Korg Electribe S 2 Sampler Production Station (Red)

The electribe series lets users play back their carefully made patterns while using intuitive features to add spice and reveal new sonic possibilities. About ten years after the electribe SX first went on the market, there's now a new sampler in the electribe family that's designed to be simple and easy for the beginner to understand, and that much more enjoyable for veteran electribe users.

The electribe sampler is reborn with state of the art technology inherited from other popular KORG products like the KingKORG, kaossilator, kaoss pad, and taktile. The internal memory lets Users save up to 250 patterns, including preset patterns which are ideal for the modern dance music scene. It also includes support for the indispensable polyphonic playback for music styles that include complex chord progressions, like House music.

Using the 16 pads located on the front of the unit, users can build patterns intuitively while actually hearing and visualizing the sounds. The pads can be used as a keyboard to record phrases in realtime, and also to step record by entering the pitch and rhythmic value note be note. The patterns that can be created can be used in alternate forms while performing by taking advantage of the "step jump" feature inherited from the volca series, or by varying the "last step" to choose the length of each part. There's also a "motion sequence" function that allows users record knob and button operations and incorporate them in the patterns that they create. Both drums or synths can now be assigned to each one of the 16 parts (i.e., the 16 pads). For example users could create complex rhythms by assigning drum sounds to all of the 16 parts.

Similar to the kaossilator it features the well known "touch scale" function that allows anyone perform without hitting a wrong note, simply by swiping a finger across the touch pad. The trigger pads that were so popular on the taktile are also included, making it simple for anyone to create phrases intuitively. The trigger pads can also be used as drum input. Settings let the user to switch velocity on/off.

In addition to a sampler sound engine that allows the use of unique and original sounds (samples), there are also several kinds of analog modeling sound engines which are perfect for creating big synth basses and dreamy pad sounds. It can hold up to a total of 999 preset and user loaded samples, and a maximum of 270 seconds of total sampling time (calculated as monaural) can be used. The unit is shipped with various drum, rhythm/phrase loops, and single hit samples included. (collaborations with Sample Magic, Prime Loops ,Loopmasters are included)

Modulation has the possibility of making sound-creation more complicated, but Korg has made it simple by condensing it down to three parameters: simply select a template that specifies a particular effect and its target, and then set the speed and depth of the effect.

The "Time Slice" feature detects attacks within the phrase and slices it appropriately, which allows users to play the phrase at the desired tempo without affecting the sound too much. Parts within a sliced sound can also be used separately by assigning them to individual steps or parts. Users can even apply an effect to a sample, and then resample the effected sound while using the knobs to vary the pitch or modulation of that sound.

The new electribe Sampler features effects like compression and overdrive for each part, giving users unbridled control over the nuances of individual sounds that differ subtly from genre to genre. The groove function can be specified for each part, allowing users to apply a groove to a phrase simply by selecting a template.

New features for live performance: Master effects, Pattern sets, Sync in/out

The master effects can be controlled via the touch pad as they could on the kaoss pad, and they include not just spatial-type effects that shape the overall acoustics but also effects that apply aggressive musical transformations such as the "Vinyl Break" effect which is borrowed from the kaoss pad series, and the newly developed  "Odd Stepper" and "Seq Reverse" which vary the playback order of the sequencer. These are also amazingly effective in a live performance setting. Insert effects can be assigned to individual parts, opening up even more intricate sound-design possibilities.

There's also a "pattern set" function which allows for switch patterns by hitting trigger pads, and an "event recording" function which records that pattern performance. On top of MIDI IN/OUT, "Sync IN/OUT" is also included, which enables synchronized function and performance with the volca series, MS-20 mini or monotribe. The unit can be powered by six AA batteries, so users can easily take it along with them and perform anywhere, providing on-the-go inspiration for musical ideas.

A new workflow with Ableton Live

Morph inspiration into a full on creative production. KORG has collaborated with Ableton to offer a brand new music production workflow that brings together the best of the hardware and software worlds. The electribe Sampler has the ability to internally save and export patterns to Ableton Live format. Individual parts and patterns are saved as scenes and clips into an Ableton Live Set. Use Live’s impressive Session and Arrangement workflows to edit and and sharpen ideas, perform or record new parts, arrange and expand ideas, and mix a song. The Korg electribe Sampler includes Live Lite.

Features

• 16-part sample sequencer with 999 sample slots and 270 seconds total sampling time
• Includes samples and loops from Sample Magic, Loopmasters, and Prime Loops to get you started
• Extensive hands-on control thanks to dedicated knobs and Kaoss-style X-Y pad
• Add sonic variety with 38 effects types
• Load and save samples via SD card
• Create and store up to 250 patterns, and group them together for fast recall
• Easily export your patterns as Ableton Live sets for further production on your computer (Ableton Live 9 Lite included)
• Power via AC adapter or 6 AA batteries
• Sync port lets you synchronize with other Korg instruments