The Korg KDM-3 is a digital metronome in a white finish, shaped like the traditional wedge but running on electronics. Daily practice is the point here, whether that means scales at the piano or section work in a rehearsal room. At the extremes it will click anywhere from 30 to 252 beats per minute.
Beat patterns for most repertoire
Nineteen patterns are built in. Beyond a plain 0 to 9 beats per bar you get duplets, triplets and quadruplets, each also available with the inner notes left out. Latin players are looked after too, since son and rumba clave both appear in 2-3 and 3-2 orientations.
Setting the tempo
Three ways of dialling in a speed are offered: pendulum increments that follow the divisions of a mechanical unit, full steps of one beat at a time, and tap entry for matching what you already hear. Timing holds to within 0.2 per cent. Run timer mode and the click stops by itself after a set length, which suits warm-ups and technical drills.
Pitch reference on board
A reference tone spans one octave, C4 up to B4, while calibration runs from A4 at 410 Hz to 480 Hz in single-hertz increments. Pitch accuracy sits under one cent. Wind and string players can therefore check intonation without carrying a second box to the stand.
Sound, power and size
For the click there is a 36 mm dynamic speaker, and headphones go into a 3.5 mm stereo mini jack when the household needs quiet. Four AAA batteries last around 120 hours at a moderate setting with the mechanical sound at full volume. The case measures 60 by 73 by 113 mm and weighs 167 g with cells fitted.
See it in action
Specifications
| Tempo range | 30 bpm to 252 bpm |
|---|---|
| Tempo settings | PENDULUM step, FULL step, TAP tempo |
| Beat range | 19 different kinds available (0 to 9 beats, duplets, triplets, triplet with inner beat omitted, quadruplets, quadruplets with inner beats omitted, son clave (2-3) (3-2), rumba clave (2-3) (3-2)) |
| Tempo accuracy | +/- 0.2% |
| Reference Tone | C4 (261.63Hz) to B4 (493.88Hz) 1 octave |
| Calibration range | A4=410Hz to 480Hz (unit: 1Hz) |
| Tone accuracy | under 1cent |
| Connections | Phone jack (3.5mm stereo mini jack) |
| Speaker | Dynamic speaker（φ36mm） |
| Power supply | Four AAA batteries |
| Battery Life | Approx. 120 hours (120 tempo, 4 beats, mechanical metronome, maximum volume, using standard alkaline batteries) |
| Dimensions (W x D x H) | 60 mm x 73 mm x 113 mm / 2.36" x 2.87" x 4.45" |
| Weight | 167g / 0.37 lbs. (including batteries) |
Specifications from Korg. Appearance and specifications are subject to change without notice.
