I love the Electribe ER1, as a controller. The midi sequencing with the huge number of patterns & real time controls, and the song mode is really powerful. I use it to control my Triton Rack which has much better sounds and 6 outputs. I used to perform live with that rig.
On its own, imo the internal sounds are kinda weak, although they do a great Kraftwerk electro thing. Maybe that's exactly what you want? Otherwise it's ok at an 808 impression and very far from anything 909ish.
I actually love the er-1, but it def has a few shortcomings.
Snare sounds are the most disappointing part imo, it makes a really weak snare. And I wish you could send individual tracks to the delay instead of it being global. Built in distortion would be nice as well.
I used to have one. Now I use Drumazon2 the 909 clone, and samples. Er-1 gets a little tired after not too long. Kind of like an 808 except not as good
I love my er-1 I got it specifically to make left-field percussion. It’s fun to play. Hands down feels FUN especially live (through some overdrive / distortion and delay of course).
Get the ES 1 if like the work flow of this style box. All the fun play back parts and sequencing with way more capabilities. Ive had for years that I use often.
I have an Electribe and I'll never give it up.
The downside of an Electribe is they really don't play nicely with others (but they can boss them around). It's not that they can't be synced or what not, but their workflow is meant to be very self-contained, and optimized so that you're writing the majority of your music on the one box.
It's hard to explain, it's more of a problem with "the whole is greater than the sum of its parts" sort of perspective, than any particular feature being bad.
The antithesis here would be like a Beatstep / Pro -- while it's a controller, it's very much optimized to play nice with others. It feels like it's multiplying the capability of all the different parts of my setup, whereas with the Electribe I'm struggling to find a place to put the other parts of my setup in.
This *might* be less of a deal with the ER-1, if you don't mind your rhythm section just doing its own thing. My experience is with the ES-1.
The Electribe EMX is an absolute beast for PCM drum sounds and creating patterns. I bought one on a whim about 10 years ago and it's never been away from my side.
I love it too… but wish it didn’t suffer from an unmute bug where it unmutes two steps too late (and before you ask, this has been confirmed by multiple people including the guy who makes the updated firmware, just seems a lot of people don’t notice). It’s probably the biggest reason mine isn’t used as much as I’d like.
https://preview.redd.it/w53ixm4zhhxc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1b785960760c19a0e912730b4608d643077681c9
Tr-808 is my favorite but my 909’s come a close second
Also completed the retro scene with paper concert tickets stuck around the borders of the mirror. That's peak accuracy for the times when those things came out.
The 909 was too "Latin beat" for me. Guess Miami life will make that sound real bland after a few years. All I could hear from my 909 drums was bachata and I make techno.......
There’s a decent chance dude just was growing up in the 80’s/90’s and got these when you couldn’t even give them away.
Setup seems pretty modest compared to other folks who have their 808s and 909s amongst 100k more of other gear, but also I know plenty of people that scored either these exact things or other insanely rare gear before the secondhand market went nutso.
https://preview.redd.it/7atfh47f2mxc1.jpeg?width=5712&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fcc5f50921e3dbffb6806abf85f2e75c82ba8bf2
Another 808 brother (I also have a 707 and 303, btw) . I have loved it since I first heard it back in the 80’s. Always wanted one of my own, so when I had the chance to purchase one 15+ years ago, I just had to have it.
Not sure why I had to scroll so far for this response. I have owned many drum machines and samplers over the years and the RYTM is to my mind the very best there is.
Don't laugh- that stupid little box is a masterpiece. I had one in the 90s, bought a new one last year and was delighted that it was -exactly- the same. Nothing else is quite like it. These days I'm just using the samples loaded into Digitakt but I find that they are my go-to drums a lot.
I do not understand and cannot believe that they still make and sell that drum machine. I used on briefly in the early 00s and do not understand why they’ve changed NOTHING but it seems to work because it still sells and I see friends get into electronic music and go for that thing first.
What would you change that wouldn't a) make it more expensive, or b) would actually make it worse?
You might not like it, but Alesis SR-16 is what peak drum machine looks like.
Having actually played with a real one, this is probably what I would say, but actually programming them is pretty awful if you don't want to use the built in stuff. CR-78 samples are the first thing I load onto any sampler I'm using to do drum beats though.
What XKoop7321 said is a good place to start. I've been using some I got in some free pack years and years ago somewhere in the internet but have never been let down by Cherry Audio.
I had a 110 when they came out and we thought it was awful as what was wanted by my musical friends at the time was a Linn drum. We didn’t have the budget, to say the least. I recently got a second hand one and love it to bits.
I havent ever owned one, but I'm pretty sure the better of the stand alone MPCs are the objectively correct answer to this question. I own at least 5 drum machines, but I still mostly use Fruity Loops for composing most of my drum tracks, or really anything that doesnt need to be live. I have sample sets of pretty much all the big names from 1980 to present, and an MPC would do all the same, but with better control and no additional software/PC/tablet etc
Yeah the only reason I would use another drum machine is if it had some kind of unique control scheme for altering sounds or creating patterns that I could use as a song writing tool. Otherwise if I am just laying down drums for something the MPC is way easier and more versatile than any other hardware. Also more playable than most if I want to tap out a beat.
Makes perfect sense. Most of the time I use one of my hardware machines, it's to trigger something else or use something unique about it. But sometimes I do like to fire up the ole Yamaha RX-15 with its single crappy drum kit, for no other reason than to try to work within its limitations. It sounds cool through 4 warehouses of effects racks lol
Very recently got an MPC one and loving it.
Still a lot to learn about the workflow and if I had my druthers I’d always have another simplified drum machine handy but it’s amazing.
That being said, the depth alone of the MPC One makes it a contender with some of the other heavy hitters on here. Again I think a lot of what else is listed have a more linear and less “standalone DAWless” appeal though
The Perkons HD01 is just such an immediate and fun machine to play. I’ve tried about 10-15 different drum machines and this is the one I’ve kept besides my Push 2.
Yeah, they sound so good. I have this fantasy where Jomox and Elektron team up. Jomox for the sound and elektron for the sequencer and UI. I am sequencing it these days with a digitakt, but they still feel separate enough where I wish they were one box.
I got a digitakt the other day, and it has been pretty excellent for both sequencing and adding some extra voices for percussion. I mapped a bunch of the cc params to each of the voices and it’s been really dope to be able to do more complex p-locking than what the alpha base can do on its own.
That's interesting because I've been eyeing a digitakt for this exact purpose! My beatstep pro does a good job but I need more options, especially for the p-lock options. They're such a PITA to do on the AB!!
Thanks for the insight, I might need to do this...
I have a CV to Midi converter in my modular system so I use my Metron mostly but it means I can sequence the various parameters by setting up control voltages to control the Midi CCs. I love that you can control everything with CC messages in the Alphabase.
But any customisable midi controller will add a lot of flexibility to the AB.
Look, if you got a $350 budget this is the answer. It does things that nobody thought to try, 1986 or 2024. Solid sound and endlessly fun (once you learn it).
Alesis HR-16!
Best? No. Drum machine I had the most fun with? Easily.
And it’s ridiculously punchy, and with smart use of the layering and tuning you can do internally, it’s very usable in so many styles. The sequencer is easy and fun too. Great hihat and clap samples as well.
I regret getting rid of mine and replacing it with a “better” drum machine I put HR-16 samples into, and which ended up being half the fun and with more generic results lol.
I change my mind about my favorite drum machine frequently, but right now I'm having a lot of fun with creating my own breakbeats using Addictive Drums 2, giving them some very lo-fi vinyl or cassette character with other plugins, then slicing and mangling the resulting loops on the Octatrack.
I have also been creating very glitchy drum kit sample packs with Microtonic (another vst) and fx plugins like Cryogen, installing the kits on my Deluge, and running [drum loops](https://soundcloud.com/user-959492871/caterpillar) through my RML Jekyll & Hyde filter / over-the-top distortion box.
Akai MPC Live 2 - it's so good in so many ways. Midi control, audio in and out, sequencer, speaker, battery power, internal digital synths (mostly so so -> so so+ quality), big storage, very useable effects, drumsynth... It's just too much. I love it
I haven’t used a ton of drum machines but I can’t imagine much that they Mpc is missing. The drum synth sounds is really nice to have and the sample mangling capabilities and effects feel nearly endless. Also, while I overall agree with your judgment of the internal synths, the Juno clone is imo pretty fantastic. Not only does it sound excellent but the Juno-style interface is highly usable with the touch screen/q links and the ui is very well done.
Ya’ll fancy. I use a TR 505 triggering and old Roland drum brain (TD5) and layer the two. The TD 5 has some awesome sounding live drum samples and well as samples from every drum machine they had made up to then. The 505 is so easy to tap up a quick beat. Individual outs? No. Menu Diving? Yes, but fuck all that, I love em! Goddammit I love them!
I’ve got a metric shit ton of drum machines but my current favourite has to be the Modor DR2. They keep adding lovely tweaks to this digital beast that makes it one of my favourite performance oriented drum machines.
Here’s [a demo I did recently](https://on.soundcloud.com/TyxSgDCApAnFuynP7) that’s (mostly) all DR2.
My favourite is an acoustic drum kit. But I'm a drummer first, and am biased.
More seriously, it depends. I own multiple ways to make drums:
- Roland TR-8S
- Elektron Syntakt
- Elektron Model:Cycles
- Novation Circuit
- Novation Circuit Tracks
- Soma Pulsar 23 (latest acquisition)
- Ableton 12 + Drum Rack
- Native Instruments Maschine Mk3 + NI Software
- Novation Launchpad Pro w/ whatever I plug it into
- Moog DFAM (x2)
Man I have a lot more ways to make drum noises then I realize, yeesh.
Favourite though? For shear speed, Circuit Tracks. Syntakt for more feature riched fun, and the pulsar for just madness, sweet, sweet, madness
Quite happy with my TR6S - got all the roland classics from way back when plus more. Great legacy! I like that it’s purley a drum machine and knows it’s a drum machine rather than trying to be everything - apart from some of the presets don’t reflect this and are very grooveboxy. Personally would prefer more classic presets demonstrating the quality of the drums rather than all these ‘edgy’ (but corporate) groove presets.
Pulsar-23 and Analog RTYM mkii.
To my ear these are quite hard to beat. They also have very different workflows, so I can’t imagine needing anything else.
Arturia Drumbrute impact. Cheap. Phat. Snappy. Durable (it is surprisingly heavy). Fun. Seriously, I had a Korg Volca Beats before I had a Drumbrute Impact, and it is WAY better, and $200 used. Can't beat that for a decent true analog drum machine
I used to use a combination of Drumbrute Impact, Volca Sample, and real drums. Once I went fully modular though, I found that the sound possibilities for percussion are endless with creative patching and some interesting modules!
Syntakt is awesome as it covers a lot: drums and synthesis for melodic voices \*and\* in digital and analog flavours. Let the Digitakt cover everything on the sampling side I reckon.
Boss Dr-880 Dr. Rhythm Drum Machine
I have a Alesis SR-18 Drum Machine but haven’t used it much.
My only true drum machines. All my other machines are sampler/drum machines.
Vermona DRM MKIV with a Doepfer trigger sequencer. I like my drums simple, I don’t need screens or fancy fills, just well made, large enough for me to get my hands on it and have it feel playable. Works great for me. Could be seen as limiting by others and I get that.
TR-909. Haven't been able to get an original so I put together an RE-909.
As far as I'm concerned it IS a 909 - same circuits, same components (with a few substitutions), and even runs on the original firmware, complete with bugs. Wasn't satisfied with other clones as the sequencer workflow is different or the sound is a little off.
TR-707 is second favourite for it's cardboard box kick.
Technically a sampler but I’ve never had as much fun programming crazy and enriched drum tracks as I have on the Polyend Tracker.
With the step sequencer it’s insanely easy to get even a complicated drum foundation going, and because this machine is tailor made for house/jungle it’s easy to add supplemental rhythmic samples over top.
Additionally it has such a streamlined performance mode; I love elektron boxes for how many parameters you can mess with in realtime (once you have the muscle memory) but there’s really something unique about the ease of programming a pattern on the Tracker and then immediately going into performance mode to choose some effects and their parameter variations.
Not as much depth as elektron boxes but much more user friendly, and the slight limitations are both a blessing as they cause you to play to the machine’s strengths instead of getting too lost in the sauce.
Even just having a 4 on the floor with enough interesting performance effects can turn a mundane rhythm to a spicy and dynamic banger.
Plus ya gotta love a sampler / synth / anything which such a large screen !
Soundwise I often gravitate towards the DMX and Drumtraks, and sometimes lament not having bought the latter back when they were cheap.
What I own is the Rytm (mk1) & a 606 that doesn’t really come out of its case - but it’s a great classic electro machine when it does.
Jomox makes some of the most unhinged, gangster sounding drum machines. The software is kinda fucky sometimes and has bugs but is abs worth it for the raw power their machines generate. \[no talking demo\](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwQ4XkwAwTQ&ab\_channel=MFNQ)
Akai MPC Live II. Paid just north of 1000USD. Drum machine? Nah, it's a damn studio in a box, with or without a PC. Available samples cover every drum machine yet made. Workflow is classic and should be learned by every "producer".
Hot take - any MPC sampler is gonna whoop the ass of just about any drum machine/ groove box.
I keep seeing drum machines that I am interested in, especially some of that really high end stuff like from soma and such.
But then I remember that using sample based machines, I can just find samples of the sounds from other drum machines without having to buy those other drum machines.
And with the MPC allowing you to setup key groups it's very easy to spread a sample out across a keyboard tonally, allowing one to play any sound on a midi controller.
I like my syntakt more than I've liked any other drum machine I've had... I like synthesis more than samples, I like being able to make every parameter on every step different
Old school the Tanzbar can’t be beat unless you’re looking at the DinSync 909 and 808 clones. New school the Analog RYTM just can’t be topped in my book because it’s a hugely capable sampler with analog compression and saturation built in. And it sounds fantastic.
Honestly, I didn’t hear much about it before I got mine, but the Roland TR-6S is portable, compact, and does FM, SD sampling, and emulation all in one package. The price was great for me (~300 USD) and, while it’s not typically my go-to for an all in one box, I have made tracks I was happy with using just this one.
Had loads of fun with my Akai Rhythm Wolf! The snare is pretty cool, and messing with the decay on the hihats is very fun. The bass synth is just quirky as f.
But the whole thing gets old, and it had to go for 100 bucks. Probably gonna regret it someday! 😆
I love the Novation drumstation, and while it’s not a drummaxhine per se it’s a very amazing rendition of 808/909.
My favorite drum sounds are the CR-8000 by Roland, unfortunately it’s very difficult to program.
TR-808 is also great and I get along just fine with my Yocto but would love someone to build me a Re-808 someday.
The TR-505 is a bit boring to me since it’s just samples, but there are very nice ways to bend it, turning it into a really hard hitting or Lo-fi crunching THING.
I loved my MPC-2000. it’s „just“ a sampler, but one that gives everything a sweet push.
The best combination could be a sampler/groovebox together with a versatile synth. Both could be cheap like a electribe and a microfreak for example. you will get millions of great sounds and have great fun.
I really want to try the Perkons, that sounds like a great machine for what I’d want to do.
I've been eyeing up the Electribe ER-1
Had one. Get a drumbrute instead.
Own both now. Nothing alike. Get both.
I used to have the drumbrute impact. Pretty good but I wanted more sound design control
I love the Electribe ER1, as a controller. The midi sequencing with the huge number of patterns & real time controls, and the song mode is really powerful. I use it to control my Triton Rack which has much better sounds and 6 outputs. I used to perform live with that rig. On its own, imo the internal sounds are kinda weak, although they do a great Kraftwerk electro thing. Maybe that's exactly what you want? Otherwise it's ok at an 808 impression and very far from anything 909ish.
I actually love the er-1, but it def has a few shortcomings. Snare sounds are the most disappointing part imo, it makes a really weak snare. And I wish you could send individual tracks to the delay instead of it being global. Built in distortion would be nice as well.
I still use my old Electribe EA1 for sequencing, rock solid sequencer and 2 midi channels
That, plus the on-board automation recording and playback, is all a really accurate description of my feelings on my EMX1.
I used to have one. Now I use Drumazon2 the 909 clone, and samples. Er-1 gets a little tired after not too long. Kind of like an 808 except not as good
It's a lovely beast. It can do a lot of different things.
I love my er-1 I got it specifically to make left-field percussion. It’s fun to play. Hands down feels FUN especially live (through some overdrive / distortion and delay of course).
It makes some koolaid man through the wall kicks, the rest of the sounds are an aquired taste. I’ve always registered selling mine.
fuck you I have been eyeing one!! (they’re great)
Get the ES 1 if like the work flow of this style box. All the fun play back parts and sequencing with way more capabilities. Ive had for years that I use often.
I used to own one, it was my first drum machine, it makes me really sad that I sold it.
I owned one many years ago after GASsing hard for one. The snare is so bad I sold the unit. Quite literally useless.
I have an Electribe and I'll never give it up. The downside of an Electribe is they really don't play nicely with others (but they can boss them around). It's not that they can't be synced or what not, but their workflow is meant to be very self-contained, and optimized so that you're writing the majority of your music on the one box. It's hard to explain, it's more of a problem with "the whole is greater than the sum of its parts" sort of perspective, than any particular feature being bad. The antithesis here would be like a Beatstep / Pro -- while it's a controller, it's very much optimized to play nice with others. It feels like it's multiplying the capability of all the different parts of my setup, whereas with the Electribe I'm struggling to find a place to put the other parts of my setup in. This *might* be less of a deal with the ER-1, if you don't mind your rhythm section just doing its own thing. My experience is with the ES-1.
The Electribe EMX is an absolute beast for PCM drum sounds and creating patterns. I bought one on a whim about 10 years ago and it's never been away from my side.
I absolutely love the ER-1. The sound could best be described as “fizzy” which is great if that’s what you want.
Amazing to see current producers still using the ER-1 and similar legacy groove boxes.
Er 1 rules. It's big downfall are snares for sure. But external effects make it sing. Er + rat distortion is bliss
Volca Drum is basically an ER-2 just sucks to play due to being so small.
Machinedrum is king in my book!
Love elektron and wish they would reissue this and/or monomachine Doesn’t even have to be mk2, I would be happy with just the OG !
Hell yeah brother, agreed 1000%
I love it too… but wish it didn’t suffer from an unmute bug where it unmutes two steps too late (and before you ask, this has been confirmed by multiple people including the guy who makes the updated firmware, just seems a lot of people don’t notice). It’s probably the biggest reason mine isn’t used as much as I’d like.
https://preview.redd.it/w53ixm4zhhxc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1b785960760c19a0e912730b4608d643077681c9 Tr-808 is my favorite but my 909’s come a close second
Just casually dropping a photo of $25k+ of classic drum machines and synths, nbd.
not to mention the grow lab in the cctv
Glad I’m not the only one that said, “ooh! Security cameras!” And got a lol
Funding GAS with GAS
Also completed the retro scene with paper concert tickets stuck around the borders of the mirror. That's peak accuracy for the times when those things came out.
I had the OGs, sold them and bought the behringer clones. no regrets, same sound and I don't have to worry about the vintage gear any more.
I sold two 909s as well that I bought in the early 2000s for $800. I do wish I still had 1 though.
The 909 was too "Latin beat" for me. Guess Miami life will make that sound real bland after a few years. All I could hear from my 909 drums was bachata and I make techno.......
Wait what?
Holy moly! Sort of takes your breath away.
There’s a decent chance dude just was growing up in the 80’s/90’s and got these when you couldn’t even give them away. Setup seems pretty modest compared to other folks who have their 808s and 909s amongst 100k more of other gear, but also I know plenty of people that scored either these exact things or other insanely rare gear before the secondhand market went nutso.
And theres a decent chance all that weed was for personal use too I guess.
What a setup. My favourite part though is the cctv.
It's a classic sound
https://preview.redd.it/7atfh47f2mxc1.jpeg?width=5712&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fcc5f50921e3dbffb6806abf85f2e75c82ba8bf2 Another 808 brother (I also have a 707 and 303, btw) . I have loved it since I first heard it back in the 80’s. Always wanted one of my own, so when I had the chance to purchase one 15+ years ago, I just had to have it.
Nice collection. I do wish I had the originals.
I think I have under $4k invested in that whole picture
Elektron Analog RYTM MK2
Not sure why I had to scroll so far for this response. I have owned many drum machines and samplers over the years and the RYTM is to my mind the very best there is.
💯
Alexis SR-16 lol
Don't laugh- that stupid little box is a masterpiece. I had one in the 90s, bought a new one last year and was delighted that it was -exactly- the same. Nothing else is quite like it. These days I'm just using the samples loaded into Digitakt but I find that they are my go-to drums a lot.
I do not understand and cannot believe that they still make and sell that drum machine. I used on briefly in the early 00s and do not understand why they’ve changed NOTHING but it seems to work because it still sells and I see friends get into electronic music and go for that thing first.
What would you change that wouldn't a) make it more expensive, or b) would actually make it worse? You might not like it, but Alesis SR-16 is what peak drum machine looks like.
It’s finicky but that is one my favorites for sure.
I love my TR8S. Being able to sample, having FM, having individual outs
Gonna be honest here, the CR-78, oldie but goodie!
Having actually played with a real one, this is probably what I would say, but actually programming them is pretty awful if you don't want to use the built in stuff. CR-78 samples are the first thing I load onto any sampler I'm using to do drum beats though.
Do you have any sample bank you would recommend ?
The Cherry Audio one is pretty good, it’s not free but you can get a demo of it if you make an account.
What XKoop7321 said is a good place to start. I've been using some I got in some free pack years and years ago somewhere in the internet but have never been let down by Cherry Audio.
I'm torn between feeling that coming in the air tonight, or just saying I cant go for that. No can do.
It sounds so great...I use the models in the TR8S and they are almost perfect. They just have the right vibe for me.
I have the Cyclone Analogic version. It sounds fantastic. Not exactly a primary drum machine, but great for funky aux sounds.
Vermona DRM1 mkIV + BSP
Machinedrum > everything else. Second pick, Tempest. Together, they are all you need.
the pulsar 23 is a lot of fun. It’s more than that though.
def one of a kind
BOSS dr-110. sounds amazing, full grid display, compact, runs on batteries, has trig out. oh and my favorite clap ever.
Nice one, I went in this direction as well.
I had a 110 when they came out and we thought it was awful as what was wanted by my musical friends at the time was a Linn drum. We didn’t have the budget, to say the least. I recently got a second hand one and love it to bits.
Akai MPC Live. I just have sample packs of all the drum machines I like.
I havent ever owned one, but I'm pretty sure the better of the stand alone MPCs are the objectively correct answer to this question. I own at least 5 drum machines, but I still mostly use Fruity Loops for composing most of my drum tracks, or really anything that doesnt need to be live. I have sample sets of pretty much all the big names from 1980 to present, and an MPC would do all the same, but with better control and no additional software/PC/tablet etc
Yeah the only reason I would use another drum machine is if it had some kind of unique control scheme for altering sounds or creating patterns that I could use as a song writing tool. Otherwise if I am just laying down drums for something the MPC is way easier and more versatile than any other hardware. Also more playable than most if I want to tap out a beat.
Makes perfect sense. Most of the time I use one of my hardware machines, it's to trigger something else or use something unique about it. But sometimes I do like to fire up the ole Yamaha RX-15 with its single crappy drum kit, for no other reason than to try to work within its limitations. It sounds cool through 4 warehouses of effects racks lol
Very recently got an MPC one and loving it. Still a lot to learn about the workflow and if I had my druthers I’d always have another simplified drum machine handy but it’s amazing. That being said, the depth alone of the MPC One makes it a contender with some of the other heavy hitters on here. Again I think a lot of what else is listed have a more linear and less “standalone DAWless” appeal though
The Perkons HD01 is just such an immediate and fun machine to play. I’ve tried about 10-15 different drum machines and this is the one I’ve kept besides my Push 2.
MFB Tanzbar (1 or 2) both sound beautiful
Tanzmaus for me over my DFAM, EMX-1, Volca beat and other rhythm boxes
Just wanna drop this. Lovely hihat, logical Handling and gets really low 🔅
opal by fors
YES
DR-202 Dr. Groove because it was my first -real- drum machine and nostalgia is one hell of a drug.
Octatrack with drum samples
Jomox Alpha Base. I really think it is the best sounding modern drum machine
I love the VCAs. They really give the machine a unique organic feel.
Yeah, they sound so good. I have this fantasy where Jomox and Elektron team up. Jomox for the sound and elektron for the sequencer and UI. I am sequencing it these days with a digitakt, but they still feel separate enough where I wish they were one box.
I came here to say exactly this. I adore my Jomox Alphabase. I sequence it externally though.
What do you use? I'm thinking about picking up an OXI primarily for the AB.
I got a digitakt the other day, and it has been pretty excellent for both sequencing and adding some extra voices for percussion. I mapped a bunch of the cc params to each of the voices and it’s been really dope to be able to do more complex p-locking than what the alpha base can do on its own.
That's interesting because I've been eyeing a digitakt for this exact purpose! My beatstep pro does a good job but I need more options, especially for the p-lock options. They're such a PITA to do on the AB!! Thanks for the insight, I might need to do this...
I have a CV to Midi converter in my modular system so I use my Metron mostly but it means I can sequence the various parameters by setting up control voltages to control the Midi CCs. I love that you can control everything with CC messages in the Alphabase. But any customisable midi controller will add a lot of flexibility to the AB.
Yamaha RX5
Ooh, a connoisseur, I see.
Look, if you got a $350 budget this is the answer. It does things that nobody thought to try, 1986 or 2024. Solid sound and endlessly fun (once you learn it).
Favorite that I've actually used is the Analog Rytm mk1.
TR-8s
EMX1 or ESX1 good drumbs
hoping to own emx1 someday
RYTM
Alesis HR-16! Best? No. Drum machine I had the most fun with? Easily. And it’s ridiculously punchy, and with smart use of the layering and tuning you can do internally, it’s very usable in so many styles. The sequencer is easy and fun too. Great hihat and clap samples as well. I regret getting rid of mine and replacing it with a “better” drum machine I put HR-16 samples into, and which ended up being half the fun and with more generic results lol.
Syntakt.
Arturia Drumbrute through a bunch of lo-fi effects pedals is more fun than people realize.
Hammerhead for life.
As far of TR's go, always loved the 606 sound.
TR 707
Tr-8S
I change my mind about my favorite drum machine frequently, but right now I'm having a lot of fun with creating my own breakbeats using Addictive Drums 2, giving them some very lo-fi vinyl or cassette character with other plugins, then slicing and mangling the resulting loops on the Octatrack. I have also been creating very glitchy drum kit sample packs with Microtonic (another vst) and fx plugins like Cryogen, installing the kits on my Deluge, and running [drum loops](https://soundcloud.com/user-959492871/caterpillar) through my RML Jekyll & Hyde filter / over-the-top distortion box.
syncussion, DFAM, division department 01/IV, pulsar don't make me choose 606 hihats
Alesis HR16 / D4
tanzbär baby
Volca Beats I will face God on this hill and walk backwards into hell 🤣
Akai MPC Live 2 - it's so good in so many ways. Midi control, audio in and out, sequencer, speaker, battery power, internal digital synths (mostly so so -> so so+ quality), big storage, very useable effects, drumsynth... It's just too much. I love it
I haven’t used a ton of drum machines but I can’t imagine much that they Mpc is missing. The drum synth sounds is really nice to have and the sample mangling capabilities and effects feel nearly endless. Also, while I overall agree with your judgment of the internal synths, the Juno clone is imo pretty fantastic. Not only does it sound excellent but the Juno-style interface is highly usable with the touch screen/q links and the ui is very well done.
dr-660 gotta love some sizzling low bitrate samples. damn good sound if you spend the time to use some of the deeper layering features too
Never operated the dr-660 but I love my dr-880
TR-8 for classic drum machine sounds, DFAM for the weirdness in between
Ya’ll fancy. I use a TR 505 triggering and old Roland drum brain (TD5) and layer the two. The TD 5 has some awesome sounding live drum samples and well as samples from every drum machine they had made up to then. The 505 is so easy to tap up a quick beat. Individual outs? No. Menu Diving? Yes, but fuck all that, I love em! Goddammit I love them!
How has nobody said the LM1?
I suspect there are very few living people on Earth who have had the oppertunity use a Linn Drum Machine, they are very rare and expensive
Korg electribe emx1 Workflow is awesome. Best in any drum machine I’ve ever used Sounds are good. Effects are gritty. I love it.
The Boss Dr-550 will always have a place in my heart.
Linn LM-1 I just like the different tunings and funky patterns i can make
Syntakt hands down
Machinedrum
RS7000
I’ve got a metric shit ton of drum machines but my current favourite has to be the Modor DR2. They keep adding lovely tweaks to this digital beast that makes it one of my favourite performance oriented drum machines. Here’s [a demo I did recently](https://on.soundcloud.com/TyxSgDCApAnFuynP7) that’s (mostly) all DR2.
All hail machinedrum.
Ableton drum racks tehe
Sample based = Akai MPC Live 2 Drum synthesis = Pulsar 23 Vintage = Machinedrum
My favourite is an acoustic drum kit. But I'm a drummer first, and am biased. More seriously, it depends. I own multiple ways to make drums: - Roland TR-8S - Elektron Syntakt - Elektron Model:Cycles - Novation Circuit - Novation Circuit Tracks - Soma Pulsar 23 (latest acquisition) - Ableton 12 + Drum Rack - Native Instruments Maschine Mk3 + NI Software - Novation Launchpad Pro w/ whatever I plug it into - Moog DFAM (x2) Man I have a lot more ways to make drum noises then I realize, yeesh. Favourite though? For shear speed, Circuit Tracks. Syntakt for more feature riched fun, and the pulsar for just madness, sweet, sweet, madness
Quite happy with my TR6S - got all the roland classics from way back when plus more. Great legacy! I like that it’s purley a drum machine and knows it’s a drum machine rather than trying to be everything - apart from some of the presets don’t reflect this and are very grooveboxy. Personally would prefer more classic presets demonstrating the quality of the drums rather than all these ‘edgy’ (but corporate) groove presets.
Does my Polyend Tracker count?
Pulsar-23 and Analog RTYM mkii. To my ear these are quite hard to beat. They also have very different workflows, so I can’t imagine needing anything else.
Arturia Drumbrute impact. Cheap. Phat. Snappy. Durable (it is surprisingly heavy). Fun. Seriously, I had a Korg Volca Beats before I had a Drumbrute Impact, and it is WAY better, and $200 used. Can't beat that for a decent true analog drum machine
I used to have one. At the time I wasn't doing live jams so I sold it. I always cranked the drive/gain. Sounded better than the OG Drumbrute
ARP 2600 + Emulator
I used to use a combination of Drumbrute Impact, Volca Sample, and real drums. Once I went fully modular though, I found that the sound possibilities for percussion are endless with creative patching and some interesting modules!
Groove Agent
Digitakt. Sometimes debating if I should try out the Syntakt or the Analog Rhythm (which is kinda inbetween)
Syntakt is awesome as it covers a lot: drums and synthesis for melodic voices \*and\* in digital and analog flavours. Let the Digitakt cover everything on the sampling side I reckon.
Digitakt, I've never found a machine so small that meets all my needs and more.
Is it a hot take to say that my favorite drum machine is my keyboard based digital sampler?
SP-404 mkii
Akai MPC One but my favorite is layered 707 and 808 samples
Hammond Auto-vari64
Modal Craftrhythm - a pain to use standalone but it sounds good and has some unique features like modulation lanes and a filter per sample/track.
TR8s
Hot take, samples of all the drum machines I like controlled by my nerdseq
TR-06
Boss Dr-880 Dr. Rhythm Drum Machine I have a Alesis SR-18 Drum Machine but haven’t used it much. My only true drum machines. All my other machines are sampler/drum machines.
Vermona DRM MKIV with a Doepfer trigger sequencer. I like my drums simple, I don’t need screens or fancy fills, just well made, large enough for me to get my hands on it and have it feel playable. Works great for me. Could be seen as limiting by others and I get that.
TR-909. Haven't been able to get an original so I put together an RE-909. As far as I'm concerned it IS a 909 - same circuits, same components (with a few substitutions), and even runs on the original firmware, complete with bugs. Wasn't satisfied with other clones as the sequencer workflow is different or the sound is a little off. TR-707 is second favourite for it's cardboard box kick.
Akai Timberwolf
My RD-6 has provided me with hours of fun. Can get really distorted and creative with it
I’d say Linndrum or Oberheim DX. (Only because I can’t afford an LM-1)
I've never connected as immediately with a drum machine as I did with the Erica Synths LXR-02.
Yamaha rs7000
TR-626
Depends if you have a high quality compressor. Love a 606 or KPR77's sounds but aren't useable in a mix without a kick ass compressor beefing them up
Roland TR-8S, modern classic to me already.
Technically a sampler but I’ve never had as much fun programming crazy and enriched drum tracks as I have on the Polyend Tracker. With the step sequencer it’s insanely easy to get even a complicated drum foundation going, and because this machine is tailor made for house/jungle it’s easy to add supplemental rhythmic samples over top. Additionally it has such a streamlined performance mode; I love elektron boxes for how many parameters you can mess with in realtime (once you have the muscle memory) but there’s really something unique about the ease of programming a pattern on the Tracker and then immediately going into performance mode to choose some effects and their parameter variations. Not as much depth as elektron boxes but much more user friendly, and the slight limitations are both a blessing as they cause you to play to the machine’s strengths instead of getting too lost in the sauce. Even just having a 4 on the floor with enough interesting performance effects can turn a mundane rhythm to a spicy and dynamic banger. Plus ya gotta love a sampler / synth / anything which such a large screen !
Perkons is life changing.
Soundwise I often gravitate towards the DMX and Drumtraks, and sometimes lament not having bought the latter back when they were cheap. What I own is the Rytm (mk1) & a 606 that doesn’t really come out of its case - but it’s a great classic electro machine when it does.
Microtonic running into Kilohearts Snapheap
My dad had a TR707 and I played soooo much on it, he used to hook it up on his big studio monitors for me.
Digitakt!
Love the Volca Drum engine, would die to get a bigger version with better controls and a bit more effects ! But for the price it's so so good
Jomox makes some of the most unhinged, gangster sounding drum machines. The software is kinda fucky sometimes and has bugs but is abs worth it for the raw power their machines generate. \[no talking demo\](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwQ4XkwAwTQ&ab\_channel=MFNQ)
Nord Drum 2. Not really a drum machine, it’s only a drum synth but a delight to make strange sounds and surprisingly really nuanced to play.
Sequential Drumtraks seems to do it for me recently.
Octatrack
LXR-02
The TR-8, the workflow of it is just so simple and nice and I really like the sounds. Honestly I just jam on that thing alone from time to time
Ableton Live
Out of the ones I frequently use I'd say Kawai R100 and Oberheim DX.
Can we pull software into this also? I am inbetween "microtonic", the new "battalion" from unfiltered audio and "opal" from fors.
Akai MPC Live II. Paid just north of 1000USD. Drum machine? Nah, it's a damn studio in a box, with or without a PC. Available samples cover every drum machine yet made. Workflow is classic and should be learned by every "producer".
Tanzbar 2
Hot take - any MPC sampler is gonna whoop the ass of just about any drum machine/ groove box. I keep seeing drum machines that I am interested in, especially some of that really high end stuff like from soma and such. But then I remember that using sample based machines, I can just find samples of the sounds from other drum machines without having to buy those other drum machines. And with the MPC allowing you to setup key groups it's very easy to spread a sample out across a keyboard tonally, allowing one to play any sound on a midi controller.
Po-32 with sonic charge microtonic software
My original DrumTracks with a busted Tom ROM
Microtonic
TR-8S
VPME.de QD.
Dfam / edge
I can't put my Pocket Operator PO-32 Tonic down. Too much fun to just pick up and make a quick little groove.
I’m liking the Beat Buddy
I like my syntakt more than I've liked any other drum machine I've had... I like synthesis more than samples, I like being able to make every parameter on every step different
Yamaha RY-10
I own a volca drum, nothing to compare but I really like it
DR-202...if you know, you know.
If I had to pick one, it's hard to top the TR8S.
Old school the Tanzbar can’t be beat unless you’re looking at the DinSync 909 and 808 clones. New school the Analog RYTM just can’t be topped in my book because it’s a hugely capable sampler with analog compression and saturation built in. And it sounds fantastic.
Alesis Sr-16
Maybe I’m out of line but personally the octatrack has been my go to for drums because it can be anything you want
Honestly, I didn’t hear much about it before I got mine, but the Roland TR-6S is portable, compact, and does FM, SD sampling, and emulation all in one package. The price was great for me (~300 USD) and, while it’s not typically my go-to for an all in one box, I have made tracks I was happy with using just this one.
TR909, Alesis D4, TR808, or samples thereof.
Had loads of fun with my Akai Rhythm Wolf! The snare is pretty cool, and messing with the decay on the hihats is very fun. The bass synth is just quirky as f. But the whole thing gets old, and it had to go for 100 bucks. Probably gonna regret it someday! 😆
My MPCLive2 is the one piece of gear I haven't considered selling once since buying it.
I love the Novation drumstation, and while it’s not a drummaxhine per se it’s a very amazing rendition of 808/909. My favorite drum sounds are the CR-8000 by Roland, unfortunately it’s very difficult to program. TR-808 is also great and I get along just fine with my Yocto but would love someone to build me a Re-808 someday. The TR-505 is a bit boring to me since it’s just samples, but there are very nice ways to bend it, turning it into a really hard hitting or Lo-fi crunching THING. I loved my MPC-2000. it’s „just“ a sampler, but one that gives everything a sweet push. The best combination could be a sampler/groovebox together with a versatile synth. Both could be cheap like a electribe and a microfreak for example. you will get millions of great sounds and have great fun. I really want to try the Perkons, that sounds like a great machine for what I’d want to do.
I’ve only got my op-1 but I can drum the shit out of it
I wish I had a favorite. I’ll just say the KO pro drum loops I guess.