Pretty simple layout, but that's what makes it such a useful tool. The sequencer is as easy as it gets and works very well with racked drum gear. I use it to make programs and trigger the Drumstation/DM5. Good midi implementation.

Definitely a box with it's own personality and usefulness.

Sounds pretty decent. To me at least, when you put the two Electribes together, it sounds a bit "Virtual analog" overkill. The kick drums you can make are great, it's just too bad that it can sound waay too much like the Electribe A.

The hihats are okay, nothing to write home about, but the accent really drowns things out. Makes all the bass drums just eat up everything... EQ time.

I think I see why the "pros"(a la the people Korg interviews about it) think this is a nice "toy". It's got a great sequencer, but those V.A. kicks just have a different feel to it. Not bad, just different. I don't like two drum machines running at once, so I'm going to mute out my RM1x's drums for a time to see how well the ER's can mix in, and/or pinch hit.

Another thing is that the PCM's cut themselves off a bit. Like if you have hihats running closed and open, have a cymbal then a clap, the clap will close the decay of the cymbal. Not cool.

Oh well... Not as cool as the EA1, or as useful, but a well earned four.