
I have seen 4 different electribe 2s one is black like this the othe black and has writen sampler on it and now there is one blue and one red one..WFT>>??
This person (James Pullen) is accomplished, having mastered the instrument (which is harder to do than buying new gear) and he's humble. Total package.
Mistabishi is a drum and bass artist. His music is super good.
Mistabishi is still rocking his Electribe in 2024 (and making good music with it too!).
As an owner of a emx2 I apreceate this review. The technical stuff up front and a solid demo as the follow up.Thanks sonic state.
Korg stepped up their reverb game with this model. I can not wait to get this version.
I seriously only watch sonic lab reviews because this British dude (I don't know his name - the bigger one haha) is bar none the best reviewer on the internet. Keep it up man I'm very thankful you're doing what you're doing!!!
His name is Nick Batt. Very knowledgable dude and lovely too.
Zero Cool same here!! He always knows exactly what to ask no matter who he’s talking to or what he’s reviewing
If you only watch this, you won't learn much. OMG, there is so much you can learn on here.
Don’t forget the glorious editing lmfao
Zero Cool nick batt is a beast agreed. He is a walking thug life meme
god i love how akward and geeky james is :D
gotta get me one of these electribes asap, i love this stuff
so happy musical hardware is still being made.
Fat King Korg sounds with a built in sequencer for a fairly low price. What's not to like? And I dig those PCM vocal samples that he demoed, the "hey" type of sounds. They are really useful. Anyway, terrific demo as usual, it's always fun to watch James work, he makes the Electribe sing.
I agree, but not about the hey sounds lol. Find them kinda cheesy. But then, that's what the electribe sampler will be useful for - to use nice and smooth samples
James is a douche dude....
yrmothervideos Cheesy or not, that "Hey" PCM sound is found in more than one recent hit record including the song "3005" by Childish Gambino.
elek snow aww muffin
As the proud owner of a KORG Electribe ESX-1, which, by the way, I haven't been able to fully master yet (sometimes it feels like learning to play the Harp), this is the most comprehensive review/ preview of this new version of the Electribe so far. It seems like they 'condensed' all the features of its predecessor in a much more 'user-friendly' workflow. You got me wanting this one BADLY!!! Cheers!
Wow, very lovely sounds and sequences programmed by James there.
great demo by Mista, off now to search for some more of his stuff.
That dude is soooooo skilled ... o.O fantastic music!
A Top notch piece of kit. I rinsed all the electribes for library and indie releases for years on end. My personal faves were the MX and the EMX, which are such a joy to use. I love the sound of this baby, but looks wise, it's a bit sombre for my taste. A very pro-studio quality sound, and rightly so too. A bargain, too, especially with the abelton integration available.
i actually like it. the update reflects modern tastes of electron or teenage engineering buyers, scandinavian simplicity
Seems really cool. Only thing I'm concerned about was a slight hitching between the patterns. Did anyone else notice that or am I going crazy?
The original electribe emx1 had a fault while transitions some times (a small kind of click like you can have with samplers at the end of a badly sliced sample). For that I cheat by diminishing the gate time or deleting the note if too close to the end of the pattern and causing the click. With the new electribe I have also noticed this gap. So I am wondering whether this isn't the reason: a compromise between the click and the gap. ??
I was really excited about getting one but this has put me right off. It's strange that they would even feature a track with such noticeable gaps between patterns in this demo. I really hope this is something they fix otherwise it's completely useless to me and I assume many other people. Still, props to Korg as a company. They are doing amazing things
This was one of the first things I noticed. Sounds like a sample looper, like you didn't record the effects carrying on, so each pattern just cuts off at the end. I wonder if this could be fixed in the software before release. If not, it'd be a deal breaker, which is sad. Such a long time waiting for a new electribe.
EMX-1 has the same thing. I've never succeeded in synchronizing it with PC. These gaps between the patterns shift the stream to annoying "offbeat" divergence
We just got one in at my work today. If there was a lag between the patterns, I couldn't hear it. Certainly didn't sound as jarring as the transitions in this video. Good to see they cleared it up a bit!
i'm digging the streamlined stealthbomber look!
i'm curious for the MIDI out functionality for sequencing external gear!
Bads :
1) Only 4 bars *
2) No song mode *
3) Gap between changing two patterns (effects cuts) *
4) Color and labels readability
5) No proper Midi
6) Crypted panel layout
* are critical problems (hope they fix those)
Goods :
1) Polyphony
2) Dedicated Fx for each line + insert & master Fx
3) Variety of filters
4) Nice reverbs
5) Ableton Live integration
6) Battery powered
7) Touch velocity pads
8) Small size
9) Better display and lights
?) Really eager to know about LFO and Envelope improvements
wanna dig Mistabishi more ?
MISTABISHI - UNCUT MIXDOWN USING KORG EMX
his best performance on emx-1
There is no Song Mode like the EMX, but there is an Event Recorder, that allows you to record a song that is then saved as a file on the SD-Card.
yea its something else .when there is no song mode how you record a song
pooya payvar You could just play back the patterns in the right order into your DAW.
He reminds me of a Brian Eno vs Bishop from Aliens vs Tucker from Grange Hill Mashup....with a cold.
Obviously knows the Electribe inside out.
Really excited for this one, been itching for a groove box lately. Glad I pre-ordered one, wish I could have been on the beta!
Wow - You can definately hear the gap when the patterns change
That is kind of jarring now that you mention it
Brilliant! I'm looking forward to getting one.
Looks very promising .... What I'm curious about , and which a deal breaker for me is , will it be able to sequence other stuff, meaning , will it be able to send MIDI out on different tracks and let me choose if that track should play internally or go external or maybe even both for some fantastic layering. IF this is possible , then it can/will be the centrepiece of my/any studio for some inspirational HW sequencing given it has kaosspad with scales and chords on the pads etc etc.. Im also curious about the audio in and what will be possible with that , perhaps bringing back those layerd sound from external synths for some truly massive thickness and liveliness!
The price is right ..... i think korg got another ace here. Looking forward to this one.. =D
the reverb on the EMX-1 was a wreck, This reverb sounds fantastic.
i have been waiting a long time for a new electribe.
***** You have to use and load your own sounds in the Sampler. The normal one has stuff in it
No Problem
I Like helping :)
He's a legend! I'm impressed you managed to get him to demo it for you!
I love the dirty sound of my esx-1. This sounds like it lacks all of that gross grit from that era of Electribe. The tubes, though they just seemed like a gimmick, were a really nice touch. This is probably not my thing, but I can see how it would appeal to some people. I'll still give it a try when I see it in a store though.
Nick is the best and most knowledgeable expert on electronic gear hands down.
Nice run through of the new Electribe.
I've never heard of this fellow before, but he's jolly clever, isn't he.
4 Bars? I'm used to 8! Whiskey Tango Foxtrot Korg?!?!?
really good review. some one who actually use's and loves the product. i like em, and use em all the time. they are not perfect or even any where near and are nothing in comparison with the older ones. bashers they are though
THANKS SONICSTATE this was just what i was looking for!!
For those complaining about the FX cuts, try using the FX sends assuming these have them. (I know my EMX-1SD and SX have them.) The MX/SX reverb was kinda on the bad side so sending it to a pedal chain or even the KAOSS Pads (with midi sync for those delays) was amazing. I understand its a let down, but if the next pattern has different FX what do you expect it to do? I know the Kronos (4,000$~ new) can switch sounds without errors such as this but for 400$ USD~ this is a amazing machine in my mind, sure the 4 bars is kinda dissapointing but with the 250 pattern bank with a SD card that should be no issue, assuming the load time isnt all that long, (Im talking to you, Kronos). and with the SD card its easy moving the parterns close together (cross your fingers for official hardware so we dont have to wait for a fan made one). All in all this machine is amazing and even alone as a 24 polophonic analog-modeling synth with built in FX and nicely modeled filters for about 400$~ this is a dream come true. 10/10 would buy.
I wont be selling my emx-1, but i'm still saving for one of these!
I can't wait to sample from my EM1 audio in to the new Electribe2 then into my Elektron SPS 1 UW mkII and just mangle the fuck out of sounds through parameter locks! BOOM!
that would be cool. i'm just wondering why we aren't hearing/seeing much about the new sampling electribe. i bet because it does all of the above plus.
I soo hear you on that. I think it could be if they did it right as a close competitor to the Elektron Octatrack! I just wanna know dammit!!!
MeanSpirited Mirth
I guess you are joking ,compaing elektron to this toy is like comparing a Ferrari with a Renault
elek snow correct a different league
altogether, the elektron is a top end monster, these korgs are budget toys in comparison, korg have alwys been a budget brand since the beginning
James Pullen looks like he could be a younger, vampiric brother of Lance Henriksen. That's meant as a compliment.
Nice concept for a newer machine but I would have been sold with an 8 bar and song mode option. For now I am still using my Command Station that offers up to 32 bars per part.
I think they look great (esp the sampler in black). Some nice things are added. More/better effects, battery power, all synth parts, poly parts, XY pad, more portable. Clock in and out for analog/modular stuff could be amazing! I miss individual outs, song mode, roll, tubes, and the weird synth types from the EMX that had 2 parameters each (as opposed to 1 on this one). I hope the sampler has some granular magic going on under the "Osc" knob!
I never learned my EMX -1 so buying this would kind of be on impulse haha. Looks like a nice little box though wonder if it can pull out the same gritty sounds as its big brother.
This dude knows his shit like it's his job
So it's a good thing that it's his job
Waiting even more eagerly for my mine now
What a lovely demo!
My thoughts on this redesign: It looks very dull but sounds good, but then again the sound was never a problem with the electribes to begin with. One of the best things about the EMX-1 and the ESX-1 was the user interface, dead easy to use straight out of the box and the new model doesn't look terribly complex either, but It doesn't seem as hands on as the previous models did. The polyphony is a fine add-on and I don't mind at all that they are keeping those old sounds in, even though processed. The ableton export sounds very good for the people who use it, I'm very glad that they did this. Individual insert effects for each part is great, and hooray for the BATTERIES!
I don't like the fact that it has only 64 steps per pattern, I feel like it could be atleast the 8 that we are used to from the previous electribes, so that we wouldn't have to use "BPM cheats" like James did. For a live situation It just makes patterns sound repetitive, unless you are constantly changing them. Changing the patterns seem to have the same old problem of cutting the effects short when it changes. It's very annoying and noticeable.
If the labels on those buttons are very hard to see in a controlled (video)studio environment such as this, I can't even imagine how it will be in a dimly lit situation. Sequencer and part selection buttons combined looks something that needs getting used to.
Korg uses the phrase "Change your 'live' style" on their website and I'm not really sure if I want to change it.
When they say "Change your live style" I don't think they are aiming electribe emx & esx users but DJ's, who may have already completed with volca's for example. For my personal view, the new electribe 2 will be a decent add to my electribe set, synchronising the monotribe and adding polyphonie (for chords) + the new drum sounds are very neet and powerfull. For the Synth engine I am definitely keeping the emx and the 8 bar of course is a must. I hope they bring out an improved electribe 2.
Yeah, that's good point. I keep forgetting the original target audience for the electribes :)
Out of curiosity, have you synced your monotribe to the esx/emx in any way?
No , what I do with the monotribe + electribe is sync manualy a favourite tempo that I don't change. I pass the monotribe through the audio in of the emx using 2 or 3 parts (a bit like having 3 monotribes playing the same thing but with different filters and effects).
Michael Sean O'Connor ah, alright! I find that a rimshot through the 3/4 out works well as a trigger for the monotribe!
Mistabishi worries me
Can't wait for mine !! Great video !
Very nice machine. I'm considering getting one as I'm really a groovebox nerd and it looks more capable than the Novation Circuit and the Kaossilator Pro for my leisure House and DnB sessions. Lots of nerdy talk here but I was finally blown away at 14:30 by the DnB track.
Cant wait super nice!! Bless up Mistabishi!!
Sounds quite smooth good for liquid. The price is still reasonable , wish it had a few more knobs. Was a good idea to get MistaBishi to demo it.
he got Special needs how ever he highly talented
Great review! Amazing gadget!
Now we need a Kaossilator Pro 2!!!
I haven't seen anyone interviewed that was that nervous that wasn't a serial killer on death row.
I have high functioning autism as well. That has nothing to do with it.
You're welcome, nurse pansyass.
+meedily I think he is just a nerd..strange choice from korg to hire such fruit
Angry? no .No just a comment ,and actually smiling like when I go to the circus to watch a clown...same feeling when I watch this so called "demo"...lol
blabla bla ,you bored me pal...get a life you fruit
I pre-ordered the electribe sampler weeks ago :))) now this one is tempting me!
Too bad it's slightly noticeable when he switches scenes at: 16:30 . It's like all the FX's are resetting, there is no 'tail' in delays & reverb effects from what I hear. EXCELLENT demo non the less.
I noticed that too, but like he said it isn't out yet. Maybe that's just a glitch with this "beta" version of the machine. I'm hoping once it's officially released in December that will be fixed.
I hate that shit they should solve that! All brands, all devices.
707 snare not 727... I think?! The red n white one not the blue n white one. Which ever that was. Haven't seen one for ages.
Not too shabby demo. Though whenever you interview this James chap, he has the expression of a deer caught in the headlights of your car. He seems very insecure about the whole thing, which ultimately leaves you thinking he doesn't know his stuff (which he does). If Korg is gonna use him for promos like this, they should get him some training to feel more comfortable in front of the camera.
Funny thing, i've used the EMX-1 quite a bit, and at some point i started thinking about how it could be improved, drew some schematics etc. This is almost exactly what i had in mind. I would've kept the tubes though; used correctly they did a lot for the sound. But the smaller size and weight is gonna make a big difference. I know i'll be getting 1!
Quite ironic how all Korgs analogue stuff is kinda half-assed and poorly built, and their digital stuff is really well thought out and properly built. But it's the analogue stuff people are spassing about.
absolutly the wrong dude behind this machine,playing everytime the same cheap drum n bass demo,,,I thing the guy at korg have taken some cracks
Lol, yes looks like Korg locks him up in the cellar and occaisionally lets him out.
Well, peeps should learn to be less influenced by body language and more by what he's actually saying. As you say, if anyone knows his stuff, it's 'Bishi. If you want brash confidence, get David Guetta in, but then you have to have his music too. A bit less dogmatism is a refreshing change, if you ask me.
JLongTom "I'm still a novice at this"@19:10, he's still learning this new electribe. I think that could be part of the reason why he looks a bit nervous.
drugs, baby, maybe a history of drugs??? :)))
i can't wait for the electribe sampler video demos.. with this they'll go togethere.. then ofcourse, korg will come up with the third one.. or even a fourth one and it's all percussions with reggae vocals..
20:43 I imagine it can't be all that difficult to put together a three-electribe keytar.
good review now :) But I will keep the EMX-1 also. this gear is not sexy like the old one, but the engine is awesome. I will extend My Korg desk with this puppy.
10:06 When Nick gets his daily dose of PWM
Prefer the original emx anyday, solid metal construction and to me sounds better and has more character, and the vacuum tubes i couldnt do without.
I Love my Electribe MX-1
so... when are they going to paint it?
Looking forward to this. Love the design but wish they did this one in the samplers color(black) and the sampler in some sort of similar color scheme to the volca sample. Seems silly to care about something like that but I do. There's always custom skins.
I like the SH-101 design aesthetic, a perfect home run. No doubt Roland's designers are itching to glue mirrors to the sides of it and put gold dials and unpopular colors of LED on it. As it is, it looks much more high end than the AIRA competitor. I own the original black one on the table and in its time it was the DnB king. Let's hope this one pursues a more modern sound. Can't wait to hear all the sounds and make my own.
This is visually boring compared to the AIRA series.
Hey Nick! Please give a review to the Sampler version of Korg´s Electribe "sampler version"... Please please please!!!! THANKS for being soooo cool and diving in so many Audio Hardware and Software stuff!!!!
That sequence gap is a real deal breaker.
Big mouse hat...yeah why not? um... :D But yeah, lovely device. Very tempted to get one.
i'm absolutely sold on this device and counting the undetermined days until its released! i know it was released in japan a few days ago. I do have one concern though, hope anyone can answer me on this before it comes out, I've noticed that there seems to be kindof a very subtle pause between switching patterns, perhaps it's the effects not continuing between the 2 patterns.
Could anyone confirm/deny this? is this a case where certain effects that have a longer decay like a reverb or a delay dont flow through patterns when switching seamlessly?
Or is it kindof a very tiny pause between the 2?
If it is i'm hoping it will be a software issue and that by release it will be ironed out, or updated post release, in all cases it's beautiful. even with this problem, if doing a song extracted to ableton you can always edit it with ableton and fix it, and performing live no one really will notice it.
TL;DR
Can't wait for this beast!
So they said that the new Electribe sampler should be coming out this month. I am waiting on that as this one doesn't appeal to me all that much.
how can you make a live with all the gaps that the machine makes? when change patterns etc, just gaps!!!
The gap problems have been solved with updates.
@@Michael_Sean_OConnor it's better, but not completely fixed
Great machine
RIP Roland.
I liked with the EMX1 that the 16 pads were a chromatic keyboard, essentially making them like a guitar string for example, with markings clearly indicating the black and white keys: A, A#, B, C, C#, D etc. How are the pads arranged, in those terms, on this? I cant guess, with two parallel rows of eight, how it's done here.
Also, the fact that they served as steps in the sequencer worked really nicely. Is that similar here, with the top row as steps 1 to 8, then 9 to 16 below, for example?
The song feature was pretty important to me, as I would build a tune up in its entirety, including recording all of the knob twiddling in advance (realistically, I would first try to do that 'live' but then adjust it all individually to get it neater, although perhaps a bit too robotic as a result). Anyway then, to record, I could literally just press play. The omission of this feature would presumably require me to completely rethink my approach. I always liked the idea of creating a full set of patterns, then piecing them together with adjustments on the fly, but it would never come close to what I could achieve by doing absolutely everything in advance.
Nevertheless, it seems like a very nice bit of gear. But not as pretty as the EMX1 though, in my eyes.
You
its Mistabishi by the way, but great vid!
Is there a Sonic Lab video review for the Korg Electribe S2? Where it be?
Why is there this annoying FADE OUT just before you go to the next pattern???!! PLEASE FIX THIS! I love my Electribes but this is bad. Vote up to get Korg's attention :(
it's been clarified quite a few times (see the Mistabishi AMA on reddit)... there aren't any pauses between patterns if you don't over-program the synth. If you use similar sounds for each pattern, you won't have any issues. Mistabishi mentioned that he didn't program the Electribe very efficiently when he was writing Traveler.
see oi_bj4_pDlg for an example of a (pretty bad) tune that doesn't have any gaps between the patterns :)
studioviper Hi I checked out that TH-cam vid, but I'm not convinced he's actually switching patterns. Sound more like improvising with one pattern. I hope you're right though, would love to add this box to my Electribe arsenal ;)
***** making a track from scratch with the new electribe that I only had in my hands for 2 days will not be generating a master tune, sorry ... lol
***** Its the number one thing that bothers me... the whole point is to live jam on this thing and switch patterns seemless. No other of my electribes did this.
Thanks, Nick and James for the review. I was wondering if you can transpose the synth sequences in real time easily and how if so? I have owned a Korg Kronos X before and like the instruments Korg makes.
Wow, this looks fucking awesome
What is it with Korg and four bars? Is it really that hard to make a sequencer or looper that can do eight bars? I'm watching this and I'm going "wow, this seems like a really nifty thing, I wonder what the sampler version is like..." and then Mista Bishi says four bars and I flash back to all the times I've gotten frustrated over the KP3 for only looping four bars. Seriously, are they TRYING to make live electronic music more repetitive than it needs to be? Is there actually any good reason to make a groovebox with a four bar ceiling? I don't get it. I hope the sampler version does eight bars, but I doubt it (can't find any demos of it, so I can't confirm either way).
Well.. It does mean you're forced to creative with your programming and pattern switching, and forces you to go deep into the loop to make it sound human and unloopy. Its difficult but the frustration should be rewarded with a detailed and constantly shifting end-result.
mista bishi I understand that it means you're forced to be creative, but I'd like to channel my creativity primarily into creating instead of into fiddling with workarounds. Four bars seems like a very arbitrary limitation, especially if you're also a vocalist, which usually means you're limited to putting a certain percentage of your concentration (and only one hand if you're using a handheld mic) into such fiddling while performing the vocal parts. How easy is it to constantly switch between patterns with one hand while thinking about lyrics and vocals? Seems to me it would be a good selling point to include the option to make an eight-bar loop, freeing up hands and brainpower to really focus on whatever aspect of the performance demands the most focus, whether it be tweaking parameters, building new melodies and replacing instrumentation, singing, rapping, scratching, playing the violin, making patterns on a different groovebox or whatever else one might do. Something as simple as an eight bar loop length would automatically make the product appeal to a wider consumer base of different types of composers and performers without really limiting creative input. Constant pattern switching is only one small possible part of performing with a groovebox; just because it's one of your personal primary aspects of performance doesn't mean there aren't other ways people might want to use grooveboxes creatively. The four bar limitation is bizarre to me, and I don't know why Korg continues to implement it in everything. I guess with the Kaoss Pads and Kaossilators it's possibly excusable, but I can't imagine it being an unsolvable hardware limitation in a device that works with patterns rather than loops.
Tasteful Tuna guitarists have no hands free and can only play one chord at a time, they seem to manage OK.
mista bishi Not sure how that relates to any of what I said. Who would want to play more than one chord at a time? A guitar doesn't have a built-in limit on the length of a chord progression.
Neither does electribe2 in theory. You just switch patterns to progress the sequence. That's how a groovebox is played
when are you reviewing the sampler version ?
KORG can truly do no wrong at the moment!
As a esx1 user i cant decide an old fashioned emx or better the new one;)? Suggestions? I love the design of the emx;) but the new sounds and fx are great
Its still cutting to silence at the end of each pattern like in the older vids?!? Deal breaker for me. That would send me bonkers. At least there'll be loads of decent second hand gear on eBay next year ... when they finally release this thing:) it does sound tasty though
0:54 😂Even when they’re being a tad naughty the British sound posh. That same phrase in the States is ultra crass.
James Pullen, the Brett Domino of Dance Music! Joking aside the guy is an absolute genius. Can't wait to get my gloves on this baby!
LOL
but when he says
"...here a Filter, a MS-20 one,.."
and "..the synth is from the King Korg...."
he means it's digitally rebuilded in some way, right?
I'm really, really interested in the new Electribe. But man, only 4 bars?! Still I'll wait for more reviews and hopefully try it out myself first.
Nice review thanks. Would have liked to have seen more on how it works with/interfaces/exports to Ableton Live though.
Looks fantastic. I wonder though if it's worth getting this when the Electribe Sample, due in March of next year, is basically the same thing with sample capability, the same analog modeling oscs but no PCM. Wouldn't that be better?
Anyone know the answer to this? Can't find any info on the sampler saying it has anything less than this other than the PCM samples, is that true?
Mista seemed quite overwhelmed, but he seemed to warm up later. Looks like a really fun machine
the cutting between patterns hopefully can be fixed with a firmware update, otherwise it's it's a deal breaker.
The thing I don't like here is how all the labels are so low contrast. I can't read them on the video in several cases. It sacrifices usability for a specific aesthetic, IMO. I have a hard time even seeing the red labels on my Elektron gear in a dark place.
The labels should be lit or reflective, or at least white. I know you should know your instrument without labels, but even most home studios are relatively dark, and there will always be buttons/knobs you seldom use and so you need a label you can read. Rarely do folks want to shove a goose neck light over a performance instrument.
The other thing that seems necessary is a smaller device to device (not USB) MIDI connector standard so folks aren't using those minijacks. Maybe in MIDI 2 ;)
Features look great, though, and sound is good (other than those PCMs). Also, glad no tubes. :)
I feel the same way about the labels and the tubes. I don't mind the midi connector jack, but I do hope that we have a backwards compatible and compact MIDI 2 around the corner :)
I agree, but I like it, I'd rather instruments look professional and the performance booth have a proper table and a spot lamp. I hate all this neon glow in the dark business :(
Yeah, they need to create an old man overlay with bright large print to put over the front panel.
Christian Blade It's not about young/old. It's also not about the size of the labels, but the contrast. Usability 101 stuff here. I run a 4k display on my PC, at 100% DPI. Small text. Totally readable.
It's about that for me. My tired old eyes can't see that small faintly colored print anymore.
from looking at the measurements alone, it seems the pads and xy pad are literally a nanopad 2 stuck in the case.
very nice thank you
October 2104. ;) Great stuff!
Really hope korg updates their excellent Korg R3, but with the King Korg Synth Engine + PCM waves.
would love that, are Korg in the habit of bringing back fan favourites
I would like to play my hardware synths (Electribe XL, kaossilator pro and micro korg) with a live band. There's a click track built into the electribe so i'm guess i'd send that to the drummer to keep the drummer in time with the electribe. I was just wondering if anyone more experienced then me here can think of anything else i'd need to play with a life band? Any tips would be really helpful :-)
For godssake Nick tell him to make a sequencer!!! I've bought three of these damn Volcas just to solder midi out onto them. And then they don't even send note-off data!! All we want is a Volca sequencer with midi out. That's it. No sound. Just a 16 step sequencer with swing and I'll pay the same price!!! Get it through their head!
I have seen 4 different electribe 2s one is black like this the othe black and has writen sampler on it and now there is one blue and one red one..WFT>>??
Like the SID chip you say?
Sounds like fun :3