ELECTRIBE-R

Name: ELECTRIBE-R
Price: 149 USD
Author: KORG

by KORG · Drum Instrument · Rhythm machine

Not rated yet

A software revival of KORG's ELECTRIBE-R rhythm machine, with a nine-part synth and PCM drum engine and a hands-on step sequencer.

It adds motion sequencing, 15 effect types, 352 patterns and MIDI export, for $149.

Best for: Drums, Sound Design. Genres: Electronic & EDM, Hip-Hop & Trap.

Keywords: sequencer, simple, beginner-friendly, metering, sound design, tube.

What it does

ELECTRIBE-R is KORG's software revival of its ELECTRIBE-R rhythm synth engine. The idea is a groovebox you play with knobs, switches and a step sequencer, with "a step sequencer section that is super easy to use".

Nine parts: four synth parts, PCM open and closed hi-hats, cymbals, claps/snare and an accent part.
Synth parts: each synth part picks one of four waveforms (sine, triangle, square, sawtooth) and one of six modulation types; the PCM parts have six modulation types of their own.
Amp section: volume, note length and panning per part, plus a level-only low boost on accents.
Step sequencer: freely set step counts and nine resolutions: 1/8, 1/16 and 1/32, triplet/shuffle 1/12 and 1/24, and odd values 1/10, 1/20, 1/14 and 1/28.
Motion sequencing: records every parameter per part, with Smooth or TRIG HOLD playback of the moves.
Effects: 15 types, including a compressor, Valve Force overdrive, distortion and a slicer.
Patterns and MIDI: 352 built-in patterns in 40 categories with a searchable browser and favourites, MIDI out, drag-and-drop MIDI file export, and pattern start/stop from MIDI notes.

KVR lists version 1.0.3 for Windows and 1.0.2 for macOS. A free demo is available. Plugin Boutique buyers rate it 4.7 out of 5 from 11 ratings.

Source: KORG product page

When to use it

ELECTRIBE-R is a pattern-first groovebox: its sounds are simple synth voices, and the fun is in programming steps and recording knob moves. Compared with XO, it builds sounds from oscillators and modulation instead of browsing and arranging your own samples. Nerve has deeper sample editing and slicing, while ELECTRIBE-R is quicker for synthetic electro beats with motion sequencing and odd step resolutions. Unlike Battery 4 or Addictive Drums 2, it has no sampled acoustic kits, and it is priced like a full drum instrument for a fairly narrow, vintage sound.

Best for: synth drum patterns, electro percussion, odd-meter grooves and quick beat sketches you then export as MIDI.
Genres: electronic, techno, electro, house and hip-hop.
Look elsewhere if: you need sampled acoustic drums or want to load your own samples; Battery 4 or XO suit that better.

Where to buy

Plugin Boutique: $149

Tutorials and reviews

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