Korg ES-1 Other functions for editing a sample

4. Sample mode

Tips for achieving good results

with Time Slice

•While it is best to first try to set a BPM that results in the

smoothest playback of the sampled phrase, this may not al-

ways result in the best Slice playback. In fact, it may be nec-

essary to try different BPM values (including fractional BPM

settings) within a +/- 3 BPM range. This means that if you

have a sampled phrase that you know should playback at

120 BPM, when you make this setting and execute Slice, the

playback of your new Slice sample phrase possibly may not

be perfect when placed into a Pattern.

If this is the case it is likely that there would be an irregular

rhythm introduced. So to correct this you should delete the

newly sliced sample and try again setting the BPM to 119, or

118.5, or even 121. Trying a few settings like this will help

you to find the BPM setting which produces the best slicing.

•Even before you finish executing the Slice command you can

tell if a phrase is going to come out OK. After choosing a

BPM setting and pressing the Slice sample part key, the step

keys will light at certain note intervals based on the current

sensitivity setting. Now you can audition each lit step key to

hear how the slice is going to turn out. You should check the

timing of critical step keys, like step key 5 (beat 2), step key 9

(beat 3) etc. to hear if the sample timing is lining up with

critical downbeats in your phrase. If they’re sounding strange

you should press the Stop/Cancel key right away and start

the procedure again, this time using a different BPM setting

until you hear these critical step keys/beats matching up

better.

•When a phrase is cut into individual samples, each sample is

given a small loop at the end to keep the sample from ending

too abruptly. If the tonality of this short loop is not to your

liking try changing the sensitivity to a higher number. This

will result in less slices, so each slice will be longer and you

won’t notice these loops as much. Note that this may not al-

low you to vary the tempo of your phrase as much, but each

step will likely sound more natural.

•Phrases with swung, or irregular rhythms (including many

hip-hop and jazz rhythms) are the most difficult to get the

sliced timing right on. In these types of phrases you will need

to try a combination of different BPM settings and slice sen-

sitivity. Finally, setting the Pattern Swing parameter to a

higher value will help to re-introduce the correct feel back

into your playback. Experimenting with combinations of

these ideas will yield the best results.

•If a newly sliced phrase has some space between the step,

you will find that after you run it through an effect (or two),

and change the tempo that this small gap is covered up, or

even adds a cool and unique quality to your music. So don’t

just listen back to the pure phrase and make a final judge-

ment – play around with it, add some other parts, and listen

to how it works in context with your music. You may very

well like the new quality that was introduced during the slic-

ing!

So with a little experimentation you will find the best results,

and remember that this is a new creative tool – you want to do

more than simply cut your phrase up, you want to use all the

parameters to create you own unique sound from the original

source. Enjoy!

Other functions for editinga sample

If you wish to save a sample that was edited using these

functions, you must perform the Write operation before

you move to another sample or turn off the power. (☞p.32

“Saving a sample (WRITE)”)

Normalize

This function boosts the level of the sample as far as possible

without causing it to become distorted.

1. Use the dial to select the sample that you wish to normalize.

2. Hold down the Shift key and press step key 11 (Normalize).

(Key 11 will blink.)

3. Press step key 11 once again to execute the Normalize opera-

tion. (Key 11 will go dark.)

If you decide to cancel without executing, press the Stop/Can-

cel key.

Maximum level

Truncate

This function deletes the portions of the sample that are earlier

than Start and later than End.

1. Use the dial to select the sample that you wish to Truncate.

2. Hold down the Shift key and press step key 12 (Truncate).

(Key 12 will blink.)

3. Press step key 12 once again to execute the Truncate opera-

tion. (Key 12 will go dark.)

If you decide to cancel without executing, press the Stop/Can-

cel key.

After the Truncate function has been executed, the Start

value will be 0 and the End value will be the length of the

sample.

After Truncate is executed, the sample cannot be deleted

(section below) until you save the sample or select an-

other sample.