Why I'm Selling My ESX

[@dakat_]

Thank you for explaining a bit on your decision! You'll definitely be missed by ESX newbies like me. I feel like despite their shortcomings, the ESX and the EMX are the best workflow-focused sequencers out on the market today. As a noob, I found much easier to start with the ESX than with something like the Digitakt which requires more menuing and stuff. I guess all I'm trying to say is: korg should do updated and modernised versions of these machines already! I mean we would all buy them in an instant! But instead we are stuck with E2s...

[@danieklerr]

Haha, yes, that ES2. It has some really powerful features in its own right, but its just not the same. After all, it's a 16-track sequencer with samples, slicing, synth engine, insert effects and master effect for about $300 USD used. That's honestly hard to beat. But not an Electribe. If Korg had called it something different there would be no controversy. :)

[@crnkmnky]

@@danieklerr Ironically, the only reason I started watching your channel is because I had fun with an E2 at Ken Stanton Music, and started looking for grooveboxes I could actually afford then. 😸

[@danieklerr]

I love that! You've been around a long time, and I've noticed. I value your support; thank you!

[@johncarter2741]

I’m an elektron user. But also have an emx1 (I also used to own an esx1 but sold it earlier this year). Whilst I do most stuff on a digitakt 2 paired with a digitone 2, using the emx1 paired with a Roland mc101 does give great results. The mc101’s sequencer can run nicely with the emx as it’s 128 steps. It has a big sound library as well as samples. I’m using the emx1 for drums and mega phat bass on synth channel 5. Synth channels 1 to 4 have their levels turned down on the emx and the 4 tracks of the 101 are used instead. Best of both worlds. The simplicity of the emx sequencer. MMT technology phat bass. Modern clean zenology tones and easy sample management on the 101.

[@danieklerr]

I can't argue with any of your points. I'm actually very interested in using an EMX for a time, even if it flies in the face of my decision to remove clutter, haha.

[@djantix1200]

I had the Electribe 2s and it just didn't do it for me. Electribe 3 would be great if Korg just updated the ESX or EMX. Anyway, I still use both my ESX and EMX for maximum fun in the studio. When I'm making music with current tech I use the Akai MPC One and man is that thing cool. Cheers Daniel.

[@danieklerr]

See, that's actually a good use case for the ESX/EMX, as a studio tool. Very fun to lay down performance elements, then software can be used to augment the tracks to fit nicer with other gear/software. As far as the Electribe 3? I'm not holding my breath of course, haha. But I am steadily moving forward with the development of my own hardware, which I have very high hopes for. I appreciate your input, as always!

[@f_f_s1912]

Did you ever do a JJ ECC803S Tube upgrade on the ESX? It sounds like you made the right decision for you which is all that matters. Thank you for all the information that you have shared over the years, much appreciated.

[@danieklerr]

Thank you; I appreciate that! I did use JJ tubes for a while and some Mullard and JAN pairs as well. They all sounded different, some better than others. Then, in a moment of ignorance, I spent about $500 USD on a pair of Mazda/Belvu silver plate 12AX7's. I had delusions of grandeur, haha, and expected to turn the ESX into a high-end vocal preamp. The problem with this idea is that the ESX (and other cheap "tube" gear) use a starved-plate design, which means the tubes are vastly under-powered and will never heat up enough to show their potential. This is why they have LED lights behind them to simulate the tube glow. Anyway, I am disappointed that I'll not get a chance to bypass the tubes altogether and install a switch. :(

[@Wiki_Beats]

I'm sorry for your loss 😢 (Maybe try running the ESX through an aural exciter) Merry Xmas dude 🙏

[@danieklerr]

Thank you for your condolences! Haha. My loss is your gain.. Wait until this next tutorial drops, I pulled out all the stops. :) Happy Holidays to you!

[@emilyGannis-torres]

Hi Thor precious soul...

[@danieklerr]

Thor is one of the best and most intelligent dogs I have ever known. He's so gentle with my babies, yet big and protective enough to be imposing, plus he obeys every command.

[@alexwestconsulting]

I figure that every piece of gear has its own workflow, and its that workflow that yields fruit. Not like I need to tell you this, I know. I still have my ESX and EMX (and ER1), but also have an Akai force and a ton of other gear. The old Korgs' workflow is super archaic and limited, but that's part of the joy. But yeah, they can't exactly make polished tracks and to anyone who isn't into and knowledgeable about "vintage" gear, they are just OLD. Laughably old really. I mean, I love that about them, but a spade is a spade. Akai Force and the like can make polished tracks that anyone who isn't a gear head and/or over 40 is going to appreciate more, whereas those Korgs you can only do so much with and their audio fidelity is always low. But, as far as youtube goes, many of us want to see Electribe jams because watching Akai Force james ain't no fun.

[@danieklerr]

This is exactly how I feel. I love the limited feature set and lo-fi shine of vintage gear, and I love the creativity it inspires. At this time in my life, I need to cut gear that is not conducive to playing main-stage gigs at large events and the ESX unfortunately doesn't make the cut. Akai Force jams aren't fun to watch.. yet, haha. I have done my best to make them as entertaining as possible, but I believe the entertainment-value of the unit has been crippled because there simply aren't enough dedicated controls for making performance changes.

[@BeyondTyrants]

I think if you're still using a Korg Electribe of any kind in a professional capacity in 2024/25, you probably already know it has its own sound and quirks that give it a certain charm. Korg is kinda like the Bethesda Studios of music gear manufacturers. For those that don't get the reference, Bethesda makes buggy quirky games that the community has to mod to make playable but the community still loves it. No matter how many better, more modern RPG's come along, there's still a strong little community of Skyrim modders turning chicken shit into chicken salad with a twenty year old game. If only the Electribe was as moddable as Skyrim though. That's where my analogy starts to fall apart. But I just bought the original microKorg synth that was modded by having the keyboard half cut off so I hooked up the Arturia Keystep 37 to it and now it's an arpeggiating monster! Gave it a totally new lease on life. You selling your Electribe for the same exact reasons I haven't bought one since I sold the one I had from back in the early 2000's makes me want to take another look at it as a challenge to make better. The used market on them needs to come down a bit in price though before I start experimenting with it. I am curious now though!

[@danieklerr]

What an analogy! Haha, love it. I must add, however, that I've owned an estimated 1,500 synths over the last 35 years, and the Korg Modwave is hands down the most powerful synth I've ever used. I wish it had the punchy converters of say the Virus or Nord, then it would be an absolute killer.

[@koalemos1679]

I had a very similar experience with my Electribe 2 Sampler. I got my hands on the newer Elektron stuff and it just had to go. Maybe if it had real MIDI. Maybe if that MIDI could be configured in some meaningful way. But it didn't sound super good and it just didn't play well with any other gear nor could it stand on it's own.

[@danieklerr]

Yeah, that pretty much sums it up for me, except the ESX sounds much worse than the ES2 in my opinion. The ES2 has a lot of its own problems, haha. But I'm interested in where Bangcorrupt is going to take it with his DIY firmware, so I keep it around. I am an early Elektron user as well, and I can't complain about any of their offerings. I used the Octatrack live for years and loved it, although it was a very difficult machine to wrap my head around.

[@michaelriver1118]

Skip to around 8 minutes. Basically he thinks the Akai Force sounds better. Just saved you 10 minutes.

[@crnkmnky]

I figured most people clicking on a personal vlog about millennial-era gear wouldn't be that pressed to skip over the context. Maybe skip to 4:32 if they're allergic to hearing backstory. I was fine just playing the whole thing at 1.3x. But thanks.

[@danieklerr]

To be fair, the thumbnail **does** say I am going to ramble! Haha. Merry Christmas!