Need advice for a good drum machine

[JeffLieby]

I am looking for something to practice with at home.

Something with a wide variety of styles in it.

Maybe not a drum machine, is there some other resource perhaps? I just want something to practice with at home. Something I can use to work on everything from groove, style vocabulary, improvisation, and the like.

What gear/resources do you guys use?

[digitalmoney]

I picked up a Korg kaossilator pro.
It can do all sorts of stuff. You can make your own drum beats sample and loop them.
It also has preset drum patterns in different styles you can put it on hold and it'll keep playing that drum phrase over and over until you stop it. You need to amplify it so I plug it in to my powered mixer then through the Junky But Loud pa speakers.

Korg

Check it out. Around 400 msrp but I'm sure you could find one alot cheaper.

[JeffLieby]

Originally Posted by digitalmoney

I picked up a Korg kaossilator pro.
It can do all sorts of stuff. You can make your own drum beats sample and loop them.
It also has preset drum patterns in different styles you can put it on hold and it'll keep playing that drum phrase over and over until you stop it.

Can you edit the playback tempo?

[gjbassist]

I use my Zoom B2's built in drum machine. It's not the most complex but it has 40 patterns and you can vary the tempo. Plus you get all the effects and a tuner. Not bad for $80.

[toberoo]

ezdrummer isn't to bad if you have a daw

[JeffLieby]

Originally Posted by toberoo

ezdrummer isn't to bad if you have a daw

Yeah, I have that. I'm really looking more for something I can leave plugged into the aux-in on my practice amp.

[JeffLieby]

Originally Posted by gjbassist

I use my Zoom B2's built in drum machine. Not bad for $80.

$80 sounds quite nice

[JeffLieby]

I think I found the winner.

Tascam GT-R1
TASCAM GT-R1 Portable Guitar/Bass Recorder: Shop Pro Audio & Other Musical Instruments | Musician's Friend

It has like 80 patterns in different styles with adjustable tempo

A Stereo Recorder (Been wanting one of those too)

Plus handy rehersal tools, and a built in tuner to boot!

[JeffLieby]

Does anyone have any experience with the Tascam GT-R1?

Any thoughts on this unit?

[tdub0199]

The Zoom B2 is what I use also....

[tbof]

Personaly, I'd go with Boss (DR-3 or DR-880). I use a Boss BR-800 digital recorder to record my music and to jam along to drum patterns. It has a built in drum arranger and patterns that sounds pretty good. You can listen to some demos I made here to give you an idea. All songs used the Boss BR-800 drum patterns except for Highway Jam. (The BR-800 recorder has the same drum patterns as the DR-880). These drum machines are easy to use and you can jam along in a flash.

[Nev375]

Right here.

Download | Hydrogen

The windows version is slightly buggy and I have had a few unexpected crashes.
However, the sheer versatility and ease of use make up for it in spades. Not to mention the price (free)
Just remember to save often.

[digitalmoney]

Originally Posted by JeffLieby

Can you edit the playback tempo?

yes you can slow it down with out changing the pitch
Normally it is set to 120bpm
It has rock disco house hip hop reggeaton built in beats
Also a drum set spread out on the pad which you could make your own beat
Go down to Guitar Satan and try one. They are by the keyboards and stuff.

[digitalmoney]

This is fun I have 1
I can record my bass then go over it with guitar and add drums from the Kaossilator or the real set too.

TASCAM DP-008 8-Track Digital Portastudio and more Multitrack Recorders at GuitarCenter.com.

No built in stuff but battery operated as well easy to use SD card slot Might come with a 2GB card

[kenstee]

I use an old-school Boss DR-220A. Inexpensive on eBay. Has a cool 80's vibe as well..... And quite easy to use and program.

The "A" is for acoustic (real drums, etc.) vs the DR-220E which is electronic drums, etc. Personally, like the real drum sounds.

[digitalmoney]

Originally Posted by tbof

Personaly, I'd go with Boss (DR-3 or DR-880). I use a Boss BR-800 digital recorder to record my music and to jam along to drum patterns. It has a built in drum arranger and patterns that sounds pretty good. You can listen to some demos I made here to give you an idea. All songs used the Boss BR-800 drum patterns except for Highway Jam. (The BR-800 recorder has the same drum patterns as the DR-880). These drum machines are easy to use and you can jam along in a flash.

Sweet your playing guitar and the bass using a drum machine
correct?

[tbof]

Originally Posted by digitalmoney

Sweet your playing guitar and the bass using a drum machine
correct?

Yes that's correct. I plug a guitar in the Boss BR-800 and use the built in guitar effects and bass simulators over drum patterns or arrangements. It shares the same COSM effects you find on the Boss GT-10 guitar multi effects floor processor. Also comes with 2 built in mics for instruments or voice recording and it's packed with vocal effects. It has 8 tracks (64 virtual tracks) to record to and you can bounce as many times as you want. It's also an audio interface (use it with my laptop - plus it comes with Sonar 8.5 - but I never even had to install it since I do all the recording, editing and mixing/mastering directly on the BR-800). It's so easy to use. I love it. It's a little expensive but it's THE all in one portable solution at the best price.

Here's what it looks like...

[JeffLieby]

After some research, I think the Boss DR-3 is the best choice. Then I can get a Tascam DR-07mkii for a recorder.