The electribe COMPLETE effects guide (and FX review)

[dutchcow]

I never owned a previous model so I can't comment on that but I find it not too bad this way. An easy way to try different modulations.

I'm able to conform a bit to the way Korg wants me to use the device, but not too much of course

For now there's enough to fiddle with and discover and play around with. Lately been having a lot of fun with Little MIDI Machine. It outputs sequences to 2 different pads. Pretty nice for basslines.

I'm temped to make the oscillator list for all 400+ sounds, but hoping somebody else will do it instead

I agree with most of the IFX being way too tame/lacking depth. Maybe it's an idea to start a prayer circle and ask for a firmware update soon. Or better, an SDK/open source the whole thing.

Or at least a shift parameter for delays and such so we can decide the delay time and feedback separately. Ideally when it's possible there should be a shift option, it's silly of Korg to not give us control when they can.

[Spheric El]

Thank you so much Ted3000 ,that was absolutely awesome.
So well written,it didn't seem like you'd over looked anything, though you would expect to miss some things this early on and they would make more sense in a few months ,but it seems like you had everything covered -and so well written too.(I liked the way you were looking for different ways of saying "not anough mix").
It seems crazy to not give us anough range/be too polite on a machine like this (why be stingy?) and an XY pad that only uses one dimension has to be questionable.What I may add is maybe things like a limiter as IFX could be for the sampler version..
But basically you answered every question I had concerning that effects unit,you absolutely nailed it.Hats off to you.

[Ted3000]

Thank you so much Ted3000 ,that was absolutely awesome.
So well written,it didn't seem like you'd over looked anything, though you would expect to miss some things this early on and they would make more sense in a few months ,but it seems like you had everything covered -and so well written too.(I liked the way you were looking for different ways of saying "not anough mix").
It seems crazy to not give us anough range/be too polite on a machine like this (why be stingy?) and an XY pad that only uses one dimension has to be questionable.What I may add is maybe things like a limiter as IFX could be for the sampler version..
But basically you answered every question I had concerning that effects unit,you absolutely nailed it.Hats off to you.

Very kind of you! I enjoyed combing through the effects carefully. Writing a guide for others is a great way to learn about it yourself - and I did discover new things along the way - plus I got to rant about the things I didn't like.

I'm also trying to break a habit I have - where I buy gear, get bored, and sell it, rinse and repeat. Then I see a fantastic YouTube video where someone has exploited lots of tricks, and I think, "damn, why didn't I dig in become an expert instead of listing it on eBay?"

In regards to the effects - I really think there's some kind of DSP load the system has to work in. Why else would effects sound so plain?

If you remember the Korg MicroSampler (came out around 2009 I think) it had fantastic effects. They had plenty of character and options - and the MicroSampler Manual even describes them with signal diagrams and everything.

Just check this description of the MicroSampler's Tape Delay and look at all the parameters - there's 14 of them!

Go to page 55:

http://i.korg.com/uploads/Support/micro ... 910000.pdf

[dutchcow]

I think Korg has dumbed the device down to appeal to a broader audience maybe. I can't see a reason why a 2014/2015 embedded device with loads of cpu power and dedicated dsp chips can't give as much or more control than previous models/devices.

I can imagine the device might sell less if it seems too daunting for someone who wants to produce a trance track in 30 minutes with. I do hope Korg chooses for musicians and opens up the system to allow more control over parameters and remove the taming thats going on in future updates.

Does Korg actually monitor these forums? They didn't bother to reply to my 2nd email after they told me (in a borderline rude 2 line email) to go the music store I bought my e2 at in response to my questions, as if the music store can fix firmware bugs or add stuff to it

I also do not want to sell mine, actually I can still return it (90 days trial). The e2 has great promise and lot of potential. It would be sad if lack of proper software turns it into a lemon.

So until there is a JJ OS like firmware for our e2's; let the firmware updates flow dear people at Korg!

[roblabs]

I think Korg has dumbed the device down to appeal to a broader audience maybe. I can't see a reason why a 2014/2015 embedded device with loads of cpu power and dedicated dsp chips can't give as much or more control than previous models/devices.

I can see where you're coming from. I just got this yesterday, but didn't get time to jump on it until I got back late from the studio. I spent a few hours on it yesterday, as well as a few more today. It almost feels like a kaossilator blended with an electribe....I will touch upon this more when I write my review, but anyone who's used both gear will understand what I'm saying, and even more so in relation to your comment.

[roblabs]

Ted3000,

very in depth and concise! thanks for taking your time to do this!

A few things I want to add:

In general, I find the Master FX to be superior to the Inserts. Delay is a good example of this.

The effects are indeed very tame, and the names can be misleading. For example, Overdrive is just basically an amplifier, boosting your levels, really. Distortion is laughable, but you're better off going with the Decimator or Bit Crusher instead.

The effects are very reminiscent of those found on the EA and ES mk1 units. Some are great and some are just meh.

I've also noticed that even if you have the EDIT knob on 0, you still get an effect once you turn on the IFX.

Lastly, I've found that certain FX shine more depending on what PCM or waveform you're using. There is definitely a learning curve with this.

[Ted3000]

Ted3000,

very in depth and concise! thanks for taking your time to do this!

A few things I want to add:

In general, I find the Master FX to be superior to the Inserts. Delay is a good example of this.

The effects are indeed very tame, and the names can be misleading. For example, Overdrive is just basically an amplifier, boosting your levels, really. Distortion is laughable, but you're better off going with the Decimator or Bit Crusher instead.

The effects are very reminiscent of those found on the EA and ES mk1 units. Some are great and some are just meh.

I've also noticed that even if you have the EDIT knob on 0, you still get an effect once you turn on the IFX.

Lastly, I've found that certain FX shine more depending on what PCM or waveform you're using. There is definitely a learning curve with this.

Yep, and I'm determined to not let the learning curve beat me. By making things streamlined and simple, Korg has made some things harder - I have to create a new way to do things.

Speaking of distortions - I'm documenting the PCM edit knob now, and here's a preview: When Distortion is the edit effect - sometimes turning it up it gets really loud, like on the kick drums. But sometimes it's compensated for volume and there's like a built-in limiter. The compensation amount varies all over the map. It seems a little bit random.

Korg have a legacy of great effects algorithms from the Kaoss series (imagine those great effects and combos running on a nice quiet platform like the e2) and things like the MicroSampler - but it's like they started over with straight digital effects: no frills, no modeled voicing, no control.

And yes, some IFX have an effect once your turn it on, and some need a value other than zero. Another area that feels random.

[whormongr]

one thing that surprises me is that there isn't an actual reverb in the insertfx, it is something that would be really useful, way more useful than the static delays

[Ted3000]

one thing that surprises me is that there isn't an actual reverb in the insertfx, it is something that would be really useful, way more useful than the static delays

Reverbs are processor hogs. The master reverb already sounds a little bit low quality - and I'm guessing that's as much as the DSP can handle.

If there was a reverb on the insert effect, then you could have multiple instances plus master. The verb would end up eating voices real quick.

Delays use memory but not much processing - they're easy to implement and that's why you get them on the inserts.

If I had designed the electribe 2, I would have had a dedicated reverb processor with a few flavors, each freerunning. Each part would get a Send Amount and Wet/Dry ratio.

[whormongr]

true - I mean I would be happy with a master reverb outside of the IFX with a send - and/or a physical loop out where I could use an outboard effect - the thing I just want to be able to do is apply say a reverb to the snare in a pattern w/o a wet kick or apply to an ambient synth sound w/o applying to the bass etc. and still be able to use a masterfx over it - like the grain, so a send would be fine. Even if you had to eat up one voice for a reverb send it would be cool - as it is thee are workarounds but it would be nice to have it all in the box

[cl516]

Hi, sorry if this has been covered,

but do the MIDI Effects apply to the MIDI OUT?

Are the MIDI Effects useable to control other synths then?

thx

[Ted3000]

Hi, sorry if this has been covered,

but do the MIDI Effects apply to the MIDI OUT?

Are the MIDI Effects useable to control other synths then?

thx

If you've sequenced an external synth with the electribe, the MIDI effects will work on the externally controlled synth too - since the effect is to the sequence.

[Ted3000]

Experiment Result:

We know that quarter notes are the longest delay time. Also the longest loop for loopers, etc.

But how slow can those quarter notes be? Can you halve your tempo to get half-note delays?

Sort of. If you're at a higher tempo to begin with.

Turning the tempo down from 120 will make the quarter-note delay or loop slower. However, you can't double the time. All the way to 61 BPM the quarter note delay will get longer. But at 60, it flips to double time - effectively 60 bpm 8th notes. It will do this again when you approach 30.

So the longest delays the buffer can deliver are quarter notes at 61 BPM.

[king43rd]

Just wanted to say... nice work on the FX run through!

I particularly like the idea of using the SHIFT for another parameter control. Only if Korg would listen and make some sense soon. Forums like these give awesome suggestions but it doesn't appear that anyone from the company is listening.

I could only imagine if they did?!

[Ted3000]

Thank you - and I agree.

Shift plus Knob on the inserts for a 2nd parameter would really open this machine up to be an effects monster!