Synth Site |  Korg |  DRM-1

- It only has 7 pad inputs, so the cymbal has to do dual duty of ride and crash via velocity switching. - The Pot Pedal input, intended for manipulating the hi-hat from closed to open, doesn't seem to work properly. (Could be my particular unit.) - It has zero cross-talk trigger filtering, so even using light sticks, it fails to exclude false triggers. (Tried with Roland TD-7 pad kit and Hart Multipad.) - The manual lacks descriptions of basic things, such as the difference between patterns and songs (none actually - used interchangably), and decriptions about polyphony and ROM size. - There are no front panel controls, so without the IR remote, there is no way to program or adjust the unit. The footswitch can control program up/down, however.

On the plus sides:

+ MIDI implementation is well documentented. (It appears in only dumps the current kit's settings, not for all 16.) + 4 ROM card slots + 1U rack mountable + Tap Tempo for sequencer

This unit requires a steep learning curve to start making music out of the box. Response to the IR remote (required) is sluggish, and the manual could have better tutorials on producing a music project using the DRM-1. I would say this item is better suited to just provide drum sounds and a way to play the 50+ Korg Voice ROMs, than as a sequencer or trigger input device.