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The Korg Electribe R was released in 1999 as a dedicated electronic drum machine to complement the Korg Electribe A bass synthesizer. It features a 64 step sequencer and is MIDI-controllable. The sound is generated by digital signal processor circuits but can be manipulated in realtime (analog modeling synthesizer principle). A cross modulation function (replacing the previous ring modulation of the Mk I version) can be applied to percussion synthesizers 1 and 2 in the ER-1 Mk II version. The only other differences were new preset rhythm patterns and the metal casing. Because of the easy programming possibilities and competitive pricing the ER-1 quickly became popular among DJs and studio musicians. The overall sound character can be described as, although synthetic, similar to classic analog drum machines. However, the sound remains completely "tweakable" allowing realtime human variation and interaction, not unlike 4 simultaneous percussion synthesizers. In 2010, Korg released iElectribe R, a software version of the Electribe R for the iPad.
Korg Electribe R mkII Features
Analog modeling system plus PCM
Powerful Cross Modulation
Audio Input function
Step Sequencer
Motion Sequence function
Low Boost and Delay effects
Tap Tempo and MIDI Clock
4 synthesizer parts
4 PCM parts
2 audio-in parts
One accent part
256 patterns, 16 songs
Delay effects: Normal, Motion Sequence, Tempo Delay
Motion Sequences: synthesizer part-3 parameters, drum part-2 parameters, accent part-one parameter, 64 events
Pattern sequencer: 64 steps maximum per part; one parameter per part; 64 events per part; 256 patterns maximum per song; 35,700 events maximum