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Description

Unleash your creativity with the Korg Electribe ES-1, a versatile audio sampler that seamlessly bridges the gap between analog synthesis and modern digital production. Perfectly suited for DJs and electronic music producers, this powerhouse offers an intuitive layout that encourages on-the-fly experimentation and live performance. The Electribe ES-1 invites you to craft and manipulate your soundscapes with ease, thanks to its comprehensive sampling capabilities.

The ES-1 is designed to be your go-to tool for dynamic music creation, allowing you to sample, sequence, and effect sounds in a way that feels uniquely personal. Its user-friendly interface ensures that both novices and seasoned producers can dive right into music making, with minimal learning curve. Plus, its robust build and thoughtful design mean it’s ready to handle the rigors of both studio sessions and live gigs.

Whether you're looking to lay down intricate drum patterns, sculpt mesmerizing bass lines, or explore complex synth textures, the Electribe ES-1 serves as a creative conduit, empowering you to turn your musical ideas into reality. With a legacy of innovation and excellence, Korg continues to inspire and elevate the music community.

Key Features:

  • Comprehensive sampling capabilities for versatile sound creation
  • Intuitive interface for easy navigation and real-time control
  • Integrated effects for dynamic sound manipulation
  • Robust design suitable for both studio and live environments
  • Ideal for DJs and electronic music producers seeking a streamlined workflow

Product specs

Brand Korg
Model Electribe-S ES-1 Rhythm Production Sampler
Finish Silver
Year 2000s
Categories Grooveboxes, Samplers
Analog / Digital Digital
MIDI I/O MIDI Input, MIDI Output, MIDI Through
Polyphony 12 Voices

FAQs

What type of sounds can the Korg Electribe ES-1 produce?

The Korg Electribe ES-1 is a rhythm production sampler designed to create a wide range of drum and percussion sounds. It allows users to sample and manipulate audio, making it versatile for electronic, hip-hop, and experimental music genres.

How many voices of polyphony does the Korg Electribe ES-1 have?

The Korg Electribe ES-1 offers 12 voices of polyphony, allowing for complex layering and sequencing of samples in your music production.

Is the Korg Electribe ES-1 compatible with MIDI devices?

Yes, the Korg Electribe ES-1 is equipped with MIDI Input, Output, and Through ports, enabling seamless integration with other MIDI-compatible devices for expanded control and synchronization.

Can I use the Korg Electribe ES-1 for live performances?

Absolutely, the Korg Electribe ES-1 is well-suited for live performances with its intuitive interface, real-time control options, and part mute/solo features, allowing for dynamic and engaging live sets.

What is the sampling frequency of the Korg Electribe ES-1?

The Korg Electribe ES-1 features a sampling frequency of 32kHz, which is adequate for capturing and manipulating a variety of audio samples effectively.

Ocean Swift / Faxi Nadu

Ocean Swift / Faxi Nadu

Korg Electribe ES-1 Sampler Review | The Ultimate Groovebox for Experimental Sounds!

Video thumbnail for Korg Electribe ES-1 Sampler Review | The Ultimate Groovebox for Experimental Sounds! by Ocean Swift / Faxi Nadu

Korg Electribe ES-1 Sampler Review | The Ultimate Groovebox for Experimental Sounds!

Ocean Swift / Faxi Nadu

Ocean Swift / Faxi Nadu

Video thumbnail for Korg Electribe ES-1 Rhythm Sampler - My Opinion by vintagestereos

Korg Electribe ES-1 Rhythm Sampler - My Opinion

vintagestereos

vintagestereos

Video thumbnail for KORG Electribe ES-1 │ Drum and Bass LIVE Jam - haQ attaQ by Jakob Haq

KORG Electribe ES-1 │ Drum and Bass LIVE Jam - haQ attaQ

Jakob Haq

Jakob Haq

Video thumbnail for New (Old) Gear - Korg Electribe ES-1 by Thomas Christ

New (Old) Gear - Korg Electribe ES-1

Thomas Christ

Thomas Christ

Reviews

PROS

  • Great sound, clean sampler output

  • Offers fun, easy use with immediate results

  • Durable build, compact and portable

  • Effective for both drums and melodies

  • Unique "retro" effect for added texture

  • Features like roll function and shift controls enhance pattern editing

  • Motion sequencing adds creative control

  • Ideal for rhythmic and quantized samples

CONS

  • Some effects, like reverb, sound cheap

  • Uses outdated SmartMedia storage

  • Sample length control could be simpler

  • Loading samples process can be tedious

  • Considered pricey given the feature set in the 2020s

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Korg Electribe ES-1.

Features and functionality

  • The ES-1 offers MIDI In/Out/Thru, making it easy to integrate into various setups for sequencing future drum or sample expansions.

    Source
  • The ES-1's architecture limits it to accessing a maximum of 99 files from a SmartMedia card, necessitating strategic sample organization.

    Source

Comparisons

  • ES-1 is favored over Volca Beats for broader capabilities and as standalone hardware, while Volca Beats may require additional software for best results.

    Source
  • Owners note that while the ES-1 Mk2 can sequence external hardware, it's worth considering if you want to base your setup on an older device.

    Source

User experience

  • Some users appreciate its lo-fi sound, citing influences like Patricia, despite its limitations in bass frequencies below 100Hz.

    Source
  • Some users have reported technical issues due to the age of the ES-1 Mk2, suggesting caution for beginners concerned about potential limitations.

    Source
  • Despite its age, some users describe the ES-1 Mk2 as a reliable workhorse, indicating satisfaction with its performance over several years of use.

    Source
  • Loading samples into the ES-1 involves manually saving them one-by-one into one of nine available bank slots, a process described as labor-intensive.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Ideal for those seeking a hands-on drum machine experience with live variations, particularly for loading and using drum samples.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • The ES-1 is seen as a good value for its price, and owners believe it can be resold at a similar value due to its durability and appeal.

    Source

Software and compatibility

  • The ES-1 requires samples to be converted to 16-bit, 32 kHz WAV or AIFF formats, and converting them to mono can save sample slots.

    Source
  • SmartNamer is a utility that renames files to the ES-1's required numeric convention, facilitating seamless transfer onto SmartMedia cards.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Users recommend using external software like Audacity to prepare samples by compressing, normalizing, and boosting the high end to maintain clarity when multiple samples play simultaneously.

    Source
Add

4.5 out of 5

Based on 6 Reviews and 27 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
artifactor

A very usable basic sampler

The ES-1 is a perfectly usable piece of gear, and can be quite charming in its simplicity. If you need a lofi sampler then this unit is decent option to explore. It does has a distinctively late-90s to early-00s budget feel and sound, but that is part of its charm in many ways. I think they may be a little pricey in the 2020s given the feature set on tap, but it does have some interesting options such as motion sequencing. In today's gear world, this would be a nice supplementary sound source, but I wouldn't build a kit around it.

christopher_lombardo

An old favorite

My first ever piece of gear. This thing has a special place in my heart. Outdated now and loading samples is a bit of an annoying process, but this beast has served me well for over 12 years.

manoutdoors

I swear by this thing

Had two of these, one as a drum machine and one for main melodies, I gave one to a friend who somehow managed to break it in the same month but whatever. This little powerhouse is used largely in all of my work, it just works so well with whatever I do.

jesse_cian_fawcett

Fantastic rhythmic/quantized sampler

This sampler is great for drum patterns, short vocal one-shot samples, and basically anything you want to repeat on particular notes. For dropping vocal loops or other longer samples, there are many better options out there--this one's all about rhythmic and quantized samples.

thegreykeyboards

Old school cool

The legend! Sure, there are newer drum machines but this thing still sounds great, is easy to use, and is fun as hell.

biobazar

Excellent

ecellent groove sampler simple, avec un grain tres particulier, tres KORG

Artist usage

Add artist
See how The Prodigy uses Korg Electribe ES-1

The Prodigy

Music Producer

...
Verified via Theprodigy

Korg: "You've recently been using a KM2 mixer, an Electribe ER-1, ES-1 and EM-1. What are your impressions of this kit?"

Liam: "I haven't checked the mixer yet, but the ER-1 resembles 70s and 80s analogue drum sounds, which is what i like."

See how Liam Howlett uses Korg Electribe ES-1

Liam Howlett

Music Producer

The Prodigy

...
Verified via Theprodigy

Korg ES-1 - Electribe S Rhythm Production Sampler Liam's comment: "I've used the ES-1 on stage and I've used the ER-1 on a couple of tracks on the new album. The ER-1 doesnt require much processing or EQing - it sounds f**king great straight out of the box. "

Sample and go! The ELECTRIBE·S is a new type of sampler that doesn't simply play back a recorded sound - it lets you aggressively process the samples to create your own signature sound. Play any sound or phrase in and use the pitch, filter and effects knobs to drastically alter the sample.

Slice loops with Time Slice Chop a sampled phrase or sound into pieces with the ELECTRIBE·S' Time Slice function. Time Slice detects the attacks of each part within a loop (e.g., bass drum, snare, and hi-hat), so that these parts can be massaged separately. You can also use the knobs to modify the tone of a phrase processed by Time Slice, creating complex patterns from a simple loop or phrase.

Realtime resampling With the resampling function, you can apply effects to a previously-recorded sample and then resample the result. You can even resample while modifying parameters such as pitch in realtime, and create even more new sounds with absolutely no deterioration in audio quality.

Instant rhythm creation Assign sampled sounds to up to ten parts, then use the step sequencer to create rhythm patterns. The step sequencer's sixteen pads divide a measure (or two measures) into sixteen parts. You decide where you want each sound to play by touching the desired keypads to create a pattern. And with the touch of a button you can add rolls or reverse playback for each part, so you can easily create highly complex rhythms that used to take ages to program in.

Add and change effects with the Motion Sequence function You're in complete control of sound alteration. With the Motion Sequence function, every tweak of a knob can be recorded as part of the rhythm pattern. Alter your tone at will on each part using one of the following parameters: pitch, filter, level, or pan. Then, with the Motion Sequence assign effect on/off, roll, and reverse playback for each part (all three can be recorded per part). Plus you can apply an Effect Motion Sequence (a motion sequence for effect parameters) and a Delay Motion Sequence to the entire pattern.

Radical sample processing In addition to a master delay effect, you get a built-in effects processor with eleven types of effects, that can be switched on/off for each part. The eleven types include basic effects such as Reverb and Flanger/Chorus, as well as unique effects like Decimator, Isolator, and Resonant Filter. Effect parameters can be edited using the knobs, and knob movements can be used as part of the rhythm pattern in the form of a Motion Sequence. The sound processed by the effects can also be sampled again. The internal memory of the ELECTRIBE·S can hold 128 user patterns. Combine up to 256 patterns/steps to create a song, which can be stored in one of sixteen internal song memories.

Store your data with Smart Media The ELECTRIBE·S provides a Smart Media slot for storing data. 3.3 V Smart Media ranging from 4 MB to 64 MB can be used to store your own sampled sounds, patterns and songs. The ELECTRIBE·S can also load AIFF and WAV files via Smart Media, allowing you to take advantage of sampled data stored on your computer.

The word is in The ELECTRIBES kick ass. Their thick, meaty analog sounds are making their own unique contribution to global mayhem. But we're not done with our radical donation to the rhythmic revolution. Introducing the ELECTRIBE·S, a sampler with a sound that is as fat and gritty as ever. And in true ELECTRIBE fashion, the ELECTRIBE·S is packed with tweakable knobs for extreme sound editing, and sixteen pad keys to program rhythm patterns and break beats.

Used:

Before Always Outnumbered was finished Liam told in several interviews that he has been using Electribes and the new album is going to be sounding quite electronic. Anyway all tracks were binned before the actual new album was released.

See how Gold Panda uses Korg Electribe ES-1

Gold Panda

Music Producer

...
Verified via YouTube

In this video Gold Panda is playing "You" on electribe ES-1 and MPC.

See how Fjaak uses Korg Electribe ES-1

Fjaak

Music Producer, DJ

...
Verified via Facebook

can be seen in this post from February 28, 2014

See how Mouse On Mars uses Korg Electribe ES-1

Mouse On Mars

Composer, Music Producer

...
Verified via YouTube

Seen being used here live on 5/13/199

See how Mosca uses Korg Electribe ES-1

Mosca

DJ

...
Verified via Attack Magazine

I use Reason, and still cut loads of samples from all over. I’ve been cutting samples since I was about 13, using a guitar pedal at first, then I got a Yamaha RM1X but missed the sampling aspect so got a Korg ES1 and later the ESX.

See how Tommi Kelly uses Korg Electribe ES-1

Tommi Kelly

Music Producer

Deli Girls

...
Verified via Photo

Tommi Kelly of Deli Girls frequently uses the Korg Electribe ES-1 in their performances, as seen in an Instagram post.

See how Bryant Clifford Meyer uses Korg Electribe ES-1

Bryant Clifford Meyer

Guitarist, Keyboardist

Isis

...
Verified via Photo

Korg sesh - Posted 2013

See how AMBASSADOR21 uses Korg Electribe ES-1

AMBASSADOR21

Music Producer

...
Verified via Photo

Electribe ES-1 been used in live rig in 2005-2010.

Album Usage

The Korg Electribe ES-1 has been featured on the following albums:

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Korg Electribe ES-1, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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1
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1
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1

1 alternative for Korg Electribe ES-1, curated by the Equipboard community.

Korg Electribe ES-1 MKII

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newer

The mkii was a minor update to the ES-1.

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