drum machine question

Thewizz · #1 06-09-2007, 01:05 AM

Can a drum machine be used instead of a real drummer like say for gigs and would you have to have drumming experience to program it?

T-Bird · #2 06-09-2007, 08:26 AM

Hi, Thewizz

Short and sweet: Yes and YES.

Just my 0.02€
Sam

Thewizz · #3 06-09-2007, 11:39 AM

So like say for playing live we'll we just have to have a big amp for it?

Seattle_BassMan · #4 06-09-2007, 12:00 PM

You could run it through an amp or through the PA system with your vocals. A lot of people use drum machines for live gigs. It's not quite the same as having a good drummer, but if the money is tight on the gig it can sometimes make an otherwise bad paying gig seem decent (1 less person to split the pay with).

You can pick up an Alesis SR-16 for around $100 on craigslist of ebay...and it's a pretty decent little drum machine

xshawnxearthx · #5 06-09-2007, 12:26 PM

if it wasnt totally retarded to use a drum machine for live shows, i would strictly use a drum machine. but the energy of a live drummer is nesc for a great live show.

BassChuck · #6 06-09-2007, 01:00 PM

Drum machines can sound good, and be very powerful replacement for a drummer. That said, there are some things that have to kept in mind.

1. While the sounds of a drum machine are good, its how the drum part is programed that makes the real difference. If you are lazy and just play to a loop, your music will suffer, greatly. If you have the time and talent a drum machine part can be programmed that is exactly what a live drummer would play and will sound as good.

2. If you get your act together on #1, remember that what will be missing is flexibility. Once you program the part, you can't change it on the fly.... so if your singer goes to the bridge instead of repeating the head... its a bad thing. It takes a good bit of practice so you can do the arrangements correctly and still do them with excitement. Also it takes a little work to play with a machine to learn where to play the note within the beat ... the machine won't be helping you on this, you've got to do it yourself.

3. If the style of your music demands the visual aspect of a live drummer, or is improvisatory in nature, you're better off with a live drummer. I really don't see how jazz or metal could be done with a machine. Pop and cover bands can work well with machines.

Thewizz · #7 06-09-2007, 02:41 PM

So a machine wouldn't work good with metal?Because we were planning to start a death/thrash band but if a machine won't work then we'll keep looking for a drummer but it's hard to find one since we live in a small town.

santacruzom · #8 06-09-2007, 04:11 PM

No way. Drum machines aren't nearly pompous, surly, and inconsistent enough to replace a live drummer

Just kidding. I actually do believe that a good live drummer is a near-necessity for providing a sense of energy and dynamics to a live performance.

LarryO · #9 06-10-2007, 09:06 AM

If you can't find a drummer a drum machine can be used, just make sure you reherse with the beats that you stored on the machine and that you program the set list in the order you want to play it. Also if you can't find a drummer but you can find a good keyboard player take advantage of that. Those guys are like a crecent wrench in a toolbox.