Inexpensive but decent drum machine?

[akmusicfreak]

I've been practicing with a drum machine a lot recently, and the sound of this thing is killing me. It sounds like the squarest drummer playing an 80's E kit who can't keep his foot off the kick drum.

Can any one recommend an inexpensive drum machine good to practice to or metronome?

All I'm looking for is a decent swing beat, a good slow 3/4 beat, a basic straight 8, a basic 6/8, and a 4/4 that doesn't sound like an Atari video game.

Thanks for your time.

[Paul Warburton]

Hint, honey....A lot of us humans don't "swing". I'm thinking a machine is in BIG trouble.
Even the black ones don't have a clue. The white ones are REALLY awful and them pink ones are.....too god damn sensitive. You know....Lets play a ballad, lets play a ballad..........etc.

[senorblues]

The Aleisis SR16 has been around for a long time and is the most popular since it sounds great, very versitile, programmable, and is easy to use. Lots of them around, (used <$100)

[Chris Fitzgerald]

I use an old Boss DR-3 sometimes, and it does a decent job for most of what you're talking about. The best drum machine I've ever seen is Steinberg's "Groove Agent", a software-based program that allows a lot of customization of the grooves and tempos in a very user-friendly way. The reason I don't use it is that the system requirements are greater than what I have in my existing computers, and it's not worth it to upgrade them just for that.

[Treyzer]

Originally Posted by Paul Warburton

Hint, honey....A lot of us humans don't "swing". I'm thinking a machine is in BIG trouble.
Even the black ones don't have a clue. The white ones are REALLY awful and them pink ones are.....too god damn sensitive. You know....Lets play a ballad, lets play a ballad..........etc.

Too funny....

BTW: on the other thread, I was speaking about the love that dare not mention it's name between Trioka and Durll

[akmusicfreak]

Originally Posted by Paul Warburton

Hint, honey....A lot of us humans don't "swing". I'm thinking a machine is in BIG trouble.
Even the black ones don't have a clue. The white ones are REALLY awful and them pink ones are.....too god damn sensitive. You know....Lets play a ballad, lets play a ballad..........etc.

I'm willing to show my ignorance on this one.
"lets play a ballad" is this the shuffle version of "1-and 2-and" ?

I haven't heard that one before but it has a nice rhythm.


Just as a side note: out side of practice I hate drum machines, it's hard enough to find a drummer who knows what brushes are as well as one who can keep the grove going without turning into Keith Moon. (no offense to K.M.)

Finding a good drummer in Alaska is a lot like trying to find good women in Alaska.
All the good ones are taken, and the ones that are left over you wouldn't want to take home to meet your parents.

[christ andronis]

..an old Roland R5 is nice and cheap on e-bay. They've got a nice simple ride cymbal 4 that is good for playing to.

[zeytoun]

I though I saw Dr. Phibe's Clockwork Wizard drummer on eBay for pretty cheap the other day.



From what I've heard, it plays like, well, clockwork.