Drum Machines? - What's good, what's bad?

[jippy]

I have finally decided to buy some gear to assist with recording demos, ideas, amd mainly for practice. I'm a complete novice when it comes to this kind of stuff. What sort of drum machines have any of you had good experiences with? Also, since I only own guitars, would you recommed I get a sequencer to build some basic bass & keyboard backing tracks? Thanks for any advice!

[kent]

Are you open to using a computer software based system? If so, do you have a lot of memory storage capabilities?

[jippy]

Kent, probably not a computer-based system for awhile. I would need to upgrade my computer system which would be cost-prohibitive right now.

[jeffrey]

I have an Alesis SR-16. It's not the greatest, but it's pretty flexable, has MIDI features (striping/timecode etc) and was very reasonable, around $200 or so.

Might want to check that out.

[jippy]

Thanks! I've been reading great reviews of several Alesis products, so I'll take a look. Time to do some product demos and make a GC salesman salivate!

[rikkbeatty]

If you are just looking for a cool sounding drum machine for quick rhythms to jam with or play live with (as a one man band setting) I really dig the Boss DR-770. It has great sounds and "useable rhythms" ready to go right out of the box!!

Rikk

[chromeboy]

I'm with Rikk, I've got the Boss DR-770. It's real easy to use, has many pre-programmed patterns and drum kits and it sounds pretty darn good!

[kent]

Yamaha makes some pretty cool units that have drum machine capabilities and that also generate bass and other synth sounds using your guitar as a trigger. There's the RY9 ($200) or the QY100 ($500). The later is actually very powerful. You will still have to get a recording device to capture your ideas so that will cost you as well.

You might look into the software based thing after you figure out what all the ouboard stuff will cost you. The money you spend on a drum machine, recorder, etc. might be better spent on upgrading your computer system and getting some basic sequencing software. There's some great software that is very inexpensive and it would get you into the world of computer recording which is where everything is heading.

[gkelm]

I second the Alesis sr-16 if you just need drums...I think I got mine used for $100-125, so shop around. *I had a Boss 550mkII for a very short time--the cymbals sounded better by the drums on the Alesis have more oomph IMHO.
Greg

[Kyle Odom]

I'm still stuck on my Roland R70. *The display isn't nearly what you get on more modern units (about 5 years old) but the sounds are fantastic and it's easy to use once you get used to it. *I've never heard as realistic drum sounds without going the computer route. *The pads are touch sensitive and large enough and spread out enough to play in real time. *It's physically large for a drum machine, but that means more working room as far as I'm concerned. *It has a positional pad to simulate playing closer to the inside or outside of instruments (or other changes of paramaters) which I usually use to do different crashes to mix things up. *Enough options to keep you busy for years. *I highly recommend it, you should be able to find one one the used market for $150-$250. *The only down side is it only does drums and bass. *Some of the newer Boss DR series will do all kinds of instruments, allthough not to recording quality IMO.
Cheers
KO

[Darin W]

I am very happy with the Boss DR-5.
Darin