The Korg Wavedrum Mini – A Percussion Synthesizer That Lets You Drum On Anything!

Musikmesse 2011: One of the coolest things we’ve seen from this year’s Musikmesse is the new Korg Wavedrum Mini.

The Korg Wavedrum Mini is a compact percussion synthesizer, with built-in speaker, battery-powered portability and a cool sensor clip that turns just about anything into a percussion instrument. Using the sensor clip and the pad allows two sounds to be played at once.

Features:

  • Portable percussion synthesizer built on Korg’s renowned Wavedrum technology.
  • Play two sounds at once for a rich musical experience:
  • Play one sound from the dynamic pad.
  • Play a second sound from any surface or object using the sensor clip.
  • 100 Ready-to-play sounds ranging from acoustic tones to synthetic sounds.
  • 100 Rhythm patterns serve as a rhythmic guide or provide jam-along-fun.
  • 10 Preset audio effects; select any effect and enhance any sound.
  • On-board Looper allows unlimited overdub layering for complex, multi-sound patterns.
  • Share your sounds using the built-in speaker, or practice using headphones.
  • Battery operation lets you play with confidence on the street, outdoors or anywhere.
  • AC Adapter and mounting strap are included.

The sensor clip seems like a killer feature, bringing an element of experimental performance into a mainstream device.

Pricing and availability are TBA.

Check out the Korg Wavedrum Mini and let us know what you think of it.

21 thoughts on “The Korg Wavedrum Mini – A Percussion Synthesizer That Lets You Drum On Anything!

  1. Im 100% sold on this, purely because of the ability to stick the sensor clip on your shoe and get a base drum. Just as a moderately keyboard player i occasionally want drums that aren't heavily quantized, and it also seems like it'd be great for performance in any venue where the audience can see your feet.

    Now if only i had a real job.

  2. That's pretty impressive. I could definitely see uses for that in my setup.

    Also that snare noise reminds me of Fine Young Cannibals. 😛

  3. It's like someone at Korg has been reading my mind – I hate their stupid NanoPad (the pads stick and bleed over) and really just want something small and responsive. With the contact mic as an option, this really opens up possibilities. Hopefully the price isn't too prohibitive.

  4. I'm just worried about pricing. This thing looks like an absolute blast and for $200 or less I'd grab it for sure…if it's twice that or more it starts to look toy-like and a little flimsy.

  5. Is it really a contact mic or a just a sensor/trigger? It kind of seems like a contact mic, based on the water bottle and can demos, and I dug how it worked with a tambouring… that would be fun to use LIVE. Hopefully you can edit the preset sequences too.

    Kudos to Korg for showing a straightforward "here's what it does" video without all the excited narration, fancy effects and lighting, and lack of real information, unlike some other manufacturers (I'm talkin' to YOU, Roland).

  6. This thing looks sweet as. Korg can do no wrong at the moment it seems! The sensor/contact mic idea is a brilliant and useful looking addition.

  7. I'd like to see multiple optional sensor clips. WIth enough of them, you could make an impromptu drum kit! Plus do some really wild experimental music.

  8. You can find a used padKONTROL for like $100., absolutely the best response and sensitivity of anything I own, including my MPC's. Definitely digging this new product too.

  9. I think the $200 point you mentioned is the ceiling for most people. But most people who've seen it want it, so hopefully Korg realizes these things fly off shelves if priced right.

  10. I'm gonna call the Monotribe's omission of MIDI a slight rather than a wrong, because I'm with you, Korg is doing some cool things right now. Other companies take note…music tech can and should be fun.

  11. At $500 this awesome device suddenly looks like an overpriced chunk of plastic. It appears to made from the same (too) light plastic as the Monotron and their MIDI controllers. For that price I'd need Machinedrum/Virus like build quality.

  12. I don't understand why Korg and the other manufacturers can't give a MSRP when they introduce these things.

    It ends up making the price as much a discussion point as the technology.

  13. I just ordered one from the UK for $441 shipping to USA included, as i'm a sucker for electronic drumming (fingers); I LOVE my Roland Handsonic 10 pad, play it severat times a week and miss it when i don't; It's addictive !

  14. Well, a moot point and rhetorical question, too boot! . . . when is this potentially phenomenal piece of percussion apparatus going to be available, and at what price, in the U.S. Market? . . Kudos to Korg for their innovations! . . The "Wavedrum" is truly an amazing instrument but damn expensive and I can only hope the "Mini" is much more affordable? . . .KORG is always in the beat of a different drummer! . . .Beat On!

  15. Since this is the mini version of the Wavedrum it should be only half the cost. Considering most places the Wavedrum is around $500, I could see this being $200-$275. In my opinion, it is really cool but, not worth 21/2 C-Notes. Also it looks gimmicky. But, i could easily see myself throwing down $250-$300 on the Monotribe, which looks and sounds very good and not as gimmicky as the wave-mini.

  16. picked mine up last night and had my first play and here are my first impresions.
    As expected the speaker is very weak and has not base. However through headphones or amp it is fantastic.
    Being the small brother the response is limited. For example I play the djembe and it has 3 base sound where the mini only provides 2.
    But for some of the instruments that normally have many sounds the synth is brilliant enabling me to jam along on an instrument I hav never played before.
    Altimately this is a toy… but what a toy
    I am going to have many hours of fun and anoying the family. Can't wait to get home again for some more play and save up for the big brother wavedrum.

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