Electribe 2 firmware update

[jericho]

A little birdie told me that Korg was going to release another firmware update. Korg, if you're listening, PLEASE include pattern length increase to 8 bars (128 steps) and true unsolo (not unmute all parts. This is very important to live performance. If I have, say, 4 tracks muted, I'd like to solo 1 or 2 tracks for a couple beats and then unsolo them and go back to the 4 tracks muted state (just like if using any audio mixer's solo function)). Thanks!

[SMK]

A little birdie huh?

Well if a new update is on the way, then that means programmers are done with this next version, because it's well "on the way".

As far as adding more bars, I believe that was par of what Korg was trying to do with the use of pattern chaining. Remember Korg programmers have to work with the limitations of the memory inside the machine. Using pattern chaining IMHO was a pretty slick way of getting at least two of what everyone was asking for with one stone; more than 4 bars being on of those things (song mode was the other).

Anyhow. if there is a new firmware on the way, what every new idea we all have right now, will have to wait till the next update.

Did the little birdie mention an expected release date for this new update? Will it be in a month or two months?

[jericho]

They gave me no date. I'm hoping within a few months.

[Ted3000]

PLEASE let there be a shift parameter or two on the insert effects. (or menu based parameters.)

And please improve the control/voicing of those effects. And maybe add more of them!

Distortion is useless without a post gain level, and it could use more dirt or and even more types, like fuzz, etc. Short delay is almost inaudible without a level, and could use more feedback, and currently does not use all 128 steps to adjust speed. (There's only 128 steps, why not use all of them?)

I could go on, but won't, because I've been pointlessly shouting a version of this rant into the void for years.

[WestLondoner]

As someone who owns the EMX1, the ESX1 and the E2, I have to say that I've found pattern chaining (while still a welcome option) is, nevertheless, just not the same as having 8 bars with which to work.

So this poster hopes both that the OP is onto something, and that Korg will hopefully find a way to give us 8 bars again.

Of all the differences between the current gen of Electribes and the last, I miss working with 8 bars the most. While some speak of pattern chaining as being a kind of 'bush fix' to not having 8 bars - this poster would argue that pattern chaining feels much more like a replacement for the previous 'song mode' than anything else. Though in many respects, it would surely be a steep if not formidable challenge, to adopt the current gen to work with 8 bar patterns. For example - take the way there are four red leds which light to represent each of the four bars - how would they change those to reflect the pattern moving through bars 5,6,7 & 8 respectively? I'm thinking that a quick 'double blink' of each respective red led for each of bars 5-8 might do it, but might there be a better way that they could represent the four extra bars - assuming that giving us the four extra bars is at least a realistic proposition? It would of course be more ideal if bars 1-4 could be represented by a red led, and each of bars 5-8 could be represented by e.g., a green led - but that would assume that each of the four red LEDs could possibly be programmed to light in an alternative colour - which, of course, may not even be possible, without first replacing the leds themselves!? And then there's the potential problem, as another poster rightly suggests, with memory - i.e., needing more of it, just to accommodate the longer patterns... That might be solved (if it even needs solving) by allowing a person to compose in 8 bars, with only a 125 pattern limit - i.e., once the 8 bar option is enabled. That arguably wouldn't be a problem to those of us who backed up the remaining 125 patterns that would be lost if the option is enabled. Think of it as the price of being given the option of more composing room. And, of course, persons should be free to choose that option if they wished or not. Some must be happy with the 4 bar limit, after all.

Anyway, it's clear that there are a lot of obstacles, possible compromises and definite challenges to be met, for 8 bar patterns to become a welcome reality. Hmmm

[rpc9943]

Well dang I just bought an emx 1 , maybe I'll hang on to the e2 for a bit. Ha ha

[Poumtschak]

So this poster hopes both that the OP is onto something, and that Korg will hopefully find a way to give us 8 bars again.

Leave that dead horse alone, it won't happen.

Anyways, for talented people, 2 bars are plenty enough.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxA6keMgpFw

[WestLondoner]

So this poster hopes both that the OP is onto something, and that Korg will hopefully find a way to give us 8 bars again.

Leave that dead horse alone, it won't happen.

Anyways, for talented people, 2 bars are plenty enough.

"

Well *if* you're nadda joking, and with respect, that's a matter of opinion. 8 bars gives more room to work over 2 or even 4 bars. More (not less) creative legroom is always better, in other words - no matter how talented one thinks one is. For example, Michelangelo could draw better than any one of us with just two colours - black and white - when using a pencil on a white sheet, but how would the Sistine chapel have looked if he was constrained to paint it only in black and white!? More flexibility to create - is surely the better way. And BTW, unless you're being sarcastic, didn't you meant to write "4 bars are plenty enough"?

[Poumtschak]

And BTW, unless you're being sarcastic, didn't you meant to write "4 bars are plenty enough"?

You missed my laughing smiley, obviously.

You can get good results with 4 - or even less - bars @ low BPM. Millolab demonstrates that damn well, and Mistabishi used this workaround a lot from the very begining in his demos and factory patterns.

When it comes to 8 bars, it won't happen since it would break the e2(s)pat file structure, factory patterns and firmware compatibility.
Pattern chaining highlighted the fact that the electribe2/s can only hold one pattern in memory at a time.
More than 2 years after the e2 release, and with most of the bugs ironed out, if Korg could have done more than this kinda lame link between patterns with the current hardware and software the electribes are built on, be sure they would have.

Cheers! <- there's a smiley here as well.

[WestLondoner]

Smiley or not, let's look at the facts. You mentioned Mistabishi, which is great. I'm glad you did, actually not least because I admire his work too. Let's look at what happened when the professional musicians, including Mistabishi, were given free reign to programme a bank of patterns for the last generation of Electribes: the esx1 and the emx1.

Let's remember that when programming for the ESX1SD, Mistabishi and crew were given free reign to compose in 2, 4 or 8 bars.

So if your argument is right, that all you need if you're 'good enough' is 2 or 4 bars with which to work, then surely those musicians would have written the majority of their tunes with median use of either 4 or 2 bars. Wouldn't they!?

But what actually happened?

Over 70% of the patterns created by these talented musicians were created not with 4 bars, not with 2 bars, but solely with 8 bars. Over 70%! In other words, 45/64 patterns in Bank A, and 46/64 patterns in Bank B, were written in 8 bars, on the ESX1 and similar on the EMX1. Barely more than a handful of patterns were written in 2 bars.

Wouldn't you think that if those professionals preferred to programme just over 70% of the default bank of patterns, on the ESX1, when they had the completely free choice to programme in either 4 bar or 8 bars, that it might just mean... gulp... that writing with 8 bars could at times be... (dare I say it) preferable. That is exactly what those facts are suggesting. Anyway, now that I've given a compelling argument that more choice, for flexing one's creativity is better than a lesser choice, perhaps we'll then let others decide which one of us is more likely to have a fair point?

[Ted3000]

Why stop at 8? Why not 16? 16 parts, 16 pads, 16 bars.

That won't happen, probably.

I want those shift insert effect parameters.

I'd also like it if the resonance wasn't tapered off so hard. Why have a filter called "acid" if it can't reach the signature high pitched range of the 303?

Promise this is the last time I mention it. It's either in the next firmware or I send it to the local electronics recycling center.

[thebiglebowski]

Smiley or not, let's look at the facts.

Look man, you joined this forums in July this year. Since the introduction of E2 in 2014 the topic of 8 bars has been discussed to death.

Everything that has to be said about that, has been said. There's nothing to contribute. There's no point in discussing it further.

8 bars (or more) is not coming in this generation of Electribes. End of story.

[SMK]

Smiley or not, let's look at the facts.

Look man, you joined this forums in July this year. Since the introduction of E2 in 2014 the topic of 8 bars has been discussed to death.

Everything that has to be said about that, has been said. There's nothing to contribute. There's no point in discussing it further.

8 bars (or more) is not coming in this generation of Electribes. End of story.

Well said Mr. Lebowski-

Actual physical 8 bars is never going to happen. We have a chain pattern mode (although not ideal) which with a little imagination will help you compose an awesome piece entirely in the box in much the same way as if you constructed it from a unit with 8 bars. Adapt, Overcome, Create!

Now let's get back to guessing what new features will be in the new update. Who guesses if the petition had something to do with this move from Korg?

https://www.change.org/p/please-help-ma ... r-korg-inc

[WestLondoner]

@SMK seeing as you joined in 2006, you must have genius intellect by now, given your above reasoning, so well done you! Even though I don't have the years of forum experience to back up every word I write, I still have four decades of life experience, even if you believe my views are worthless. On that note, his argument would have been "well said", if he could at least quote where others have used the same argument, in exactly the same way, that I've raised it.

And further, my post was on topic, and relevant to the possibilities raised by the original poster

So even if you both believe yourselves superior to the lowly newcomer, to say "well said" to an opinion without any particular facts to back it up etc., says more about you, than it does about anything I've raised.

[SMK]

Well I was going to post some not so promising news regarding the new firmware rumor and then this popped up:

@SMK seeing as you joined in 2006, you must have genius intellect by now, given your above reasoning, so well done you! Even though I don't have the years of forum experience to back up every word I write, I still have four decades of life experience, even if you believe my views are worthless. On that note, his argument would have been "well said", if he could at least quote where others have used the same argument, in exactly the same way, that I've raised it.

And further, my post was on topic, and relevant to the possibilities raised by the original poster

So even if you both believe yourselves superior to the lowly newcomer, to say "well said" to an opinion without any particular facts to back it up etc., says more about you, than it does about anything I've raised.

You know, I had a feeling in the back of my mind that when I hit the "submit" button, someone might feel a little "Dismissed". Yep right on cue!

So, first off, I'd like to say "thank you" for the wonderful compliment. I don't typically think of myself as of having "genius intellect" but I do appreciate those who recognize something wonderful in me regardless of how I may feel. It puts a smile on my face to read nice things

Second, back to what I was going to say about some not so promising news regarding a possible new Firmware for the Electribes:

I'm not aware of any updates coming or any to add more functionality

Ian Bradshaw, who is the KORG Category Manager at Korg UK, is connected with the development of the both the new Electribes. Now, his response is, he has not heard anything to support the release of a new firmware. This, to me, deflates any hope that Korg will be rolling out another firmware update, for us, before the end of the year...just a little.

jericho, if you could offer up some more support information to reaffirm the rumor, that would really be helpful.