Cap Posted December 20, 2001 Share Posted December 20, 2001 I've never owned a drum machine, and lately have had the urge to add one, especially on jobs where I'm playing bass lines. I've played with a leader who uses an SR16, and I wasn't impressed with the quality of the ride cymbal. I'm wondering which machine would come closest to having the following features (in order of importance): 1. The ability to "tap in" the beat (instead of setting a tempo numerically). 2. Realistic ride cymbals. 3. Adaptability as a "tone generator" that could be synched with the keyboard player's "real-time" bass lines. 4. Ease of use with respect to volume, cutting the cymbals off and on. 5. Small, portable package. I'm not sure if a machine with the above features is even available. Just wondering if any rhythm device has, say, 3 or 4 of them. Cap Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Intheether Posted December 20, 2001 Share Posted December 20, 2001 Hi Cap: I think all drum machines have grid/step recording and punch. I have always wanted a novation drumstation, which is a rack. Maybe not the best for portability but check it out out www.zzsounds.com. It's pretty reasonably priced and sounds amazing. I'd steer away from the "groveboxes" for your needs (the er-1, mc-505 et. al.) because they focus their multisamples on the whole spectrum of sounds, not dedicated to only great drums. I've heard good stuff about boss products too. The dr. rhythm would easily fill the small, portable clause. ~nel * Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RABid Posted December 20, 2001 Share Posted December 20, 2001 I think the Boss DR-660 or 770 does everything but cymble choke. I have the 660 but it has not been turned on in years. On the other end of the spectrum, the Emu XL-7 does most everything a drum machine does and also makes a nice synth module. That is what I use now. With the ROM expansions you can put in tech drums, real drums, and world percussion. This post edited for speling. My Sweetwater Gear Exchange Page Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slowly Posted December 21, 2001 Share Posted December 21, 2001 Cap, I`ve been auditioning drum machines for about a year. I keep coming back to and comparing them to the SR16. Ease of use and the fill function was my main point. Seems all the others you must program in the fill. This won`t work for improv. Casey "Let It Be!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dansouth Posted December 22, 2001 Share Posted December 22, 2001 So many choices. The Korg Electribe stuff is good (the R or the S). I'm not keen on the never Roland stuff (silver boxes). Not enough punch for my taste. There are about a zillion software rhythm machines, too (too many to mention). If you want interactivity, check out the Karma keyboard. Isn't the SR16, like, ANCIENT? I don't see the big deal with entering BPM as a number. You try a number, if it's too slow you boost it, too fase, lower it. Pretty soon you'll be able to guess tempos with accuracy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burlingame Posted December 22, 2001 Share Posted December 22, 2001 Is there anything wrong with thr Zoom Track 323? Have not heard the sounds, but specs sound good (sounds are not analog, which means-I can`t tell you if it is relevant,never mind). The sales rep says he has one. Thinks it is fine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hangee_77 Posted December 22, 2001 Share Posted December 22, 2001 What about Emu SP1200? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slowly Posted December 22, 2001 Share Posted December 22, 2001 Isn't the SR16, like, ANCIENT? The SR-16 is like older than my Grandmama. But the SR16 has a footswitch input so that you can trigger FILLS on the fly. On all the other machines you must program the fills. Not good for live music. Great for the studio. Casey "Let It Be!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan O Posted December 23, 2001 Share Posted December 23, 2001 Many peolpe search for GOOD DRUMS ! IMO the drum machines do not really give the end user high quality drums with alot of musicality . I would suggest looking at perhaps a Yamaha PSR640 /740 used or new . This mid range consumer keyboard would give you multiple variations to the drum loops , as well intro's + endings . Yes ..it's another keyboard . However you can pick up a PSR series keyboard for around $500.00 . $150.00 more than a Roland Dr670 or 770 ! Don't over look a mid price arranger keyboard . *~* Dano [ 12-22-2001: Message edited by: dano ] [ 12-23-2001: Message edited by: dano ] www.esnips.com/web/SongsfromDanO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Bryce Posted December 23, 2001 Share Posted December 23, 2001 Originally posted by dano: BTW...If you want to hear some good drum's ...go to Ketron web site and down load MP3's . ...says the guy who does demos for Ketron... dB ==> David Bryce Music • Funky Young Monks <== Professional Affiliations: Royer Labs • Music Player Network Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burlingame Posted December 23, 2001 Share Posted December 23, 2001 After programming with an Alesis sequencer I wanted only instrumental capabilities with their name. The machine seemed so logical. It was a time ago. You are right. An aged korg had I great outlay for putting in a drum track too. As good as an idea could run with such machines, I am sure the new ones have differences that make them worth all that extra. For some reason there is still an echo from a reviewer as to analog sounds having a punchier sound. One of those tribe series perhaps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazzman Posted December 23, 2001 Share Posted December 23, 2001 Hi all, I have an SR-16, and the Roland 660, both are cool, still use them both, sometimes I put them both together on music that I produce for some cool effects. There are other great units out there that I'm trying out for the studio, but don't want to comment on them yet. Yes the SR-16 is old but the price for it is still up there. I paid $225.00 for it several years ago when it first came out. Real simple to operate too. I have these sounds on many songs that I programed. Stay cool................ Jazzman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan O Posted December 23, 2001 Share Posted December 23, 2001 Db, I did not make the demo's on Ketron Website . You have one of my 1st recordings using the SD1 . You are welcome to post Mp3 if you wish ! Dano www.esnips.com/web/SongsfromDanO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Bryce Posted December 23, 2001 Share Posted December 23, 2001 Originally posted by dano: I did not make the demo's on Ketron Website . You have one of my 1st recordings using the SD1 . That wasn't what I meant - I was referring to the fact that you demonstrate the SD1 for Ketron, not that you were the one who did the demos on the website. It was meant to be a good-natured rib... Here, lemme try again: How odd that you - someone who Ketron employs to demonstrate how good their product can sound - would think that their drum sounds were good... Better? Sorry to be unclear... dB ==> David Bryce Music • Funky Young Monks <== Professional Affiliations: Royer Labs • Music Player Network Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan O Posted December 23, 2001 Share Posted December 23, 2001 Db, Judge for yourself . You have the Cd . [ 12-23-2001: Message edited by: dano ] www.esnips.com/web/SongsfromDanO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Bryce Posted December 23, 2001 Share Posted December 23, 2001 Yes, I do. The drums sound very nice. I think that they are on par with most drum sounds available today. Pretty much everyone has nice drum sounds these days, though. Wouldn't you agree? There are only a handful of drum samples that I have heard that I would consider to be exceptional, and the majority of those are on sample CDs, not in wave ROM. dB (not Db) ==> David Bryce Music • Funky Young Monks <== Professional Affiliations: Royer Labs • Music Player Network Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slowly Posted December 23, 2001 Share Posted December 23, 2001 Originally posted by dano: Many peolpe search for GOOD DRUMS ! IMO the drum machines do not really give the end user high quality drums with alot of musicality . I would suggest looking at perhaps a Yamaha PSR640 /740 used or new . This mid range consumer keyboard would give you multiple variations to the drum loops , as well intro's + endings . Yes ..it's another keyboard . However you can pick up a PSR series keyboard for around $500.00 . $150.00 more than a Roland Dr670 or 770 ! Don't over look a mid price arranger keyboard . *~* Dano [ 12-22-2001: Message edited by: dano ] [ 12-23-2001: Message edited by: dano ] Thanks for reminding me, now I`m sad. The biggest mistake I made was to sell my PSR-530. Now I need a second keyboard and a drum machine. Don`t discount those PSR`s as simple toys. For my current needs, the 530 would have been perfect. Casey "Let It Be!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan O Posted December 24, 2001 Share Posted December 24, 2001 dB ......got it .opps ! I do not agree with the statement of "on par with most drum machines " at all . The Sd1 drums are way more impressive and expressive than any drum machine I have heard . SD1 drums are samples . Either way ,it's just my opinion . In 3 weeks you can drop by the booth ( NAMM)and listen . The original question was about drum machines . How many drum machines are their avaliable ? Excluding groove boxes . DR550 , Dr670 , Dr770 , SR16 (just becoming available again) . How many variations do they have ? Feature for feature the Yamaha series makes alot of sense . The keyboard's offer more intro's,ending's and variations at $500.00 than a drum machine . Plus a disk drive ( PSR350,550 ,640 or 740) . Dano [ 12-23-2001: Message edited by: dano ] www.esnips.com/web/SongsfromDanO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Bryce Posted December 24, 2001 Share Posted December 24, 2001 I do not agree with the statement of "on par with most drum machines " at all . The Sd1 drums are way more impressive and expressive than any drum machine I have heard Dano, if you're referring to my statement, you might wanna try reading more carefully. I didn't say "on par with most drum machines", did I? I said "on par with most drum sounds". There's a big difference (said the owner of the DM Pro). SD1 drums are samples I don't get this comment - what do you think are in the drum machines that you mentioned? Or, are you saying the the SD1 has sample RAM that you loaded up with nice big custom samples? Am I missing something here? How many drum machines are their avaliable ? Excluding groove boxes . DR550 , Dr670 , Dr770 , SR16 (just becoming available again) Don't forget the the Zoom 234... or the Yamaha RY8, RY9 and RY20...and what's the name of that expensive one that was just released? It's English, IIRC...real expensive, too - maybe $1100? dB ==> David Bryce Music • Funky Young Monks <== Professional Affiliations: Royer Labs • Music Player Network Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan O Posted December 24, 2001 Share Posted December 24, 2001 Dave, You have much more experience on how drum loops and drum sounds are engineered into a keyboard or drum machine than I do . I am sorry if I misread your statements . These things happen from time to time . My comprehension is a little off today ! I certainly have not fiquired out how to bring down the quotes as well as you have . Are we getting off the thread ? My goal was to help Cap with thinking about a low end arranger keyboard vs. a drum machine . My opinion about KEtron SD1 should not have been brought into the picture . That's my fault . I will leave my opinions out of my responses next time . Dano Dano www.esnips.com/web/SongsfromDanO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marino Posted December 24, 2001 Share Posted December 24, 2001 Dano, just a suggestion: Since you're working for Ketron, maybe it would be a good idea to state that in your signature or something like that, as Mike Martin from Kurzweil and Jeff from Tascam are doing. Of course this shouldn't stop you from recommending Ketron products, it would just make your position clear to other people on the forum, expecially newbies. Uh-oh, I'm afraid I'm in 'moderator' territory here... (Dave, stop me if I'm going overboard) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Bryce Posted December 24, 2001 Share Posted December 24, 2001 Originally posted by marino: Dano, just a suggestion: Since you're working for Ketron, maybe it would be a good idea to state that in your signature or something like that, as Mike Martin from Kurzweil and Jeff from Tascam are doing. Of course this shouldn't stop you from recommending Ketron products, it would just make your position clear to other people on the forum, expecially newbies. Thanks, Carlo... I've heard this somewhere before...you have too, brother Dano - haven't you? That was actually the main reason behind my first post in this thread...guess it was a bit too subtle... dB ==> David Bryce Music • Funky Young Monks <== Professional Affiliations: Royer Labs • Music Player Network Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan O Posted December 24, 2001 Share Posted December 24, 2001 How are people supposed to know what kind of user name to use ? Dan O'Neil ( my real name = dano to many of my friends) made sense to me at the time of my register . I get paid by the US distributor to demo the the Ketron products only at NAMM shows . If someone works for PEPSI ...should they be the PEPSIGUY ? Since I like their products , should I now be KETRON GUY ? I have consulted Yamaha in the past ( and paid) and like alot of their products as well . Should I be YAMAHA GUY ? No ...my name is my name . I just have an opinion about a product . Dano www.esnips.com/web/SongsfromDanO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Bryce Posted December 24, 2001 Share Posted December 24, 2001 Mike Martin calls himself Mike Martin. However, he makes sure that people know that he's a Kurzweil person by including it in his signature. When I make ADAM related posts, I usually sign them thusly: dB ADAM guy It's up to you if you want to state that you have a business relationship with Ketron. Personally, I think it's a more professional way to go. Judging by Carlo's suggestion, I am not alone, either. No matter how sporadic your relationship with the company is, the fact remains that you do have a relationship with them. If you didn't, I can't help but wonder if you would own one of their instruments...perhaps you would - I don't know... Regardless of how often you do it, the fact remains that you do have a business relationship with Ketron/Solton. To me, the fact that you do not make clear that you are involved with them when you speak so supportively about their products cheapens your comments. As far as the Yamaha thing goes - consulting is very different from being a public demonstrator, IMO. In one instance, you are offering an opinion. In the other, you are a public champion for the product. Here's an interesting question - why do you have such a problem with posting a disclaimer? Do you think that it'll detract from your positive comments about the instrument? dB ==> David Bryce Music • Funky Young Monks <== Professional Affiliations: Royer Labs • Music Player Network Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr. rob Posted December 25, 2001 Share Posted December 25, 2001 Well, check out the yamaha rs7000. Its sort of an amalgamation of previous yamaha products into a package I find appealing. I dont think its as sexy as elektrons machine drum, that physical modeling marvel but you get a damn decent hardware sequencer, a tone module, a sampler, and a nifty knob laden interface including tap tempo... Its set up to work just like a drum machine, but its sequencer is nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cap Posted December 28, 2001 Author Share Posted December 28, 2001 Thanks for the many leads. Most of the machines I've seen are overkill for my needs--don't want a groovebox with all sorts of instruments, sequences, loops, etc. Just a dynamic ride cymbal that I could either follow or synch with my left hand so it could follow me. Dr. 770 really impressed me with its cymbal sounds, but I was told you can't tap in the tempo (which you can do with the SR16). I sense there just aren't enough of us jazz, or 4/4 walking bass, "swing" players to prompt companies to make more equipment compatible with our needs. Cap Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Felix_dup1 Posted December 28, 2001 Share Posted December 28, 2001 Too bad Alesis imploded, or we might have seen an SR-20 by now, utilizing sounds from the DM-Pro. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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