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Drum machine conundrum

What's up Justin! Just got my first synth, a Model D reissue. Having a blast, and now I want to add a drum machine to the mix. I've narrowed it down to a Rytm mkii or a Tempest. I'm only going to get one of them, at least for now. Care to divulge what you like about them? Thank you, sir!
 
Congrats on the Model D! So sweet, so pure, so massive. I'd get the Rytm, personally. I like the Elektron design philosophy. I have both though and I use both. Tempest is great. I just think it's UI and functionality and menu structure is feeling quite dated at this point. You need to listen to both though, and see which one curls your beard, as they say.
 
Congrats on the Model D! So sweet, so pure, so massive. I'd get the Rytm, personally. I like the Elektron design philosophy. I have both though and I use both. Tempest is great. I just think it's UI and functionality and menu structure is feeling quite dated at this point. You need to listen to both though, and see which one curls your beard, as they say.
Thanks! Elektron it is! And yeah the Model D is glorious. Seems great for a first synth because of its basic feature set. Got my heart set on the Moog One now. Thanks for your help man. Such a great resource. If you wrote a book I'd read it.
 
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Wow, that's some drum machine! And here I thought I was all high tech with my Alesis SR-18 :D

So guys, what's good these days in drum machine world for programming drums to sound like real drums, and is easy to add in realistic sounding rolls and different time and tempo sigs and whatnot? Bonus points if it won't break the bank. The SR-18 isn't too bad at that and I'm used to the Alesis way, but the rolls and fills can sound really computery if you make them too busy. Have they gotten better at that over the years or do you still have to work within their confines?
 
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Wow, that's some drum machine! And here I thought I was all high tech with my Alesis SR-18 :D

So guys, what's good these days in drum machine world for programming drums to sound like real drums, and is easy to add in realistic sounding rolls and different time and tempo sigs and whatnot? Bonus points if it won't break the bank. The SR-18 isn't too bad at that and I'm used to the Alesis way, but the rolls and fills can sound really computery if you make them too busy. Have they gotten better at that over the years or do you still have to work within their confines?
You're far better served with software these days for programming realistic drums than with any drum machine (that I know of at least). All that kind of nuance you mention (rolls, etc) can be easily accomplished. If you know how to get your hands a little dirty with midi you can do pretty much anything. You don't have to spend a lot. Heck, Toontrack Easy Drummer (worst product name ever) is killer. There's so many others that are great too - Superior Drummer, Slate, BFD, etc. I can't imagine trying to do that stuff on a drum machine. However, I do love drum machines for sounding like . . . drum machines!
 
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You're far better served with software these days for programming realistic drums than with any drum machine (that I know of at least). All that kind of nuance you mention (rolls, etc) can be easily accomplished. If you know how to get your hands a little dirty with midi you can do pretty much anything. You don't have to spend a lot. Heck, Toontrack Easy Drummer (worst product name ever) is killer. There's so many others that are great too - Superior Drummer, Slate, BFD, etc. I can't imagine trying to do that stuff on a drum machine. However, I do love drum machines for sounding like . . . drum machines!
Cool, bro...thx for the great tips! Never spent much time with any of those programs.
 
Abbey Road kits for Kontakt are the center of the bullseye for live programming imo, at least as far as stock stuff goes.
Good to file this one in the memory. I have to get up on the current stuff. I'm 2005 good with sounds. I'm way behind for 2019, though! But I'll tell you...I can program the crap out of drums and make them sound pretty close to a live drummer. Used to do it on an Alesis HR-16, too. Those things are crap compared to what's out there now. The trick is not doing things that sound computery and using two separate samples per drum to do your rolls. Nowadays the stuff does that for you. But that's how we did before the wheel got invented.