Drum Machines...you're favorites?

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moeses

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and i'm not talkin about things like MPC-2000 where you have to load sounds...

i'm talkin DRUM MACHINES...

i'm really interested in a Sequential Tomm, i've got a Boss 660 but it's poop compared to the drums on my Rolanx XP-60
so, what are some choices you guys use?
i'm into heavy kicks!!!
 
I am partial to the Alesis original HR-16 drum machines. I upgraded to the SR-16 but I miss the original. I've owned an Akai (can't recall the model) which was nice but noisy. I've moved on to drum modules and loops.
 
Zoom RT-323

I can't tell you what's hot right now, but I can share with you what I purchased a couple of years ago and why.

I bought the Zoom RT-323 because the price was right (just over $200 on sale), the sounds were excellent (still think that they are) and the interaction I get from it is superb.

I can attach two pedals to it and use it in real time, without pre-programming it, while I'm playing keyboards. This let's me jam and get my rythmic practice in without using a boring old metronome. I don't think that there are other machines in the $200 price range that do this, but I could be wrong.

It let's me store patterns and programs on a Smart Card.

I can control it via MIDI, which lets me use pads and keyboards to play the realistic drum sounds myself (even though I am not a drummer).

It's easy and intuitive to use and tons of fun.

Carl
 
I would have to say my favorite drum machine would be the one I just "made".

I bought a kimball organ about a year ago for around 35 bucks (Cdn) - I just spent the last week dismantling it, and extracting the drum machine electronics out of it... just gotta build a cabinet for it now.

It has a dozen cheesey drum patterns, and of course.. a beutiful tempo control.

:D
 
Alaking,

I am waaaaaaaay jealous !!!!
I've been wanting to do some stuff like that for quite some time, now.
Maybe when I grow up...:D
<sigh>

diendolo
 
DWBass said:
I am partial to the Alesis original HR-16 drum machines. I upgraded to the SR-16 but I miss the original. I've owned an Akai (can't recall the model) which was nice but noisy. I've moved on to drum modules and loops.
Click to expand...

HR-16 has the easiest to use sequencer of all the ones I tried. The sounds are so-so. I use the HR-16 for the sequencing and run the MIDI to an alesis DM5 module. Killer combo..........
 
It's worth it's weight in Gold (or, uh, diamond-crusted platinum)...

Before I post all this Machinedrum hype, I gotta say that I own an 808, 909, 606 drumatix, hr/sr-16 (both the grey one & the black one), Linn Drum, a few different Boss Dr. Rhythm things, a weird-assed Russian drum module, RS7000 (nice drums & perc, fantastic tweakability) and a few other drum machines I'm too lazy to mention. That being said, If I could only have one, the Machinedrum would be it. There are a few other drum synths I plan to buy as the crow flies, but I believe that I'll continue to run into some redundancy issues as my Elektron can be made to stink like shit or shine like the sun if I want it to.

By the way, Moeses, if you really dig that Sequential box, you should check this machine out, as it can really churn out sounds just like the original. I even use it instead of my Linn drum sometimes due to it's functionality & kick ass sequencer (plus CC programmability with sounds & fx)...

Anyway, here's some of the press blurbs (all true, too!)


4 drum synths in one box...

TRX - TRX is inspired by the classic rhythm machines of Rolands TR-series. Compared to its timeless forerunners TRX brings an extended parameter set, allowing superior control over the sounds produced.

EFM - Exploring the boundaries of interfering frequencies, EFM is the most extreme of the MD-synths. Examine the EFM-parameters to discover a wealth of new cool percussive sounds.

E12 - E12 carries the noble traditions of sample based drum machines such as Simmons and Emu SP1200. Built on carefully processed percussion sounds and offering individual control for all E12-machines.

PI - PI is aware of the physical laws of percussion. Having their roots in scientific models, PI-machines are "Physically Informed", but allows you to change the laws of nature.

Effects

SPS-1 offers a dedicated Track Effect System for each of the 16 tracks of MD synthesis. The Track Effects are always at hand with assigned direct controllers. These effects forms a natural extension of the MD-synths and are available to shape the definite percussion sounds. The Track Effect parameters are saved in Kits and can be controlled by the Percussion Sequencer, just like MD-synth parameters.

The Track Effects consists of five concurrent effects: Amplitude Modulation, 1-band EQ, 24-dB Lo/Band/Hi-pass Resonant Filter, Sample Rate Reduction and Distortion.

The Stereo Master Effect System is composed of the Rhythm Echo delay, the Gate Box reverb, the Dynamix dynamic processor, a Parametric and Hi/Lo-Shelf EQ. The Rhythm Echo and Gate Box Reverb each has dedicated sends from the 16 percussion tracks. The Dynamix processor and the EQ

The LFO-system of Machinedrum is composed of 16 individual dual waveform LFO's, synchronized to the tempo. The LFO's can be routed to any Synthesis, Effects and Routing parameter. process the mixed main out stereo signal. All settings for the Stereo Master Effects are part of the Kit.

Yeah, ok, I'm offa the Machinedrum dick now...


diendolo
 
For just screwing around, I like the SR16. I have a zoom, I like it, but its more of a pain than my old SR16.

I had a sequential Tom, ok for its time....but I cant see using it any more.
 
I got an MPC but lately I have been using either my Korg Karma with Kaoss pad, thats pretty cool or sometimes the Waldorf Attack module in DP drum editor or, now, my favorite, Spectrasonis Stylus though I am new to the program and just getting the hang of it.
 
If there's one drum machine I can spot a sonic mile away it's the SR16. I hate the sounds on that thing.

I orefer a notepad sequencer for drum machine purposes to a quantized peice of junk 4 track drum box. I use a yamaha QY-70 with a MU50 module for drum patterns but I would way rather make keeper drums on my hybrid electronic/accoustic set.

All drum machines sound machiney.
I've had an SR16, DR 550, dr660 and used a 770, mpc 2000, groove box, HR16 and a few others. I would love to hear that machinedrum.
 
I second the Zoom.
Iv'e owned or tried every other one out there.
I got this as a last resort,and was totally blown away by it.

The things I like about it are-
Big lighted pads,great for tweaking patterns.
48 sample rate.
Easy to use layout,smart OS
You can set up 2 seperate user kits for one song.
Indepth editing,and a ton of extra features.
Smart media card.
Has a bass if you need it.

The only downside is,it dosn't have as many drum sounds as some of the others,but the one's it has are very good.

You can hear it here if you like-

http://www.nowhereradio.com/artists/album.php?aid=1317&alid=-1

First song.

The drums are the stereo direct out with no additional processing.

Good luck,
Pete
 
I've used the original HR16 for many years (like 16 or something?). Which, if nothing else, tells you it's reasonably sturdy (I guess the buttons have a tendency to die ... mine haven't). The "16" in the model name was a boast to indicate that it has (wow!) 16-bit samples. Times change.
 
Yeah, 16 bit but I think it was at like 28khz or something weird like that.

16 bit can be misleading.

I actually like the HR16 sounds way better than the newer SR16. The only redeeming quality of the SR16 is the foot pedal pattern changer.
 
I have never owned a real "drum machine" I have had a Novation Drumstation, Alesis D4, MPC 2000, and all of the synths that had drum kits. I will have to go with the Drumstation or a Kurzweil sampler for favorites that I have used.
I would love to find a LINN drum! The sounds that Prince used to get were great! Are there any samples out on the web of that great LINN snare?
 
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