Practicing with a Drum Machine

magneezius · #1 04-01-2008, 05:06 PM

So I've been Looking for a Decent Drum Machine for practice purposes. So when I can't have the drummer and Im at home and want something better than a metronome I can have beats to jam with. I understand Computer based programs are probably the best way to go however I dont have a laptop and a Desktop computer isn't a very portable drum machine. I need something quality and portable.

Any insight to this????

Joe Nerve · #2 04-01-2008, 05:14 PM

I was searching for a while to get something affordable that could lay down decent sounding tracks too. After lot of research I decided the Boss DR880 was the best bang for the buck. It had the most beats, and was the only drum machine under $600 that actually sounded like drums and not a machine. You can plug a guitar or bass into it also and it has a bunch of pretty cool sounding effects. I really don't think this thing can be beat (pun intended), but it IS a bit pricier than others available.

http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-BOS-DR880-LIST

I'd suggest doing what I did. Go to americanmusical.com, musiciansfriend.com, sam ash and whatever other online stores you know of, and research all the drum machines in your price range. A lot of manufacturer sites have videos that can really show you what you're getting, and most of the online stores have mp3 samples. If you take your time and research it well you'll find something that will perfectly fit your needs. The above was it for me. Good luck.

magneezius · #3 04-01-2008, 05:22 PM

Thanks for the help joe I'll definately look into the dr-880.....

pedroims · #4 04-01-2008, 05:43 PM

I just got an alessys sr16, good for practice , take a look

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/navig...RWXGB&ZYXSEM=0

RickenBoogie · #5 04-01-2008, 06:25 PM

I use the Boss DR-3, and it's alright. It's the cheapest Boss unit, but it's got alot of different patterns, and time sigs. I think I paid around $150, so that's a consideration.

rzpooch · #6 04-02-2008, 01:47 AM

I used the boss unit that came out 15 years ago (don't remember the model) it was cool and I did some recordings with it too. I just got a zoom b2, I would think the drum machine feature would be enough for practice and jamming by yourself. Plus you would get the tuner and effects/models all in one unit for around $100. Gotta love technology eh!

manicbassman · #7 04-02-2008, 04:23 AM

there's drum patterns available in the Boss Micro BR recorder which can be strung together to form songs. The patterns are all fixed though but you can change drumsets.

I use my Micro BR to record, play along to the drum patterns or play along to MP3 files I've transfered on to it...

Recordings you make can be converted to MP3 or actually recorded at the time in MP3...

It's easier to record in the native format though as you can record up to 4 tracks and mix them down and also add alternate takes for the tracks.

The only thing that niggles me about it is the horrible bias towards guitars in the effects patches available...

Joe Nerve · #8 04-02-2008, 04:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rzpooch

I used the boss unit that came out 15 years ago (don't remember the model) it was cool and I did some recordings with it too. I just got a zoom b2, I would think the drum machine feature would be enough for practice and jamming by yourself. Plus you would get the tuner and effects/models all in one unit for around $100. Gotta love technology eh!

+1 if you're not looking for something programable or fancy, the zoom has a handful of beats in it that are great for practice. i have a bt1u that I use as an audio interface and just bought a B2 that I'm using on gigs for compression and some other mild FX. They're selling them for $80 http://www.americanmusical.com/Item.aspx?i=ZOO+B2+LIST and to be honest i think they're worth that much even if I only ever use it as a tuner. I paid more than that for my other tuner and the other one can't even handle a B string.

BassChuck · #9 04-02-2008, 04:47 AM

Check out the Korg Pandora. Not the best in terms of a drum machine, but it does have a bunch of workable patterns for practice. And its also a practice amp, FX box, and a tuner. Lots of different things in one small package.

Dr_Funkdamental · #10 04-02-2008, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassChuck

Check out the Korg Pandora. Not the best in terms of a drum machine, but it does have a bunch of workable patterns for practice. And its also a practice amp, FX box, and a tuner. Lots of different things in one small package.

Beat me to it. It has alot of good drum patches, and even has some that help you work on breaks in the beat. If you want to make your OWN beats, then maybe something else will work, but for basic practicing and timekeeping, the Pandora is that and then some.