Korg Forums

Hi guys,

I am using my Electribe EMX for about a year, it is a real great device and I do not want to miss it. I use it in combination with a two channel dj mixer with a built-in fx unit.

Now after a year I encountered the limitations the EMX sadly offers, and want to bridge these gaps with a certain soft or hardware. Maybe you could help me with making a decision, because I feel somehow lost.

In concrete words, I want to add samples, chords, scratches and instruments the EMX does not has. I want to keep my setup simple and transportable. I already tried the MPC. I think it is a cool device, but the sample managment sucks ass, and I do not like the saving system. In addition to that, I already bought Ableton Live Intro. Theoretcially, it would be great use as a soft synth, and a sequencer which could be synched with my EMX.

Sadly, Ableton Live has a slow workflow compared to the EMX, and the bpm clock does not synch very well to my EMX. Maybe I have to invest more time, but Ableton Live seems not to be the software I am looking for.

Yesterday, I downloaded the trial version of Traktor Pro. It is great fun using it as one turntable, and the second deck is the EMX. You can add loops and mix them wiht the EMX' sounds, and remixing would also be possible. I am thinking about buying this piece of software and a controller.

So, I want to add something to my EMX/Mixer couple. Do you think it is handy using a DJ software in combination with the EMX? Do you have any other suggestion? Any comment is appreciated!

Olivander12 wrote:I want to add samples, chords, scratches and instruments the EMX does not has. I want to keep my setup simple and transportable.

Probably the easiest and most straightforward hardware answer would be the ESX, which is the sampling companion to your EMX. They are made to work together and sync'ing them up is simple. You'll have to use a computer for sample management when you're at home, but on the road you'll be self-contained.

I don't use Traktor (or any other software for that matter) but I've heard good things about it for DJ'ing. If it's fitting your needs so far, you might head over to the Native Instruments forums and ask there as well for more perspective.

The synth parts on the EMX can play standard chords, but if you want to play non-standard chords you'll have to build your own, using multiple parts to play multiple notes.

This is going to be true of any sequenced instrument; if you want to use a sequencer (EMX or something else) to play chords on a different synthesizer (via MIDI), you'll have to build the chords note by note.

Thanks for the fast responses. I had the ESX on my radar, but when it comes to samples I do think software is superior as you can see the waveform of the samples and slice them easily. Nevertheless the ESX would probably fit very tight to my setup, but I want to do more than just only sampling.

I will also check the Traktor Forums out and ask whether somebody uses the EMX in combination with it.

The thing is just that I have to make sure that the device/software I buy will integrate in my setup. I ordered a lot of things in the last weeks which all turned out to be not that what I excpected them to be.

Have you thought of a KP3? This will certainly add some sparkle to your EMX. Also have you experimented with the chord oscillator on the EMX?

[quote="robosardine"]Have you thought of a KP3? This will certainly add some sparkle to your EMX. Also have you experimented with the chord oscillator on the EMX?[/quote]

Yes, I owned the KP3 for three months. I like the effect section, but the sample feature is very poor. Loading times are terrible, you have to manually convert .wav data into the KP3 format, and there is no time stretching. For FX I have my mixer, so I sold it.

The chord oscillator does what it has to, but I would like to implement chords of every oscillator and every pcm sample. Not only saw, sinus and stuff waveforms.

The Traktor boards seem to not have experience with hardware sequencer, because nobody gave me any feedback yet. Nevertheless, there is a upcoming device called the F1 Kontrol. It only works with the hardware, and is somekind of 16 pad midi trigger with very tight sample/loop control. Afaik it only works as a perfomance tool, so no sequencer, but it would be nearly the device I was looking for. It also features some kind of loop recorder like the Kaoss Pad 3, which would be also very handy.

Here is a video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24ne21iIxC0

I would use it as deck A in Traktor, deck b would be my EMX. I have to think about the audio setup, but I think this setup may work out.

If it fits your budget, look into the Octatrack too. Would definitely meet your needs based on what you've said so far.

[quote="chad9477"]If it fits your budget, look into the Octatrack too. Would definitely meet your needs based on what you've said so far.[/quote]

I never heard of the Octatrack until now, and it seems to be a hell of sequencer-drum computer-sampler-hybrid. Nevertheless, it totally bursts my budget and I think that one sequencer is enough. The F1 Kontrol I prevoíously mentioned would add some live character to my sound.

with regards to EMX with traktor I've done it before works ok but you will probably want some kind of pad controller to trigger your sample banks if you're using the EMX for audio and not for MIDI control (I wouldnt think using it for both would work so well... the audio from the EMX would probably be noticeably ahead of whats happening in traktor from the MIDI signals.. or maybe thats just cos I dont have a decent MIDI interace. i have also used the EMX as a controller for traktor so you can use it to sequence sample triggering, FX, cue points etc. takes alot of time doing all the mapping but in the end you can get some insane combos.
and you can also sequence knob movements within traktor using motion sequence on EMX and mapping that CC to a knob/fader within traktor.
for example record a knob movement for an FX control in traktor.

for sample triggering/cue juggling: synth part 1 (midi channel 1) any note can be assigned to any toggle/hold function within traktor like a sample trigger or jump to cue point. times this by 5 and you have incredible possibilities... and can turn these control sequences on and off at any time with part muting.

I still have to try again with all this. Not so sure about the latency of MIDI signals thru my cheapo MIDI-USB cable. definitely worth more experimentation.

the merits of using EMX with DJ software all depends on what you're intending to do with them both. For myself my DJing is completely separate from my hardware production and performance.

How about an iOS device, iPhone or iPad? You will then have an ever expanding arsenal of tools. You could sync for instance Beatmaker2 to it. Or NLogSynth, Sunrizer, Xenon, synths, samplers, beatmanglers and so on. And who knows, maybe some new apps from Korg too. The iElectribe & iMS-20 are excellent examples of what Korg can do on iOS. Just get an iRig or i-MX1 midi cable to it and you're up and running. Most audio apps are pretty cheap too.

punpkomg wrote:with regards to EMX with traktor I've done it before works ok but you will probably want some kind of pad controller to trigger your sample banks if you're using the EMX for audio and not for MIDI control (I wouldnt think using it for both would work so well... the audio from the EMX would probably be noticeably ahead of whats happening in traktor from the MIDI signals.. or maybe thats just cos I dont have a decent MIDI interace. i have also used the EMX as a controller for traktor so you can use it to sequence sample triggering, FX, cue points etc. takes alot of time doing all the mapping but in the end you can get some insane combos.
and you can also sequence knob movements within traktor using motion sequence on EMX and mapping that CC to a knob/fader within traktor.
for example record a knob movement for an FX control in traktor.

for sample triggering/cue juggling: synth part 1 (midi channel 1) any note can be assigned to any toggle/hold function within traktor like a sample trigger or jump to cue point. times this by 5 and you have incredible possibilities... and can turn these control sequences on and off at any time with part muting.

I still have to try again with all this. Not so sure about the latency of MIDI signals thru my cheapo MIDI-USB cable. definitely worth more experimentation.

the merits of using EMX with DJ software all depends on what you're intending to do with them both. For myself my DJing is completely separate from my hardware production and performance.

Sounds very interesting to me. You implemented the EMX in a very tight way, so that Traktor will not work without the EMX as a controller. I will try that way, too, but first of all I want Traktor to be just a sound source which adds something to the Emx' sound (samples, loops). So no midi connection other than clock sync.

Did you also try to play the EMX in sync with Trakor? I know, manual beatmatching is not that diffcult, but it would be cool if you start deck A, and the Electribe starts as well with the same BPM.

Your last point probably reasons why you give the EMX that much power. I am producing for about 11 months, and my results are not more than ok. So if I want to have a decent live set, I have to remix, use other songs, loops, etc. because they were made by people who are simply better. The EMX can add things here and there, so that I can increase the amount of the Electribe's sounds from time to time.

In a nutshell, the set ups I have in my mind looks like this; but it might be not the best option.

a)
Traktor + USB Controller for Samples, maybe one Turntable, internally mixed into on channel
-> Channel 1

Two Channel DJ Mixer

EMX
-> Channel 2

b)
Traktor + Turntable controller
-> Channel 1

Two Channel DJ Mixer

Traktor sample deck output (2.5 introduces remix deck) triggered by a midi controller into the EMX audio in. EMX and Traktor form one unit, EMX midi controlls/sequences samples in Traktor (as you said)

-> Channel 2

Some friends told me to better invest time into one device, until they results on their own are good enoguh for a live set, but I would love to just perform a bit.

Olivander12 wrote:
Did you also try to play the EMX in sync with Trakor? I know, manual beatmatching is not that diffcult, but it would be cool if you start deck A, and the Electribe starts as well with the same BPM.

Unless your MIDI interface has very low latency you will always get a little lag in the two audio signals (press play traktor: deck and EMX start). When I have used the EMX as a 'deck' with traktor I don't bother with MIDI clock at all. I hate being locked in with MIDI clock especially if having to mix in and out and beatmatch, I treat it like an individual deck which i mix in and out with a track deck or sample decks on traktor.

Olivander12 wrote:
Some friends told me to better invest time into one device, until they results on their own are good enoguh for a live set, but I would love to just perform a bit.

I would recommend you do this as much as possible, focus alot on working with the EMX alone when you can, and also working with traktor by itself... trying to jump straight into integrating two very different systems of performing can be alot more to learn than when you are focussing on one thing at a time then incorporating them when you know both better.

seeing as you want to do kinda live remixing using the EMX.. then use the EMX as a separate deck, don't bother with MIDI clock syncing unless you find it easier to use, just beatsync by ear. practice nudging the BPM on the EMX similar to the way you would with a jog wheel (bump up to catch up, down to slow down then return to correct BPM when in phase)

experiment to find out what works best for you

Ok you are probably right. My plans were based on the intergration of both systems, but I never thought about just using them seperately.

In two weeks I will report how things went.

kae wrote:How about an iOS device, iPhone or iPad? You will then have an ever expanding arsenal of tools. You could sync for instance Beatmaker2 to it. Or NLogSynth, Sunrizer, Xenon, synths, samplers, beatmanglers and so on. And who knows, maybe some new apps from Korg too. The iElectribe & iMS-20 are excellent examples of what Korg can do on iOS. Just get an iRig or i-MX1 midi cable to it and you're up and running. Most audio apps are pretty cheap too.

+1

Hi,

noobie alert! My first post on the forum. Just got an er-1 and would like to sync it to traktor. I've read they dont work to well together.

Did you manage to sort this out?

Cheers