Updates manual from korg with sampler info

[MaartenNl]

So i noticed, maybe this was mentioned before on this forum, that the manual korg provide is is updated:

http://i.korg.com/uploads/Support/USA_E ... anual2.pdf

There is now information on how to sample. You can also see in the manual that there arent two separate lists of specifications: both have exact the same. And there is i tiny chapter about sampling in the manual, with additional information, but the rest of te manual counts for both machines.

Is korg sugesting is that maaybeee a firmware exange is posibble?

[Frenzies]

Most interesting.

[jbl]

It explains a lot. And creates more confusion. Like, it says the electribe now has the ability to sample. And the sampler has the same engine. Does that mean the electribe or the sampler can or both can sample. I feel that the manual editors have started to channel the works of the early 90s. Confusing!

But, it explains enough to show me that I will, once again, avoid buying an electribe. For starters, the microsampler is way more advanced at sampling. The sp-series has a much smoother sampling process with way more sample time. And I have these already. I wanted something to replace these as an all in one.
If I didn't have any samplers or sequencers, this would be great but since it really doesn't reinvent the wheel, it's going to be a hard sell, especially at around 500 bones.

[blackholesun]

So i noticed, maybe this was mentioned before on this forum, that the manual korg provide is is updated:

http://i.korg.com/uploads/Support/USA_E ... anual2.pdf

There is now information on how to sample. You can also see in the manual that there arent two separate lists of specifications: both have exact the same. And there is i tiny chapter about sampling in the manual, with additional information, but the rest of te manual counts for both machines.

Is korg sugesting is that maaybeee a firmware exange is posibble?

From page 4 - "Basic operation for the electribe sampler is the same as for the electribe. For additional explanations that apply to the electribe sampler, refer to “electribe sampler features” (→ p. 16) and “Recording &
Editing Samples” (→ p. 16)."

Hmm, I'd say that there won't be a firmware exchange available just yet, based upon this manual. I'm guessing we'll know the full difference between the machines (besides sampling capability) once the parameter guide is made for the Sampler.

[Re-Member]

I don't view it as hinting toward that at all. Both units share the same basic operations, so the sampling instructions are appended so they don't have to print two separate manuals. It's pretty common in manuals for products which are the same, but slightly different. It even says the following:

"For additional explanations that apply to the electribe sampler,
refer to “electribe sampler features” (→ p. 16) and “Recording &
Editing Samples” (→ p. 16)"

The manual I have for the JP-8000 is similar and actually lists all the extra features which were added on the 8080 module.

[gsrosser1989]

I doubt there will be a firmware exchange at all.

[Ted3000]

How's this for plausible deniability?

Page 16:

"Sampling functionality has been added to the electribe’s functions."

What a strange way to phrase the fact that there are 2 units.

A unified user manual seems like a throwback to the days when you'd get 2 or more units in one printed doc. It was to save paper. We're in a PDF world.

Also the picture on the front of the manual is the e2, not the sampler - and not 2 units. I really think this could spell a merge.

[roblabs]

Right, but then immediately after that line comes:

"The electribe sampler also provides the same analog modeling
sound engines as the electribe."

Also note the section on the filters...

Two distinct units here (although that doesn't rule out exchangeable OS...)

[1_inch_punch]

Ted3000 said:

"I really think this could spell a merge."

The sampling process indicates it is used by current existing knobs, switches, buttons, whatever.

Anybody see any different. (?)

I think Ted may be right.

That's not really what I wanted -

(not that he is right, but I wanted a "fixed" e2 not a hybrid device. I have access to a friend's SP404).

[Tom 62]

Thanks to MaartenNl for the info. Here are some facts from the manual:

Pros:

Same oscillator models as the EMX2
Stereo Sampling
Resampling
Sustain Loops

Cons:

Slicing very rudimentary (fixed beat grid, no slice editing)
No Timestretching

[Ted3000]

I think Ted may be right.

That's not really what I wanted -

(not that he is right, but I wanted a "fixed" e2 not a hybrid device. I have access to a friend's SP404).

I'm not saying Korg won't ship the jet black version with the word Sampler printed on it with the sampler OS preloaded. Too many shops have that sampler graphic and a separate product number. James Pullen has one.

And I'm not saying they won't do a firmware fix with new features - documented in a parameter guide or a 3rd revision of the manual.

I just feel like there could be a boot option (download the sampler OS, put it on the SD card, hold shift during startup) or a less-elegant firmware exchange. (load sampler OS, replaces e2 OS)

But we're back to the old mystery. For a device called an "Electribe Sampler," there's not a single dedicated sample button on it. To sample, you hit Shift and Record. Not a bad solution, but it seems counter-intuitive for a newly designed product. If this were any other hardware project, you'd at least get an overlay with sample-specific functions for the buttons.

Another possibility for the e2 is that "Sampling functionality has been added to the electribe’s functions," just like the new manual says. In this case, we get 1 more oscillator type, and that's Sample. When this is active in a part, you lose your filter models beyond the electribe low, high, band. It would rely on your SD card for sample storage, whereas the black sampler version would use the internal solid state memory.

If I was part of the planning of these 2 units, I would have added an extra button. On the e2, it would have been labeled "Filter Model" - scrolling through the models. On the sampler, it would be labeled "Sample" and it would jump you to the sample menu.

If we're confused, there's no hope for casual buyers!

And remember what JP said about the e2, that it was about to become the most "customizable synth ever."

[Poumtschak]

Another possibility for the e2 is that "Sampling functionality has been added to the electribe’s functions," just like the new manual says. In this case, we get 1 more oscillator type, and that's Sample. When this is active in a part, you lose your filter models beyond the electribe low, high, band. It would rely on your SD card for sample storage, whereas the black sampler version would use the internal solid state memory.

You've got my vote.

What if the e2 sampler - beside a slightly different color scheme and cardboard packaging labelling - was delivered with a preloaded SD-Card with (copy protected) factory samplebank and flashed with a brand new e2 compatible 2.0 firmware (which would include the e2 stock waveforms)?

Hence you could have sampling on the e2, but not the licenced factory presets. Patterns made on the e2 would be e2 sampler compatible (except for the modelled filters), but not the other way around unless you provide the "all sample data" file.

If these are indeed identical products in a different shape like we've been told, there has to be some artificial product segmentation.
Since it's an expensive process, one could imagine all die-cast zamak enclosures have been produced already (like for instance 15 000 pieces), and its up to Korg to decide what each will be depending on demand.

And remember what JP said about the e2, that it was about to become the most "customizable synth ever."

Some kind of sub $500 portable groovebox with a touch of VA, where you could use bread a butter waveforms or choose your own. Not bad.

[ghostly606]

Some people would have bought both the E2 and the ES2, I can't see Korg issuing a firmware update to the E2 including sampling and thus depriving extra sales.

Would be good though! But fix the problems first!

[colulizard]

It doesn't read to me as if this is the Electribe with sample function added. If that were the case it would have instructions on the other oscilators etc.
It reads like a specific sampler device to me.
I might be wrong: I don't own the Electribe yet and I'm waiting for the sampler to be delivered.

[Tarekith]

Interesting that stereo samples can only be on odd numbered parts, otherwise they will be converted to mono if used on even numbered parts.