Photos: Korg Mini Kaoss Pad

Given that there are 100 unique presets in this one little package, you're liable to get a finger blister before you get bored with the effects.

The Kaoss Pad has been around since 1999, but never this small and never battery-powered.

Because the Mini Kaoss Pad was designed for musicians, you won't find a lot of out-of-the-way features tucked on the sides (aside from the power switch). Everything you need is right up front.

Unlike it's bigger Kaoss Pad cousins, the Mini just gives you stereo RCA in and out, plus a jack for an external power supply. A headphone minijack with independent volume control is on the reverse side.

Four AA batteries is all you need.

For a small device, the preset management is relatively big and easy to control. You get two, big, red buttons to store you favorite two presets as well as a large jog wheel to manually scan the 100 effects individually.

Using your finger to warp and twist music gets addictive after a while.

For the first time, I went through my iPod looking for music I didn't like--just so I could use the Kaoss Pad to shred it to pieces.