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Drum machine worth buying?
- Thread starter Conman
- Start date
if you just want to practice noodling there are plenty of inexpensive options. cell phone drum machines like Electrum & RD3 are dirt cheap. many sample & loop libraries are free & there are many cheap/free audio apps which are more versatile than most classic drum machines if you just want to play along with loops & generic beats.
if you really want to get into programming your own beats, drum parts, fills, sounds, songs, ect. I think that's when you see some value in getting a drum machine. i picked up an Octatrack & it's an amazing sample based drum machine but way overkill if you just want a beat to practice with. Ableton on a laptop with something like a Novation Launchpad is another way to trigger similar results but that's got a bit of a learning curve as well, especially if you don't really incorporate electronics in the band.
if you really want to get into programming your own beats, drum parts, fills, sounds, songs, ect. I think that's when you see some value in getting a drum machine. i picked up an Octatrack & it's an amazing sample based drum machine but way overkill if you just want a beat to practice with. Ableton on a laptop with something like a Novation Launchpad is another way to trigger similar results but that's got a bit of a learning curve as well, especially if you don't really incorporate electronics in the band.
The Alesis SR-16 sounds great and is easy to use. This last point is important some drum machine can be rather complicated.
- Oct 7, 2000
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- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
Beat buddy or EZ drummer. I don't think anything else is worth wasting money on, except for the higher end software which I've never used. Lots of free apps out there too if you're just looking for beats and not doing any recording. But you already know that.
PS. I have a drum machine I paid like $600 for that I never use. Although it is responsible for the drums in my video below.
PS. I have a drum machine I paid like $600 for that I never use. Although it is responsible for the drums in my video below.
+1 for the Alesis SR16.
I had one for about 20 years until it finally died last year.
I bought the new SR18 as a replacement. It's way too complicated compared to the 16.
I wish I'd just bought another SR16 now.
I had one for about 20 years until it finally died last year.
I bought the new SR18 as a replacement. It's way too complicated compared to the 16.
I wish I'd just bought another SR16 now.
I recently picked up a Zoom MRT-3 thing:
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it sounds great, programs easily, and can be controlled by MIDI if you ever want to sequence it along with anything else.
I got mine for $99 new. Totally worth it.
it SOUNDS great!
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it sounds great, programs easily, and can be controlled by MIDI if you ever want to sequence it along with anything else.
I got mine for $99 new. Totally worth it.
it SOUNDS great!
I have a Zoom that I like quite a bit. Very good sounds and lots of different beats and time signatures. It is a great practice tool.
Many loopers today can take beats via USB. But I have never been great with making them work and I found that the flexibility of the zoom was very useful.
The beat buddy seems interesting but until I get a real look at the software and how useable it is, I find it hard to recommend.
Many loopers today can take beats via USB. But I have never been great with making them work and I found that the flexibility of the zoom was very useful.
The beat buddy seems interesting but until I get a real look at the software and how useable it is, I find it hard to recommend.
