I have recently decided to record my songs myself, after my band broke up.
I have bought a Fostex mr-8. Can anyone suggest a good, but not too expensive, drum machine?
The music is along the lines of Beatles/lThin Lizzy/Kravitz/Hendrix.
Thanks

If you got a computer, try something in software. It's usually way more versatile than the 'real' machines (like using your own drums samples or samples from the internet. You WILL get bored of the built in sounds of any drum machine unless you can replace them with your own). If you get the chance and got a decent computer, give Reason a try. It rocks. But there are also more cheap but good programs and even good free ones you could give a try.

Maybe this is a useful link:
http://www.audiomelody.com/

I'm still impressed with the Alesis SR-16 drum machine. It's a few years old now, but the sounds are still decent and you can customize the drum kits.

the best ones are usually expensive. I'd suggest going for a software, or a sampler, ones that can play all kinds of samples. that way you can get the sounds of the more expensive drum machines, without actually buying them.

I would actually suggest buying a newer keyboard with bunches of Drum kits on it... not only is the sample quality better than what comes out of the older drum machines, you have so much more control over how each individual piece sounds.

Although I DO have to agree that the SR-16 still has some pretty bangin' sounds in it. If I had to get a drum machine, it would be that one.

Yeah, it runs into some bucks buying new synths and all -- not a hell of a lot if you can get them on ebay-- but the more you put into your home recording setup, the better sound you'll get OUT of it.

--Julian--

I actually think U SHOULD NOT go with software. Especially if got a beatles/Hendrix thing in the mix. I think it may sound better with some Lo-Fi drum machines. Alot of the software programms sound too clean, and the effects sound too electric. If u use a something decent like a Boss DR-5 or something like that u can make fairly realistic sounding drum patterns & if u record them through some nice gates, or pre's then u could have something sonically interesting but not "too electric'. Alot of people will suggest software or synths because the samples are "bigger" or brighter but I think if your using analog or acoustic intruments your better off using something less intrusive. Also people forget that real drums don't sit on tape like electric drums...but u can make it sound close, but still have some of the idiosycracies of a drum machine. I guess it depends on what your goal is; to make the drum machine sound like real drums or use it as the instrument it is. Take Prince for example (of course) I really dig some of his older programming. It sounded like a rhythm not a clean computer.

So in conclusion stay away from software stuff, and high end synths. Stick to stand alone harware: Boss drum machines, Alesis, Linn. I think u have more options sonically with them, but takes a little more recording know how but u can really make it your own sound. Just my take.

Nero
hear my band if u want
www.barbarasteele-the-band.com

nikkhendrix said:

neronava said:

Hmmm....
Unless you're going for analog drum machines like an 808 or 909 (which are hard to find and very expensive!), drum machines are as digital as a computer. You can make your drums sound as old and vintage or as clean as you like in the computer.
I don't suggest a computer because it sounds cleaner because I actually think you can do *more* with them sonically with software.
Besides, samples from old drummachines are everywhere on the internet and they usually *do* sound the same. Now some would argue that an 808 or 909 will never sound the same in a computer just because they're analog but I found that the software simulations like Rebirth or good samples come pretty close. As a matter of fact, close enough to not bother with expensive real things, especially since those things are so limited in use (for my music anyway). I owned a 505, 626, 808, 909, RX7 and got rid of all of them (for a damn good price too) and I never looked back.
If the beatles were happening today, I'm quite sure they would use the hardware they found to be most useful for their creativity. And software would definitely be one of their tools.
I sometimes do miss my old Tascam 1'' 16-track, but that's another story

My 2 cts.

Plain & simple: I don't like the sound of the software stuff. I do own a 808, 909, DMX, RXZ & a Linn Drum but I still like my inexpensive drum machines (Boss & Alesis ones). A big difference between a drum machine and the software stuff is the whole transferring/recording aspect. The drum machine exists externally therefore there is variables that work in your favor as far as range goes. I'm not going to speculate on what the Beatles would be doing now, my whole point was Beatle records sound lo-fi and not cold & clean like digital. External drum programming have alot of room to experiement...

Nero
www.barbarasteele-the-band.com

erikd said:

I have to admit the beatles speculation was a bit off
My point is, if you're going to use a tape recorder like nikkhendrix and you're using a computer as drum machine, then what's the difference between a 'real' drum machine and software? I think nothing. You can do whatever you like with the sound outputs of the computer, just like drum machine (which *is* is fact a little computer in most cases, including built in software).
So computer software might save some money (since the original poster is on a tight budget), and give you access to more sounds at the same time.
Now I can't debate someone's personal taste, but I think there's nothing stopping you from creating a vintage sound while still taking advantage of computer software. Well, I have to admit I haven't found a decent simulation of an analogue tape for example (or my rhodes!) but I think my point still holds.


You lost me there. Could you explain?
Even if you record everything in the computer, you can still externalize all you like as long as you have enough inputs and ouputs on your sound board.

The variables are little things everything from how u input it everything from monster cables to midi, to crappy cables. Little things that play a factor in music production-that add idiosyncracies...that realm is lost in the creative process with software stuff. I'm talking totally in the creative process...its kind of abstract.


Nero
www.barbarasteele-the-band.com

erikd said:

All about the Akai MPC series. There's always one to suit each individual.

www.akaipro.com

Thanks for all of the advice.
I met a guy has loaned me a Zoom mrt-3. So I am checking it out today.
I am really hoping that I can get a drum machine to sound 'authentic', and not stiff and rigid,like a metronome!
Neronava, Erikd.....could you please explain to me what 'gates' are?

Akai MPC are probably the best machines you can find. they are the tightest ones too, when it comes to the beat.
But I still think software will be less expensive, and you can get any kind of sound you like. If you want the sound of a lo-fi drum machines, those samples are easy to find on the net.

neronava, you're forgetting that most of those samples were already recorded from a real dum machine, so they already have been through the process of going out through their analog outputs. There are samples of everything, and you can edit them much easier than in a drum machine.

Linn durms are hard to find, and old drum machines that still work well, and that someone can actually give you any service or replacement parts for them, is also rare.
Software is not limited as drums machines are. It's great if you want it for one thing, but then when you are looking for a different sound, you'd have to get another machine that handles those sounds.

Stick with software, it's more flexible.

A gate is somthing that you insert for example between a sound source like a mic (or a drum machine if you like) and a recorder. You set a 'threshold' which blocks all sounds that are of lower amplitude and lets sound pass above that sound level.
It's commonly used to eliminate noise in quiet parts, to reduce crosstalk (for example when you mic a drum kit, to prevent a snare drum sounding through a mic on a tom; in other words to 'turn the mic off' when you're not hitting the tom and only put it on when you hit the tom), or to make decaying sounds (like drums) shorter. Usually it's used for 'cleaning up' signals.
There's often a lot more you can set, like attack time, release time, frequency range to which it responds etc.

Here's also an explanation about gates (amongst others):
http://www.hitsquad.com/s.../9903_111/