Novation Circuit vs Korg Electribe 2 & Sampler (E2 & E2S)

[@loopop]

Correction! The pads in Circuit ARE velocity sensitive

[@oopsgoth]

wow! so amazing to see how much your production value went up. and so quickly!

[@mickypoo4622]

I bought the Electribe 2 Sampler because I thought it gave much more musical scope "hands on" than the Circuit. The LCD display and dedicated control knobs sold it for me. And, I wanted it totally independent (and portable) for creating music as I didn't want to use it with a PC. The Circuit is probably better suited for those who want to use it more intuitively. The Electribe is more suited to those who like to delve more deeply, learn and experiment. It's "horses for courses" (as with most things in life) but they both have their own individual merits. SO, many thanks for the really great, detailed and objective comparison, which was both helpful and refreshing. You really do have a knack of being so comprehensive, instructive and clear when reviewing these musical devices as I have also watched other videos of yours with a very similar appreciation and praise. Please keep up the good work.

[@uberd0gAlpha]

I owned and loved Circuit for 2 years and currently own an Electribe 2 Sampler, so I'm pretty familiar with both of these. The Circuit is fun as hell, but it feels limiting after a while. It's so intuitive though. So much fun to just pick up and scratch something out. The ESX2 is harder to get to grips with. However, it's much deeper and once you "get it", it leaves Circuit in the dust. There's a lot of menu diving though, so I'd highly recommend getting a Shift Skin so you can avoid all that (it makes the workflow 10x better). The synthesizer features are a little more limited than the EMX2 version, but they serve their purpose, and you can always use synth samples instead. If you're new to making music, or just want immediacy in your workflow, the Circuit is for you. If you want serious depth or have any interest in manipulating your samples, go for the Electribe. Or get both. They play well together.

[@Couchedking]

I got a circuit and a blue electribe. Just ordered a second circuit and will sell the electribe. Thinking of dialing notes into the electribe gets me a headache. I get it, there's a lot of people for whom that interface clicks, but that's not me. I felt kinda spoilt after the circuit, there are few devices as approachable.

[@uberd0gAlpha]

@@Couchedking I don't know what you mean by dialling in notes? I would always press play, hit record and use the pads to play the notes? Has a decent chord mode for the pads too.

[@felixvids7238]

@@uberd0gAlpha some melodies are tricky to get right like this. Plus some notes will get cut off like this so you have to use the tedious step mode

[@meentaalmaan]

@@Couchedking midi keyboard?

[@damian-henderson]

@@Couchedking You should learn how to use the machine properly, very easy to dial in really good notes.

[@yakub304]

I love how you structured both the video and the overlay in the editing process. Great vid

[@rogierhier]

Circuits pads are velocity sensitive (press shift+velocity to enable it).

[@loopop]

+Rogier Hartgring You're right! My bad - added an annotation correcting the mistake - thanks!

[@upptynegro8473]

You DA MAN!

[@RalfSiegesmund]

That is great to hear. I have a Mininova and wonder if that is a vote to go circuit, isn't it?

[@YouzTube99]

@@RalfSiegesmund Yes.

[@NevilleHayfield]

👏💪👊🙏🔥

[@felixvids7238]

My personal life goal is to meet the guy who said "ribingbangbong" on the electribe sampler

[@hermask815]

Remember to take a picture.... If no picture... it didn’t happen.

[@xeppepochannel]

Best comparison I watched. Finally I bought an Electribe 2 and I'm very very happy with it. Thank you so much. Cheers!

[@sponkerdahooman]

Really appreciate you clearing up the pros and cons of each, I'm going with the Electribe, for sure now.

[@AccurateBeats]

Man... This was very very informative! Really great job! Thanks for taking tthe time to make this.

[@loopop]

Accurate Beats thanks and you're welcome!

[@travistouchdown1812]

I fell asleep to this last night, not because it’s boring but because electronics are comforting and your voice so calm and soothing. Hahaha

[@Zinfidel1]

re: "No cross pattern patch support [on ES2]" On the Electribe you can copy a pattern to the next slot. Additionally, you *can* copy entire individual parts and sequence data OR just the sound patches (including mod, fx, etc) from one pattern into another using the Part Utility.

[@shaft9000]

Glad it's not just me who's smacking his head in disbelief at a computer expert forgetting basic data management functions that have been common since the first MacIntosh lol

[@RalfSiegesmund]

"... maybe get one of each and sell the one you don't like." That might be my dream option as well. Thank you so much for showing the differences. You did very well, not sounding biased at all. The patch making software seems very fascinating!

[@6pin66]

I'm an electribe guy through and through , I have the ES-1 and had the ESX-1 . That said , in giving the electribe 2 different and additional functionality , I find it's lost the intuitive nature that made the previous electribes so amazing to use . I have the ES2 sampler , and it is great , but I find myself missing the ESX frequently when I have to go menu diving . I will have to check out the other videos on that which you mention here . thanks for doing such helpful videos

[@onraj9mm]

dont know that much about electribe but i gave the circuit to my 7yr old niece and with some guidance she made a song in 5 minutes... that thing should be mandatory in schools

[@roakey8167]

completely - The most perfect piece of gear for anyone at any age to start making sounds. however you should still own one. great sketch pad - unless you are way beyond that level already and can sketch quick on an op-1 or something. Getting that exact sound down you can hear in your head is what its about. I think the circuit is for all. The beginners, the best and the worst.

[@shervvvv]

definitely, I thought the EXACT same since I bought it

[@jambutty2218]

I look forward to the music created by this generation. We are almost in the age of electronic instruments being accessible to all. We will soon hear the Lennon and Mc Cartney of electronic music.

[@meentaalmaan]

What would it be teaching them? Not synthesis, not how to play music, just how to use a step sequencer and play with pads and tweak knobs not really knowing what you're doing?

[@shaft9000]

^THIS^ At this level of implementation it's just one step from a video game. Which is fine, but lets not delude ourselves.

[@bowieknife]

This is very thorough! I am getting my Circuit in two day's time! It'll be most most expensive and versatile piece of gear. Can't wait! Seems endless what it can create. Hope it will pair up good with my Volca Sample! Thanks for the comparison video! It was interesting to see what pros and cons the Circuit has.

[@mysticsailor9]

thanks for your effort.. A couple of extra things about the circuit.. You can make single button chords, it now supports polyrhythms and (recently) fractional gating, either sync'd or instant pattern switching, and i in addition to the PC, Circuit has a couple of commercial iPad apps for sound design.. also, sorting your patches in the two banks is a great way to help out and reduce browsing.

[@SimpleTrax]

I like the synth part of E2 sampler. I can basically create a sound and resample it, store it, loop it, etc.

[@ccricers]

The 8 knobs used in each synth for the Circuit is kind of like how it works with the Native Instruments Kore Player, in that the knob functions change depending on the patch and you can't change what parameters they control. In Kore at least there's text telling you the parameter for each knob. I'd be frustrated to do that with the Circuit where there is no screen telling you what you're controlling.

[@garryjamespickford9453]

Great thank you, Iwished people like yourself would receive more credit for what you do to assist people in there choices. Thanks buddy your a champion.

[@basicnoise]

Great and helpfull vid. On the Electribe, you have polymetric sequence options. Different step lenght for each part, which opens up that 4 bar limitation. If you into such things.

[@irgend1819]

i am totally but couldnt really find anything about such option o nthe electron respectively only those where you have to break up two sequences aka find common denominators and other tedious stuff. so you say i can simply set my pattern to 7/4 or 9/8 instead of the usual 4/4 ?

[@danieloberhoff1]

@@irgend1819 you can set "last step" for each part. so you can have 1-16 16th note per part. the cool thing is different parts can have different bar length, so you can basically make polyrhythms, and evolving patterns

[@EnriquePage91]

@@danieloberhoff1 sort of like a 16 step Euclidean sequencer (it seems?) - in case anyone is interested in researching what exactly that is.

[@solaryzer]

Thanks for this very comprehensive comparison .

[@benjansen5517]

17:35 you can get all 8 patterns to follow or play through by pushing opposite corner pads. If you select drum 3 for example, and go to patterns and push opposite corner pads (so all 8 patterns play one after the other) hit play. go to choose drum sample (shift drum 3) and then record, you can record samples as you play them. end result more than two samples per drum channel

[@ghostsax]

thanks for this!! rlly helped me decide between the two. ended up going with the E2S, but i would definitely like to get the circuit too at some point. they’re both very intriguing instruments with their own unique strengths and i’d love to play them in tandem someday!! also i love yr videos, always very informative and to the point! ^-^

[@DocBolus]

OK so here is the question. I already have an old Electribe SmkII and would like a groove box to partner it with for playing live sets. Would like to be able to do some form of arranging/sequencing on the fly to keep things feeling live. From what I have seen the Circuit seems really suited to this but there are limitations as shown here. The electribe is a proper pitched sampler so from sound design seems to have the edge. Plus it is stand alone which adds another layer of complication. I use Linux as a rule and I am not sure if the synth editor for the circuit would play nicely with Linux in which case I would be stuck with a very limited sound set. For live use, which way to jump, was set on a circuit till I saw this and started thinking about it.

[@theTerribleFamiliar]

Love my Circuit so much that I bought a second one. Don't think I've ever done that with another piece of music hardware other than a Sure SM 58. I think a list of features in some ways short changes the immediate fun some people will have interacting with the Circuit. I sit down with it often because it's just so entertaining. Sometimes those noodlings have made their ways into more finished pieces.

[@MrBothandNether]

You should check out Omnisphere 2.5 hardware integration for the circuit, it takes it to a whole new level imo.

[@theTerribleFamiliar]

Bothand Nether thanks! I hadn’t heard of this. Will check it out.

[@ActionlessLoveless]

overall i'm getting an impression what electribe is more for composing/design, while circuit is more for live performances of already prepared material

[@AnthonyCodringtonTopCat]

Thanks for this comparison video. I was looking at both of these units as I needed a sketch pad to use while I am travelling on a plane or train that I can create the basics of a track and then later transfer it in my studio to Logic or Ableton to arrange, add to and then finish off. After trying out both in two different shops and also getting the opinion of the shop assistant I decided to go with the Circuit. Okay neither are an MPC Live but for quick creative ideas the Circuit is great. I have had mine for 2 days and I am very impressed with it. As a wise old producer told me at the start of my professional music journey "It's not how much you have, it's how you use it successfully," so I will be able to work within the limitations of the Circuit and the fact it's easy to use is great. Thanks once again for a very informative video that helped in the choice process

[@loopop]

Anthony Codrington you're welcome - glad to hear it helped and enjoy your Circuit! Agree with your friend 100%

[@bigkingsha]

I own both. Electribe PRO: You can live sample on the fly thru an audio input. Electribe CON: If you sample something & you do not save it to the SD card (which takes 2 weeks to save/load) it will be lost forever. Circuit PRO: The samples are already loaded to memory via computer app like the Volca. Will stay there until you delete them. Circuit CON: Does not sample live thru audio input. This sucks hard. OVERALL PROS: BOTH are small enough to fit into a laptop bag or backpack with a sammich and a camera just in case you wanna eat whilst bangin' out your next smokin' joint and record yourself doing it! ;o) OVERALL CONS: Battery life could be better on both units, but sucks slightly more on the Electribe. I wished Akai would just make a Yamaha SU-10 -sized MPC Live. Like an MPC mini or pocket studio. Volca would have been the shit if they made it to where you could at least live sample and get at least 32 steps out of the thing. These companies keep missing important default features but choose to load these machines up with gimmick features you could give 1.5 shits about. Right now Teenage Engineering are the kings of music making miniaturization.

[@Deadsouls73]

king shaman you spelled Elektron wrong.

[@hookedonbattlerap933]

The e2s let's u sequence 16 external synths if u want per pad, how many external synths can u sequence with circuit?

[@InkyDaCaT]

Its circuits playability that wins ...if you hook up to mpc live...its awesome😉....BTW love all these products

[@InkyDaCaT]

@@hookedonbattlerap933 having the mpc live its the per pad thing that makes it a little confusing but both great toys

[@squishmusic]

@KING 1010 music just made Blackbox sampler. It looks like your wish. Just a touchscreen sampler hardware style. Ofc one could use an iPad :D

[@valeriomenon]

Id love to see a comparation electrib tribe/ novation circuit tracks

[@ogcontraband]

On the electribe: The parts and effects you create in a pattern can be copied to any other pattern, use the menu for 'copy part'. Everything about your sound, automation and notes are duplicated into destination pattern.

[@citizentom787]

.Thanks so much for your wonderful educational videos. Had an old Akai MPD26 and a few drum machines gathering dust & treated myself to a Circuit. My dream would be for Novation to produce a Circuit pro, with a screen and more of everything that’s on the electribes. Been surfing KZbin, synth videos, everything from Zimmer & JXL to Uncle Tom Cobbly & all. Love it all and was hit with synth lust, dreaming of having an Argon 8 desktop, a Deepmind 12 desktop, a Hydrasynth desktop & a Digitakt, with an NDLR & Keystep pro, but sobered up, as an old geezer I’m content with my Circuit, Keystep and IPad and DAW’s (especially freebies). But appreciate your work & sub’bed. 😎👍🎼

[@shaft9000]

They are vastly different in concept. *Electribe* - evolved from x0x basis into it's own paradigm through two 'mk' + X versions, then took a step diagonally with the "2" series - as evident by the influence of Akai, Elektron and their own volcas. All controls, displays and indicators are dedicated per section and do not change. *Circuit* - a variant of the monome / launchpad paradigm of 'any pad/controller can be anything'. No dedicated functions per control and no display. Dependent on an external host system for it's state/architectural setup.

[@VJFranzK]

A good discussion of this question, your vids are detailed. ( Forgot "Step Jump"? Another issue is - sample loading procedure. ) I quite like my Electribes, but the Circuit sequencer seems to have some advantages, will try to get one at some point, or perhaps await the wish-ware sequel to the device.

[@nicoreyolivieri]

Well done! now you should make a video comparing the Electribe 2 with the new Circuit.

[@robactraiser182]

I have both the E2 synth version and Circuit.. and I think they are very different machines with their own ups and downs.. I love having them both connected together.. The E2, to me, feels more like an all-in-one solution, whereas the Circuit feels more like something to sketch out ideas or add bits to an existing track. I prefer using the Circuit in some ways.. mainly due to the lovely pads, lights and ease of use.. but the E2 is where I make my more adventurous music.. HOWEVER.. the Excellent ability to add your own samples on the Novation Components page and edit Synth Patches are so good that it gives the machine a totally new lease of life..I can now play cool basslines and melodies on my E2, while finger drumming wicked amen breaks and other hits on the Circuit. It's so nice to not be restricted to the E2's, admittedly large, range of drum sounds. Plus you can add some fantastic melodies using the Circuit.. Basically.. get both if you can afford it.. they go pretty cheap on Ebay these days.. I paid £230 for the E2 (with the awesome UDG hard case) and £170 for the Circuit.. a total bargain in my opinion! :)

[@jonporter1233]

It's almost like someone should make something that combines the two of them. Circtibe = proffit

[@ambaal]

What we really need is a JDXI with circuit-type control and immediacy. Roland really screwed up not making patterns chainable and generally skimping on sequencing in JDXI. But damn it's deep and good sounding though.

[@EduardoLopez-re2sp]

can"t chain the sequences, but you can save them in consecutive spots and press next whenever you're ready to switch which I think is pretty useful

[@Jason75913]

@@EduardoLopez-re2sp or choose 16 to assign to the Favorites function and use that to chain them into a continuous mix

[@chiefbucknell]

It’s been over 4 years since I got my e2s, within weeks of this video’s release. For whatever reason, e2s is now $100 more, the same price as newly-announced SP-404mkII-which is $50 LESS than the older SP-404A.🤔

[@Kikidewivered]

i got the circuit first and am very happy with it. i will also be getting the electribe though for more synth capabilities

[@lundsweden]

I've owned my Electribe 2 Sampler for about a year now, have really grown to love it! I have owned lots of drum machines and grooveboxes over the years but I think the Electribe has an abundance of character and soul in its sound. Everything sounds good, filter, overdrive and other FX. I did'nt like the reverb at first, but have come to realise it is pretty good when used in small amounts. The motion sequencing really brings tracks alive, just about anything can use this feature. Even the sequencer can be fun if you play around with the groove templates and swing. I've noticed a nice coloration of the sound from the D/A convertors, which is not captured if you export to Ableton. This sound is part of the unit's character and appeal for me!

[@glanguish9390]

Hi. I had both modern Electribes and could not justify the "synth" version as well as the sampler version. I have now got the circuit as the "synth" soundmodule and the the electribe will be what its is best for - percussive. The main "sampler" is the electribe and i use the sample function on the circuit as a trigger for film monologues(soundbites). I think your demonstration supports that combo. So dont sell the one you dont like -combo!

[@loopop]

Both ideas work - I wish the Sampler had the "synth" filters and oscillators... then there would be no problem...

[@tubeMonger]

The Circuit was my choice. For me it's about sketching, getting the ideas out of my head.

[@rodrigomacias]

I bought electribe last week. And then I realized I did it because I unconscious remembered watching this video last year. I already have fallen in love with it, and now that I see the comments I think the circuit it's somehow overrated. I mean, the circuit has a better looking design, and seems to be easier to play, but I feel it's limited on sampling (which I was interested more). In my case instead of looking for a synth with some sampling capabilities, I opted for a sampler, and I can say that I was surprised with the built-in oscillators e2 have, cause even if it isn't too versatile at some point, I think it has enough to make some great beats. You can sample real synths instead.

[@yasunakaikumi]

When it's RGB people loves flashy

[@lundsweden]

I prefer the look of the Electribe, Its kind of like a more horizontal MPC with a bunch of knobs! I don't even like the "disco lights" on the Electribe, I turn on power saving mode to reduce that effect. Circuit is almost like a Christmas lights display, a bit much for me.

[@Ullish1989]

So the Novation seems to jump out at me. If I'm gonna muck around with synths I'm probably just going to play a separate synth and then have that syncing with the Novation. Primarily I'm looking for making beats, lots of playing ability (the PC makes it helpful) and I'll be doing Industrial style samples, eg sound clips from movies and what not to play in and around the beats. Does it sounds like the Novation's what I need? It seems to be but I'm a huge n00b when it comes to this sorta stuff

[@squishmusic]

@12:52 you talk about this sample part limitation. I cant find the video on your channel were you hack/tip about this. Link pls :)

[@maxpowers3494]

The Circuit’s firmware keeps getting updated to this day. Not so for the Korg. What the circuit has become due to updates makes it way better than the Korg. And novation will continue to make firmware updates.

[@noneyabidness1931]

Id still take the elctribe. More than 2 synths and it doesn't require a computer to edit your sounds

[@jevogroni4829]

you are both right. novation is willing to uncripple its hardware with updates at every opportunity and @korg never does. but the ”needs a computer” aspect is a big turnoff for me

[@Gainn]

Got both, and I find the circuit more fun.. But far more limiting in terms of sample functions.. But I still go to my ESX-1 more often than either of them. Edit: If they added a chromatic mode for samples on the Circuit I'd probably use it a hell of a lot more. Seems like a really obvious missed feature.

[@funnyhandle]

honest thanks for convincing me to get neither

[@louierubio]

sean johnston hahah

[@skyreadersociety6183]

also wanted to laugh - but you did it already for me :-)

[@tylon2999]

I have all the Electribes with the exception of the samplers, but if you want a box that can do just about anything with save up and get an MPC.I still use all my Electribes wish the MPC were as simple bot you can't have everything.

[@zhugeliang1000]

Have them both. Love them both. I find the Electribe (Synth version) to be all-in-the-box solution that works quite well. The simplicity of the synths forces one to focus on efficiency in sound design. I love that it is a 16 part multitimbral sequencing machine. I think the X-Y pad is...well, lets just say novel at best. Circuit's synths are comprehensive though...provided you use the computer-based editor. Yep, the lack of ANY alphanumeric feedback is the biggest downfall of the Circuit. I hate having to go back and forth trying to find which session goes to whatever else I may be currently working on. I have to select a session, find out what the BPM of that session is, maybe listen to it to get an idea of what it is...and so forth. Both units I use with an external keyboard for note input, I just can't get along with grid scale layouts. Bottom line: I wouldn't part with either of them, they both are welcome in my overall setup. Oh, the Electribe is very nice as an outboard performance orientated sequencer driving my Kurz K2500...that is SEXY...I am all about 16 channel multitimbrality!

[@mikeexits]

I believe the Circuit has numbers shown on the pad lights when adjusting a macro knob. Could be a recent update, I saw it in a video, that's all I know. How are they 2 years later?

[@iAussieGuy]

Korg seems to have more efficiency whereas the circuit seems to have more creative options but that's locked to you using a pc, as someone who's owned and e2 for a while I can say it's amazing to be able to create a track with a pattern (or multiple) and then track it live into a daw and be able to mix and master it, but I'd say the circuit has more explorative creative potential with the attached software that it comes with from what I can see, it would to a person's taste but Korg made a nice genuine groove box with the e2, nice video there's a lot of information to digest here

[@tarifanocturnajazz7564]

Circuit can be a Groove box like a band for a singer guitar player. Because its really easier to handle live.

[@MrOuija-rr8kq]

Had my e2 for a year and yeah the circuit sounds better due to being about to side chain. Also the synth parts sound a lot more professional. Idk what it is about the circuit , it just sounds less "stiff"

[@mikeexits]

@@jankovjordanco5892 The Circuit synths are full-on VSTs which you can change on your PC. So technically you have entire synths at your disposal rather than just macros; except you can only edit macros on the device alone.

[@uberd0gAlpha]

@@mikeexits What? VSTs? They're Nova engine synths. A cut-back version of what you find in the UltraNova and MiniNova

[@mikeexits]

@@uberd0gAlpha I guess I used the wrong term, when I said VST I had in mind the fact that you can edit all of their parameters on a PC and make new presets that way. I don't even own a Circuit (have no access to a groovebox in general unfortunately, I want one soooo bad, it's all I need in my synth setup right now) so I guess I shouldn't be speaking of what I don't have experience with anyway.

[@uberd0gAlpha]

@@mikeexits Oh right, I see what you're saying now. I own a MiniNova so I found the fact that you have to use software to edit Circuit's synth patches pretty irritating. I always felt locked out of those Nova synths, which ruined the pick-up-and-play nature of Circuit for me.

[@mikeexits]

@@uberd0gAlpha Interesting, I figure with some time into making many of your own patches you can find what you like, assign macros to your parameters of choice for max sound design potential, and go crazy. Can you export patches from the hardware Nova synths and transfer them to the Circuit somehow? If not directly, can you at least import them into the software and then onto the Circuit? Can you do this with Novation's V-station VST?

[@djkanyon]

Hey man! What a great video. Prolly best one on the topic. I wish i watched it earlier! To be honest Korg missed the boar on this one. Editing notes on Electribe 2 is so much pain. I bought Electribe to be portable and create music on the go without hooking up to PC. Turned out, the menu diving killed all the fun and i still use my old DAW to punch in notes. Now i look at Circuit doing note editing really easy not even having a screen... Wow, Novation did a good job on that, which is funny since Novation usually have the most problems with clucky interfaces and buggy software. But here i think Novation kick Korg's butt and i'm thinking about selling my Electribe or trade for Circuit... but guess what? Literally nobody is dumb enough to trade Circuit for Electribe. That's saying something. Greetings from overseas!

[@davidholmes3776]

I’ve contemplated the new Electribe but keep finding myself more inclined to add more synths to be sequenced by Circuit. I sinc Circuit to Maschine which allows really quick creations of basslines and leads which I can either sample directly from the Circuit’s nova engines or from the BS2 (sequenced by Circuit). Looking at the MeeBlip Triode for basses so the BS2 can do leads. The Circuit’s nova engine is pretty good at pads.

[@allroads8978]

Got both (es2-Curcuit ) / use both / love both - to me es2 sounds better ( listen to the demos - es2's are like real songs, the circuit's sound like the sound Track for Tetris ) I turn down the volume and use the midi notes and sequence vsts ( 8 bars are nice - the whole pattern mode is brilliant ) both are amazing if your debating close your eye and randomly pick one ( you'll be happy ) / " loopop tha Professor " -always another great vid dog

[@loopop]

+All Roads Thanks...

[@CsehCsaba]

"circuit's sound like the sound Track for Tetris" woww :) you can't handle it, that's all. circuit sounds much warmer

[@defbones5597]

With the last firmwares, and the component editor, the circuit can sound the way you want, I mean you can shape sounds, add samples of your own and so many other things. And did I mention all of the free or notthatexpensive packs available on isotonik or on the facebook groups?

[@deepseadiver8191]

The most important specs/ features of a sequencer are not mentioned here which is how many steps a pattern can have and quantization options.

[@andreash3906]

I have owned a Circuit for 2 years now and feel like I have outgrown it. While still being a fun device, I mainly got tired of its synth engine and having to use my pc is big turn off for me personally. I am researching the Electribes (rather the Synth version than the sampler) as a replacement for my trusty old Circuit. I stumbled upon a topic about the Hacktribe firmware, is it true that it basically combines both devices into one who handles it all? Can anyone who has used the firmware confirm? If so, would you get the exact same result when installing the Hacktribe firmware on either the EX2 or ES2? Or are there (perhaps minor) differences when applying the update between both devices?

[@radek1cihak]

What does it mean that the pads on Circuit Tracks are "not long term sensitive"? Both the seller and the manufacturer state that they are Velocity sensitive.

[@loopop]

Correct, that's a mistake in my video

[@EdgardoPlasencia]

Is it possible in any of these samplers to trigger the drum parts from a midi device , each one assigned to a single midi note on just ONE channel ( 1 ) ? I had no problem with my electribe ES1 but im not sure if this electribe is capable if doing this as well....

[@Distortic]

I mean is it just me or does the e2 just sound more, raw, warm and gritty? the circuit just sounds like that cold dsp based synth sound that is to prevalent in modern music.

[@Hightower2804TP]

Ryan Ray maybe, but thats what some people prefer. It would be sad if you'd only work with the built in sounds though

[@firstperson2757]

The Circuit's patches do sound very 'clean' out the box sure. I tend to put them through lots of FX / pedals etc. One reason why I want to go more sample-based and picked up an ES2

[@mapletree2009]

No - no, that's b/c all audio from your computer sounds like that. Hardware always sounds better than "in the box" sound cards. Whichbis why I never record straight into any DAW anymore. Sounds like a tin can.

[@firstperson2757]

I wasn't talking about audio from the computer, or in or out of a sound card or DAW. Just comparing the Novation Circuit to the ES2. There's a different character between them for sure. But the Circuit can sound pretty dirty too using the inbuilt distortion on the sample-based channels.

[@Deeplycloseted435]

Circuit has 3 pretty gnarly distortion algos. The synth voices are rather digital. You can def make some decent VA sounds, that are fairly convincing, but each oscillator has about 30 different waveforms, about half of which are wavetables. I agree, the Electribe sounds more raw, natural, less digital and cold. For me though, the Electribe is a bit too much. Its so packed with stuff, that I kept feeling like I was always auditioning sounds, trying out fx, and reading the manual. Too much menu diving. I want to be able to spend three 2-hour sessions, and pretty much know my way around. I use the Circuit sequencer to sequence other synths, even play polys in scale mode. I wanted something fun. The Electribe seems like a desert island music creation kit. The Circuit is just a good time IMO. And if you dig into the synth engine, and know synthesis, you can make some killer sounds.

[@Swenglish]

The Circuit is nice for throwing melodic ideas together. I've been using it as a tool for composing when my brain goes otherwise silent. The main reason I didn't get the Electribe Sampler was the four bar limit (which seems absurd to me and yet it's a fairly common limitation for reasons I can't figure out). To what extent does pattern chaining inhibit the workflow and differ from just having one long pattern? I'd love to know how it compares to the Digitakt, as well, which I've also heard has a mere 64 steps and supposedly some sort of pattern chaining I've not seen demonstrated.

[@loopop]

Tasteful Tuna pattern chaining works very well when your patterns are finished. Otherwise you need to save a pattern before you switch it otherwise your changes wont be saved

[@Swenglish]

That sounds awful. How does it handle being controlled by an external sequencer via midi? Is that a decent way to get around the limitation?

[@loopop]

Tasteful Tuna yes it works very well sequenced by external gear and you can have patterns as long as you want. You can also use my 8 bar lemur app, but I will be the first to admit it's nowhere near as powerful as if Korg implemented 8 bars on device

[@AABattery]

Good job with that comparison! I love using both really (see my live sets :)). I couldn't really decide to keep only one since they sound so differently. I'm curious to see what Novation is planning for their next step. Maybe we'll see it soon. Just one thing: The circuit pads are indeed velocity sensitive. Maybe you have set them to fixed (shift + velocity) cheers!

[@loopop]

+AA Battery yes I added an annotation - thank you!

[@thesoundkid9118]

E2S/ES is so massive when compare to circuit. incomparable

[@LousyFacelift]

Both of these boxes have seriously limited sequencers. They use fixed grids which means you cannot record triplets into a four fourth scale and vice versa. Don't get me wrong - I'm a huge fan of the EMX-1 and it has the same issue, I'm just trying to make people aware because it means that some patterns simply cannot be programmed and many don't seem to know. Anyone looking for a more flexible concept around the same price might want to compare to a used Akai MPC or a (good condition) Roland MC groovebox. They are not as easy to use but more flexible sequencer concepts when you know how they work.

[@MrBruceHerrera]

the man himself...

[@neel467]

Hey there, i own an electribe and a circuit. can anyone help me Setting up both together? Thank you very much!

[@capsuleboy]

the electribe has preset patterns to check, lots of them. I had understood that Novation doesnt have music to check, only sounds- that is why I can find all the electribe2 samples preview of all the versions here on yt, but I can't find the Novation circuit preset patterns, because I thought I didnt have. Now you are telling me in this vid that Novation does have patterns to check?

[@TheHallucinati]

If Novation bothered with LCD screen and velocity sensitive pads I would have gone with it. Plus I already had Novation Circuit Station Mono, so it had to be Electribe Synth, though I do find it rather counterintuitive and frustrating. Novation Circuit Station Mono actually can be used as a drum machine, there is a work around for that. I got Electribe mainly as drum machine, but discovered that it has some rather impressive capabilities as a standalone synth.

[@loopop]

I made a mistake in the video - Circuit does have velocity sensitive pads. Re screen - agreed, though it's kind of the design philosophy behind it

[@Dottore847_Reload]

Hi..... I would like to ask for start to producing its better something like korg electribe esx or akai apc mk2 with ableton? Or this one..?? O would like to take sound external from out..... So...... Thanks alot...

[@NevilleHayfield]

Damn your videos are Lit Bro 👊💪🔥🙏👍

[@GearAddict90210]

The Circuit manual says that the pads are in fact velocity sensitive

[@ambaal]

Circuit sends 3 tracks - channel 10 is for all 4 sampler parts, 1&2 are synths. There is a velocity in live record, you just need to enable it.

[@buddhistsympathizer1136]

Unless I'm missing something (maybe), having only 4 drum tracks on the Circuit is a massive limiting factor isn't it?? Track one - Kick, Track two - Snare, Track Three and Four, Open and closed hats . . . . and that's it? No tambourine, toms, claps, other drums possible??

[@noahhultgren193]

4 tracks, but you can use as many samples as you want per track, just not stack them.

[@oliverakadjrunnerspoint5742]

@@noahhultgren193 4 tracks is ridiculous

[@cemegonuts]

Thank you for this video. I found it informative and entertaining. You do a great job. I have an ES2 (mark 1 - the black one) for quite some time. I find sampling on the thing to be the most convoluted bull I have ever seen in my life. I've had this for a long time now and don't even bother sampling with the ES2. Setting start and end points is like using huge hands on a microscopic object. I wished there was a way to create a sample on the computer screen and just slap it down to the device. Nothing doing. Besides we all know how Korg historically hates doing anything for non-apple products or devices (I am a PC/Android person). I do like how quick I can bang out a song/melody/pattern on the ES2, but the sampling part is just entirely too complicated and stupid. This needs to be reworked. Also, I guess, I'm just stupid. (ha)... If I could turn back time, I'd get the regular electribe and not the sampler. To compensate, I have a Launchpad pro. Spread my samples on that thing like a demon! Love it :)

[@loopop]

cemegonuts thanks! One thing: I have a PC too and creating samples on it works just fine - there's no Korg software for it, neither for mac or pc- you can use third party software like audacity and import wave files no problem. Agreed that it's not as easy as a launchpad with ableton though...

[@NU__SKY]

circuit is one of the best machine for a live jam

[@Jakub98x]

Guys what do you recommend for making hardtek and acid trance ?

[@bartomiejwiniarski3987]

i cannot find that information anywhere - does korg electribe 2 have its own speakers so i can hear output without plugging anything?

[@yasunakaikumi]

Nope, just get a bluetooth speakers that has a aux anyway it's better

[@GoldenBlue2000]

I own both. To me, a major downside of the E2 is the absence of a sound patch library - I feel frustrated to alway start from zero for the sound design. (though a workaround is to start from a factory pattern - then it's quite annoying to get rid of the sound l don't want). I feel the Circuit to be much more intuitive, and I'm able to instantly get good results/ideas from using it along with a PC patch editor. I think Korg gadget (on iPad) has better workflow over E2.

[@Johanthegnarler]

CalvinSomething i sold mine a month or so ago. i use hardware, modular synths, and software... this things workflow was god awful, sound was horrible, effects terrible, and it was the worst sampler ive ever used. circuit is still interesting to me because of mods, but i suppose digitakt or octotrack are in my future due to their live sampling capabilities

[@roakey8167]

The circuit feels like a live instrument to me. Pick it up and play man. i think two and a mixer would be ideal live - as you could play about monitored. i am waiting n the circuit 2. whllst i like the electribe 2 - i picked up a brand new one(second hand but bang on mint) for 70 quid less than a new circuit(the two machines started of at 200 quid(circuit) and 400 quid(korg)).. Its a dud product imo - with the competition about. The korg will not hold its value. Go elektron, op-1 or/and circuit - and fingers crossed for the curcuit 2!! The circuit 2 could be so amazing following this path - and like i said live sessions with 2 would be mint.

[@jaysmith2858]

richard roake - Where would be the best place to get a cheaper or second hand Circuit?

[@mikevamp]

I found that program which is very useful www.appification.de/ElectribeSampleManager/ - works great and makes it easy to handle all your samples.

[@Mikepepp2]

Just got an electribe 2 blue for $150.00. Didn’t need it at all but for the price had to get it . Can use it on my lunch breaks at work . And use it to control Korg gadget by midi on my iPad.,phone ,or Mac 🤘🏿

[@MistabishiTV]

Circuit is easier to get your imagination coming out of the speakers. Electribe is easier to get things you'd never imagined coming out of the speakers.

[@uwu_smeg]

the man, the myth, the legend. picked up my e2s after years of replaying your emx mixdowns, it might not be the same thing but i'm young and don't know better yet. cheers man

[@MorwenWhyte]

Most underrated comment. BTW, "coincidentally" I just watched your E2 demo recently.

[@leanrambles7468]

Which would you recommend for a first time noob to this whole world?

[@MarcWeertsMusic]

Excellent review!

[@cresshead]

interesting comparison, i still think i did the right thing getting a roland jd-xi sure it costs more but you do get a lot.

[@jaeusbeus]

the thing is, the roland jd-xi is a different piece of hardware, it's a dedicated synthesizer, these consist of being a DRUM MACHINE and SAMPLER (EDIT, still good buy though)

[@ezze-does-it]

Thanks for this, really helped me decide.

[@darxkai]

Just in case you decided to go for the E2, read my comment I made 1 minute ago. I addressed some flaws in the synth engine of the E2, that have not been mentioned in the video. Hope you have fun with your choice, which ever it will be ;)

[@ezze-does-it]

Thanks for pointing that out, actually pushes me further in the direction of the Circuit and I had already decided on it. I played with the E2S and love the sampling features and slicing which I'm going to miss on the Circuit along with a LCD panel, but the workflow on the E2S was awful. It was very difficult to do basic things like program in a lead melody. I already spent years learning the quirks of my DAW, I want the groovebox to be fast and fluid for easy experimentation. Seems like the E2S/E2 has a bit of a learning curve, which I'm trying to avoid.

[@mikeexits]

@@ezze-does-it 2 years later, how has your opinion changed or remained? I've got a Volca Sample coming, an Arturia Keystep, a Korg Minilogue, and planning to get a Volca Modular + FM (and the free Mix in their promo). Thinking of getting a Novation Circuit before eventually getting the Elektron Digitakt.

[@jevogroni4829]

2 years later, how'd that go? favorites? regrets?

[@vznquest]

great comparison! if i were to run a guitar + mic (via interface) into the Audio In of the Electribe, would i be able to treat them separately with separate FX?

[@loopop]

J Quest thanks, and no

[@fcf8269]

How do you use the electribe as midi controller? Even with the included drivers installed, the computer see the device but it does not show anywhere as midi device.

[@G8tr1522]

What about slicing samples?

[@jodde73]

Just ordered the Circuit; but I will probably miss line in sampling from my vinyls. Have to find a 2 hand ES2, can’t stand the “new” color. The old one with croma caps thou, mmm. Can anyone recommend a easy way to make WAV samples in macOS?

[@mikevamp]

try this www.appification.de/ElectribeSampleManager/ : )

[@dmitriiviktor5261]

Hey! Good video, thank you a lot! where can i get this kind of "sticker" for electribe that show us pads response??

[@loopop]

You're welcome! Here you go: cremacaffedesign.com/project/electribe-skin/

[@ildarkinildarkin]

I don't get the manufacturer of this unit at all. Sampler that has 99 seconds of memory for new samples in "mono"?!!! Is it a sampler or a toy? What is the sampler memory size I'm paying for? 15 Mb? for 400+ USD?

[@joesarchive]

Quick question does the volca sample have a synth built in? Coz I would like a sampler/synth but if it doesn't that would be ok too I guess

[@loopop]

MrDububGaming the E2S has a synth. Volca sample doesn’t

[@TheBlackLotusGaming]

5:50 build up to airhorn break

[@peanutmans0]

Great indepth video

[@darxkai]

All in all a good comparison of these two machines. I own a Circuit and had the E2 for 6 weeks also. What I don´t get at all is how rarely it is mentioned, that one part on the E2 has no real 4 voice polyphony, but 4 voice paraphony which is a HUGE difference. On the Circuit you can play multiple melodies on different octaves. This is not possible on the E2. It was also very frustrating for me to find out, that release and decay are paired on the E2. So as soon as you activate the amp envelope, there is no sustain. With a short attack every note will have the SAME length. Or do most people not care about these things because of their style of making music?

[@loopop]

Thanks. You're right that the E2 is paraphonic per part, but you can easily play the two melodies you want on different parts, and you have 16 different parts. That's much better than only two parts that are 6 note polyphonic (not to mention that both of the melodies you need to play need to use the same sound). Regarding lack of sustain - you're right. I mention that in my E2 sound design video. You can sort of get around it by shutting down the Amp EG and using the modulation and effects, but no sustain, I agree is a flaw in the E2's Amp EG

[@ambaal]

The only problem here is that electribe gets into note stealing fairly quickly, while it's pretty hard to do with circuit. Not very relevant since those aren't really competing devices, they compliment each other way more than not.

[@teddym2808]

How stupid the elektron not letting you use it monotimbral if one wishes and all the polyphony on one sound.. I mean 4 notes for a synth? What is that gonna do? I play 4 note chords very often, slightly long release, and it can't do it. Silly limitation. I am glad I saw this video, as I was about to get one.

[@bobz1736]

When you say PC software for the Circuit does that mean you can't use with a Mac?

[@loopop]

Bobby Z no, I don’t mean that. Yes, you can use it with Mac

[@bobz1736]

loopop - Thanks for the quick and helpful reply. Love your vids 😎

[@color0cean]

so help me choose: i have fl studio. i think the electribe sampler is really cool, but it's more expensive. the novation circuit is cheaper, but novation products don't really fit as well with fl studio as they do ableton. which should i get?

[@loopop]

Meme Man E2 has Ableton export (and wav files too) - but if you’re enjoying fruiting why get one of these at all? I think you should get which ever one of them works for you standalone - hope that helps... there’s no wrong answer but the price difference isn’t that big for it to be a factor in my opinion

[@color0cean]

besides, for a groovebox i'm probably gonna use a few volcas on a rack... i'm leaning towards the e2 because korg. which one is better in your experience?

[@color0cean]

+loopop

[@loopop]

if there was a clear answer which is better I wouldn't have made a 20 minute video ;) there isn't a better one objectively, there's what best resonates with you after looking at the features and playing with them

[@color0cean]

+loopop well i'm too lazy to watch the full video so give me a summary

[@mishpult]

had to mention that the E2 has a high pitched hiss present all the time:) or make a special video for the bugs in the two machines.. nice video!

[@teknoridu2535]

my e2 is the most quiet gear i have ever owned. no hiss at all even at max volume

[@vectorstain]

Yeah, it's pretty annoying. Just in case, turn off the audio in option, this doesn't completely eliminate it, but it certainly is one of the main culprits.

[@mishpult]

yes, but most of the time I'm running stuff through the audio-in. Not really a solution:(

[@vectorstain]

Yeah, it's unfortunate. I wish they'd eliminate that pitch and work on the zero crossings that cause all the clicking between waveforms. However, I believe this is an engineering shortcoming, doubtful it ever gets addressed. Fingers crossed though.

[@mdkochan]

I came across that too while running the Mini MS20 through it, and used the E2’s (E2S in my case) LP to cancel it. Also noticed that in my case it’s caused by the modulation filters’ depth being too high. I’m sure if you are not going to use the Insert FX for what you’re doing on that part you could use the IFX’s eq to cancel it also. But I have the same issue sometimes.

[@allroads8978]

Ok just got off the Curcuit editor - all that stuff I said before - forget it / sounds cool now / good job Novation ( really got like 178 line on Tetris black in 88 - WHAT ! )

[@Digiphex]

For me, these are idea sketchpads. I will bang out cool patterns but never use these as a final song. For me, I prefer the Electribe by far and the Novation went away quickly via eBay.

[@ambaal]

There is a session chaining, not automated though.