Using the Synth Parts of the EMX1 as an Ext Sequencer

teledel · Post by **teledel** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 3:37 pm

HI. I plan on getting an EMX1 ... The only thing stopping me at this point is a questionable function of the sequencer.

This is a question that I had asked before on another board before finding the Korg Forum:

As for the synth part. I want to connect to an Alesis Fusion to record patterns but in the manual it states that it records the EMX's monosynth sounds.
If I connect on MIDI channels 2-5 on the Fusion, will I be able to record polyphony voices to each selected channel? example ch.2=piano chords..layered voices. ..MIX
The reason for this, the fusion's sequencer does not have a step pattern.

I have used the EMX1 briefly at a local shop and I really like to on board drums. I will also plan on using the on board synth sounds when I have synth parts available, when not using the fusion. In a whole, I think the EMX1 has everything I want to control itself and the fusion.

My main question is will i record multiple voices on a single synth part?
Mono vs. Poly

Has anyone have experience with this? Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks
J

John Carpenter · Post by **John Carpenter** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 5:04 pm

No it will not work.
If you want to do poly stuff try the Roland Groovebox line.

Though I love my EMX it not being poly has created lots of grief for me. If I was to do it all over again I would have bought a MC-909. If poly is very important to you I would not go with the EMX as your first choice.

A trick I have done is use the one note chord function. I have part 2 play a major chord and part 3 play a minor. Then play from the EMX keypads and change parts as you need to switch from major to minor. Later you can program them on one part and motion sequence the chord changes. This is a major pain. Also the sounds of the one note chord are not as flexible as the mono parts.

Setsonics · Post by **Setsonics** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 7:06 pm

I think the idea behind the EMX not being poly is that you can semi-create poly sounds by combining the parts.

teledel · Post by **teledel** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 10:00 pm

Thanks for the help and replies!
I understand the idea of being monosynth. I totally agree with you Setsonics.
Its just the question at hand is: Would the synth parts (1-5) of the EMX1 sequencer accept an external polysynth's MIDI information. Then played back onto the external polysynth's sound module.
I don't want to debate anyone, that is why I'm asking here for information.
I appreciate the help.
J

Ruso · Post by **Ruso** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 11:52 pm

no it can't record nor play back poly.....

John Carpenter · Post by **John Carpenter** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 2:55 am

As said above it can't record poly, but it has the ability to change all midi channels on all the 5 parts. So if you changes all 5 parts to midi channel 1 you can play a five note chord on an external synth. But getting the data there in the first place is a big pain.

teledel · Post by **teledel** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 6:19 pm

Thanks so much for the replies! Of course it sucks that I wanted to hear something else, but sometimes the truth hurts.. Ah, I guess I'll try Ableton with an ibook to complete my tasks w/ the fusion.
Either way, the EMX is still a cool machine! I will still get one.

j

musikmachine · Post by **musikmachine** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 1:04 am

teledel wrote:Thanks so much for the replies! Of course it sucks that I wanted to hear something else, but sometimes the truth hurts.. Ah, I guess I'll try Ableton with an ibook to complete my tasks w/ the fusion.
Either way, the EMX is still a cool machine! I will still get one.

j

Definitely.It's a great little machine.Get a keyboard hooked up to it when you do(for the synth parts anyway),great little box.I run mine through a multiband compressor which makes it sound nice and punchy