If you want a drum machine with a fully analog signal path that isn’t just the same vintage Roland or Yamaha box that everyone else uses, the Arturia DrumBrute has exactly the sound you’re looking for. To help you create a drum tone that is truly yours, the DrumBrute includes a Steiner-Parker filter stage. The Arturia DrumBrute is a true analog drum machine and sequencer with 17 sounds and memory for 64 sequences. The most unique feature of the SP-16 is the fact that has an analog section with the same low-pass and high-pass filters that you can find on Prophet synthesizers.Ĭheck the Price on Amazon Arturia DrumBrute Featuresįamed engineer Dave Smith - creator of the Prophet synthesizer and co-creator of the MIDI standard - contributed to the development of the Toraiz SP-16. At $1,499, it’s also one of the more expensive drum machines in the market - but it also does more than most drum machines. It weighs more than seven pounds, though, so it’s a little heavy compared to some other drum machines and samplers.
The SP-16 is fairly portable since it doesn’t require a computer. On the left side, a touch-sensitive strip gives you fine control over effects such as pitch bending. You’ll also find a bank of larger pads for triggering samples or playing a virtual instrument in real time. The SP-16 features a bank of small pads at the bottom for quick access to stored sequences. Even if you’ve never worked with a hardware sequencer, you’ll immediately feel comfortable using the large, brightly lit control pads. The Toraiz SP-16 is incredibly easy to work with. Out of the box, it’s ready for performing or recording. The Pioneer Toraiz SP-16 isn’t just a drum machine - it’s a full-featured sampler and sequencer with 2 GB of pre-loaded samples. However, the quality and additional options make this drum machine one of the best available. four additional outputs for flexibility in routingīecause of all the drum options and the sophisticated recording features, the Elektron Machinedrum costs more than $1500.headphones out as well as your main L/R out.You have 8 knobs and a 16-step sequencer to work and create your recordings. It is extremely customizable, meaning that you can create a brand-new recording or add to an already existing studio setup. Designed and produced by a Swedish company, the Machinedrum includes the typical percussion synth options (kicks, snares and claps) as well as acoustic drum options. One of the most expansive drum machines available, the Machinedrum is one of the best for electronic, pop and hip hop music, as well as for drum sound design. The many options for the Roland TR-8 mean that the starting price of $675 is well-worth every penny.Ĭheck the Price on Amazon Elektron Machinedrum SPS-1 MKII This pattern-based machine allows you to create and store up to 16 patterns, each of which can be overwritten, but your tweaks and modulations cannot be recorded. Do not let these features worry you the TR-8 is an especially intuitive machine because there are no hidden menu layers or options beyond what you can see. Surprisingly light but well-built, this drum machine travels easily despite its impressive number of knobs, buttons and pads. This machine is best suited for both live and studio use in electronic, pop and hip hop music.
The Korg Volca Beats begins just under $200.Ĭheck the Price on Amazon Roland AIRA TR-8 Rhythm Performerīased on the triumphant drum machines from the early 1980s, Roland has returned to its successful drum machine heritage with the TR-8. MIDI in for use with DAW or external clocking device.sync I/O to chain different Volca instruments.16-step sequencer based on the classic Korg Electribe sequencer.In addition, you can sync all of your Volca units wirelessly with the iPhone SyncKontrol app. You will have the ability to warp your sequences, including the popular stutter and role options.
The Beats option is a miniature analogue engine for most drum sounds (kick, snare, toms and hi-hats) and a PCM engine for editable sounds such as clave and cowbell.
Japanese company Korg has been at the forefront of the portable musical equipment production, and the Volca series of miniature synthesizers includes built-in sequencers that allow you to create music even when you are away from your computer.