In a surprise move, Korg has announced the KR mini - a pocket-sized rhythm machine that's designed for practice and performance. Battery-powerable and featuring a built-in speaker, this offers 60 rhythm patterns, 120 fills and the option to create your own beats using the 16 pads.
The KR mini fits nicely into Korg's miniaturised instrument line, which was kicked off by the monotron in 2010. However, the rhythm machine concept is such an old one that few would have predicted that the company would resurrect it now.
The device certainly has a retro design, but the fact that you can chain patterns and fill-ins together to create complete songs - and even trigger them with foot pedals - might just make it appeal to today's musicians.
Style option include, 8/16 beat, Rock, Pop, Metal, R&B, Jazz, Dance and Latin (could the Bossa Nova beat be about to make a comeback?).
The KR mini is set to ship in November priced at $80.
Korg KR mini main features
- Easy-to-use design; just select a rhythm pattern and press the play button
- Chain function lets you arrange your favourite rhythm patterns and fill-ins to create complete songs
- Optional foot switches gives you hands-free control over fill-in/start/stop
- Tap the 16 pads for finger drumming or recording your own rhythms
- Built-in speaker with 2W output for jamming anywhere without the need for an additional monitor
- Headphone/speaker jack for quiet practice or connection to a mixer or monitoring system
- Two-way power; use the optional AC adaptor or batteries (AA alkaline batteries x 3)
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