Native instruments Maschine V Roland Tr8S

[Huw Phillips]

Has anyone used or owned these, I am looking to upgrade my drum machine I Presley have a Alesis SR18 that’s great but not very user friendly to program, I am looking for something that’s easy to program and offers more options, equally if you would recommend something else pls do so
Many thanks in advance h

 

[Hummergeist]

'Easy to program' and 'offer more options' aren't always compatible! First ones that come to mind are Akai MPC One...Elektron Digitakt...depends on your budget, and some machines are more dependent on computers than others. I think I had the TR-8S as a loaner, and it was okay. The Akai and Elektron are probably more powerful in terms of 'options' but maybe the Roland beats them when it comes to simplicity.

 

[Roland GR 88]

I have a TR-8 and having a drum machine that just turns on and plays was why I ditched my Alesis SR.
I can set tempo, instrumentation, kit, pattern and scale in the time it takes my amp to warm up.
It is wholly and completely Roland though. 80’s all the way and not what I would use on a finished track unless those sounds are the goal. I use mine for scratch tracks, MIDI clock and basic time keeping for practice.
Adding effects can get fun and I often patch it into my pedals to find new sounds not in the 707 or 808 vein.
You might consider the Arturia Drum Brute too. Ease of use and different sounds make it a similar but different option to the Roland.

 

[Hummergeist]

I have a TR-8 and having a drum machine that just turns on and plays was why I ditched my Alesis SR.
I can set tempo, instrumentation, kit, pattern and scale in the time it takes my amp to warm up.
It is wholly and completely Roland though. 80’s all the way and not what I would use on a finished track unless those sounds are the goal. I use mine for scratch tracks, MIDI clock and basic time keeping for practice.
Adding effects can get fun and I often patch it into my pedals to find new sounds not in the 707 or 808 vein.
You might consider the Arturia Drum Brute too. Ease of use and different sounds make it a similar but different option to the Roland.

Oh yeah I forgot the Drum Brute, had one of those for a while. Enjoyed the interface but a one-trick pony sonically.

 

[Huw Phillips]

Thanks for all your suggestions and recommendations I have looked at the drum brute and thought it may limited as you have said above, the Elektron Digitakt I have looked at and like but feel it’s complex to program, same with the akai one I l am going to try the electron as I think it may be easier in person to use, and the Roland and the machine I have plans to try too the machine looks really interesting as there are so many expansion kits for it, my aim is to make music in the trip hop style massive attack, tricky etc
Thanks for your help