Does anyone know where you can send an EMX-1 to get refurbished? Europe if possible. Cheers
Anyone? Iām looking to replace the tubes and clean up a few knobs and buttons.
The tubes are super easy to replace yourself. Just two screws on the back, pull them out and push in new ones.
As for knobs, if you have some scratchy pots, you could try cleaning them yourself with deoxIT. There are lots of threads here and videos on youtube, but it would only require pulling the plastic knobs off their stems to expose the pots. Pretty easy.
Itās been a while since I had mine apart but I donāt remember there being anything special about the pots, themselves. So if you have one thatās flat out broken or something, any synth service place that does pots should be able to replace it. Or any quality electronics repair for that matter. No need to go to some sort of EMX specialist or anything.
Button-wise, thereās not much to clean and/or replace there. There are no physical switches in the EMX-1. These are the conductive rubber style buttons that make direct contact with the copper pads on the PCB. There could be some oxidation on the pads, I guess, but again, no special knowledge required there. Anyone confident in opening a case and putting it back together would be able to help.
All that said, if you do decide you want to send it to a professional, I donāt know anyone in EU. But a more general post might get you more eyeballs, and therefore more suggestions?
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On the EMX1, is it possible to have mute states hold over when you change a pattern?
I think so
As part of song mode:
Maintaining the part mute settings even when the pattern changes
This function makes the song maintain the part mute settings while playback continues.
1: Press the V cursor key until the parameter display reads āMuteHold.ā
2: Turn the dial to make the desired setting.Off: The part mute settings specified within each pattern will be applied as the position within the song changes during playback. However if you change the position but the pattern is still the same, the part mute settings will be maintained.
On: The part mute status will not change even if the position moves to a different pattern. However at the beginning of the song the part mute status will be as specified by the pattern selected for position 1.
from page 71 of the manual.
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2023: how do the emx and esx feel in terms of workflow?
Same as they did in 2013, and in every other year all the way back in to the far far away 2003.
Banging units. Built to last. Workflow is fine. Step sequencer, with automation and (gasp) song mode.
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I second this! EMX-1 and ESX-1 are just as relevant as they were at release. Sure the effects could be better. The reverb is pretty bad but you have assignable second outputs to route to external effects. Never parting with mine.
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Ditto. When I go back to my MC-303, itās always awkward. Like playing with a hand behind my back. Going back to my EMX-1 is a breath of fresh air. Still feels intuitive and thoroughly modern.
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The Electribe series are so easy to learn. Iāve also started on an MC-303 in 1996 and when I switched to the Electribe (EM-1 first, then EMX-1), it was night and day. I still have my MC-303 (nostalgia) but I miss my Electribes.
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Sort of funny how many people started on the MC-303. It was my first piece of electronic gear too. Didnāt like it at all at the time! I also graduated to the ESX, which I didnāt fully appreciate at the time.
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Workflow is great apart from my jittery main encoderā¦
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I seem to remember that thereās a special cable for calibrating the tubes (stereo balancing?). Anyone ever found one or managed to make one? Edit: Itās mentioned in the link below. Seems a fairly easy bit of soldering.
I do have on my todo list - replacing the tubes on my old EMX1 and ESX1.
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When I got mine it worked for a week then the screen went blank every time I turned on. It was the āfuseā issue, so I took to an electronics repair shop with the info and he fixed it really nice.
I have an older but pretty decent series on EMX1 if anyone wants to see the workflow or to learn some neat stuff they may have passed over:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQvVnhG7o2ySrXVxxalKrZSHn3PZ-i8kS&si=c-f5p8wJxURrSweY
I hope to eventually make a new series on it, but have alot of other gear to cover first.
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I bought a new (reissue) EMX-1, years ago, that suffered from this affliction.
I took it back on warranty, exchanged it, three timesā¦ Never did get the issue resolved, and decidedly had to cut bait. I was bummed about that. I really liked that generation of Electribe.
In the end, despite already having a Tempest and an MPC, I endeavored to pick up an E2ā¦ Personally, I prefer the E2, so it all worked out for the best.
The EMX-1 sure is pretty though.
Cheers!
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Iāve made one. Its a pretty easy project, and can be helpful if your L&R channels feel off.
Oh that is a sad story! That fuse issue apparently is a very minor fix, sorry to hear that!
So you like e2 now, I own both but really e2 lacks a good step seq! If it had that, oh my gosh it would have been so much better. For what it is, I do like it still! If I had to choose I would stick to my emx1.
Well, at the time, I was simply told that it was a āpower supply issueā. To which end, Korg eventually did a recall. But, after three duds, I had already moved on. Hindsight, as they say.
Itās no real loss. The truth is, in a professional context, Electribes donāt really do what I need them to do. Itās just that I find them a joy to use, so I always keep one around for those days when I just want to play.
I currently have my E2 paired with my SP-404SX, both mounted in a little flightcase, wired up and ready to go. So, all I have to do is pull the lid off, plug in one power supply, and get straight to making some noise. Itās a sum greater than its parts, to be sure. Iām actually remarkably prolific on that setup.
Cheers!
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For me it simply comes down to the fact that all parts are designed equal on the E2, and the FX are assignable per part as well. Limitations notwithstanding, I just find that to be more liberating.
Cheers!
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