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oh_the_blood
New member
any out there for around 200 dollars and and stand alone?
famous beagle
Well-known member
I've had an alesis SR-16, and I ended up selling it because I preferred the sounds on the Zoom MRT-3. The zoom unit is about half the price (you can find one for about $60 or $70 used), and it's got plenty of easy-to-use features.
I really can't understand the SR-16's continuing popularity. The sounds on it are really dated.
Here's a link to the MRT-3:
http://www.samsontech.com/products/productpage.cfm?prodID=1713&brandID=4
I really can't understand the SR-16's continuing popularity. The sounds on it are really dated.
Here's a link to the MRT-3:
http://www.samsontech.com/products/productpage.cfm?prodID=1713&brandID=4
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mharr552000
New member
Yeah, the SR-16 can do that. A few things to be aware of though.
You cannot automatically change tempo from pattern to pattern during a song.
The beats-per-pattern are fairly large. I've had to adjust the arrangements of a few songs to accomodate gaps.
A quick succession of cymbal or snare hits sounds like shit.
A flurry of toms and kicks will truncate the decay, which doesn't sound so hot.
You cannot automatically change tempo from pattern to pattern during a song.
The beats-per-pattern are fairly large. I've had to adjust the arrangements of a few songs to accomodate gaps.
A quick succession of cymbal or snare hits sounds like shit.
A flurry of toms and kicks will truncate the decay, which doesn't sound so hot.
famous beagle
Well-known member
By the way, the zoom doesn't have any of the above problems. You can change tempo within a song.
However, I would think the alesis would be able to do that if it were being slaved by midi.
Anyway, the SR16 is an old design from the 80s; they've made a lot of improvements in drum machines since then.
However, I would think the alesis would be able to do that if it were being slaved by midi.
Anyway, the SR16 is an old design from the 80s; they've made a lot of improvements in drum machines since then.
altitude909
Best Advice Ever: RTFM
The SR-16 is not that old (everyone still carries them) but I think all the ~100$ drum machines are more of a practice device than a "use it in a track" drum machine so I think if he is looking for something to use or play out, there are much better options than the zoom and alesis
The older Korg ES-1's are real nice and cheap and you can use whatever sounds you want on it with assignable decays etc. (and of course, song mode)
The older Korg ES-1's are real nice and cheap and you can use whatever sounds you want on it with assignable decays etc. (and of course, song mode)
jfrog
uber-nerd
Boss DR-3.
$199 (2 years ago, anyway)
program whole songs. Even does bass guitar if you want.
$199 (2 years ago, anyway)
program whole songs. Even does bass guitar if you want.
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oh_the_blood
New member
my friend owns the ZOom and ive played it but i hate how you have to program it sound by sound.
Doc Holiday
New member
I've got a Zoom MRT-3 that I've had for about 3 or 4 years. The sounds are pretty good, but I'm beginning to have some problems with the touch pads. Also, the stereo output is shorted. I don't know if this is a common problem with other users. You can slave it to a recorder with midi and it will change tempo. It sounds good and is fairly inexpensive. But watch out for the shorted outputs if you're looking at getting a used one. I don't know if Zoom is still making these units.
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The Green Hornet
New member
Might as well drop in a word about the Boss 880--which is probably over your budget.
BUT, it is one very good drum machine. Has a direct in for bass or guitar. Has programmed bass lines with patches.
Has very good sound and can do songs. I haven't tried to program this box yet as I'm just getting into reviewing the presets--trouble is that I find one and play it, start playing the synth and take a couple of hours to do a song.
The 880 does inspire one to join in and play. Lots of Funky patches that I find refreshing.
I've had an SR-16; for its time, it was a good box. But, it doesn't come close to the Boss 870 or 880.
Merry Christmas
Green Hornet
BUT, it is one very good drum machine. Has a direct in for bass or guitar. Has programmed bass lines with patches.
Has very good sound and can do songs. I haven't tried to program this box yet as I'm just getting into reviewing the presets--trouble is that I find one and play it, start playing the synth and take a couple of hours to do a song.
The 880 does inspire one to join in and play. Lots of Funky patches that I find refreshing.
I've had an SR-16; for its time, it was a good box. But, it doesn't come close to the Boss 870 or 880.
Merry Christmas
Green Hornet
J
johnnymegabyte
New member
Instead of a drum machine, you can find an older PC or laptop ( maybe even for free )
Go MIDI and use a sequencer program, which some are freeware.
Go MIDI and use a sequencer program, which some are freeware.
famous beagle
Well-known member
oh_the_blood said:
Hmmm ... I'm not sure what you mean by this.
When programming patterns, you can either do it real time or in step mode. Real time is what I use, and I can't imagine it being easier. You basically tell it the length of the pattern (say ... 2 measures), and it loops those two measures over and over. You just play what you want and it becomes part of the pattern. If you make a mistake, you can easily delete whatever it was. I usually finish a pattern in less than a minute.
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HapiCmpur
New member
Boss quit making the DR-770 when they put out the DR-880, so I'll bet you could pick up a used 770 now for well under 200 bucks. It's a fine machine and will save songs for you.oh_the_blood said:
jfrog
uber-nerd
I looked at the 770's & 880's before deciding I liked the DR-3 better, and on top of that, it was way cheaper. I based my decision on playing around with them at the music store.
While I haven't been overly enamored with the preprogrammed patterns on the DR-3, the thing is totally user programmable...I've programmed my own patterns. You can also define drum kits, combine patterns into songs and stuff like that. each "patch" can have 6 different drum patterns (8 including intro and ending), in addition to 3 different fill patterns. The patterns are triggered from the buttons. Additionally, these patches can be programmed into complete songs.
The dr-3 also has bass built-in as well.
The menus can be a little awkward, but if you're patient, it'll do a lot.
One thing the dr-3 can't do is write out - it's got a MIDI in but not an out...so there's no way to create a program to save patterns. I don't know if the 880 or 770 has that capability. Something to consider.
While I haven't been overly enamored with the preprogrammed patterns on the DR-3, the thing is totally user programmable...I've programmed my own patterns. You can also define drum kits, combine patterns into songs and stuff like that. each "patch" can have 6 different drum patterns (8 including intro and ending), in addition to 3 different fill patterns. The patterns are triggered from the buttons. Additionally, these patches can be programmed into complete songs.
The dr-3 also has bass built-in as well.
The menus can be a little awkward, but if you're patient, it'll do a lot.
One thing the dr-3 can't do is write out - it's got a MIDI in but not an out...so there's no way to create a program to save patterns. I don't know if the 880 or 770 has that capability. Something to consider.