Practicing isn't a chore if you have a nice metronome at your side. Now shipping, the Korg MA-1 Solo Metronome provides serious practice and rhythm training options to help musicians like you make the most of your rehearsal time.

The MA-1 features a traditional audible beat indicator, of course, as well as an enhanced display for accurate beat keeping and rhythm training. The metronome may also serve as a chromatic pitch source for tuning any instrument or finding a note.

In addition to a swinging metronome style needle, the MA-1's new display design represents the beats in a given measure as outlined triangle-shaped icons. Korg notes that as the beats progress, each icon changes from an outlined triangle to a solid triangle, providing symbolic representation of what beat of the pattern is being played, or how far the pattern has progressed.

Tempo may be set using traditional mechanical metronome settings or freely set to any tempo you want, from 30 to 252 BPM. In case you don't know the exact BPM you're looking for, a Tap Tempo button lets you tap in your chosen tempo.

Using the Beat Mode, any value from zero through nine beats may be selected, and the selected beat will be accented. What's more, one of eight Rhythm Patterns may be selected, ranging from straight quarter notes to multiple triplet and quadruplet variations. The MA-1 Solo Metronome boasts a built-in speaker and a headphone output with an adjustable level control as well.

Aside from its time-keeping features, the MA-1 offers reference pitch (C4 to B4) for tuning nearly any instrument. The Calibration for these reference pitches can be set over a range of 410 Hz to 480 Hz, ensuring that you are appropriately tuned to play any type of music.

The MA-1 is available in two models -- Black and Red (MA1RD) or Blue and Black (MA1BL) -- and is powered by two AAA batteries. An auto-off feature preserves battery life after 20 minutes of idleness, and a collapsible tilt-back stand offers support for easy viewing.

MA-1 features:

• Multi-function compact metronome
• Available in two color schemes: blue and black, or black and red
• Beat-Counting display makes it easier to practice your rhythm and phrasing
• Choose from two types of tempo steps: pendulum steps or full steps
• Tap Tempo function lets you quickly set the desired tempo
• Beat display offers from 1 to 9 beats, plus 8 rhythm types to practice any style of music
• Tune any instrument using the 12 step (C4 – B4) chromatic reference pitch
• Adjustable calibration setting (410 – 480 Hz)
• Earphone jack with adjustable volume
• Memory backup function and auto power-off function
• Up to approximately 290 hours of continuous operation

Korg's compact MA-1 metronome is now shipping for $40 (MSRP). For more information, visit korg.com.