Dedicated drum module/machine worth it?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Agent47
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Agent47

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When I use drums at home, it's generally a combination of sampled loops and MIDI programmed. For example, I'll have maybe a basic four-to-the-floor sample loop, then bring in some MIDI claps/hats etc.

What I would like to know is: Would a dedicated hardware drum module/machine sound better than the drumkits that come with synths?

I use the supplied kits on my Yamaha SW1000 and Roland XV5050. I'm wondering if I'd get a 'fatter' 808/909 sound with some dedicated hardware - for example if I'm doing an RnB track.

Hmmmm.

Maybe I'm just lusting after more boxes...
 
I went the dedicated drum module route a couple of years ago. The main reason for this is that I wanted to apply outboard effects to the drum parts only which, unless you synth has multiple assignable outputs, is not possible. It may be that you just want to use the synth as a drum machine in which case that's fine but I just wanted to move away from one piece of kit doing everything and therefore sometimes creating lack of polyhpony problems.

For this purpose I went for the Alesis DM5... not the best brain in the world but not bad for the price.


As for sounding better... that really depends on what synth you are using. The newer synths come with some quite awsome samples.

Maybe I'm just lusting after more boxes...
Click to expand...

yeah... that might be my problem too...

andy
 
Cool. I just hear 808s and 909s and lust after them. I'm pretty sure I don't have anything like those in my set-up. Although I think I'll check out my XV5050 and see what kits are on that. I think they're a bit average as far as I have looked into it. It would be nice if Roland just ported over they're older drum sounds into the latest synths...
 
for 808/909 sounds there are alot of really good options:

Jomox is coming out with a new box (xbase 999) that supposedly is a dead on 909 with sequencer, its almost twice the price of a used 909 though.

Another good option is the Novation Drumstation. Its VA, but does very good 808 and 909.

I have looked high and low for a good 909 clone and really software wise, I have not found anything that really suited me (samplers, VA's, etc) so I am building my own clone (introspectiv.org)
 
Cool. Will look em up.

Just been experimenting with the drum sound on my Roland and Yamaha. I have to say, the analog kits on the Yamaha card p*ss all over those on the Roland. Surprising. I might get closeish to an 808 sound yet...
 
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