Drum Machine recommendations

[AnotherNewGuy]

Hello,

I'm new to bass and have seen videos of guys practicing where they step on a switch and then you hear drums to play along with.

I think this is called a 'drum machine'. Although I looked for these but most seem pretty complex and none I found have a foot switch. There's also 'software' drum machines.

I would like a foot-switch actviated one with lots of standard canned programs without me having to program them individually. I want to play, not program. And I hope this is the proper forum.

Any recommedations?

Thanks.

 

[RickenBoogie]

Most drum machines have a footswitch jack, you'd need to buy the footswitch seperately. For less than $200, look into the Boss DR-3 or the Alesis SR-16.

 

[Thunderscreech]

Zoom MRT-3b is in the under 200 bracket. I like mine well enough, just haven't gotten around to learning to use it, after owning it for more than 4 years.

 

[stingray69]

I have a BOSS DR-770 and I love it - it's a great practice tool & helps me make cheesy clips (my clips, not the sound quality of the DR-770 - that is excellent) that I post up on TB a lot, LOL! They can be found used on E-Bay, Craigslist, etc. in the $150-$180 price range.

 

[megadan]

The SR-16 is good, some of the sounds aren't amazing but it works. It's footswitchable (fills and stop/start)

 

[lomo]

Keep in mind that the pricier machines will not only be more programmable , but also sound more realistic, if that matters to you.

 

[Mark Wilson]

Moved to misc.

 

[Thunderscreech]

if you can find one for good price, a used TS-808/909 is a classic. good for those Crunk, House and Hyphy beats.

 

[Joe Nerve]

I'd suggest doing what I did. Go to Invalid Link Removed and Invalid Link Removed . Search "drum machine" and then do your homework. Just about every drum machine out there has sound clips either at one of the 2 above sites, or at the manufacturer's site. Decide what your needs are, how much you're willing to spend, what kind of sound you're looking for, and then go for it. They all do the jobs they're supposed to so if you do your research you'll know exactly what you're doing.

Most of the cheaper drum machines sound like drum machines. As the price goes up you get more patterns, features and more realistic sounding drums. I went for the Boss Dr. 880. I'm happy with it except for the fact that the screen light burnt out and it will cost me an arm and a leg to get it fixed. The first song on my myspace page was done with one, no effects, recorded direct. I don't even think I edited any of the beats. Maybe tweaked it a bit for the B parts.

 

[Mastermold]

The SR-16 is good, some of the sounds aren't amazing but it works. It's footswitchable (fills and stop/start)

How much better is the SR-18?

 

[Gegatso]

Boss DR-880 hands down. That's if you want an actual machine and not software, which is way more versatile.

 

[Joe Nerve]

Boss DR-880 hands down. That's if you want an actual machine and not software, which is way more versatile.

I guess that makes 2. Was my assesment after checking em all out also. A little more costly than some of the others, but best bang for the buck in the end of it all.

 

[Pickebass]

Can't beat the Zoom MRT3B. A cheap machine with good features. I keep mine in my gig bag when the drummer doesn't show up for practice. For $100 you can't go wrong.

 

[hdracer]

I just got back from GC, with the sale they are having I got a Boss Dr. Rhythm DR-3 for $129.00 Good deal, Now I just have to figure out how to use it!