In need of a good drum machine

[ReeV0]

Hi guys,

Apologies if this is in the wrong section, I wasn't sure where to post it.

I'm in need of a good drum machine to jam with and to create drum tracks for my recordings. So far I've been using my keyboard, but the drum tracks aren't the best and it's too difficult to manually record them as I'll go out of time.

I had an Alesis S-16 a few years ago but it didn't impress me, the drum tracks were boring and there wasn't much in the way of funk (I play a lot of funk). I've also got a Zoom B3 and Boss RC3 but the drums on them suck.

 

I was wondering if anyone has any experience with the following:

Boss DR-670

Boss DR-5

Boss DR-202 (like the look of this the best)

Boss DR-3 (looked kinda sucky in youtube videos)

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[CameronJ]

Have you considered a BeatBuddy? 

[ReeV0]

I had a look but it's too expensive for me 

[TheGreek]

The Alesis is programmable - lend it to your drummer and get him to programme you some funky beats.

[Cuzzie]

Singular sound beat buddy mini second hand hovers about £100 - it’s invaluable.

Failing that get an audio USB interface of your choosing, like a presonus or a focusrite Scarlett.

They come bundled with a free DAW which will have beats on them, you can use garage band, or you can buy EZ Drummer and have a massive world of beats to patch into a tune

[ReeV0]

9 hours ago, Cuzzie said:

Singular sound beat buddy mini second hand hovers about £100 - it’s invaluable.

Failing that get an audio USB interface of your choosing, like a presonus or a focusrite Scarlett.

They come bundled with a free DAW which will have beats on them, you can use garage band, or you can buy EZ Drummer and have a massive world of beats to patch into a tune

I thought the cheapest Beat Buddy wasn't worth having?

[Cuzzie]

Depends exactly on your needs.

its got half decent beats, ease of use for practice, or even simple live play.

If you wanna make full on tunes go DAW and EZDRUMMER or a similar program

[Leonard Smalls]

1 hour ago, Cuzzie said:

you wanna make full on tunes go DAW and EZDRUMMER or a similar program

Aye - lots of kits available with mixer and large library of real drum loops and fills with the ability to add, delete or completely programme from scratch.

I've got the Jabbo Sparks/Clyde Stubblefield add on as well which is proper funky...

 

[mic mac moe]

+1 for the beatbuddy. It's really flexible and simple to use 

[Bobthedog]

I have the DR-3 and whilst it is cheap looking it works well for me when noodling at home instead of a metronome. It is programmable but I have never got to grips with that aspect. Usefully too (for me),  you can leave the power pack plugged in as it seems to only switch on when you switch the machine on. I can therefore use a socket that is not easy for every day access.

[Roger2611]

I also have a DR3 and I think it sucks, it lacks a midi out to allow it to control other devices, it is manageable but it is a pain, I also think it lacks enough variation in it's presets.....in fact, I really think I should sell it! 

I use it only as a back up now if I can't be bothered to programme the TR-8

[operative451]

I used to have a Zoom RT-123. They're cheap on ebay! It was good and easy to program, and had bass and synth sounds too...

[fretmeister]

I just watched Pete Thorn's vid demo of the Beat Buddy.

Seems to be a great bit of kit. Not cheap, and of course there is the Pete Thorn effect that he could make a dog egg sound awesome, but even so - I think I want one!!

[mic mac moe]

38 minutes ago, fretmeister said:

I just watched Pete Thorn's vid demo of the Beat Buddy.

Seems to be a great bit of kit. Not cheap, and of course there is the Pete Thorn effect that he could make a dog egg sound awesome, but even so - I think I want one!!

I used my beatbuddy live with a cabaret outfit. Simples

[Reggaebass]

6 minutes ago, mic mac moe said:

I used my beatbuddy live with a cabaret outfit. Simples

Cabaret outfit, what you dress up as well 😀

[mic mac moe]

Raw sex mate

11 minutes ago, Reggaebass said:

Cabaret outfit, what you dress up as well 😀

 

[ReeV0]

The more I look at the BeatBuddy the more I like it, but even the second-hand ones are going for £200+

[mic mac moe]

46 minutes ago, jjl5590 said:

The more I look at the BeatBuddy the more I like it, but even the second-hand ones are going for £200+

I traded some stuff for mine. 

[ReeV0]

1 hour ago, mic mac moe said:

I traded some stuff for mine. 

Not a bad idea. Do you know if there's any difference between a 2016 version and a 2018?

[mic mac moe]

7 minutes ago, jjl5590 said:

Not a bad idea. Do you know if there's any difference between a 2016 version and a 2018?

I'd imagine just software. You can buy all kinds of sound sets, world percussion, jazz kits, big Phil Collins type kits so I imagine it'll be a load of those and functionality 

[mic mac moe]

Just now, mic mac moe said:

I'd imagine just software. You can buy all kinds of sound sets, world percussion, jazz kits, big Phil Collins type kits so I imagine it'll be a load of those and functionality 

If you get one, it's worth having the extra footswitch. I don't think it's necessary to get their branded one, surely a stagg thingy would do

[Cuzzie]

I got a beat buddy mini with footswitch for closer to £100 than £200

[mic mac moe]

1 hour ago, Cuzzie said:

I got a beat buddy mini with footswitch for closer to £100 than £200

Is there much difference, other than the screen with the mini? 

[ReeV0]

5 hours ago, mic mac moe said:

If you get one, it's worth having the extra footswitch. I don't think it's necessary to get their branded one, surely a stagg thingy would do

I managed to find a great deal on a new beatbuddy, got it for £160 new. 

Do you think it's really worth getting the footswitch? I can't find anyone confirming cheaper footswitches will work 

[mic mac moe]

2 minutes ago, jjl5590 said:

I managed to find a great deal on a new beatbuddy, got it for £160 new. 

Do you think it's really worth getting the footswitch? I can't find anyone confirming cheaper footswitches will work 

The switch just give a bit more flexibility. I was using mine live, mind. If yours is for practice I'm sure you will be just fine without