I have owned every version of the Korg Electribe range since they first came to Australia. My favourite Electribe has been the ESX (with the valves) which I use in my Live setup. This latest version pushes the boundary even further and gives new meaning to "mixing inside the box". For Live use, I can now have the components for a complete track programmed into the sequencer and leave a few spare elements for "finger drumming" with free-style loops or samples. I do miss the valves and extra output channels that I have with the ESX version of the Electribe Sampler though.

Another valuable tool from Korg that has multiple uses. You can very likely write a whole song on this especially with sampling capabilities! I thought I could hod more samples on it with 32 gb. I’m still learning though but I recommend a larger sd card to sample more. My opinion so far. I love Korg and American Musical!!!

Another winner from Korg

Amazing updated feature set. Easy to use and program. The preloaded sounds are very useful, the bonus with this updated version is you can sample your own sounds (not to be confused with the ES2 model, which doesn't sample). You may need to clear up some memory space first - the Korg website has a blank preload file to make things easy. Also runs on 6 x AA batteries for further added use - take it on the bus or train with a set of headphones. There's nothing on the market in this price range to compare it to. Great fun and portable. ...and it has flashing lights underneath :-)

Better know How to Sampler before you Buy!

The manual is simple but incomplete. If you don't know how to sample, it does not really say much. A lot of important details are left out and Korg does not seem to have any plans to do a video tutorial.Also, the sampler does not contain sounds from its sister Electribe which I was unaware of before purchasing.I'd probably give this Five stars if I didn't have to spend so much time figuring it out on my own.It's really a cool piece of equipment, but be prepared not to find the answers you need in the manual.

Great

Overall:I’m very happy with this drum machine/sampler. I’ve been making ambient chill out lounge type music with it. Was trying to sync it with my Boss rc-505, but had better luck setting them both to the same tempo and starting both at the same time. This machine is built very solid and has more weight to it than I thought it would, yet it’s also compact. Once you learn your way around it and check the manual a few times, it’s actually fairly streamlined for easy workflow. I definitely like the samples it comes with, but do plan to import some of my own. I’ve been looping keys/piano, synth, strings, guitar etc along side the electribe, and figured that after the loop and drum patterns are made and saved, I can perform it back like I’m a DJ, which is different but ... MoreOverall:I’m very happy with this drum machine/sampler. I’ve been making ambient chill out lounge type music with it. Was trying to sync it with my Boss rc-505, but had better luck setting them both to the same tempo and starting both at the same time. This machine is built very solid and has more weight to it than I thought it would, yet it’s also compact. Once you learn your way around it and check the manual a few times, it’s actually fairly streamlined for easy workflow. I definitely like the samples it comes with, but do plan to import some of my own. I’ve been looping keys/piano, synth, strings, guitar etc along side the electribe, and figured that after the loop and drum patterns are made and saved, I can perform it back like I’m a DJ, which is different but also fun for me. I’ve been saving the loops and drum patterns to the same number bank on each respective machine, so bank 99 on the looper goes with pattern 99 on the electribe and so on. That way I can stay organized and know which loop goes with each beat pattern. I also made mostly blank templates (except for a hit hat) on banks 1 on each machine so I can start a new loop/pattern each time without having to reconfigure my preferred settings (ie drum samples, effects, tempo, and loop settings). Very cool machine. I recommend it.

I'm not a professional DJ, but I find this device enjoyable to use as well as useful.

I enjoy the song that I used the drum machine to make. I did it for a movie soundtrack. I made a loop and modulated the sound for about ten or so minutes. I don't have the knowledge to use it, for specific themes yet, but I don't feel the entry, is the worst song? I guess if loops are programmed by button, we don't go into a session with a "theme in mind", as if you played the cello, but the C.G.I stuff I do keeps me from playing, to the extent, I felt, that if I have the option of having no new stuff, or rely on a button to just play, and acquire the knowledge, of being able to tinker with the sounds to modulate it, than, I can use that to accompany the movie themes I have, so I can put sound and music to slide shows, and snippets of my original movie concepts and ... MoreI enjoy the song that I used the drum machine to make. I did it for a movie soundtrack. I made a loop and modulated the sound for about ten or so minutes. I don't have the knowledge to use it, for specific themes yet, but I don't feel the entry, is the worst song? I guess if loops are programmed by button, we don't go into a session with a "theme in mind", as if you played the cello, but the C.G.I stuff I do keeps me from playing, to the extent, I felt, that if I have the option of having no new stuff, or rely on a button to just play, and acquire the knowledge, of being able to tinker with the sounds to modulate it, than, I can use that to accompany the movie themes I have, so I can put sound and music to slide shows, and snippets of my original movie concepts and it's good for that. I am not a DJ, so I can't give a DJ's advice, but I give it a high rating for what I do.

Impressed

Sound:You can crank this thing up to the max, and it won't clip or distort. Plenty of "out of the box" sounds and samples that are crystal clear and fully manipulative. LPF, HPF, and BPF are great...I didn't expect three to be in this lil unit. The effects are cool, but I haven't found a use for them yet because....well....it's a sampler, and the sounds I use are generally already...effect-ed??Features:I actually expected this unit to be plastic (that's how it looks in the photos), but it is constructed from an aluminum alloy and is quite heavy.The knobs are very tight and solid with no wiggle. They are plastic, and a couple of the knobs are slightly an imperfect circle. The level on the knobs are hard to see since they are just depressed without color change. ... MoreSound:You can crank this thing up to the max, and it won't clip or distort. Plenty of "out of the box" sounds and samples that are crystal clear and fully manipulative. LPF, HPF, and BPF are great...I didn't expect three to be in this lil unit. The effects are cool, but I haven't found a use for them yet because....well....it's a sampler, and the sounds I use are generally already...effect-ed??Features:I actually expected this unit to be plastic (that's how it looks in the photos), but it is constructed from an aluminum alloy and is quite heavy.The knobs are very tight and solid with no wiggle. They are plastic, and a couple of the knobs are slightly an imperfect circle. The level on the knobs are hard to see since they are just depressed without color change. (Have to paint them)It DOES come with two 5-pin midi to 1/8 midi adapters to keep in sync with everything else.Ease of Use:It's a lil confusing and daunting to use without using the manual, but quite easy one you know your way around.It comes with a manual, but do yourself a favor and download the Parameters Guide manual from the website as well for further details and expansion on how to use this.Quality:I honestly wouldn't be afraid of dropping this lil guy. It is built like a tank. You can feel the high quality from the moment you pick it up. Metal case, durable knobs, clear screen.....Korg really did a great job with this guy.The trigger pads and buttons are thick and can take a beating. I'm not afraid of really pounding on the pads!The XY pad though....ehhhh, I'm not sure of yet. It feels like the cover is made of a cheap sheet of plastic that will eventually split or crack....guess we'll find out.Value:The quality, functionalities, and sound make this unit an impressive steal. It's packed with a large amount of features at the cost of one of the older 1999 ESX units.Definitely worth the money!Manufacturer Support:I haven't had a reason to contact support on this device, but I have on other devices and I'm not impressed. I'm still waiting on a response from two weeks ago.The Wow Factor:The overall design, workflow, quality, and sound is just excellent.Has neat multicolor led lights under it that flash different colors in sync with your music too....nice lil feature.Overall:From the moment I held the box, I was impressed....it only got more impressive the longer I used it. Read on....

Improved version.

I have long been a fanatic of Korg equipment, from the original Kaossilator to the recently reissued MS20. This sampler brings together a lot of the features of the aforementioned gizmo but adds much more functionality. You now have complete control over each assignable pad and the ability to load .wav samples. Both of these are, for me, a plus. The sequencer is quite intuitive, though the quantising is sometimes a little harsh, with little option to change it; or indeed to turn it off. I would also have liked more options in terms of filters. This said I have already, a week in, had my money's worth in fun alone. I can even sequence my Ms20 and Volcas. The pattern chain facility adds even more playability. Keep up the good work Korg!

So close, but no cigar

'Poor man's Octatrack' some call it. Well the Elektron interface may be off putting to some but this thing ain't exactly a walk in the park, just try resampling several times in a row and you'll see what I mean. If you have used any of the earlier generation Electribes you will find this is a very different machine - not as intuitive or quick at all. If they had just implemented the UI of the earlier Electribes and maybe had a few less pages in the menu this could have been a classic. I won't go into the wonky polyphony or the cutting off tails when changing patterns as there is plenty of user reports already out there.So now I should mention some upsides. Again in comparison to earlier Electribes it has more/better effects, more polyphony, better pads, better ... More'Poor man's Octatrack' some call it. Well the Elektron interface may be off putting to some but this thing ain't exactly a walk in the park, just try resampling several times in a row and you'll see what I mean. If you have used any of the earlier generation Electribes you will find this is a very different machine - not as intuitive or quick at all. If they had just implemented the UI of the earlier Electribes and maybe had a few less pages in the menu this could have been a classic. I won't go into the wonky polyphony or the cutting off tails when changing patterns as there is plenty of user reports already out there.So now I should mention some upsides. Again in comparison to earlier Electribes it has more/better effects, more polyphony, better pads, better screen and clock sync. There is also the option to have different length patterns running alongside each other for polyrhythm/polymeter.All in all it's not a bad machine, it's just irritating when it's obvious that it could have been so much better.

The right solution for live performance

I chose this unit to take some of the weight off my computer for live performance. I am building a live rig that is very modular synth centric. I was using Ableton and a Launch Pad for most of my rhythmic patterns and loops. After seeing the computer crash during a rehearsal I decided I did not want to be on a stage in front of an audience when it decided do it again.The transition to the Korg versus Ableton has been relatively painless. I have been recording the loops I used in the computer to the Korg and have started sequencing some bass lines and arpeggios on it as well. The synth is not overly complex which is actually kind of nice. It prevents me from getting all caught up in searching for sounds. Instead I just make one from scratch which is super quick ... MoreI chose this unit to take some of the weight off my computer for live performance. I am building a live rig that is very modular synth centric. I was using Ableton and a Launch Pad for most of my rhythmic patterns and loops. After seeing the computer crash during a rehearsal I decided I did not want to be on a stage in front of an audience when it decided do it again.The transition to the Korg versus Ableton has been relatively painless. I have been recording the loops I used in the computer to the Korg and have started sequencing some bass lines and arpeggios on it as well. The synth is not overly complex which is actually kind of nice. It prevents me from getting all caught up in searching for sounds. Instead I just make one from scratch which is super quick with all the dedicated parameter knobs for the signal processors. The XY pad is very fun and inspirational.Overall the Electribe Sampler has been a great addition to my rig. It is well built and wont crash like a computer. The only drawbacks are the small display which means lots of page turning to get at the parameter you want to tweak and the step sequencer doesnt have variable velocity for the steps (or I just havent figured it out yet). Get ready for a bit of a learning curve, but once you get going, it is a real fun little box with a LOT of potential.