Korg Electribe ESX2 Sampler Music Production Station

Full Description

System Version 2

With a new colour scheme to give it a stunning look, the Electribe is given an ungraded system that adds support for a pattern chain function and undo function, providing a great asset for live performances. Along with a system update, Korg has also provided over 200 new bonus patterns that work with a variety of musical styles.

Shape sounds your way

The Electribe ESX2 gives you direct control over your sound sources, so you can build tracks from material that feels personal. Import samples from an SD card, connect external gear to record audio, or capture ideas using the onboard resampling function. Once loaded, you can adjust waveform start and end points, tweak pitch, or divide loops into smaller slices for detailed editing. Automatic transient detection helps split phrases cleanly, making it easier to rearrange rhythms without losing timing.

Assign slices across parts and trigger them individually to create new grooves or melodic patterns. Resampling opens further options, letting you combine multiple elements into a single sound and free up parts for additional layers. This approach keeps your workflow efficient while still giving you room to experiment and refine.

Perform with direct control

Everything is designed to be played rather than programmed in isolation. The velocity-sensitive pads respond to how hard you strike them, helping your beats feel more natural and less rigid. Different pad modes allow you to switch between rhythm input, melodic playing or chord triggering, so you can build complete ideas without changing devices. The touch pad adds another layer of interaction, letting you control effects or generate phrases with simple finger movements.

Motion sequencing records your knob movements, meaning filter changes or modulation tweaks can evolve over time. This adds variation to looping patterns without constant manual input. And with scale and key settings in place, you can explore ideas freely while staying musically consistent.

Build complete arrangements quickly

The pattern-based workflow keeps arrangement simple and clear. Each pattern holds multiple parts, which you can combine to form sections of a track. Using the pattern set function, you can assign favourite patterns to pads for quick access during performance or writing sessions. The pattern chain feature then links these sections together, allowing longer arrangements to play back in sequence.

You can also adjust the step length of individual parts to create shifting rhythms that move away from a fixed grid. Groove templates add subtle timing and dynamic changes inspired by real percussion styles, helping your beats feel more organic. These tools make it easier to expand short loops into more developed compositions while keeping the process straightforward.

Connect and expand your setup

The Electribe ESX2 fits comfortably into a wider production or performance setup. Sync connections allow it to run alongside other compatible devices, keeping everything locked in time. MIDI support makes it easy to integrate with your DAW or control external instruments, while the audio input lets you process outside sources using onboard filters and effects.

When your ideas are ready to develop further, you can export projects directly to Ableton Live. Each part is separated into its own track, giving you the freedom to edit, arrange and mix in more detail. A bundled Live Lite license helps you get started straight away.

Features

• Features the latest system version 2 which can also be downloaded from here
• The Electribe sampler featuring KORG's latest technology
• An evolved step sequencer
• Intuitive beat making with the trigger pads and touch pad
• A hybrid synth engine with sampling and modeling
• Advanced use of samples with time slice and resampling functions
• Even deeper creative potential: effects and groove templates
• New functions for live performance: master effects, pattern sets, sync in/out
• A new workflow: interoperation with Ableton Live
• Over 200 bonus presets which can be downloaded here

Specifications

Sound System

• Maximum Polyphony: 24 voices
• Number of parts: 16
• Sampling Frequency: 48 kHz
• Number of Sound Samples: Up to 999 (Includes User)
• Number of Filter types: 3
• Number of Modulation types: 72
• Scale Types: 35
• Gate Arpeggiator Types: 50
• AD/DA Conversion: 24 Bit

Sampler

• User Samples: Up to 499
• Memory: Aprox. 270 Seconds Maximum

Effect

• Insert Effects: 38 types
• Master Effects: 32 types

Connectors

• Audio:
  • L/Mono Output (Standard Phone Jack)
  • R Output (Standard Phone Jack)
  • Headphones (Stereo Mini Jack)
  • Line Input (Stereo Mini Jack)
• MIDI: In, Out (Use an Included MIDI Adapter Cable)
• USB: Type Micro B
• Sync: In, Out (Stereo Mini Jack)

External storage device

• SD Card (512MB - 2GB) SDHC Card (Up to 32GB)

Power

• Power Supply: AC Adaptor or AA Battery x 6, (Alkaline Battery or Nickel Metal Hydride Battery)
• Battery Life: Approximately 5 hours, (Power Saving: On, with Nickel-Metal Hydride Battery)
• Current Consumption: Less than 500 mA

Chassis

• Zinc Die Cast

Operating temperature

• 0- +40C (non-condensing)

Accessories

• AC Adaptor (KA-350)
• MIDI adapter cable x 2
• Ableton Live 9 Lite (License card included)

Physical

• Dimensions (WxDxH): 339 x 189 x 45 mm
• Weight: 1.6 kg
• Product Code: ESX2-RD </ul.