Electribe ESX-1 Music Production Sampler

The Korg Electribe ESX-1 Music Production Sampler represents a new generation of Electribes”powerful dance music products that cover everything from laying down stunning tracks to creating exhilarating live performances. Stunning 16-bit sampling offers one-shot, pitched, time-stretched, and time-sliced options. The intuitive step-time/realtime interface has been enhanced with new ribbon and slider controls. Effects, Motion Sequencing, and pattern length have all been expanded. A brand-new filter lets you choose Low Pass, High Pass, Band Pass, or Band Pass Plus. It comes housed in a sleek, rugged metal chassis. The backlit LCD provides a wealth of information during programming or performance.

Up to 256 patterns can be created and stored in internal memory. You can combine patterns and add mute data and knob movements to create up to 64 songs. To get you started, a wide assortment of patterns covering house, hip-hop, R&B, electronica, drum 'n' bass, techno, trance, and more come preloaded”128 in all. Using the last step function, you can easily adjust to any odd meter. Favorite patterns can be assigned to pattern sets for instant access. Data can be quickly saved and loaded via SmartMedia.
Audio inputs allow you to process external signals through the onboard filter and effects, and an extra pair of assignable outputs has been added as well. The front-panel knobs and switches control all the most important sound parameters, allowing you to modify the sound in realtime as you perform, and giving you a hands-on feel like that of an analog synthesizer.

Sophisticated Sampling and Instant Dance Music Creation

The ESX1 lets you take a variety of approaches in creating songs, elevating it beyond just a sampler and rhythm module into a comprehensive tool for music production.
Using sample-based sound creation, it can generate a total of 16 parts that can be used for building patterns. 9 parts are set up to play as "one-shot" samples or drum parts. 2 additional keyboard parts allow samples to be played melodically at various pitches right from the step keys or from a MIDI input. Sampled loops can be assigned to the Stretch Parts. As Stretch Parts, their tempos can be adjusted without affecting their pitch. This allows 2 sample loops recorded at different tempos to be played back at the same time in sync. Phrase samples can also be "sliced" or divided up at the rhythmic peaks of the sample. Once sliced, individual samples can be muted to generate new grooves. Pitch, filter, and effect settings can be applied to the individual sliced samples to transform the original phrase into something unique. 2 accent parts introduce added dynamics. Reverse and Roll commands can be used to quickly generate complex-sounding patterns. Additional sample edit commands include Normalize, Truncate, and Start Point.

A generous 285 seconds of memory (at 44.1kHz) can be used to create up to 384 of your own samples. The ELECTRIBE-SX includes a wide variety of preloaded samples”196 in all”so that you can start producing dance music immediately. Samples (WAV/AIFF format) can be imported and exported via SmartMedia.

Twin vacuum tubes for analog warmth

Valve Force circuitry places 2 vacuum tubes on the main outputs that add new power to your sound. The analog tube circuit gives warmth and presence to your sound that cannot be duplicated digitally. The tube gain knob adjusts the level of the output passing through the vacuum tubes, creating dynamic sounds with the distinctive tonal quality that only tubes deliver.

3 Stereo Effect Processors to Radically Change Your Sound

The highly acclaimed Electribe effects have been enhanced to provide 3 multi-effect units available for simultaneous use. Each part can be independently routed to any of the 3 effects processors, and you can even use the Chain function to link multiple effects in series, opening up further sonic possibilities. Each processor offers 16 effect types ranging from traditional reverb, delay, flanger, and chorus, as well as more modern offerings including tempo-based delay, talking modulator, grain shifter, decimator, and more. The edits you make to each of the effects processors are saved with each pattern.

Powerful Arpeggiator with Ribbon Controller and Slider

A ribbon controller and slider have been added, providing a remarkable realtime interface for accessing the powerful arpeggiator. Together, they allow you to enter pattern data or perform over a pattern quickly and with amazingly musical results. When playing a synth part, select a scale type or hold down a few notes”the ribbon controller will affect note duration, and the slider can be played in realtime to generate new phrases. For a drum part, touching the ribbon will trigger notes, and sliding your finger up and down will change the note resolution.

Motion Sequencing Brings your Songs to Life

Motion Sequencing records your realtime knob tweaks and plays them back as part of the pattern. 2 types of motion sequence are provided; one for effects and one for parts, and you can also edit the value of individual steps. Up to 24 motion sequences can be used in a single pattern, allowing you to control virtually every sound parameter. The Step Edit function allows you to adjust the value of individual steps.

Easy-to-Use Realtime and Step Style Sequencing

The 14 part keys and 16 step keys on the front panel of the ELECTRIBE-SX allow for easy, intuitive song production. Realtime recording lets you record phrases as you perform, and step recording allows you to input the timing, pitch, and duration one note at a time.

A Variety of Tempo Sources

Using auto BPM detection, the ESX1 can follow the tempo of an external audio source. You can also use tap tempo to input the beat, set the tempo internally, or sync up to an external MIDI clock.