Hardware workflows can be musically productive and rock-solid reliable. But why choose between hardware and software? Combine them.
DirectEMX is a VST Editor for a Korg Electribe MX. Now, why would you want to drag a mouse around when you have physical knobs? DirectEMX has a number of answers to that. You can copy and paste patterns and parts. You can dump content from the groovebox for backup or fine-tuning. You can record and automate every parameter from inside your VST host of choice, for tightly-controlled sequences. And you do all of this without lots of mucking about with MIDI messages, which can be complicated on a groovebox. In fact, you can even import and export patches from inside your host, right from the plug-in.
EUR25, Windows-only, and sounds like a major, major hit with Korg owners. Naturally, those with the ESX groove sampler want support, too, and it sounds like the developer is considering adding that.
Thanks to reader cooptrol for the tip! Oddly, he starts his note with “I know you’re not a fan of grooveboxes.” I’m not sure where he got that idea. Some of my best friends are grooveboxes. If you’ve got groovebox (or other) stories to share, feel free to let us know.
In particular, got a groovebox + computer workflow you like?