KORG ESX-1 vs KORG microSAMPLER

[MIDI_Thru_Kid]

OK. One has shitty microKORG keys, the other has drum pads. They can both be had for $450-$500 new on eBay, SamAsh, Guitar Center, etc. They both have effects and resampling (Not sure about the resampling on the ESX-1, but I'm assuming that it does because it would dumb as h**l if it didn't), and both are KORG products. One has an ELECTRIBE structure, the other has more of a Synthesizer-like structure. They both have an onboard sequencer.

Which one is better? The microSAMPLER because it's newer and therefore has more features than the ESX-1 because you can go more in depth with pattern and song-making? Or, are they both PRETTY much the same thing? I have an EMX-1, so, for now, if I got a microSAMPLER I could sequence it's events via the EMX-1, and therefore have an EMX-1 AND an ESX-1, right? Or wrong?

Alright, let's see which is best, if any at all! If I were to take a guess, I would say the microSAMPLER because it's newer, runs on batteries, comes with a mic, is SMALLER, and simply the idea of keys with a sampler. OR, the answer that is ALWAYS right, but pisses everyone off: "Well, uh, it depends..." (on your preferences, your setup, space, what time of day it is, you underwear size, insert your own reason here...)

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

[Stab Frenzy]

One is like a drum machine that you can also play some basic synth stuff on, the other is like a sampling synth that you can also do some basic drum machine stuff on.

Basically you have to pick whether you want to push buttons into a sequencer to play it or play the keys.

[balma]

Or you can count the sexy factor ,and decide not to get the UGLIER one.

[tallowwaters]

Had both, ESX better.

[balma]

Had both, ESX better.

tallowaters got Microsampler?

[MIDI_Thru_Kid]

Whoa, I thought this thread kinda died!

Hmm... Interesting. Any reason why the ESX was better, Tallowwaters?

I guess the sexy factor counts. You can't go wrong with metallic red. Ooo Baby.

One other thing to point out. the microSAMPLER has USB, the ESX-1 has a smart media card slot. Now, I have an SM card (128MB) for my EMX-1, and my computer has an SM card slot on it, plus, I can go into Cubase at any time, make a sample, mess with it, and load it into the ESX via SM card. Then again, I could do that with a microSAMPLER, too, just with USB.

Hey, another thing. Let's look at the "Novice" factor. For a complete novice at sampling (first sampler one would buy cheaply), which would be better? I would think the microSAMPLER just becuase it's got the idiot setup going for it.

Batteries vs No Batteries
USB vs SM Card
Keys vs Drum Pads
Portability vs Studio Use

It's a preference thing, I think.

Damn. When you look at these side by side, it REALLY is a preference thing. Unless somebody has anything else they want to add... We'll see what happens as this thread ages.

[tallowwaters]

I thought the microsampler was extremely limited and unintuitive in comparison to the ESX.

[MIDI_Thru_Kid]

You, know I heard the exact same thing someplace else, but to be honest, I have encountered no proof of it. So... I dunno. I mean, it makes sense, one is for sampling on the fly (where time is limited), and the other is for sampling in the studio (where time isn't so limited, therefore you have more time to work on quality).

In my mind, they are the same. One has keys though, and the other has drum pads. Oh yeah, and one is red, and the other is gunmetal blue.

[tallowwaters]

An assumption we call ignore since you apparently own neither.

[rharris07]

I thought the microsampler was extremely limited and unintuitive in comparison to the ESX.

I totally agree. I just picked up an ESX-1 yesterday, and already love it. I've already had fun recording a new track with it using the presets...which is impressive to me.

I also played with the microsampler yesterday as well, and was completely unimpressed with it. That'll be my last interaction with it more than likely. It offered really nothing interesting at all that made me want to continue to play with it, or learn more about it.

The ESX seems like it has quite a few endless avenues, plus loading in 808s and 909s and linndrums - oh my!

[MIDI_Thru_Kid]

An assumption we call ignore since you apparently own neither.

Uh, yeah, that's the reason I started the topic.

It seems clear that it's the ESX-1 for practicallity reasons

[Em Pe Ge]

i've spent a decent amount of time on both... and although the micro is newer, i feel the user interface is much more confusing. seems to have decent specs, but the tiny led screen gets irritating to work with.

as for the ESX-1... my roommate had one, and ended up selling it. i messed with it a bit... seems to be very similar to the rest of the electribe family... so in that sense, thumbs up.

however, if you're looking for a sampler... i always recommend the MPC series. once you get the hang of the sequencer, it's very easy to layer up tracks, and create grooves on the fly. plus more tracks then you would ever want... i'd say find a used MPC1000, get the ram upgrade off ebay for $20, and call it a day. just my two cents.

[MIDI_Thru_Kid]

i've spent a decent amount of time on both... and although the micro is newer, i feel the user interface is much more confusing. seems to have decent specs, but the tiny led screen gets irritating to work with.

as for the ESX-1... my roommate had one, and ended up selling it. i messed with it a bit... seems to be very similar to the rest of the electribe family... so in that sense, thumbs up.

however, if you're looking for a sampler... i always recommend the MPC series. once you get the hang of the sequencer, it's very easy to layer up tracks, and create grooves on the fly. plus more tracks then you would ever want... i'd say find a used MPC1000, get the ram upgrade off ebay for $20, and call it a day. just my two cents.

Much respect to the MPC's out there. It's just that they aren't cheap ($1000 new, and some go for up to $500 used). But that's becuase they're GREAT machines... I'm letting this idea simmer in my head for the rest of the week.

I've come to the conclusion that I'm going to go for the ESX if all else fails. I'm used to the Electribe interface, and the microSAMPLER just isn't for me, I believe.

I have the MPC 1000 and other MPC's out there in my sights, though. The sampler built in with a sequencer idea sparks my interest.

[balma]

i've spent a decent amount of time on both... and although the micro is newer, i feel the user interface is much more confusing. seems to have decent specs, but the tiny led screen gets irritating to work with.

as for the ESX-1... my roommate had one, and ended up selling it. i messed with it a bit... seems to be very similar to the rest of the electribe family... so in that sense, thumbs up.

I don't get it. Did you have the ESX1 or only touched your roommate's one...????


Because the ESX1 is quite different from the other Electribes, even from the previous sampler the ES1.

It has 7 years, and Korg just put it again in production, they just upgraded the storage option from SM to SD.....

[Em Pe Ge]

haha, no i didn't own the ESX.... although i spent several hours on it. seems like a decent beast...

i'd just say as far as sampling and sequencing capabilities the MPC series has got these guys beat.