Does this device exist - MIDI only drum machine?

[quincy]

Coming from a software background, i'm a bit ignorant about hardware, but i was thinking how cool it'd be if there was a MIDI only drum machine device that i could plug into my laptop and use to power Reason or any other software.

In a nutshell, it'd be nice to have groovebox-like control with my laptop+software being the actual sound module bit of the setup. Somthing like a Korg Electribe ER1/2 type thing.

This would be great for live performance, and would make a worthy addition to my Axiom 49/Reason 3.0 setup.

Any recommendations KVR land?

[BertKoor]

I'm not sure what you want/expect from such a device, so I can only describe what my antique Keytek MDP-40 rhythmbox does.

The device has midi output and input. Commands that go out and can come in are program changes (set different playing pattern) and note info (play certain pads.) It works with any host/sequencer that works with midi ports.

[shamann]

So you're looking for a hardware step sequencers? Many drum machines can be used to send midi data, maybe even the electribes can (they have midi out ports). You might run in to trouble with polyphony though (or it'll cost you to get it).

Here are some hardware MIDI step sequencers:
Future Retro Mobius
MFB-STEP64

There's also a really cool one out there called the Sequentix P3, but they don't make them anymore. Not sure how hard it is to track a used one down.