Looking at a drum machine what does everyone prefer

[penguineman]

I've been looking at several different drum machines and having trouble deciding on what to get. whats everyone using? I've got a couple differnet drum patterns on my key board and a couple of the pedals but wanting something with more patterns and ect. I've kinda got a budget right at the moment so I've been looking at new and used ones both.
I need to also buy my recorrding interface for the laptop so that why the little strickter budget.

heres what I've been looking at

ALESIS DRUM MACHINE SR16
Alesis Drum Machine SR18
BOSS DR660 DR. RHYTHM DRUM MACHINE
BOSS BR770 DR RHYTHM DRUM MACHINE
BOSS DR RHYTHM DR3 DRUM MACHINE
ALESIS SA16 DRUM
AKAI MPC500 DRUM
BOSS DT770 DRUM

 

[uhdinator]

If you get good software with your interface you don't need a drum machine.
Its built into most recording software.



download trial versions of the software you are considering and try it first.
Studio One
Cubase
Sonar (PC only)
Logic (Mac only)
Reaper
Digital Performer

 

[dleuen]

If you're going to have a laptop and recording interface handy you could just get EZ Drummer or something along that line. If you practice amp has a CD in you could pipe it into that.

 

[Tupac]

Psh, it's 2012! Physical machines aren't needed anymore.

 

[penguineman]

I was looking at this one I guess from what I'm told it comes with the recording software. not sure how good it is but know of several different bands that use them and had good luck with it.

PreSonus AudioBox USB 2X2 USB Recording System

 

[Bufalo]

"Nothing sounds quite like an 8-0-8!"

 

[singlemalt]

The ones you have at the top of your list are pretty old. I've used the Alesis 16 and still have the DR 660. It gets used everyday. As far as a simple, stand alone, drum machine for practice with headphones, it gets the job done. I run mine into a $80 Yamaha 10 channel mixer that also has a cd player, mp 3(ipod), tape deck and my bass hooked up. That's the practice set up.

These days, I would expect to pick up a dr 660 used for well under a hundred bucks. With the manual, you can program your own beats. It's pretty simple. It's got an okay selection of sounds for the kits. Cheaper, and more fun than a good metronome.

The computer kits like addictive drums are very cool and work with your recording software.

Depends what kind of tool you want. If you just want to practice with drums, get into some different feels, a simple drum machine for cheap works great.

For recording, composing, or working with a DAW, it's the computer based stuff.

I try to keep the computer away from the practice space, or I end up on Talkbass.

Lots of good tutorials on building beats with the various DAW software on youtube.

 

[norbusser]

Psh, it's 2012! Physical machines aren't needed anymore.

Then I guess you wouldn't be interested in a VHS video manual:

I do agree that drum machines are becoming outdated, but sometimes they are very convenient and easy to use Sometimes the easiest solution is a hardware solution. That's why I've had an Alesis SR-16 for almost 20 years.