Part 3 - Build songs with Chain Pattern and Set Pattern

Recording longer Patterns

To record a pattern that is 2 or 3 measures long on the Korg Electribe Sampler, you must adjust the LENGTH parameter. By default, a pattern is often set to 1 measure (16 steps), but the device allows you to extend this up to 4 measures (64 steps).

How to Set the Pattern Length

Method 1: Using the Menu [7] 

1. Press the Menu/Enter button to access the system settings.
2. Use the Cursor buttons (< , >) to scroll through the parameters until you find LENGTH.
3. Turn the Value knob to change the setting to 2 or 3 (or up to 4) depending on your needs.
4. Press Exit to return to the main screen.

Method 2: Using the Button Shortcut [12]

• Hold the Shift button and press Trigger Pad 2 to jump directly to the LENGTH setting page.
• Rotate the Value knob to select your desired number of measures.

Important Details for Recording

• Automatic Copying: If you have already recorded a 1-measure phrase and then increase the LENGTH to 2 or 3, the Electribe will automatically copy the data from the first measure into the newly added measures. This allows you to start with a basic loop and then add variations in the subsequent bars.
• Recording Process: Once the length is set, press the Record button and then Play/Pause. The sequencer will cycle through the total number of measures you selected (e.g., 32 steps for 2 measures, 48 steps for 3 measures).
• Step Editing: If you are using Step Edit mode, you can select which specific measure and step you want to edit by using the Step button to move the focus across the extended sequence.
• Irregular Lengths: If you need a specific part to be shorter than a full measure (for example, to create a polyrhythm), you can use the Last Step parameter to truncate a measure to a specific number of beats (like 11 or 6) instead of the standard 16.

Remember to press the Write button twice after making these changes to ensure the new pattern length is saved to the internal memory.

How to Chain Patterns

To chain patterns on the Korg Electribe Sampler, which effectively allows you to build a song or a full live set without manual pattern switching, you must follow a two-step process involving a Global setting and Pattern-specific settings.

1. Enable Chain Mode Globally

Before the individual pattern settings will work, you must activate the master chain function in the system settings:

• Navigate to Global Parameters: Press the Menu button and scroll to the Global Parameters section.
• Activate Chain Mode: Find Page 19 (in newer firmware) or the page labeled Chain Mode and set it to ON.
• Firmware Note: Ensure your device is updated to at least Version 2.02, as the original factory firmware did not include this feature.

2. Configure Individual Patterns

Once the global mode is on, you must tell each pattern which one should follow it and how many times it should play:

• Enter the Pattern Menu: While the pattern you want to edit is selected, press the Menu button and navigate to the pattern settings (usually around Page 14).
• Set "Chain To": Use the Value knob to select the pattern number that should play next. If you set this to "Off," the chain will stop after the current pattern.
• Set "Chain Repeat": Scroll to the next page to find the Chain Repeat parameter. This specifies how many cycles (the total number of measures in that pattern) will play before switching to the next pattern. You can set this from 1 to 64 cycles.
• Save the Settings: This is critical—you must press the Write button twice to save these chaining instructions into the pattern memory. If you don't save, the chain will break when you power off or switch away.

Creative Chaining Strategies

• Looping Chains: You can create a continuous loop by chaining the last pattern of a song back to the first (e.g., Pattern 1 -> 2 -> 3 -> 1).
• Building a Song Structure: Because the Electribe saves mute states and knob settings per pattern, you can "build" a song by creating multiple versions of the same pattern. For example, save Pattern 1 with just the kick, Pattern 2 with kick and bass, and Pattern 3 with all parts. Chain them together (1 -> 2 -> 3) to automate the build-up.
• Integration with Pattern Set: You can use the Pattern Set function to jump to the "Intro" pattern of a chained sequence instantly using the trigger pads, allowing you to start different song sequences on the fly during a performance.

Important Reminder: User samples assigned to parts within a chain are erased when the power is turned off. Ensure you use the Export All Sample function in the Data Utility menu to save your audio data to the SD Card so your chained songs remain intact for future sessions.

How to Set Patterns to Pads

To set patterns to the trigger pads on the Korg Electribe Sampler, you use the Pattern Set function. This allows you to register up to 64 patterns to the pads for instant switching during a live performance.

Steps to Register a Pattern to a Pad

1. Enter Pattern Set Mode [11]: Press the Pattern Set button so that it is illuminated.
2. Select a Bank: Press one of the Step buttons (1–4) to choose which group of 16 pads you want to use.
   • Step 1 = Pads 1–16
   • Step 2 = Pads 17–32
   • Step 3 = Pads 33–48
   • Step 4 = Pads 49–64.
3. Select the Pattern: Rotate the Value knob to navigate to the specific pattern number you wish to assign.
4. Assign to Pad: While holding down the Pattern Set button, press the trigger pad where you want to store that pattern.

Performing with Pattern Sets

Once registered, ensure the Pattern Set button is lit. You can then tap any of the trigger pads to switch to the assigned pattern immediately. This is particularly useful for structuring a live set, as you can jump between intros, builds, and drops without needing to scroll through the full pattern list.

Important Note: To ensure these pad assignments are kept after powering off the device, you must press the Write button to save the global settings.