Which should I get...Upcoming Kaossilator Pro or ESX-1...

[DJChaosKittyExtreme]

Hello,
I'm trying to figure out which to buy, the Kaossilator Pro or the Electribe ESX-1. Though they are controlled differently, they seem to have similar capabilities, unless I'm missing something. Could anyone suggest one over the other or knows any of the benefits of one over the other?

Thanks!

[supermel74]

Get the ESX.

[Citizen Klaus]

Depends on what you want to do, I'd think. The ESX is a full-fledged sampler, allowing you to upload your own sounds. With the KOPro, you're limited to the factory samples. The ESX also has a more versatile arpeggiator and a full-fledged pattern sequencer -- important if you want to use it as a MIDI hub for your setup, or if you're primarily interested in rhythm generation.

The KOPro, on the other hand, has a unique interface and the ability to output MIDI notes through the scale settings. This makes the KOPro particularly useful for lead soloing.

Though personally, I think the EMX is more suitable for comparison with the KOPro, it having a synth section and all. ESX seems to be more analogous to the KP3.

[X-Trade]

I'd say the KOPro is great if you're not familiar with musical technicalities such as key and scale, or want something more immediate. My dad even said he wanted one - its the only thing he could conceive 'writing' music on that wouldn't take years of practise as such. Also is can be quite inspiring as a musical sketch pad, with such an intuitive interface that hasn't really been explored in any depth before.

The ESX and EMX are both more workstation tools - you can do exactly what you want with them, but you've definitely got to have a reasonable idea of what you want from it.

[DJChaosKittyExtreme]

Depends on what you want to do, I'd think. The ESX is a full-fledged sampler, allowing you to upload your own sounds. With the KOPro, you're limited to the factory samples. The ESX also has a more versatile arpeggiator and a full-fledged pattern sequencer -- important if you want to use it as a MIDI hub for your setup, or if you're primarily interested in rhythm generation.

The KOPro, on the other hand, has a unique interface and the ability to output MIDI notes through the scale settings. This makes the KOPro particularly useful for lead soloing.

Though personally, I think the EMX is more suitable for comparison with the KOPro, it having a synth section and all. ESX seems to be more analogous to the KP3.

I thought the ESX was basically the EMX with sampling capabilities. And, though you can't sample with the KOPro, you can use external sound sources to add to the loops.

I have a Korg Radias and a KP3. My goal was to have something that could compliment the Radias with easily-created drum patterns. I also wanted something that could be stand-alone for live performances that would be simpler than the Radias to use.

Thanks for your help and advice!

[DJChaosKittyExtreme]

I'd say the KOPro is great if you're not familiar with musical technicalities such as key and scale, or want something more immediate. My dad even said he wanted one - its the only thing he could conceive 'writing' music on that wouldn't take years of practise as such. Also is can be quite inspiring as a musical sketch pad, with such an intuitive interface that hasn't really been explored in any depth before.

The ESX and EMX are both more workstation tools - you can do exactly what you want with them, but you've definitely got to have a reasonable idea of what you want from it.

Thanks for your advice. I'm still uncertain of what I should get, but that does help

[X-Trade]

I have to say, I've recently started using an ER-1 for drum patterns and it is really easy to use and create patterns - for example if you've used Reason before or any other step pattern sequencer.

If you want to use samples, I can definitely recommend the ESX.

However, have you tried the drums on the Radias? I know you can't switch patterns live, but it does have a 16-key (or paged 32-key) step mode to set out a rhythm much on the electribe.
I definitely like the flexibility of the sounds in the Radias drum section - being able to use an entire synth voice, be it samples or analog waveforms, VPM, crossmod, ringmod, both filters, drive, waveshaper, etc. the built in kits are quite good, but if you know anything about drum synth programming, you can get a lot better results than for example the ER-1 or EMX. still needs a different sequencer though really.

[DJChaosKittyExtreme]

I have to say, I've recently started using an ER-1 for drum patterns and it is really easy to use and create patterns - for example if you've used Reason before or any other step pattern sequencer.

If you want to use samples, I can definitely recommend the ESX.

However, have you tried the drums on the Radias? I know you can't switch patterns live, but it does have a 16-key (or paged 32-key) step mode to set out a rhythm much on the electribe.
I definitely like the flexibility of the sounds in the Radias drum section - being able to use an entire synth voice, be it samples or analog waveforms, VPM, crossmod, ringmod, both filters, drive, waveshaper, etc. the built in kits are quite good, but if you know anything about drum synth programming, you can get a lot better results than for example the ER-1 or EMX. still needs a different sequencer though really.

I've opened Reason a time or two but haven't really messed with it. I have been working with Ableton lately.

I've got a KP3 for sampling; I was just going to get the ESX over the EMX because I thought it had all the features of the EMX plus sampling. It seems I am wrong here. So, I should probably be thinking of deciding between EMX vs the Kaossilator Pro instead.

I haven't gotten to play around with my Radias yet. I picked it up just a couple of days ago. It's my first synth, so I know it's going to take me many years to master, which is fine and what I intend on doing. I also want something I can pick up quickly and use right away, and with my current skill level, that should be either the EMX or the Pro.

Thanks again!

[X-Trade]

well, the EMX is part synth, like the radias, so there will be overlap. It has parts where you more or less have to program your own sound using the synth features.

The ESX is a similar concept to the EMX, but is primarily based around loading your own samples rather than using built in ROM samples and synth parts.
whilst the KP3 is a great sample pad trigger and looper, the ESX is more of a pattern-sequencer based sampler, a rhythm/groove production workstation. Of course, you don't strictly have to load drum samples. both the ESX and EMX have the same pattern based sequencer.

its starting to sound more like you might like the KOPro to me, if you want something immediate and 'fun' to use.

On the electribes you can string a complete song together from patterns, from start to end though, whilst the Kaossilator is more of a performance instrument because everything is recorded as audio looper layers. still you can mute and unmute the four different loops to build up different songs - but you can't sequence that on the KOPro - hence more of a performance instrument. instead of pre-deciding what is going to happen, making different patterns and stringing them together, you just jam and build up and strip down layers on the KOPro. A very interesting and fun way to work, but it really depends what you are doing. That is up to you which one you feel works better for you.

[DJChaosKittyExtreme]

well, the EMX is part synth, like the radias, so there will be overlap. It has parts where you more or less have to program your own sound using the synth features.

The ESX is a similar concept to the EMX, but is primarily based around loading your own samples rather than using built in ROM samples and synth parts.
whilst the KP3 is a great sample pad trigger and looper, the ESX is more of a pattern-sequencer based sampler, a rhythm/groove production workstation. Of course, you don't strictly have to load drum samples. both the ESX and EMX have the same pattern based sequencer.

its starting to sound more like you might like the KOPro to me, if you want something immediate and 'fun' to use.

You know, you may be right, not only for me, but I host events with other DJs, and I'm sure they'd think it'd be cool to have something they can just pick up and play right away. Not to mention it'd be hot to see my girlfriend play it. And it's green.

[DJChaosKittyExtreme]

Went ahead and preordered a Kaossilator Pro. $379, not bad Thanks for all your help!

[starving student]

Went ahead and preordered a Kaossilator Pro. $379, not bad Thanks for all your help!

what city are you located in and when did they say they could get it to you?

[groovyluv]

I already have an ESX.
What shall i buy to complement it?
EMX? Akai MPC sampler? Or a mini KAOSS pad would work well with ESX?
mini kaossilator would also work with ESX?

I basically need to be able to add diff. samples or synths sounds
to my preloaded drum patterns, live on stage.