Drum Machines....... - Yamaha or Boss?

cowcowcow · #1 03-23-2001, 07:12 AM

I am looking for a good drum machine.....
I never own a drum machine before
Can I use programs like Cakewalk write a midi file of the song and save it into the drum machine?

I am going to choose between
Boss DR-5 and Yahama QY100

which one should I get?

rgr · #2 03-23-2001, 02:12 PM

I have a DR-5 and really like it. *Sorry, don't have much time to post right now but both the machines you stated are more than Drum Machines, they are also sequencers. *I haven't tried to download from the computer to the DR5, I mostly use it as a tone generator now and write on the computer. *There may be a way to do it though, I just haven't tried yet. *I know you can dump from the DR5 to the computer though. *

Roger

bob oakman · #3 03-23-2001, 02:36 PM

In your search, may I suggest that you find one with multiple analog outputs. That way you can assign different sounds to different outputs. I hate it when I want to, for example, add reverb and EQ to the snare and it affects all the other sounds as well. Even if you don’t have the channels available on a mixer to accommodate 8 or 10 drum machine outputs, you may in the future.

I have had good luck in the past with the Rolland R-8. I have one sitting here right now, but just haven’t had the time to make the cables for it. The console is hardwired to all the gear and the only access I have to the channel inputs is a patch bay with some weird sized connectors.

shawn · #4 03-23-2001, 02:41 PM

if you want a great drum machine just for drums and not for multi-instrument sequencing, the boss dr-202 is excellent. *i used it mostly for breakbeats and techno stuff, but it has many applications. *its a good one to check out.

Bew · #5 03-23-2001, 04:42 PM

I remember looking at one of the boss ones and not being too impressed or being put off by the price...can't remember which. *I bought a Zoom 234 instead and let me tell you, for the price (about $150-$200) you just can't beat the sound. *The samples are really good and it's easy to play "live." *The only problem is you can't dump midi from it. *You can control it as a midi instrument though. *If you want, I can record and post some samples.

gkelm · #6 03-25-2001, 02:45 AM

For a basic drum machine with midi, check out the Alesis SR-16...should be $100-150 used.
Greg

Coolstu · #7 03-25-2001, 08:24 PM

The BOSS DR-5 is a great drum machine. It is versatile and easy to use. I have not tried the Yamaha one but Yamaha products are generally good so my advice would be try them out and buy the one you like best.

oooo · #8 03-25-2001, 11:19 PM

I have a Alesis Sr-16. *Its got really good sounds, and is easy to use... but, It's very hard to make it sound like a real drummer (I know dont say it). *It has a "velocity" setting that adjusts how dynamically it responds to the pads. *This is VERY hard to use and I keep mine on "fixed Velocity" *so basically, it is dynamically dead... the same volume all the time. *In order to use this feature, you'd have to trigger it. *Other than that, there is no way to play it with enough control to make it sound real. *Soooo... fixed velocity it stays. *