EMX-1 Vs standalone synths and drum machines

harvestein · Post by **harvestein** » Fri Jul 04, 2008 12:40 pm

I read this review of the EMX in the sound on sound website:

pros
Easy to use.
Great sound.
Novel approach to arpeggiation.
Valves really do add presence and depth to the sound.
Audio input.

cons
Audio input mono only.
Very basic envelope generators.
Compromised effects routing.

Im still wrestling with the idea of getting an independant synth first, rather than using the electribe. How far superior are synths within the electibes price range? those last two cons seem like pretty big cons to me. perhaps the reveiwer didnt get to know the box as well as you guys though?

anselmi · Post by **anselmi** » Fri Jul 04, 2008 4:30 pm

EMX synthesis is both simple and deep at the same time
maybe is the better synth you can get who has both things in so great balance

the simplicity is good to make your ideas sound with no delay...also for experimentation on the fly

the deepness is enought to make the machine sounds ir really diverse ways

I can´t think in a combo of synths+sequencer in that price range that could deliver better results...

of course it has limitations but it doesn´t feels like a limited instrument

I feel much more limited with some much better featured synths

Ruso · Post by **Ruso** » Fri Jul 04, 2008 4:47 pm

I sudgest EMX...

but if you do choose to go synths and sequencer as a separate deal... just g et ableton live 7 and a nice midi controller. It's a much better option and it has plenty of great synths.

paul_courville · Post by **paul_courville** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 6:48 am

Ruso wrote:I sudgest EMX...

but if you do choose to go synths and sequencer as a separate deal... just g et ableton live 7 and a nice midi controller. It's a much better option and it has plenty of great synths.

As usual, Ruso's advice is spot on.
I've owned tons of gear and never have I seen such a well-designed piece of well-thought out gear.

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Etherium · Post by **Etherium** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 11:06 am

run your keyboard parts out to controll other vst's or hardware, i only really started getting some nice sounds out of my tribes when i started to really get in and go crazy with the motion controll.....that said, they can sound cheapish at times, though if your willing to spend the time, you can get some nice sounds.....I'm not an expert....but thats my 2 cents worth (esx1 owner for 4 years, emx1 owner for one year, amk2 6 months)

Tarekith · Post by **Tarekith** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 12:31 pm

You can't really compare the EMX with a standard synth IMO< you have to approach it as a completely different type of sound generator. Otherwise you'll always only see what's 'missing', instead of seeing how the EMX excels at quick and easy sound creation. The EMX is definitely not complex in terms of it's synths feature set, yet it's still capable of making complex sounds

musikmachine · Post by **musikmachine** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 2:18 pm

The stock tubes it comes with are ok but not the best. If you get one i'd suggest putting some better tubes in as it has a huge impact on the sound and my mx is now a different instrument.

I'd say get the Mx as well but put some decent tubes in it at the start to get the best out of it. To me it's a unique sounding instrument, capable of producing sounds that other synths can't.

I really need to start recording some tracks with mine, been slacking!

harvestein · Post by **harvestein** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 3:30 pm

cheers for the comments guys, really helped to make my mind up.
Even if i eventually do buy other equipment ive heard enough on here to know that its a great Midi controller as well, so its a good buy either way.

cheers.

harvestein · Post by **harvestein** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 4:13 pm

one more thing though, should i buy it new?
Or have you guys had many problems with tribes bought from ebay?

Ive read allready about the surface mounted fuse (which im not too concerned about thanks to the great tutorial on here on how to fix it!)
but this 'knob jitter' gives me cause for concern.
My heart tells me to get one on the cheap from ebay but the brain is saying
'what about your warranty ya muppet'.

Yatmandu · Post by **Yatmandu** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 6:17 pm

I bought my EMX used in a local sale where I could check everything, and even though it was a bit banged up, everything worked fine. There is a bit of jitter in the central rotary knob (the one where you select patterns). The knob doesn't jitter, but the patterns in the LCD window do.

I bought my ESX on ebay, and it's in excellent condition ... almost new.

These things are build like tanks, but I suppose you could end up with a dud if you buy it used.

musikmachine · Post by **musikmachine** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 6:42 pm

I bought mine used from ebay from an audio guy. It's been rock solid. My only concern was lots of scratches around the jog dial but the SX has those too so i think it's just natural wear and tear.

If you want me to send you the link let me know and i'll pm you some info.

Diametro · Post by **Diametro** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 6:56 pm

Bought both of mine used (for $500) ... the EMX was in almost perfect shape and the ESX pretty close except for a few random nicks ... All the knobs feel good though and no issues ...

Used gear is always a crapshoot ... but I think the main thing to look for is signs of abuse or neglect and loose knobs ... If buying online, ask for an assortment of photos and ASK about issues ... I found out with another synth that "near mint" doesn't necessarily mean there aren't issues ...

I turned down an ER-1 several weeks before I got the EMX because of a loose waveform knob ... It worked, but for how long ... ?

I'd say buy used at this point because I think Korg is going to be announcing new tribes at Winter NAMM 2009, and if you get hooked, you might be upgrading ...

The problem is ... How wickedly expensive are they going to be ... The EMX/ESX listed at $850 originally ...

Tarekith · Post by **Tarekith** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 12:24 am

I admit, I always buy new. I buy gear so rarely and tend to keep it so long, I like the idea of being the only owner and getting to open the box for the first time. Good luck finding a new EMX right now though, in the US at least, there's a real shortage of them it seems.