Back in 1979, this little analog rhythm box stepped up from Korg's simpler MiniPops series, packing 48 preset patterns plus 16 intros and 16 fills into a compact metal chassis that feels solid even today.
Its all-analog synthesis delivers 12 distinct drum voices—bass drum, snare, rim shot, claves, cowbell, two toms, low and high congas, two hi-hats, and cymbal—with individual faders for most sounds grouped into six channels, letting you tweak the mix on the fly for each pattern. Controls are straightforward: dedicated knobs for tempo, overall volume, and a variable swing/shuffle dial to loosen up the groove, alongside buttons for start/stop, intro/fill, and selecting from styles like waltz, samba, bossa nova, rock, disco, and tango. A single mono audio out and footswitch jack for hands-free control keep it simple, while a trig out jack in multiple modes syncs it nicely with other vintage gear.
Players like Jean-Michel Jarre on Magnetic Fields and Depeche Mode on Speak & Spell put it on the map, and collectors still chase it for that raw, characterful sound—complex hi-hats reminiscent of early Rolands, with a warmth that's tough to emulate digitally. Sure, no user programming means it's preset-bound, but that limitation fuels its quirky charm in modern setups.
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