My experience with the new Electribe 2 (aka Mr.Clipper)

Andrew_OM · Post by **Andrew_OM** » Sun Mar 29, 2015 4:47 pm

Hi! These are my thoughts after 1 month of using the Electribe Music Production Station

>> Background (you can skip if you find it boring):
Music producer for 8 years. Among other gear, I’ve been owning an ESX-1 for 5 years and 2 EMX-1s for 4 years. To me, they’re the best machines and they were my first experience with analog. I use them almost daily, I know them inside out, I love them and I can’t live without them. I used them for live acts, the music that I created on them was released digitally and on vinyl. Also, a lot of un-mastered track that I create on them are played by many (famous or not so -) techno DJs around the world (sorry for my cockiness, these are just facts).
I’m not rich, I have to save A LOT to get new gear. I saved up 6 months just to buy the E2.

>> The E2 (after 1 month of using it extensively)

- CLIPPING :
Found this problem in the first 10 minutes of using it. I couldn’t believe it and I almost started crying. It clips it cracks arghhhhh. With the EG, withouth the EG. The synths, the pads, the drums, the filters everything!! Not everytime, but very often.

I really wonder how this doesn’t come up in EVERY youtube video, every review on the internet, every forum post???? Does it only happen to some machines and not to all?? Are people that deaf, or what???

Sometimes, and just SOMETIMES you can solve this problem by changing the Voice from Poly 2 to Mono 1 or 2. But then, the AMP EG works like...super mega weird.

Also, the BassDrums aka Kicks clip so bad when you don’t put them 4/4 so for instance we have
(Kick)(_)(_)(_)(Kick)(_)(_)(_) (Kick)(_)(_)(_)(Kick)(_)(_)(_) … everything goes swell…but if we have
(Kick)(_)(KICK)(_)(Kick)(_)(_)(_) (Kick)(_)(_)(_)(Kick)(KICK)(_)(_) … oh my goooddd…the sound is terrible, it sort of overlapses but not only the kicks between the 4/4 sound extremely bad but also the first kicks are f**ked! There is not way to solve this problem, not with filter not with Amp EG, not even if you change the Voice. Terrible terrible terrible.

- MIDI
1/4 sync jacks instead of classic midi…WORST THING EVER. The adaptors that I found in the box that came with the electribe do not work, I tried and tried and tried…and asked myself what the hell am I doing wrong that the midi doesn’t work?? Or, at least, I HOPE the problem is the adaptors, there is no way I can check this because I can’t order these adaptors from anywhere. I can’t send midi notes from ableton, I can’t use a keyboard to play the notes.

Instead, for syncing I use the jack Sync inputs and I run the midi through the volcas.

So, ESX-1 is the master ..midi out to one of my Volcas..then from the volcas sync-out to the electribe through jack cable. And it’s so bad because it doesn’t pick up when you press PLAY on the master…you have to manually press play on the E2. I hate it so bad…

And lastly, why would they take out where you can see what the initial setting/level was at your last save??? If by mistake I change a knob value…I can never know what it was before…no indication for that. Terrible!!

These from above are the 3 main problems for me. The rest, I can deal with.

- Only one effect/part..very bad but not catastrophic. Only one edit knob for FX…bad…bad.
- No reverb on the part FX..(only on master FX)…very bad…
- No reverse, No roll.
- Filter knob is infinite, kind of bad.
- The rest, I won’t even mention.

I don’t know what to do, to send it back or not. I only have a few days left out of the 60 days trial. I won’t explain why but it would be very complicated for me to send it back because it was bought by a dear friend of mine outside of the country that I reside. I had to pay shipping + insurance, now if I send it back I have to pay shipping + insurance again.

After being a major Korg fan for all these years, I am truly, truly disappointed in the E2. It cost me so much to have this machine and I can’t use it properly. The clipping is so bad……..so bad…..

roblabs · Post by **roblabs** » Sun Mar 29, 2015 7:35 pm

Thanks for the honest and objective review.

My personal major issue is also the clipping. I have found some ways around it but I really hope this is the very first thing that Korg will fix/update. Apparently they are going to, but we will have to wait and see.

I also don't understand why most people aren't noticing this. Perhaps theyre not using monitors or good hps? Some users stated they mostly stick with mono voicing, and I notice the clipping occurs more frequently when on poly2. - For the record, switching to poly1 (legato) does help a tiny bit. But overall the clipping is due to a re-triggering issue so it can occur regardless of what voice mode you're in.

Regarding the MIDI, sorry about that. Apparently some of these midi adaptors were wired wrong. Take it back to your shop and see if they can give you some replacements, a few users had to do that. Bad QA on Korg's part here, but this has nothing to do with the electribe unit itself.

I also feel the pain with the removal of the last setting for the knobs. Big mistake here - I completely agree with you. The menu display is very large - no reason they can't include more critical information like this. its a real shame it defaults so quickly to the Pattern Name while leaving a huge chunk of real estate just sitting going unused...

Despite these things I still really do love this new electribe. But I can see why some users feel disappointment with it for sure. I think ultimately it depends on what you're using it for and what you're willing to deal with in terms of which features have been removed.

Im not sure what advice to give you here - because if you send it back then you're losing money. You could try to sell it on ebay or a 2nd hand market - but better to do it sooner rather than later before they become abundant.

I won't tell you to hold out until Korg updates the OS, because that's just ridiculous since we really don't know what will be updated and fixed. Its better to accept the electribe for what it is and work with what you have. Me personally, I find the more I use it (I've had it almost 3 months now) the more I enjoy it and learn new tricks and workarounds.

Spheric El · Post by **Spheric El** » Sun Mar 29, 2015 8:47 pm

A lot of the users have grown to understand and enjoy initial different working methods..but as it stands with those clicks,it's not something you want to keep (by the sounds).You have a lot of groove box's already.What will you lose if you return it-€50? Maybe consider this loss and move on quick,you can still use the rest of the money wisely ,even if its rebuying one if they sort the clicks.You may even buy one 2nd hand.I wouldn't want to be stuck with an unwanted purchase.-having said this,they are sure to have a decent update (of sorts) due soon so it is a real toughy for you.would you keep if the clicks were cured?(yes I think,but if no-you know what to do).The more I think of this the harder it seems-I am trying to help,honest.
This is of corse my 2cents ,advice and it may or may not (help or) be what you need to decide to do.Good luck,whichever way you go.

Andrew_OM · Post by **Andrew_OM** » Sun Mar 29, 2015 9:43 pm

Wow, rblabs and Spheric El, thanks a lot for your kind replies, guys!! I appreciate it!

I would keep it if the clicks were cured!! Definitely!! Hell, what am I talking about, I still haven't decided 100% to send it back yet. It's really a love/hate relationship going on here. (meh, not decided maybe also because I bought it from a shop in another country and as I said it's a little complicated)

I have nothing against analog-specific limitations, I think they've proven to boost my creativity a lot. But not in this way

Not with the clipping cracking popping! Shouldn't be there so frequently as it is on the Electribe 2!

I mess around with it everyday, I get some crazy amazing sounds with the synths in Poly2 voice that you can't achieve with the EMX-1...I get all excited and happy and then POWW...clippidy clip clip clip...and I try to get that clip out..switch to Poly 1..still there...with the filter - no..with the AMP Eg...attack..no..decay..no....less notes..-no..still there...volume, headroom..still there....then, ok, finally switch to Mono 1 or 2..and finally I somehow manage to remove the infinitley stressing god damn popping cracking (not 100% tho) but the sound is totally different then what I started with.

Without the clipping this is truly an amazing machine and it would keep me up at night more than it actually does. It stresses me out so much, it ruins everything.

Why, Korg, why?????? Do we know, at least, that this problem COULD be solved through an update?? Come on, Korggggggggg, open your eyess, pleaaaaasseee!!!

captain johnson · Post by **captain johnson** » Mon Mar 30, 2015 10:04 am

My 2 cents.........hang int here until new OS is out! I imagine it'll be here sooner rather than later!

Ted3000 · Post by **Ted3000** » Mon Mar 30, 2015 2:02 pm

CLIPPING: That's when the volume overloads and squares off the waveform. The e2 has plenty of headroom - this isn't an issue.

CLICKING: An artifact caused by a discontinuity in the waveform. This can be caused by triggering a sound that does not begin on the zero crossing, such as a freerunning oscillator. Clicking can be heard when a release portion is instantly reset by a retrigger of the attack. It can be affected by incorrect mono/poly voicing, amp settings, etc. It is not unique to digital synths or the e2. Even analog synths can click.

I can reproduce clicking on my e2 if I want. However it's not an issue for me normally. It will probably be tamed with some kind of change to the way the amp envelope triggers in a future OS update.

I can think of a dozen or so bigger issues with the e2 than the clicking, but it does seem to be a popular gripe - at least it is with the people who self-select to pipe up.

5,000+ units sold - unique complaints in the low dozens.

Ted3000 · Post by **Ted3000** » Mon Mar 30, 2015 2:14 pm

Think about a kickdrum waveform. It's bouncing up and down, dipping through the zero crossing. Suddenly, you hit the pad again. It instantly retriggers - and the first few samples of your kick drum are silence.

But when did the retrigger happen? Exactly on the zero crossing? Probably not. It probably retriggered at a random point in the wave, like when it was close to the peak or halfway to the trough. The further it was from 0, the clickier the click - snapping to silence.

Korg will have to create some kind of fade behavior for the amp so the waves meet at the zero crossing - keep things snappy, not clicky.

Re-Member · Post by **Re-Member** » Mon Mar 30, 2015 4:16 pm

I remember someone on this forum saying they reported this to Korg earlier and got some kind of response saying that they were planning on fixing it in the next update. When it will happen, who knows? But they are aware of it.

alphaminus · Post by **alphaminus** » Mon Mar 30, 2015 4:21 pm

Yamaha fixed this in digital sample retriggering before they released the DX-7. It's part of standard digital instrument design

Spheric El · Post by **Spheric El** » Mon Mar 30, 2015 4:40 pm

Hmmm,yes maybe keep it and focus on its positives.The poly mode will always annoy you ,but its capable of so much the others aren't, you will find lots to do with it.Then sell it after a thorough testing if it doesn't gel.
-They have to fix it,especially with the potential of the sampler(with same fixes,to same engine) just around the corner.
(Contrary to my last post,I know).

1_inch_punch · Post by **1_inch_punch** » Mon Mar 30, 2015 6:53 pm

Ted3000:

"5000+ units sold - unique complaints in the low dozens."

By that logic on what grounds can anybody expect any update? What's to fix?
The people love it.

I'd say get used to it. I'm not expecting any modifications.

chris1a · Post by **chris1a** » Mon Mar 30, 2015 9:22 pm

Electribe 2 T-3000 Automatic Defence System...

Powering up....

Ted3000 · Post by **Ted3000** » Mon Mar 30, 2015 11:44 pm

chris1a wrote:Electribe 2 T-3000 Automatic Defence System...

Powering up....

Ha ha, I like it.

Look, Korgies: I hope and expect that every glitch, bug, and missing feature is addressed. I also hope we get some cool surprises that we have not thought of yet. And soon!

Oh yes, Korg brought this out a little too early. They should have worked it in-house until it was more complete. But those days are gone, for Korg and every company with a USB port on their stuff.

Want to strand the e2 in buggy beta? Then help depress sales by declaring it's a hunk of junk. Self-fulfilling prophecies are the easiest ones make come true.

ghostly606 · Post by **ghostly606** » Tue Mar 31, 2015 9:29 am

Ted3000 wrote:Want to strand the e2 in buggy beta? Then help depress sales by declaring it's a hunk of junk. Self-fulfilling prophecies are the easiest ones make come true.

Excellent point, I love mine!!

1_inch_punch · Post by **1_inch_punch** » Tue Mar 31, 2015 10:29 pm

chris1a said:
"Electribe 2 T-3000 Automatic Defence System...

Powering up...."

Cool. I luv a good power up.

Anybody can power up as much as they want. Until there's a download link in the Korg support tab any powering up amounts to nothing but a lollygobble bliss bomb.

Ted3000 wrote:
Want to strand the e2 in buggy beta? Then help depress sales by declaring it's a hunk of junk. Self-fulfilling prophecies are the easiest ones make come true.

Crap, crap, crap... and crap. The only way any improvements will proceed is through inspiration provided by consumer backlash. Korg happily took everybody's money and you want us to deliver them freshly cut daisies and a plate of marmalade on toast?

Different planet, sheesh.

BTW I am still working at mine every nite - I want it bettered the same as *everybody* else does. I don't believe that will occur so I am endeavouring to create patterns that work with it's abilities.

How about a sticky thread - "Yeah, it clicks!" - then every new purchaser can go to that thread and dump.