Just for anyone looking into standalone drum machines...
I've been searching for some months now, trying Roland and Zoom and Alesis models, and I finally found the machine for me: the Yamaha DD55, which I finally had a chance to try this weekend. I needed the machine for my small home studio work on a Yamaha AW16G, and for me, the DD55 turned out to be the nearly perfect answer. (The Boss 880 has even more going for it soundwise, but it's double the price and still can't be played anything like a real set of drums.)
IF, like me, you already know how to play drums... and IF, like me, you have no space for a full set of any type, then the Yammie could do the trick. I'm already having a blast actually playing the drum parts for my recordings with this machine, which plays well (almost like playing a mini-drum set) and sounds surprisingly good with its excellent stereo samples. Compared to pressing little buttons or programming someone else's samples, this machine allows me to write and play my own drum parts--using drum sticks, no less. Very sweet for a drummer-wanna-be like me.
If you're thinking that it looks like a toy, well, I'd agree somewhat. I'd even agree that it would be a great starter set for kids. But that fact in no way reduces its excellent useability for home-studio recordists like me. If you're interested in learning more, here's just one of the many user reviews I found online, nearly all of which were extremely positive:
http://www.dooyoo.co.uk/drums-percussion/yamaha-dd55/417247/
I'm certainly not saying that it's the best choice for you, too, but if you're in the market, know how to play drums, and have very little space, I'd certainly add this little gem to your audition list. It won me over big-time with its easy playability and excellent samples. I have plenty of gripes about the machine, but they're small, especially considering the measely $200 tag.
Just one guitarist's perspective,
J.
I've been searching for some months now, trying Roland and Zoom and Alesis models, and I finally found the machine for me: the Yamaha DD55, which I finally had a chance to try this weekend. I needed the machine for my small home studio work on a Yamaha AW16G, and for me, the DD55 turned out to be the nearly perfect answer. (The Boss 880 has even more going for it soundwise, but it's double the price and still can't be played anything like a real set of drums.)
IF, like me, you already know how to play drums... and IF, like me, you have no space for a full set of any type, then the Yammie could do the trick. I'm already having a blast actually playing the drum parts for my recordings with this machine, which plays well (almost like playing a mini-drum set) and sounds surprisingly good with its excellent stereo samples. Compared to pressing little buttons or programming someone else's samples, this machine allows me to write and play my own drum parts--using drum sticks, no less. Very sweet for a drummer-wanna-be like me.
If you're thinking that it looks like a toy, well, I'd agree somewhat. I'd even agree that it would be a great starter set for kids. But that fact in no way reduces its excellent useability for home-studio recordists like me. If you're interested in learning more, here's just one of the many user reviews I found online, nearly all of which were extremely positive:
http://www.dooyoo.co.uk/drums-percussion/yamaha-dd55/417247/
I'm certainly not saying that it's the best choice for you, too, but if you're in the market, know how to play drums, and have very little space, I'd certainly add this little gem to your audition list. It won me over big-time with its easy playability and excellent samples. I have plenty of gripes about the machine, but they're small, especially considering the measely $200 tag.
Just one guitarist's perspective,
J.