Fun. Versatile. In some ways limited.

Korg's Electribe EMX-1 is a fun easy-to-use drum machine and sequencer with lots of sound design options.

Since the EMX-1 has so many functions it is difficult to capture the capabilities of this machine in a short review. Therefore I will only discuss its key features.

The drum part can hold 9 different sounds at a time which you load from the inbuilt sample library. You can effectively adjust anything you'd like for each part. Most importantly the volume, pitch and release. You can also add swing to each part which is controlled by a global swing value, however I find that it sounds rather crude.

The synth part can hold 5 different sounds with a variety of oscillator options. You can either play notes using the step buttons as a keyboard, or program notes in a sequence. You can adjust the filter cutoff, resonance, attack and drive for either a low-pass, high-pass, band pass or band pass +. You can also modulate the depth of the pitch, oscillator shape, filter, amp and pan with an LFO which can be synced to the tempo.

In terms of building beats/patterns, you can simply record what you play on the go, or program a sequence. A handy feature included which involves a bit of reading into is the motion sequencing which allows you to program any of the part controls per step. For example, if you'd like to program a hi-hat to sound more dynamic, you can program each hit of the hat to be a different volume.

You also have the option of sending any part to a number of effects. I find the bpm-synced delay and EQ most useful. The reverb is RUBBISH.

I'd say that the biggest limitation of the EMX-1 is the sample library. This machine was released over 20 years ago and the samples go to show that. There are 207 samples to pick from and I'd say a quarter of them are actually functional for a contemporary beat. I assume the EMX-1 was catered towards electronic musicians so a lot of the samples don't sound particularly organic and if you're trying to make anything outside of EDM, you'll find it can be quite hit or miss. It would have been nice if you could load your own samples on to the EMX-1 but I suppose Korg reserved that feature for its sister product the ESX-1 sampler.

That said, you CAN make it work. It just takes a little more time and I'd argue that's what makes this machine so fun. You can plug and play, but I think you'll get more out of it when you start spending the time adjusting the sounds.

I'd recommend this machine to anyone that is looking for a cool vintage drum machine/sequencer that isn't expecting to take things too seriously. There are plenty of modern options which will likely be more functional in the modern age but the EMX-1 still has enough tricks to be useful in the right context.

Easy to use; covers 90% of my live set; tube upgrade can improve sound

This is an amazing groove box with 5 synthesizer tracks and a drum machine. The drums sound legit - it has really powerful kicks - and the synthesizer(s) are really good, also. The E-MX is super easy to use and still a lot of fun after years. The synths fall short in therms of polyphony and legit Acid, but this is acceptable. If you want to play polyphonic pads, you may add a different Synth, like the JP-8000, to it. If you want legit Acid, you need to add a TB-303 or clone. I replaced the E-MX's stock tubes to JJ Electronics. A huge difference! So, if you get an E-MX or an E-SX, take a tube upgrade in consideration.

Flexible and powerful

Love this little thing. They're cheap and very capable for what they offer. Multiple synthesis types and very straightforward effects system. Would definitely recommend as a first groovebox to any musician.

Crazy Box

Amazing Groovebox with alot of possebility`s. Sound is great and its hard to find 1 Box with more features

Easy to Program

I've been using this work station for over 10 years ( I got two of them) and it just requires time and patience to make it sound properly. I use it a lot for tops and backbeats

The first Groovebox I've had in my Collection.

This Tool made me quickly explore the way to make beats and tunes. And how fast you could chain them in Patterns and Songs.

Nice sounds

The body is made by steel, knobs feels great and very responsive. Compressing the sound really nice.

nice synth

I keep it just for the synth part. We like the filter

It's a Keeper!

Love this Electribe. Easy to use and super fun!

Good!

very heavy tube sound. For your tube crunchy woobly basses, leads...