KORG Electribes (EMX-1, ESX-1, etc)

Production, hardware & technical - tips and tricks.
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j∆ckr∆bbi†
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KORG Electribes (EMX-1, ESX-1, etc)

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I'm just going to copy and paste my post from WITCH BOOK to save time:
Hey, are any of you using a KORG EMX-1 or ESX-1? I'd like to get a 'tribe soon but I can't decide between the two. From what I gather, obviously the ESX is sample driven, so it is what you make of it, with less synth options but the EMX is more of an all-in-one synth, drum, beat machine with no sampling capabilities.

As of now, I have a keyboard (old Casio SA-5), some iOS apps from KORG and Yamaha and my Kaossilator Pro. Would it probably be more worthwhile to get the ESX to expand my sound a bit? I have access to a laptop with a card-reader and wave editting software so sampling shouldn't be a real problem. However, after seeing some EMX videos on youtube, I could really be swayed either way. If anyone has any real hands on experience with either, I'd love to hear what the strengths and weaknesses are and how it fits in with the rest of your gear.
Thanks in advance. :)
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ƧƆỴ†ɧЄ
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Re: KORG Electribes (EMX-1, ESX-1, etc)

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Regarding the Mono, not sure if you've seen this review. Still on the fence meself.
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WIK/\N
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Re: KORG Electribes (EMX-1, ESX-1, etc)

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If you wanna spend that amount id rather get this :

http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/Venom.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7zCMmEiCKQ

Its fucking awesome !!!
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ƧƆỴ†ɧЄ
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Re: KORG Electribes (EMX-1, ESX-1, etc)

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Or a few more bones and get into the Moog territory... :shock:
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j∆ckr∆bbi†
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Re: KORG Electribes (EMX-1, ESX-1, etc)

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At this point, the three machines I'm most looking at are
1)akai mpc-500 : portable, simple sample box for making beats with no synthesis capabilities but i think it has built in drum sounds
2)korg esx-1 : not so portable, 2 synths to knob-tweak, sampling capabilities that supposedly rival mpc's and a decent amount of versatility in styles of music
3)m-audio venom : hadn't heard of it prior to this thread but looks pretty gorgeous, however i've got a semi-messed up hand so playing keyboard can be irritating for long periods, however looks very versatile and interesting.

i'm not buying any of these for at least another two months, so i've got time to consider other options, but those are looking best so far.
argiflex
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Re: KORG Electribes (EMX-1, ESX-1, etc)

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I was just lurking but I decided to register JUST to reply to this.
(also, hey guys, I'm new here)

GET the EMX! No matter what I do, witch house manages to come out of it. If I could have one piece of gear to make a witch house track with, all by itself, I would choose the EMX. Pair it with a cheap MIDI capable programmable FM synth or two (2OP, preferably), and you have an AMAZING production rig for maybe $400 (if you get everything used.)

Should I make a track, or even just a video of me using it and one FM synth making a witch house track with it, and how easy it is? Would that help convince you? Because it would me.
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j∆ckr∆bbi†
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Re: KORG Electribes (EMX-1, ESX-1, etc)

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argiflex wrote:I was just lurking but I decided to register JUST to reply to this.
(also, hey guys, I'm new here)

GET the EMX! No matter what I do, witch house manages to come out of it. If I could have one piece of gear to make a witch house track with, all by itself, I would choose the EMX. Pair it with a cheap MIDI capable programmable FM synth or two (2OP, preferably), and you have an AMAZING production rig for maybe $400 (if you get everything used.)

Should I make a track, or even just a video of me using it and one FM synth making a witch house track with it, and how easy it is? Would that help convince you? Because it would me.
That'd be dank yeh. Is there any reason an EMX would be better than the ESX in your opinion? I just like the idea of having the ability to sample... however, I've seen a few EMX videos that have swayed me in that direction.
argiflex
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Re: KORG Electribes (EMX-1, ESX-1, etc)

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You could always get a cheap rackmount sampler of some description and use that for sampling, and sequence it with the EMX.
I just reorganized my setup for live use. I'll take a few things out in the next few days to see if I can put something together.
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WIK/\N
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Re: KORG Electribes (EMX-1, ESX-1, etc)

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argiflex wrote:You could always get a cheap rackmount sampler of some description and use that for sampling, and sequence it with the EMX.

Ensoniq EPS 16/ASR 10
Akai S950/S1000
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argiflex
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Re: KORG Electribes (EMX-1, ESX-1, etc)

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SukJquvwI6g
Worst witch house track ever, but, it shows you some of the capabilities of just ONE kind of synthesis from the EMX.
Also, I apologized in the description, so no need to do that here.
Gonna get one now?
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j∆ckr∆bbi†
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Re: KORG Electribes (EMX-1, ESX-1, etc)

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Depending on how much I have to spend, I've come to a decision (more or less):
-I'm going to get an SP-404SX for sampling and working towards doing live stuff.
-If I have money left over, I'm going to get a Monotribe (or maybe a Monotron) with it.
-The next music purchase I make will be the EMX.
argiflex
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Re: KORG Electribes (EMX-1, ESX-1, etc)

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That sounds like a pretty good setup! What would you be using the monotribe or monotron for, though?
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j∆ckr∆bbi†
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Re: KORG Electribes (EMX-1, ESX-1, etc)

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Samples for the SP-404SX, I could also see those drums being potentially abused and fed through some filters (on the tribe). ;)
argiflex
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Re: KORG Electribes (EMX-1, ESX-1, etc)

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Yeah, but the filters on the electribe aren't the best. They have this weird stepped digital feel to them. They work in a pinch, but if the resonance is pretty high, it's rather noticeable.
petefrederick
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Re: KORG Electribes (EMX-1, ESX-1, etc)

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Hey Argiflex, I have to agree with you, the filters on the electribe have a digital feel to them. I thought it was just me until I read your post.
Cheers.
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