Korg Electribe MX vs. something else

the_woof · Post by **the_woof** » Thu Dec 25, 2008 7:27 pm

I'm looking for something to put my holiday dollars to. I like the idea of the electribe because right now I'm tethered to my computer whenever i want to write something, and my laptop is a pain to lug around. If it doesn't sound good, or it's only good for trance, though, I'm not really interested. I tend to make funky stuff with non-four to the floor beats. I'd consider the SX, but I don't sample that much in my music and I want to get free of the studio.

The "something else" I might consider is any other machine that isn't too expensive that I can just plug in somewhere and compose on. The sounds don't have to be that great as long as it lets me leave my computer behind and still make music. I'm thinking about Korg DS-10 because I have a DS already, but that's not really in this ballpark. So... suggestions?

kuniklo · Post by **kuniklo** » Thu Dec 25, 2008 7:44 pm

The EMX is a great machine, capable of a wide variety of sounds. In its price range I don't think anything else comes close.

Tarekith · Post by **Tarekith** » Thu Dec 25, 2008 9:12 pm

EMX is awesome, definitely the best bang for the buck and it's not a trance machine at all.

SuperBassMexican · Post by **SuperBassMexican** » Thu Dec 25, 2008 9:15 pm

I still miss my esx.I'm considering the emx too.

the_woof · Post by **the_woof** » Thu Dec 25, 2008 9:18 pm

You guys have sold me. I'm heading out to Guitar Center tomorrow and they better have one in stock. Thanks for your help!

Kodama · Post by **Kodama** » Thu Dec 25, 2008 10:58 pm

I would check CL, used price is 300-350..

The EMX is good if u wanna concentrate more on synth sounds because the drum sounds are more basic/non maleable.

The ESX is the best though, you get a factory soundset and can change it any time...

Tarekith · Post by **Tarekith** » Thu Dec 25, 2008 11:06 pm

While the drum tweaking in the EMX is pretty basic, I was actually surprised at the quality of the sounds they chose. This track is 100% EMX btw:

http://tarekith.com/mp3s/Tarekith-Puled.mp3

Straight from the EMX's stereo outs and only a touch of transparent limiting to raise the level a bit afterward. The main lead was done using the EMX arp, probably one of the 'funnest' ways of playing notes I've ever used. I often use the EMX"s arp to drive softsynths.

kristoffer1989 · Post by **kristoffer1989** » Thu Dec 25, 2008 11:59 pm

gotta say it sounds very nice!

aizo · Post by **aizo** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 12:44 am

I like this little guy. has a lot of potential.

here are two different styles I did for an electribe forum earlier this year

Street Fighter 3-ish sounding DNB
http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=lPZRONO1Qdg
EBM
http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=JcQDGOBp8JM

kuniklo · Post by **kuniklo** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 2:32 am

Kodama wrote: The ESX is the best though, you get a factory soundset and can change it any time...

Sample management is kind of a pain though. You have to use outdated SmartMedia cards to load samples and you can't see the waveforms on the screen at all, which makes editing, looping etc tricky.

I'd love to see them bring out another round of Electribes sometime. In many ways I prefer the EMX to a Monomachine.

SuperBassMexican · Post by **SuperBassMexican** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 8:21 am

the esx has an editor

http://www.skratchdot.com/esxwaveorganizer/news.php

NapalmBob · Post by **NapalmBob** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 8:58 pm

+1 for EMX

They are especially good for making little audio loops to record into Live and then using that to sequence them.

And the motion control recording feature (and the ribbon controller set to alter the arp's notes) is pretty fucking sweet.

beats me · Post by **beats me** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 9:08 pm

There's no reason to buy one new. They are constantly on ebay for at least $100 less than a new one and even more so now that the economy is bad and people are selling gear to pay bills.

baseinstinct · Post by **baseinstinct** » Sat Feb 07, 2009 2:48 pm

Sx has sampling.

What does MX have that's really worth considering it over SX?

Tarekith · Post by **Tarekith** » Sat Feb 07, 2009 3:21 pm

5 cool synths, and some really nice built in drum sounds.