The Most Underrated Drum Synth I Own // Korg ER1

[@tekra8971]

Dude great video, man. I like how people are still using these things. I just got my EA-1 Analog and it still sounds beautiful in 2023

[@craigwilliamsmusic]

I love it, super fun and flexible to get everything from normal to super weird sounds!!

[@tekra8971]

@@craigwilliamsmusic HAHAHAHA For sure.

[@marsmediapro]

It's time I pull my ER-1 MKii out from storage, and this video has helped re-introduce it; Thanks!

[@craigwilliamsmusic]

That's awesome!!! Thanks for watching.

[@showtimewest1940]

I bought this many years ago and never really learned how to use it well .good video

[@adambyrne2028]

So I'm watching this video and thinking to myself... this guy has to be more connected to the underground then just the regular you-tuber video. Loved your instinct. I enjoyed your selection at the end when you sequenced your old school pattern. Looked you up and see you worked with Tiga, Green Velvet, Mckleen, and Josh Butler on some remixes! I hope we cross paths in the studio some day! Keep up the great work! Respect!

[@craigwilliamsmusic]

Thank you for watching and the kind words. I'm really grateful for the opportunities I have had in the music world.

[@domingoleija3436]

I filled up all the memory with my personal touch and created 30 minute sets. Wasn't thrilled w/$ounds but the concept was a joy and I wAited till these Vocals came out do I sync this one with Volca drum. Mucho fun. Triple pleasure

[@SonicWalkerMix]

Happy to see the original Electribes getting some love. I am glad I never sold my ER-1 and EA-1. They have their limitations but are fun little quirky machines with individual character that is missing in so many devices nowadays.

[@craigwilliamsmusic]

I totally agree. It's loads of fun and you can get a lot of mileage out of it's engines.

[@johannes.nieuwenhuizen]

14:45 how cool is that! During the pattern demo you did I thought "this sounds a lot like Todd Terje" and a few minutes later that Hydrasynth Inspector Norse video gets suggested. Synchronicity or what! Cool video by the way. Great that you mentioned the Volca Drum in the end. I have been looking at getting an ER-1 for a while and wondered exactly if the Drum would match it. I can get a drum for €90, whereas the cheapest ER-1 that is not beaten up is €240.

[@craigwilliamsmusic]

hahahahhaa nice. After playing the Volca drum for a while the sounds you can get are in the ball park of the ER1. The only thing I hate is the designing and shaping of the sounds of the Volca Drum. Having all the controls on the front of the ER1 makes it a lot more useable and also fun to use.

[@koalemos1679]

I had the Volca Drum for a little while. I liked the sound and I made a few videos/jams with it. It was cool but it would get glitchy sometimes when I would get crazy programming sounds. It would just not play the sounds correctly or refuse to play the note I wanted it to play at. It also didn't play super great with my Octatrack but that might not be a Korg thing. It was cool for a little while and it could make some just sweet electric piano sounds. Just so good.

[@dfreeman120]

That beat is a song, great work !

[@craigwilliamsmusic]

thank you!

[@andrewlaporte9598]

I played around with one of those a very long time ago, I borrowed it for a month or so from a friend, that thing was so freaking cool

[@craigwilliamsmusic]

For me it's just a really fun instrument to play and experiment with.

[@naterally2176]

i use a 4ch mixer with the er1 and em1 with 2 TTX turntables with 50% pitch and key lock. the level of experimental live remix is top drawer.

[@craigwilliamsmusic]

Nice one!! I have played around a little adding a drum machine to decks but haven't ventured out of the house with the setup.

[@theleonator83]

Great video man love your production. I can't afford any kit at the moment but there's one of these on marketplace at the moment and you've 99% convinced me to fork out for it before someone else does 😅😅

[@craigwilliamsmusic]

Thank you. I think the ER1 is really good value for money. It has a sound but it can be used in a load of different musical styles.

[@domingoleija3436]

Didn't dig the sounds on ETA but I now sync it with Volca Bass n keys. Super fat fun daze now

[@chadpescod-realtor3308]

I never thought I would sell mine. Ever. But then when I got an mpc live with a drum synth it was game over. The sequencing and layout and usability are all outstanding. It's the sounds that were somewhat lackluster for me. I say that, but I'll probably end up buying another one some day.

[@craigwilliamsmusic]

I love my MPC Live but when I make drums on it I feel that I might as well fire up Logic and make them inside of my computer. I love the bare bones feel to the ER1 and the ability to get solid sounds pretty quickly.

[@DeliriumElectric]

Did you mention motion sequencing? I find that an awesome way of making your patterns come alive. Had the es1 mkII but upgraded to the ESX.

[@craigwilliamsmusic]

I didn't mention it in the video but I totally agree with you. So much packed into the little machine.

[@Reprobus3]

The audio in section is good for sending different types of noise into (radio static for example) then gating to create hi hat type sounds.

[@craigwilliamsmusic]

Oh nice, I haven't tried that. I'll have to give it a go!

[@RussSmith]

@@craigwilliamsmusic I use my audio inputs for sync'd beat delay and gating on a sample tape thru the audio in, and tap tempo match to the tape.

[@schmoogle7853]

A friend gave me one of these and I find it makes lovely beefy kicks! The only problem is that they sometimes turn into weird beeps during playback so I can't really make as much use of it as I would like. But now I have the newer Electribe sampler I can hopefully use the sounds in a more reliable way.

[@craigwilliamsmusic]

Thats the great thing. There is so much gear out there that something might not work for you but there is a load of products that will.

[@electro-soma]

Interesting. I've never used the ER1 but it certainly sounds like my Volca Drum. Korg did a good job in reinterpreting the ER1 in such a small form factor.

[@craigwilliamsmusic]

For sure, I heard a demo of the Volca Drum and I was sold. I have one coming. I love the Volcas.

[@chadpescod-realtor3308]

I would like a volca drum in the er1 shell. Drum is too small.

[@electro-soma]

@@chadpescod-realtor3308 I'd love that as well.

[@domingoleija3436]

The first SYNTH percussion that was exciting times. I was working at Guitar c. Dallas tx. And only thing I could afford at the time. Fun 4 all percussionist

[@craigwilliamsmusic]

I really like the sounds it makes. I don’t use it as the main box but I think it’s great for secondary lines to a main beat.

[@eyalnahum]

Hi Craig, have you any Idea how do I change the second pich of "sonar heart" feature in this machine?

[@digitalcrack144]

Question, i just got an ER-1 as addition to my es2, i was wondering i know the delay effect is a master effect and cannot be assigned to a single part, but is there way/workaround to lets say EXCLUDE a part from the delay mfx, lets say i want the delay to be on all drums but leave the kick unaffected, is there a way to do it? maybe with the custom firmware?

[@popcycles]

the pcm closed HH always sounds like it has some silabance, unless its pitched down a bit.

[@craigwilliamsmusic]

I always eq them a bunch when I get them into the computer.

[@popcycles]

@@craigwilliamsmusic smart 👍🏼

[@eyalnahum]

Hi Craig, sorry I wasn`t clear: the feature in this machine "sonar heart" has 2 notes for synth no` 4. i couldn`t change the pich of the second note. pls if you can instruct me it would be great.

[@craigwilliamsmusic]

I'm not sure what that is sorry.

[@arklebeats]

Great work! Thank you . Want to get one of these now .

[@craigwilliamsmusic]

I don't use mine very much for kicks and claps but it's always finding it's way onto my tracks for the weird bleeps and bloops and synthetic percussion.

[@djpopcorn]

10:22 there is a huge red led number read out? What is that?

[@craigwilliamsmusic]

Thats just a simple decibel reader. It's not super accurate but it gives me a ball park level so when I do big sessions I can keep the volume in check.

[@djpopcorn]

@@craigwilliamsmusic ooo very nice 👍

[@craigwilliamsmusic]

It's a nice way to not go crazy with the volume.

[@djpopcorn]

@@craigwilliamsmusic Is it essentially a replacement as to looking at the daw or mixer master level? So you got a big readout, that is quicker to gauge the levels?

[@VintageGearFreak]

What does the Audio In do? Is just a pass through for audio or triggered/shaped somehow ?

[@craigwilliamsmusic]

I have a video in the works covering this topic!!

[@xxx7917]

I use it for bass . Run my monotribe ,with a nice beefy drone into it and sequence it

[@peterfuzz3887]

the coolest thing is the midi notes played within the drums, so you can midi sync and see what happens...

[@craigwilliamsmusic]

I have not tried that at all. I'll definitely give it a go. Thanks for the suggestion.

[@yesin9019]

@peterfuzz3887 what do you mean with midi sync?

[@yesin9019]

@@craigwilliamsmusic Have you tried? I don't see what it can do except sending/receiving midi notes. Cool review :)

[@reazallykhan]

I got the the er1 and ea1 mk1 and mk2 and I love them all… Oh I got the em1…I love their looks…..too

[@railster]

Yes!

[@lundsweden]

I had one of these more than 20 years ago. I never really liked the sound, as I wanted a complete drum machine. But yeah the bleeps and bloops are cool.

[@craigwilliamsmusic]

It def has it's place and it's sound. I will always go to the Elektron and Roland boxes for the meat and potato's drums but for bleeps and bloops this is my go too.

[@dfreeman120]

Got one !!!! It is the most underrated in the history of the world !

[@craigwilliamsmusic]

Very much so. It always finds its way onto my music.

[@dfreeman120]

The other cool feature are the stereo inputs. You can run a long sustained sound in and chop it up and pan it on the fly etc.

[@craigwilliamsmusic]

Thats what i'm going to cover in an upcoming video!

[@dfreeman120]

@@craigwilliamsmusic nice, bring it.

[@craigwilliamsmusic]

keep an eye out this week!!

[@dxtrs_mnpltr]

They had their time for sure, specially when minimal came around

[@craigwilliamsmusic]

I'll hear a new song now and then I'm like "that is def the ER1 on there and it still sounds great in this track" Bicep is a great example of this.

[@okidot]

They've been a secret weapon for a long time! Very unique and powerful FM

[@smandy121]

Great video - I've got one in the garage will find it out :-)

[@craigwilliamsmusic]

Yes, give it the love that it deserves hahahahahha

[@andyknowles772]

Love my ER1 Use it for both beats and dubby siren sounds. Poor man's SpaceDrum but way more versatile.

[@craigwilliamsmusic]

I love mine. I probably use it to much but it's so easy to get solid useable sounds out of it.

[@Farold_Haltermeyer]

It gets a lot of flack for sounding “flat” but I just hear a compressed warmth in it all...I guess I just have a particular taste but I love it!

[@craigwilliamsmusic]

I love the sound of it, it's close to the Volca Drum with a lot more options.

[@kierenmoore3236]

@@craigwilliamsmusic. Did you mean Volca Drum, or Volca Beats … ?

[@AT-eh2eo]

Apparently there’s a third party firmware update that improves on it!

[@craigwilliamsmusic]

I have seen a few videos covering this but I don't know enough to make the leap.

[@HonestMike]

The Korg ER-1... The happy little accident beat machine 😇👍 hm²

[@craigwilliamsmusic]

100% I love it for that.

[@miekwavesoundlab]

I love using EA1 + ER1 + RM1X combo

[@craigwilliamsmusic]

I'm still yet to have a solid go of the EA1. From the demos I have seen I think it would be a great combo.

[@justinmanser7525]

The Iphone store has an Er-1 emulator, for anyone interested.

[@craigwilliamsmusic]

Thanks for the heads up. I see they also have a plug-in version.

[@TheCircusp]

And there's a plug in for editing by the time

[@craigwilliamsmusic]

Do you have a link? I haven't seen the plug-in.

[@TheCircusp]

@@craigwilliamsmusic it's old, don't know where to find it

[@craigwilliamsmusic]

I'll have a dig around and see what I can find.

[@reazallykhan]

I prefer the mk2 to this one..but this machine is nice too…I’m not knocking it…..I still prefer the er1 to the 808…you can create the 808 with the er1 …but you can’t create the er1 with the 808…nice job by the way ❤

[@craigwilliamsmusic]

I had the Mk2 sample (I made a load of presets for Korg). I ended up selling it. I always go back to the ER1. I might have to get my hands on the other Mk2 and give it a run.

[@djpopcorn]

mk2? Which machine are you talking about? Are you referring to the ER1 mkII?? Why so you prefer that one over the red ER1MKI,if you don't mind me asking. Aren't they the exact machine other than the case and I think the ring modulator?

[@HootHinge]

mk1 ring mod vs mk2 cross mod

[@okidot]

Much nicer sound from mk1 I found, taste thing i guess. Why do you prefer mkii?

[@reazallykhan]

@@craigwilliamsmusicman…..that’s a good idea…..but I like the er1 feel and look…..I prefer the first one ….still 🙈❤️✌️

[@jakeyboy2929]

Is this analogue?

[@craigwilliamsmusic]

It is digital.

[@jevogroni4829]

er-1 video equals instasubbed

[@craigwilliamsmusic]

It's one of the secret weapons of my studio. So much fun to use.

[@aikighost]

I own 3 of them a mk1 and 2x mk2s 🤣 Also the iPad app isnt bad either.

[@craigwilliamsmusic]

nice!! I wouldn't mind getting my hands on some of the others in the original range to see what they can do.

[@technodrone313]

i sold mine but i used the shit out of it for years.

[@craigwilliamsmusic]

Nice, sometimes it's just good to let things go after a while.

[@isaiahromero9861]

What do you use now? If you still use a drum machine at least, thinking about getting one but im still trying to weigh all my options

[@technodrone313]

@@isaiahromero9861 sh-4d

[@djpopcorn]

​@@technodrone313Interesting! Does it hold up to the trusty ER1?

[@technodrone313]

yeah its pretty powerful@@djpopcorn

[@reazallykhan]

Sadly I got the mk2 which I love…..I should have kept my er1….regret selling it😊😊

[@craigwilliamsmusic]

I did a pack of sounds for the Mk2 but ended up selling it. I don’t think I will ever sell my mk1

[@popcycles]

​@@craigwilliamsmusicaren't they the same?

[@popcycles]

​@@craigwilliamsmusicAren't they the same sound? The ER1MkI and the ER1Mk2? I'm intrigued now!

[@reazallykhan]

@@popcyclesthey are different….different effect and built too

[@kierenmoore3236]

@@reazallykhan. Different:- Build, clearly. Effects you mentioned here somewhere, yes. Core sound, I’m not sure … ? Is there a good comparison video, somewhere … ?!

[@edgodsall3740]

I owned this when it came out, was pants ha

[@craigwilliamsmusic]

You probably know more ticks and tips than I do!

[@vycsh]

house

[@craigwilliamsmusic]

I can hear this machine on so many records. It’s all over Biceps two albums.

[@domingoleija3436]

The first Volca beat is a copy of ER1 so don't even recommend that. Anyhow these machines are great to play along with electronic kits or whatever you play .

[@thepinballpalace]

The “First” (only) Volca Beats is most certainly not a copy of this AT ALL… it actually Couldn’t be more different in concept except that they are both rhythm Boxes.. the “Beats’” whole thing was that it was ANALOG while the er1 was unabashedly DIGITAL… the volca Drum on the other hand could be accused of being a modern day budget reproduction/homage to this in some ways