Korg EMX with Waldorf Blofeld?

Darm705 · Post by **Darm705** » Mon Oct 17, 2011 4:47 am

Hey I'm about to get my Emx and I also want a powerful synth engine to get it paired with. I'd like to play full trance hooks and house and especially be able to perform live. I know the emx it's a great machine to live performances but I would like to expand or enhance its synthesis capabilities. I was checking out the Waldorf Blofeld desktop synth and I found it a excellent synth for the price. My question is, can I use the EMX to control (I'm sorry I'm new synths and midi conections...) the Blofeld in a way that I can use the drum parts of the EMX and the synths of the Blofeld? I'm a bit concerned because I've seen the Blofeld with only one MIDI in, will I need a MIDI out or a computer? How does it works? Thanks in advance! =)

Blankman8503 · Post by **Blankman8503** » Mon Oct 17, 2011 6:33 am

I assume you are asking if you can sequence your Blofeld via the EMX? If so the the answer is yes.

I have never used a Blofeld before, so I can't help you on that end with specifics, but you need to enable the synth to receive note and maybe program messages. Connect the MIDI Out of the EMX to the MIDI In of the Blofeld. Then you set a synth part on the EMX and the corresponding synth on the Blofeld to the same MIDI Channel. This should result in the EMX sequencing the synth.

Is the Blofeld a multi-timbre synth? Can you set each timbre to a different channel? If so then you can repeat this process and sequence another timbre with a different synth part on the EMX.

The EMX is monophonic synth, so you you won't be able to send chords to the Blofeld. Though you may be able to send multiple EMX synth parts to the same Blofeld timbre to produce multiple notes. I've never tried this but in theory all you would have to do is set them to the same MIDI channel.

You'll need to turn down the volume or reroute the Audio to the aux for the synth parts that will be sequencing the Blofeld. Though you can use the EMX as a coresponding timbre by letting both play.

Aciphecs · Post by **Aciphecs** » Mon Oct 17, 2011 3:02 pm

Just a side note question. Have you heard the drum section of the EMX? It is a great synth and tons of fun for live use, but the drum sample selection is really weak, IMO. If you are going to be using it mainly for drums, there are better options out there, the ESX is one. Just a thought

Darm705 · Post by **Darm705** » Mon Oct 17, 2011 8:51 pm

Thank you for your replies! Yeah, I'm actually a little unsure of which gear I should get. At first I liked the EMX because it's a all in one machine, the features like the arp and the ease of use really suit me. On the other hand, I'm looking for a professional sounding machine. I thought of getting an Elektron Monomachine and Machine drum but those are waaay out of my budget, so I came with the idea of just getting a desktop synth to use it in the synth parts of the EMX. I think the Blofeld it's a great option, but again the drum part of the EMX it's not the best outhere... Regarding the ESX, I'm not that much into sampling, so I guess that would be a different aproach? (correct me if I'm wrong

) I'm aware that the EMX is a monophonic synth, so not being able af playing chords although is a downside, wouldn't presuade me of not getting the emx and the blofeld. Perhaps there are some other setup options? Thanks in advance!

PS: It would be great to know if in case of the emx and the blofeld working together would I need a mixer or a computer? I'd really like to keep stuf at minimun and still a bit unsure of what I need to setup this two!

Aciphecs · Post by **Aciphecs** » Mon Oct 17, 2011 9:34 pm

The setup you are thinking about would definitely work. I'm was just suggesting the ESX because it would provide more flexibility for percussion, but after looking deeper into the Blofeld, I found you can get the sample upgrade for it and add drums! Check out this track all done on the blofeld.
Trippler
You would probably want to invest in a mixer too, as the blofeld doesn't have an audio in and the EMX's only mono...just a couple more thoughts.

Darm705 · Post by **Darm705** » Mon Oct 17, 2011 10:20 pm

Thanks mate!

You just made my day! I'm going for this setup, I'll get a nice mixer and hopefully I'll be posting my tracks here soon. Thanks again!

Aciphecs · Post by **Aciphecs** » Mon Oct 17, 2011 10:54 pm

I'm not sure your budget, but you may want to start with just the EMX. It's super intuitive and really is an all-around machine. It can also take years to master and really should be given all the attention to start. Just the EMX and some good studio monitors alone, you have a great start to a nice rig. Add whatever else later when you feel the need for more sound. Just more opinions

Darm705 · Post by **Darm705** » Tue Oct 18, 2011 12:19 am

Yeah, I know what you mean. Actually it's the same story with all my other gear. At first I just had an acoustic guitar, then I went for an electric one, then I found my real passion: Keyboards and synths. So at first I bought a lovely Yamaha PSR-E213 and when I was able to understand it and play keayboards well enough (at least I think I'm good at it

) I've got a Yamaha MO6 as a present and it has been my beloved one since I got it. Then again, Christmas it's coming soon, so I thought it would be nice to give myself a little plus to my EMX and MO6 and that would be the Blofeld, which it's still on my budget

I still have sometime to look around and see what happens, but be sure I won't waste the potential of the electribe, when I master it, the Blofeld will become it's perfect counterpart

Thanks again for your advices and opinions, they are very well recieved!