Uploaded January 2025 | Updated September 2026, 15 hours ago

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These links support the channel regardless of what your Bad Gear G.A.S. commands you to buy (at no additional cost for you):

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US: link.perfectcircuit.com/t/v1/8-12626-261103-9759

Thanks to EmTribe 23 for lending me this classic groovebox :
soundcloud.com/emtribe23

Bad Gear - The Gold Standard
Korg Electribe EMX-1
EMX1
Korg Electribe ESX-1
ESX1
Tube Groovebox
Valve Groovebox
Music Production
Gear Review
Meme Video

Welcome to Bad Gear, the show about the world’s most-hated audio tools. Senior synth citizens like me might get the impression that the technical evolution is going backwards: the mass market returned to the dark ages of analog, there’s an obvious disconnect between traditional manufacturers and their customers and sampling hardware is slowly reapproaching the tech specs of 1991.

Today we are going to talk about the Korg EMX-1. This 2003 Electribe is considered to be the gold standard for groovebox design by many - and a gimmicky hotchpotch of cheap-sounding late dance sounds for more or less everyone else.

Chapters:
00:00 Intro tune
01:00 Overview Electribe EMX1
01:31 Korg Electribe EMX-1 vs. Korg Electribe ESX-1
01:49 The Synth Engines
02:31 Sample Playback
02:50 Filter Section
03:08 Modulators and their Limitations
03:23 FX Section
03:31 Drum Parts
03:50 Workflow ( Arpeggiator , Sequencer )
04:23 Additional Features, External Input
04:52 Tubes / Valves / Toooooooooooooobs
05:20 What else??? (Pricing, Thanks,...)
05:38 Hate Screen
06:01 Jam 1 ( House )
06:59 Jam 2 ( Drum'n'Bass )
08:07 Finale ( Electro )
08:37 Verdict