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tracelistener-em1-mute-mod

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Patch-only Korg EM-1 firmware mod adding MUTE LOCK, MUTE ALL, and persistent per-pattern mute saving, with guarded backup/install/recovery tools. No Korg firmware included.

tracelistener-em1-mute-mod is a mod for the Korg EM-1, by @tracelistener. Open source under MIT, 1 star on GitHub.

forKorg EM-1·by@tracelistener

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Korg EM-1 Mute Mod v1.0.0

An unofficial, hardware-tested Code ROM modification for the original Korg Electribe EM-1.

Features

ControlResult
SHIFT + PART MUTE/TAPToggle MUTE LOCK
SHIFT + PATTERN SET + PART MUTE/TAPMute all 8 drum and 2 synth parts immediately
Pattern WRITESave the current ten-part mute mask with that pattern

While MUTE LOCK is active, the SYNTH ACCENT LED flashes. Mutes survive STOP, PAUSE, and pattern changes, and a new pattern inherits the preceding mask. Turning MUTE LOCK off makes each pattern use its own saved mute mask. A saved mask is restored on the first PLAY after power-on. MUTE LOCK always takes precedence over a saved mask.

This release contains no Korg firmware or pattern data

This ZIP contains only original patch code, a 780-byte patch blob, a guarded tool, and documentation. It contains no complete Korg ROM, patterns, songs, samples, or user data.

The tool requires each owner to read or supply their own exact compatible 256 KiB Code ROM backup. It builds the modified ROM locally and refuses any unknown firmware.

Code ROM flashing does not replace the EM-1's pattern bank. A previously stock EM-1 starts with no saved mute records, so its patterns initially load unmuted. Saved mutes from an earlier experimental installation remain in that particular EM-1's separate data flash; they are never copied into this ZIP.

Compatibility

This release is locked to the exact Korg EM-1 Code ROM identified by:

Size:       262,144 bytes
Header:     KORG 1.01, model 0x61
SHA-256:    69a8a32c5eca19cc62f5a31fe93ad5cec7d0919a5a77aeb11022172b3a62c15b

It is not compatible with the ER-1, ES-1, EA-1, later Electribes, or an unrecognized EM-1 ROM revision. The tool refuses those images.

Requirements

  • Windows 10 or 11
  • Python 3.10 or newer from https://www.python.org/
  • A reliable MIDI interface with both MIDI cables connected
  • Stable power for the EM-1

Close DAWs, MIDI monitors, SysEx tools, and other programs using the interface before backup or installation.

Quick start

  1. Extract the complete ZIP to a normal writable folder.
  2. Run INSTALL_MIDI_SUPPORT.bat once.
  3. Run START_HERE.bat.
  4. Choose Back up compatible stock Code ROM.
  5. Follow the displayed REC + STEP EDIT / out instructions.
  6. Confirm that the backup reports the exact supported SHA-256 above.
  7. Copy both backup files from work to a second safe location.
  8. Restart START_HERE.bat and choose Install Mute Mod.
  9. Follow the displayed PATTERN + STEP EDIT / IPL instructions exactly.

The flash takes about two minutes. The tool requires a valid IPL status reply, an exact success acknowledgement after every one of 32 blocks, and a final validation acknowledgement.

Read SAFETY_AND_RECOVERY.md before installing.

Saving a mute mask

The stock EM-1 does not allow Pattern WRITE while playing. To save a new live mute setup reliably:

  1. While the pattern plays, enable MUTE LOCK with SHIFT + PART MUTE/TAP.
  2. Select the parts you want muted.
  3. Press STOP. The lock retains the live mute setup.
  4. Press WRITE, then press WRITE again to confirm.
  5. Toggle MUTE LOCK off if you want to test the pattern's stored mask.

Memory Protect must be OFF for Pattern WRITE. The extra checked mute record uses the stock sector-preserving flash updater, so WRITE may take slightly longer than before.

Generated local files

The tool may create these inside work/:

  • em1_stock_code_rom.bin — the owner's exact recovery backup
  • em1_stock_code_rom.syx — the raw checked service readback
  • em1_mute_mod_v1.0.0.bin — locally generated complete modified Code ROM
  • em1_mute_mod_v1.0.0_ipl.syx — locally generated IPL stream
  • timestamped install/recovery logs

The complete .bin and .syx files are generated from the owner's Korg ROM. Do not add the work/ folder to a public release or source repository.

Verified hardware result

The v1.0.0 image was installed on a real EM-1 with 32/32 exact block acknowledgements and successful final validation. MUTE LOCK, its flashing LED, MUTE ALL, pattern-to-pattern lock inheritance, persistent Pattern WRITE, and saved-mute recall on the first PLAY after power-on were tested successfully.

Modified ROM SHA-256:

26fcaca95ac5ec378384c415ae395a159fedeaccdfad75e0781e1cb4173f8aa0

This is an unofficial community modification and is not supported by Korg.

License

The original patch and tool source are released under the MIT License: Copyright (c) 2026 tracelistener. No Korg firmware or data is covered or included. See LICENSE.