Drum Machine Thoughts

[Casey Janke]

Hi. I watch quite a few youtube and other instructional videos and once a riff or something is gone over the person usually reaches over to some mysterious equipment they never show and start playing a drum machine or backing track 'thing'. It sounds so much better and easier to stay in time with something like that. Any suggestions? I have been looking at the Korg KR Mini for $68 on Amazon and the Beat Buddy peddle and footswitch. The later is way too expensive but found it on Craigslist for about $230.

Looking for thoughts on those, or other suggestions. What I really want is to NOT become a drummer. So for the most part I just want to pick a genre, with a few variations within that genre and to be able to change the tempo. Would like to be able to plug it into the amp (Fender Rumble 40). I would think there might also be some iPad app that could do this?

Just looking for some advice and experience. Thanks!

 

[JimmyM]

The BeatBuddy Mini is more reasonably priced. Sam Ash has them for a hundy. I think either would probably do the job.

 

[bound'n'blocked]

I actually have a coycou of drum loop apps on my phone that I use a lot.they were all free and pretty good. Ine has tempo control and another doesn't but they get the job done.

BnB

 

[motoman]

Phone apps for me too

 

[JRA]

a half-dozen phone apps would probably be cheaper --- and maybe better --- than a cheap drum machine: try one or two to become aware of whether they are helpful or limiting in terms of your experiences with them. it's a metronome. good luck.

 

[MD]

Not just a drum machine, Band in a Box.

 

[Casey Janke]

Band in a Box

Thanks, but wow, I think learning the bass might be easier than learning that software.

 

[MD]

^^^
Maybe, but learning with accompanying harmony is more beneficial than a beat box alone. Cost could be an issue though.
JMHO

 

[MonetBass]

If you are an iPhone person, you can throw together beats quickly in GarageBand, which comes with iOS.

 

[JKos]

If you are an iPhone person, you can throw together beats quickly in GarageBand, which comes with iOS.

Or something like Auxy.

- John

 

[MD]

And you can also add guitar/piano parts in GB.

 

[Garth Moore]

Here's my question: I need to be able to hear the drum machine. Most phone apps aren;t loud enough to hear over my rig. So, what do you do the amplify this drum sound so you can play along and not drown it out qnd lose tempo?

 

[JimmyM]

Here's my question: I need to be able to hear the drum machine. Most phone apps aren;t loud enough to hear over my rig. So, what do you do the amplify this drum sound so you can play along and not drown it out qnd lose tempo?

An amp. But drum machines also require an amp unless they have a built in speaker.

 

[Casey Janke]

Thanks all. I have a buddy, who happens to have a way higher music budget than I do, he said he recently ordered some guitars that gave him some free kickbacks, with those he got me a Korg kr mini. So guess I will start there. Will post on how that works out once I get it and have time to play with it.