KORG DRUMLOGUE - How does it SOUND & what can it DO? // in-depth review, pros & cons

[@BoBeats]

You can check out Drumlogue in stores here and support the channel in the process: Thomann (EU): thmn.to/thoprod/551673?offid=1&affid=623 Sweetwater (US): imp.i114863.net/ZdaNeq Perfect Circuit (US): link.perfectcircuit.com/t/v1/S0BERUlFSUBFR0VHSEdATEpITA?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.perfectcircuit.com%2Fcatalogsearch%2Fresult%2F%3Fq%3Dkorg%2520drumlogue Affiliate links support the channel regardless of what you buy, even if you just buy a midi cable

[@The_Sonic_Oasis]

I don't own any drum machines and I've never really desired one until now!! This thing sounds awesome and the workflow looks really fast. I have so many song ideas just from watching this review.

[@BoBeats]

Glad to hear you liked the review

[@NoirEtBlancVie]

Never clicked so fast Bo ❤

[@dankeplace]

I got a drumboner!!!!

[@CoolDougLove]

Same

[@dreamstaticsounds]

Yeah, I clicked faster than I could say "Oh sh*t!"

[@doughankins3996]

@Noir Et Blanc Vie When are making your video for this!?!?

[@voltijuice8576]

Same! I nearly tripped over myself grabbing my headphones for this. Between the lack of news and the chip shortage I was afraid that it might not be realized.

I just ordered one! This video was the reason, it seems to be exactly what I need to do what I need to do on my next album.

[@raffitchakmakjian]

the more I watch/hear it, the more I like it. I feel like it's going to be a techno future classic. Korg has terrible limitations in its products, but this one looks like its got good limitations. Sounds oldschool, dirty and raw. Major gas.

[@landonewts]

About to grab one of these at my local synth shop (so grateful we have one in my hometown!) so I love this deep dive, it’s helped me make up my mind. Thanks, Bo!

[@NOLNV1]

This thing is way deeper than I would have imagined! It sounds really good as well, but with that depth comes what looks like some extensive screen staring which is unfortunate but probably not a deal breaker

[@fortheloveofnoise]

Unless you have severe ADHD like me. 😅

[@MADSVPERVILLAIN]

It's been so long I forgot I was even waiting for this thing.

[@IWOKEAGIANT]

Definitely keeping my Volca Drum

[@fortheloveofnoise]

Best drum machine for the money besides the RDs.

[@audrotone3267]

Thank you Bo for the detail information about the drumloogue ... continue success your videos really help .....

[@ZJohnnyBGood]

As a synth and electronic music enthusiast I started watching your videos because I found them interesting and informative. But I must add that your voice and accent is really relaxing and soothing and sometimes I listen to them as ASMR videos.

[@ZJohnnyBGood]

Keep up the good work! \m/

[@svenbauer6970]

I was extremely curious about this one. Thanks for the comprehensive and well done review!

[@BoBeats]

Thanks for checking it out Sven!

[@middle_pickup]

It sounds quite good. I like the feature set they went for, and love the fact that it has a port for a USB midi controller. It has everything the last Korg groovebox I bought was missing for me. I liked my electribe 2 sampler okay. It didn't sound amazing, but it only had a stereo mix out without any way to side-chain the mix to the kick. I'm glad to see this box has multiple outputs, and side-chaining. Plus the Darth Vader look is hella sick.

[@Andre-xh2tq]

If this thing is $600 MSRP, it's worth mentioning you can get a used Digitakt for that price, maybe even less.

[@ThisPageIntentionallyLeftBlank]

This, this and more of this.

[@fortheloveofnoise]

You can get both an RD-9 and an RD-8 for around the same price.

[@dracul74]

I still own an old electribe… not my everyday kit, but extremely fun even now. I can see using this to make a bunch of loops and samples to use in my other gear.

[@inthefade]

I love going back to my ESX-1 once in a while still. That thing bangs.

[@infinite9127]

@@inthefade I love my old ES-1 still use it often. I wish Korg would release a new Electribe in the old style without the insane polyphony limitation of the E2, it would sell well I think…

[@monkey76kerr]

Yesssss!!!!! Bo Beats you the man.

[@dreamstaticsounds]

Meh, when I first saw people saying they wanted a Drumlogue I figured it would be an analog drum SYNTH like the other logues. That's what I want. Seems like the best features of this are the expandable synth engines that don't exist yet and the sequencer that seems to be more menu diving than I would care for. I'm underwhelmed.

[@BoBeats]

Totally fair! Glad if I helped show what it is/is not

[@dreamstaticsounds]

@@BoBeats absolutely, you did, Bo. Thanks for the thorough presentation/demonstration and your honest assessment of its pros and cons. I'm sure a lot of folks will dig it. I just hoped it would truly be a logue in every way.

[@frankstetka7206]

Well it does do analog sound samples and that’s pretty useful. Perhaps I have become too pessimistic from having too much Bad Gear 😆

[@Jason75913]

And to make things worse, the kick is also mildly underwhelming. Seems at least usable with help from EQ when recordong it to a PC.

[@_greenleader]

@@Jason75913 Enter the volca kick!

[@patrickhayden7206]

I don't get it...Seems these would've been more appropriate to release as Electribes instead of the last ones. The look anyhow, but would've loved any Electribe with a grid pattern display.

[@vjspectron]

@@Leviathan-mj8gi It was clumsy out of the gate but a few firmware revisions later and that blue Electribe is dope. I'd love to see them smash their -logue and Volca Drum tech into a new Electribe! Hopefully next time they give us a better interface though. This seems like a solid take on a TR-style drum machine with a little more tweaking under the hood.

[@VJFranzK]

Electribe 3 Pro should exist! We've been waiting near 20 years for the next ESX

[@trevormalcolm4328]

If I could ever get pass my Roland xox obsession this would be a nice drum machine to have!

[@bahutu802]

I really like how it visualises the steps / events of multiple tracks via the display. It's a major downside for my personal taste on most other sequencers, having to scroll through each and every track until you identify that one off-beat note or whatever (in case you don't know which sample is on which track). Or let's say, entering low & high toms alternately and having to memorize where you left the free spaces ...

[@GenocidePanda]

this will be an episode of “bad gear” soon unfortunately as someone who loves korg

[@djdeemz7651]

It is 😂

[@TayWoode]

I’m gonna sound a bit naive here but why did you say unfortunately?

[@NineInchFailz]

Confirmed

[@fentanyljones6956]

I mean damn near everything ends up on bad gear lately, bad or not.

[@georgegeorge4199]

Thank you very much Bobeats. I think Korg they scored with this one. I'm wondering if the Nano plugin in the track 11 can be played polyphonically.

[@ConradVassallo]

Looks like I already have a similar device. It’s a combination of a Volca Sample, Volca Drum and an NTS-1 with the benefit of effects per channel.

[@tobi-y7862]

I am reading the comments, and its so funny how people aren't impressed by this machine...and i share this opinion too..I own a electribe sampler 2 and digitakt and im just comparing this to my electribe sampler...did they fail in this product already? Couldnt they made the drumpads a little bigger? Did it came out way too late. And are there devices who perform better and easyer? Lets see how this device develops in the near future with the bugs and engines. Digitakt still my no 1!

[@cooptrol]

We criticise brands when they try to copy Elektron but also get annoyed when they try to get away from that paradigm cos we miss the familiarity. Either way, no one has yet made a drum machine/groovebox significantly better that what's already out there.

[@MattGreerMusic]

Great review, Bo. This one wouldn't bring anything new to my studio but I'm sure it will really resonate (pun intended) with some users and they'll find that secret sauce that makes it unique and special.

[@6Sparx9]

it looks like it could replace a few of my drum machines for live jams since it's pretty flexible, would be nicer if it was 100 to 70 dollars cheaper, hit the budget Digitackt market

[@czonerelax]

Looks like a Korg "Gadget" has escaped the software and made it in to the real world. Ill be watching to see if it finds many fans.. A good review thanks Bo..

[@mjhobo5520]

Hadn’t noticed till your demo Bo, this sounds very much like the late 90’s to me, I get the feeling there’s a bit of zeitgeist magic at work here

[@gazjaz2010]

comment aged like milk 😅

[@mjhobo5520]

@@gazjaz2010 no predictions were made, it's like you are obsessed with cheese, and are looking for reasons to talk about it?

[@MichaalHell]

Er-1 and Volca drum engine instead of samples then it would have been a homerun

[@BoBeats]

I actually agree: a few more synth voices or analog voices and I think it would have been amazing. As stands I think many will enjoy it but also a few who will want either fully digital or fully analog

[@dankeplace]

@@BoBeats The issue here Bo is, it's spread too thinly, 4 voice analog, 32MB samples, digital voice, they call it a Drumlogue but I feel more like a Groovelogue. The sequencer is boss but I just feel the potential is lost on not being what its name sake is. Model Cycles is what they should have gone for by having done more what Roland has done in the digital realm. This instrument has an identity crisis imo. Is it a drum machine, a sampler, a groove box?

[@MichaalHell]

@@BoBeats I don’t understand why Korg doesn’t utilize the wonderful synth engine that is the ER-1.. it’s deceptively simple and riddled with sweet spots! It’s one of their greatest achievements imo.

[@chadpescod-realtor3308]

Yes a reboot of the er1 would be killer. That's what I was hoping for with the Drum but it was too small and missing the pads of the original electribes.

[@Tiger.Arcade]

Thank you Bo for sharing what the Drumlogue is capable of. It honestly falls short a bit for me. Kind of sad. It will be fun for some. It will take more to convince me since I’m not crazy about menu diving.

[@ianmorton1799]

You know, I'm not a fan of menu diving in general, but after owning a minilogue XD for a couple of years I've learned to make friends with it to a certain extent...it can mean there are so many more functions than you could ever manage to fit on just the front panel.

[@Tiger.Arcade]

@@ianmorton1799 I agree. I would need to play around with one first. I own the XD and have taken my time with it. After 3 years, there are some very functional and easily accessible features in edit mode or the hidden menu.

[@circuitslave]

That one big negative will be probably be solved by Uli's Linn Drum reboot....individual outs and although, won't be fully analog voices, it will be much cheaper, too! 😊

[@suga4all]

Geat review, Bo 👍 I have to admit, I am a bit underwhelmed. I was hoping for a Volca Drum XL, or a Drumbrute Impact on steroids, mixed with a bit of a DFAM may be. But this is pretty standard. Perhaps a great box for ppl who watch out for their first drum machine.

[@BoBeats]

I think you are right in that it is a good machine to start with. So in that it is a bit like the Minilogue. Thanks for watching

[@skipintroux4444]

I agree would have been nice to have a Volca Drum engine for one of the voices. I’m actually quite impressed with the Drumlogue in general, selectable transients for the analog sounds in particular really expands the timbres.

[@zdravkodimitrov]

This and a Minilogue will be an awesome combo for a minimalist, hybrid ana-digi setup.

[@trevormalcolm4328]

3 months after this review I’m wondering do you still have the drumlogue? And do you use it?

[@M3ntok]

IT EXISTS!

[@Nightingale1887]

Yes finally! I gave up on this machine a while ago and last week I googled it again to see if any progress or news whatsoever. Thought by myself hey this will never launch and now you upload. These will be awesome once people start writing custom stuff for it. Look at NTS-1 and XD. Very capable stuff.

[@BoBeats]

hoping for a thriving community making custom stuff for it, we saw some good stuff for XD

[@Nightingale1887]

@@BoBeats the XD I have has so much stuff it's great. Shame I just recently got myself a new groovebox because I thought this wasn't coming any time soon.

[@ToreHansen]

This was very cool, great video!

[@GhostOfLorelei]

Good video, sadly (well for Korg), it mostly seems to have convinced me I should get something else or just stick with my trusty TR-8. I’m not 100% certain what the turn off is…but it kinda feels like it doesn’t really know what it wants to be? It’s not really an analog drum machine, it’s not really a sample based drum machine, it’s not really a groove box and it’s not really a synth…and when you combine all of them together, sadly, it doesn’t really appear to be more than the sum of it’s parts. But, hey, maybe as folks use it more it’ll turn out there is a use there, it’s just hard to imagine from here is all.

[@inthefade]

Exactly how I feel. And nothing really shines except the open engines which I'm sure will be amazing (the factory synth stands out the most). It'll be something to follow as the firmware is updated.

[@erlendmagnussen8922]

I won't write it off just yet, it might be cost-effective. It does sounds good and the synth track was pretty spot on. Let see what the price will be, Syntakt may be a better choice if coarce....

[@Drinkyoghurt]

It's listed at 600 euros which for me is too much for such a limited device. Doesn't really offer me that much more over Ableton live + controller.

[@mresquidgeward5965]

@@Drinkyoghurt such a limited device? I'd live to hear how its limited in your opinion? What are you wanting it to do for around £500?

[@freejazzbone]

excellent review, thank you

[@BoBeats]

Thank you!!

[@chadpescod-realtor3308]

It would have been killer in 2004.

[@tr1co0]

I don’t want to be negative, and maybe this is partially due to the extra hype with how long this took to come out, but it seems pretty unexceptional. From workflow to physical design to sound it all kind of just feels years behind.

[@acid2go]

Yeah, I feel the same. Syntack, TR-8S(6S) and Drumbrute Impact all are way more interesting in their own way IMO.

[@Eli_B3000]

I had a Model:Cycles that seems much more fun to use and sounds better than this. Everything on this and the other demos sounds muffled, and other than the distorted bass sound (which can be fun), the bass drums sound underwhelming.

[@lancepage1914]

Probably took a long time to make, so they were stuck with what they started with I guess. But it doesn't cost many thousands of dollars at least.

[@ionianechoes]

@@acid2go drumbrute? That one hs no fx, no motion recording, no synth, no simples,... I don't see why that one would be more interesting

[@cablevamp3163]

Elektron model series has more going on

[@DJ_TideWave]

In 2022 they offer a whopping 35 MB of storage space! Come on Korg! We are not living in 1993 anymore. I don´t understand this decision.

[@viviansutherland2169]

limitations can be good! excited for this one, especially since more multi enginge osc and fx could be added, it'll be a great pairing to my minilogue xd

[@BoBeats]

Definitely a good buddy to the XD

[@vjspectron]

On that note: it's kinda weird they went back to "base 8" 128 pattern slots versus 100/500 on the mono/minilogues.

[@Tobes1100]

Korg missed a trick here and could’ve come out ahead of the pack. A hybrid analogue/digitally voiced drum machine 5:5 plus the Sinevibes synth (love their stuff). Why bother with samples and try to compete with the Circuits, Digitakt and the TR’s/MC’s? Keep up the good work Bo!👍

[@rok_koritnik]

0:47 sounds finished. Impressive. Not a sweetspot drum machine, though. Presets seem to be more of a hit or a miss, but I hear a lot of potential and for a change this Korg drum machine sounds sufficiently 3D and has some weight in the sound, which I can't say for any of the Electribes. I'm looking forward to getting my hands on one.

[@elekktrikk_home_video]

27:36 Now we know where the Akai Rhythm Wolf engineers have found shelter. 😅

[@bflash77]

great review. I'm intrigued with the capabilities, especially when aided by a midi keyboard. At 599, it's not unobtanium-

[@BoBeats]

Yeah its a good price compared to the competition

[@dinogoldie9716]

And the winner of the too-little, too-late award is....drumroll...Korg for their halfassed Drumlogue. I'll stick with my Erica Synths LXR02.

[@yootoobnz8109]

Excellent overview. Gained a new subscriber.

[@VJFranzK]

I would have liked 2 analog synth voices also, and one of these to demo, obviously. ; - )

[@bigboaby555]

12:50 can i play this tune at my wedding , i love it so much

[@JohnMcGFrance]

I’m rather underwhelmed to be honest. I’d still go for the TR8S over this.

[@KordTaylor]

Another great Bo video! Ok. Now we need to know how it stacks-up against the other “multi synthesis methods” DRM machines.

[@BoBeats]

Thats a fun idea! Any wishes for machines? Tr8s maybe? Syntakt? Digitakt?

[@DJRickDawson]

@@BoBeats yes... and the play too.

[@KordTaylor]

@@BoBeats Def TR8S amd RTYM.

[@raelic3]

This looked great until 34MB total for samples...really korg?

[@inthefade]

I'm not sure what I feel about this. More emphasis on in-depth analog synthesis would be what I would look for because I already have samplers out of the wazoo, but this could be a really nice piece of kit for someone else. I'll also keep an eye on it as the firmware develops.

[@tsuobachi]

Thanks for the video. Unfortunately, the small user sample memory is a deal breaker for me. Even 60 megs would be ok, but half of that is the same amount I had on my MPC 2000 in 1997. I don't have much interest in revisiting the sampling limitations of 1997 in 2022. If someone can figure out how to dump all the factory samples and replace them with user samples, I'd be interested for sure.

[@monkey76kerr]

This drum machine looks fun

[@BoBeats]

Hey Richard! Hope you are well

[@judddredd8617]

I can't believe they are charging £550 for this, you could get the Arturia Drumbrute Impact for half that. I'll stick with my Roland TR-8S and Maschine MK3 thanks!

[@inthefade]

Patch memory is a big deal that makes Arturia's drum machines less appealing for me for live use, though they'd be fun to sample. At least this can recall for different songs.

[@MPCVINYL]

I think you shouldn't be that hard. It's on a complete other level than a drumbrute impact, far more than double of the capabilities for double of the price is okay.. If you really want to understand a maschine like that you have to spend more time on it than just watching some youtube reviews ;)

[@swtdr34mz]

you're comparing this to the Impact? 😂

[@rrtramel]

Finally!

[@jeanhazaar5937]

I feel like this is a good option, as a drum machine and also as a clock trigger for my dfam. any advice is appreciated !

[@KiR_3d]

1:07 - "Low Rider" :D

[@WastelandSurvival2]

Going to be a lot of people buying this for live techno for sure

[@hiabex]

Hi Bo, great video, very informative as always. I note that you made it a year ago, do you know if the negatives that you flagged, got fixed? Thanks

[@hazedtape]

Would also like to know

[@dankeplace]

Holy Drumo, IT'S HERE!!!!

[@itsJoel59]

This seems like something for me as a first drum machine. I want something that can load and play samples, and a little bit of sound design as well, and I was originally planning on combining the volca drum and sample for that. What do you think Bo? Oh and great video as usual, cheers from Uppsala 😊

[@jonnyhead]

In a world of Elektron why would korg release this thing and while i understand limitations are helpful sometimes this one just seems old fashioned and dated already

[@Eli_B3000]

I love how the box looks (other than being hard to read in a dimmer room), but I'd use a Model:Cycles before this, much better sounds. Hopefully 3rd party like Sinevibes do justice to this unit as well, he/they really expanded the Minilogue XD and NTS with custom OSC and FX.

[@austinmitchell2652]

The analogue drum voice parameters just make this look like a volca beats 😱

[@BoBeats]

?? It has similar drum voice parameters to most analog drum machines, check the vermona drm IV for example

[@ManCalledMif]

Don’t know what to make of this one. I have two DFAMs (excellent sound, semi modular connectivity and sound design), a TR-8S(great all rounder, legacy sounds and great firmware updates), an RD-08 and RD-09 (for analogue sound authenticity and hands on controls) and a TR-06 (for small footprint and surprising amount of depth). Analog rytm looks like it has enough depth to add something to my lineup but it will be a year or so till I add any more drum hardware.

[@BoBeats]

you do sound pretty set with what you got 😅👌

[@zoned7609]

Damn that's a great set of drum machines to have. How do you like the tr-06? I guess since its sitting with some other greats, you must be pretty fond of it.

[@ManCalledMif]

@@zoned7609 tr-06 is fantastic. Perfect for convenience and sound quality is awesome. It can run in batteries and has a built in speaker. I have an RD-06 also cos I wanted to have that 606 sound (the Behringer analogue version). Can recommend both if you like what you’ve heard of them.

[@Aliengroover]

I got to check this out at the Korg Brew music event in Philly last night, and I gotta say I really like how it sounds. Didn't get too deep dive with it but It may be something I get on a little sale.

[@Imetalman2000]

I love everything about this, expect the drum sounds 😩. It’s not that it’s horrible, it’s just I already have better options for drum sounds. I do like the kick, but everything else isn’t doing it for me. As a monologue fan, I was hoping to add this to the rig, now I might get the TR-909 instead.

[@cornoc]

yeah it's not the best sounding, but maybe just needs to be paired with some good effect pedals. distortion, EQ, compression. i feel this is true of most drum machines isn't it?

[@mresquidgeward5965]

Do you mean the tr09? Or have you just gone from considering a budget drum machine, to considering one of the most expensive?

[@andresgaron]

Bien Bobeats te elegi a vos. Bien ese algoritmo rey

[@Martijnnaber]

34 MB on a sample based drum machine is very disappointing.. It's 2022, this thing will probably be out in 2023 and 34mb is just too limited nowadays. It would have been great to at least have 512mb and even that would be considered minimal for today's specs. Other than that it sounds really nice and I'd still want it. Nice review!

[@patrikknoerr9777]

MY Roland SN-u110 drum card has 512kb wave rom on the card, and I'm happy with that. I'm even happier when I add the percussion wave rom card. So just out of curiosity: Are you 512 times happier with your system expectations?

[@mikeb2575]

34mb is a lot when your talking drum samples that are about or less than a second and normally mono...

[@Martijnnaber]

@@patrikknoerr9777 It totally depends on what you wanna do with your machine. Using it as a “simple” drum machine is great but having the options of running longer audio files through it can really push things out of that range. Hopefully a RAM upgrade option would be possible. I’m gonna get it either way and I’ll get back to this if my complaint still holds up

[@vjspectron]

@@mikeb2575 Yeah you could add hundreds of drum samples in 32MB, but those moody 2-minute vocal interludes are gonna have to be loaded elsewhere.

[@wphanoo]

it's a drum machine mr dumbo. drums = short = low memory. if you want to put 3 min long samples then use a DAW

[@straighttalk2069]

Very nice review, my only complaint is, I got a bad case of eye strain, when you displayed the close-up view of the O-led screen 11:02 It was so out of focus my eyes started to hurt.

[@BoBeats]

Sorry about that. I have bad eyesight too so setting focus is one of the things I struggle with. Will absolutely try to do better

[@wiegraf9009]

The amount of memory is preposterously low in the 2020s. I'm honestly shocked they could even find a memory module that small.

[@WildernessMusic_GentleSerene]

I've been a Korg Electribe user for many years, liking the subtractive sound design of drums and the 16 pads for mute/solo control. I was hoping for a pro version of the Electribe with stellar effects and at least 6 outputs. This Drumlogue is not it. To bring my Electribe to pro level my plan has been to add an Arturia DrumBrute to it for more outputs and the missing analog drum sounds. Still not a great solution, however, wish Korg would have given us a pro version of the Electribe.

[@madguy228]

i would’ve preferred digital voices like the ones on the volca drum over the samples. i’m sure this will be perfect for some people and i’m happy for them but for what i’d want from a drumlogue i’m a bit underwhelmed. great demo and walkthrough tho!

[@vjspectron]

Yeah I said this too, but the multi-engine should scratch that itch once we get some more options there!

[@endoflevelboss]

Are you really "happy for them"

[@madguy228]

@@endoflevelboss yes obviously. a piece of gear not appealing to me or the specific ways i like to make music (or even just messing around) doesn’t impact my life negatively in any way what so ever and if that piece of gear can inspire someone or bring them joy then i am legitimately happy for them

[@endoflevelboss]

@@madguy228 ok, don't need your life story man... you're overcompensating because you got called out for insincerity. Nobody's "happy for them" when gear comes out they don't like. Why sugarcoat the truth in woke bullshit are you trying to get a job at Disney?

[@KevinMarlow_uk]

Very helpful review. Am i missing the point here, but I can't understand why such a specialised instrument does not have built in patterns or a rythmic generator. I'm not a drummer but I want to add drums to my synth parts - this device comes so close to getting me there, but requires I first have to master drums. Any tips for me most appreciated!

[@haslo_]

When it comes to bugs and UX issues, nobody should expect Korg to fix any of them in a firmware update. They're not known to do that, just look at how they abandoned the SQ-64.

[@BoBeats]

I will definitely push for them to fix these things and I still have faith they will

[@delta-9969]

That's the first thing I thought of as well. I was an inch away from buying an SQ-64 when they came out... but there were glaring bugs that impact it's functionality and the common opinion was "don't hold your breath for Korg to fix anything." Bugs are unresolved years later. Sad that Korg puts in all the effort to get a product onto the market and then abandons it to crippling bugs that could likely be resolved with a software update.

[@Eli_B3000]

@@delta-9969 I was also going to buy an SQ-64 but haven't for the same reasons. Other companies also send out updates with added features too, it feels like the SQ-64 was just abandoned.

[@anf8647]

Don't forget the buggy midi driver. Nothing but issues with the minilogue xd midi driver!

[@JayaLove]

You know who loves and supports their groove box like no other company? Synthstrom Deluge. It’s the most amazing groovebox and each update is more amazing. They even just released an OLED screen. That makes so much difference to me that the company really stands by it’s product and keeps improving it. No planned obsolescence here!

[@garrethcoughlan3899]

Sounds dope!

[@jamesstonehouse3448]

I think it's a no from me. The pricing is high, in fact it can't really compete with the Deluge I already have.

[@22freakly]

It costs like a pair of volca and a quarter of digitakt. And that's all you need to understand. And also if you have a minilogue they will be nice to live together.

[@plasminas]

Got it, this is the 4x4 off-road version of the Korg Volca Sampler

[@proptosis2682]

I'd take model samples/cycles over this any day.

[@ThePsychoghost]

I was going to buy this now that they are 300 dollars but I decided to get the drumbrute impact

[@raffitchakmakjian]

always interested in seeing how gear like this would do controlling outboard gear.

[@ianmorton1799]

That's my biggest question. Seems solid and a definite maybe on my gear list. The fact that you can sequence a bass line has me wanting to know if I can specify that to a specific midi channel separate from everything else to sequence, say, a Korg monologue.

[@ianmorton1799]

I just decided to do some digging, and found the user manual. Each of 11 parts of a sequence can be given its own midi channel. Presumably you can set the synth line to its own channel to sequence an external synth, as well as use any other part to control whatever other gear you like. I don't have enough expertise to delve into midi CCs as far as sending anything other than notes and stop/start but it seems like it can at least do that on any of the 11 parts you choose.

[@raffitchakmakjian]

@@ianmorton1799 hey, thanks for digging. I have a handful of small synths that I'd like to control with something like this, good to know.

[@speakingcolors]

What about its second usb port tho? Only 34mb is small yes, but looks like the 2nd port is to extend that, no?

[@0.5wit35]

MY FIRST EVENING WITH THE KORG DRUMLOGUE So I just unboxed mine. First impressions are that this thing is a step up from my old hardware... which consists of an E-Mu, a MicroKorg, and old Electribe ES-1s!! Out of the box, this thing sounds SICK!! I found noodling in the sequencer fairly intuitive... but I haven't explored all there is to explore with the sequencer. I mean, it's only been a few hours. As great as it sounds, it's not all peaches and cream. I am really confused about the midi... and it has become vexing. ATTEMPTING TO HOOK THE AKAI MPK MINI TO THE DRUMLOGUE I wanted to use the Akai MPK Mini to play the VPM/Noise/User synth but it does nothing. To clarify, it does receive power from the Drumlogue via the USB device port... the Akai MPK lights up... but doesn't seem to interact with the Drumlogue in any meaningful way. I have tried moving through all of the available channel listings, to no avail. ATTEMPTING TO HOOK THE ARTURIA KEYSTEP TO THE DRUMLOGUE I also tried using the Arturia Keystep with it via MIDI, but all I can get it to do is play the associated drum parts on the keyboard. Key 15 is the vpm/noise/user synth... but I can't play that chromatically throughout the Arturia Keystep's keyboard. Is there a way to see which sounds are assigned to which channels? Is there a way to make all the keys of the Keystep be chromatically assigned to the VPM/Noise/User synth? The internal sounds are fantastic and I live the analogue drum modeling! The sequencer is great and there is a lot of potential with creating all kinds of fascinating IDM and acid breaks/loops!! But I have hit a brick wall with hooking this thing up to a USB controller or a MIDI controller. Any help would be most appreciated!! ATTEMPTING TO HOOK DRUMLOGUE UP TO COMPUTER Another issue I am experiencing is that when I hook the USB host port to my computer, nothing happens. I don't think I can hook the USB device port to my computer. 🤔 In all the tutorials out there, the reviewers seem to breeze over the process for hooking the Drumlogue up to another USB or MIDI device. Unless when hooking the Drumlogue to a USB controller like the Akai MPK mini, it really is as easy as 'plug-&-play'... in which case, I'm starting to wonder if my Drumlogue has an issue with its USB ports, right out of the box?!? I welcome any insight that anyone here can provide. Thanks!

[@IliyanIrmanov]

It’s usable but not competitive. I can use it if I can get it for free, but if I’m gonna buy something there are much better options. 34MB ….. come on!

[@danielwiklander8614]

Interesting design choice to borrow from the MS series front panel.

[@mauchkimberly]

Thanks for the thorough review. This seems nice to me, and I like the multiple outputs. I also like it's a combination of analog, samples and other. Variety is good. More menu diving than I want but it doesn't seem too complicated from your demo. This seems to be meant for accompaniment more than to perform on. Small sample memory? I'm not sure why that's a problem as it doesn't seem too small (how much room do you need for drum samples, idk). Maybe if you want to load longer samples, but then wouldn't you use a groovebox instead?

[@BoBeats]

fair points!

[@mauchkimberly]

@@BoBeats to be clear, I wasn't debating anything you said. But I really am unsure if that little sample memory is too little. I get that it's not ideal. But since it's not a groovebox really, is that amount too little (especially since you can change it with things from your computer, which isn't convenient but is possible)?

[@inthefade]

Yep it just isn't meant for loops. I'm not sold on it but it could be a great piece of kit to add on to a DAWless setup.

[@chiefbucknell]

Korg didn’t include Volca Drum style synthesis? I’m surprised, if that’s the case. Good that it’s a USB MIDI host, though.

[@BoBeats]

i think its not impossible someone could make that happen as a custom synth for it

[@BattleAngelSound]

Seeing it this morning felt like something impossible happened. I didn't expected Drumlogue to happen earlier than end of 2023. But after I watched your video I feel underwhelmed and I think that I'm good with RD-9 and SQ-64 (SQ-64 = sequencer of Drumlogue). I had hope to see a Song Mode. It really wouldn't hurt them to implement it. I would prefer digital synthesis than analog in this case. Oh well, Drumlogue will not replace Volca Drum as a 2nd drum machine from my shopping list ;) Thank you for the review. Very informative as usual.

[@vjspectron]

It's got Pattern chain, sorta-kinda Song Mode.

[@BattleAngelSound]

@@vjspectron It's mostly the same as in SQ-64 sequencer. You can chain only 16 bar slots (16 to 64 steps). With even a medium tempo of 120BPM and all 64-step patterns, it gives you about 2 minutes of length. For me it's not enough and 120BPM is absolutely minimum for me :) It could be extended by slowing it down: playing patterns at 8th or 4th steps instead of 16 + step division. But hell, it's not fun to go around limitations that way. Except if this one got an option to set pattern repeats (I didn't catch it being mentioned anywhere yet). Then it would be practically a song mode.

[@elclubdewallace3770]

Can I make rock patterns with this unit?

[@waddy707]

I’m more excited about the mc101 1.8 upgrade. Hope you cover this at same stage it’s a huge one!

[@BoBeats]

Unfortunately no coverage of the 1.8. I wasn’t aware it was coming so didnt schedule time for it :-(

[@rorz999]

Woah I totally missed this

[@InitialDL84]

Damn, I want this just to accompany my Minilogue XD at this point. Been looking to get a drum machine for a while anyway. I love the fact that you can use it as a groovebox too, albeit limited.

[@BoBeats]

A good fit i’d say

[@Ferna471]

I got a tr8s and imo has way more to offer and easier progamming than this one, though i admit, an xd paired with this one would look really good aesthetic wise

[@tonileighsharpe4213]

How can a device in 2022, in any class, but especially audio which has been known for decades to involve fairly large file sizes, get anywhere near production with just 32MB of sample memory? Like, am I missing something critical about hardware that means there's no feasible way that the 16GB microSD card on my desk can't be incorprated?

[@fortheloveofnoise]

Developed by Boomers

[@Satellite484]

how meany chains can be created using the Korg Drumlogue ?

[@vjspectron]

It has all kinds of sound design options which is nice. Maybe someone will program a compressor that'll really make it explode!