B
baines
New member
What is the best sounding drum machine out there?
jake-owa
Banned
They all suck.
Seriously, I've owned a DR.550, DR.5, SR-16 and Yamaha QY-70 (sequencer). A friend just got the 770 and it's not much better. The problems are many and not easy to get around. I suggest getting a sequencer for recording drum patterns and finding a couple modules you like. The Yamaha MU-50's and 100's are fairly realistic but far from perfect. The "secret" to drum machines and sequencers is really taking the time to custom shape a pattern to fit your music. It can take a few days or so. If you want to just start a loop and play along that's fine but there WILL come a time when thats just not good enough.
If you want a simple if mediocre sounding unit the Alesis SR-16 is fun to jam with. It has a pedal input to insert fills and change patterns but the sound is completely recognizable("oh there's the SR16 wood block").
Sorry if this is bad news, don't believe me, I wouldn't. Go out and try a few, I guarantee you will fall in love with ine only to be let down when all your songs sound like the robots took control.
A sequencer is better because you can record the parts (usually at least 8 tracks worth) live tapping a keyboard controller or pads (SPD6 or something like that). This has helped my music TREMENDOUSLY. You get used to playing the drums on keys and it becomes fun actually. The feel is real and the crappy sounds aren't as obvious when the mechanized sound is not there. V drums are nice too. I never found a single module cymbal that I liked so I play with all real cymbals, this has helped alot too.
Some stuff to consider.
Seriously, I've owned a DR.550, DR.5, SR-16 and Yamaha QY-70 (sequencer). A friend just got the 770 and it's not much better. The problems are many and not easy to get around. I suggest getting a sequencer for recording drum patterns and finding a couple modules you like. The Yamaha MU-50's and 100's are fairly realistic but far from perfect. The "secret" to drum machines and sequencers is really taking the time to custom shape a pattern to fit your music. It can take a few days or so. If you want to just start a loop and play along that's fine but there WILL come a time when thats just not good enough.
If you want a simple if mediocre sounding unit the Alesis SR-16 is fun to jam with. It has a pedal input to insert fills and change patterns but the sound is completely recognizable("oh there's the SR16 wood block").
Sorry if this is bad news, don't believe me, I wouldn't. Go out and try a few, I guarantee you will fall in love with ine only to be let down when all your songs sound like the robots took control.
A sequencer is better because you can record the parts (usually at least 8 tracks worth) live tapping a keyboard controller or pads (SPD6 or something like that). This has helped my music TREMENDOUSLY. You get used to playing the drums on keys and it becomes fun actually. The feel is real and the crappy sounds aren't as obvious when the mechanized sound is not there. V drums are nice too. I never found a single module cymbal that I liked so I play with all real cymbals, this has helped alot too.
Some stuff to consider.
Sennheiser
New member
I'll let you know about the Roland R-5 when I get it.
It is supposed to allow you to program slight timing mistakes instead of quantitizing the patch or loop. Two levels of accent are also available as well as individual tuning and four mono outs and a stereo pair. It has a lot of programming options and a large memory. They tell me it is much better and more complicated than the old TR series.
I don't know how it sounds yet. Good I hope.
It's an older machine; about 1989 I think. It is the little brother to the Roland R-8. That was the best machine up to that time. Sold for nearly $1200 back then. I'm not sure about the R-5.
It is supposed to allow you to program slight timing mistakes instead of quantitizing the patch or loop. Two levels of accent are also available as well as individual tuning and four mono outs and a stereo pair. It has a lot of programming options and a large memory. They tell me it is much better and more complicated than the old TR series.
I don't know how it sounds yet. Good I hope.
It's an older machine; about 1989 I think. It is the little brother to the Roland R-8. That was the best machine up to that time. Sold for nearly $1200 back then. I'm not sure about the R-5.