Best drum machine under $500?

roboctopus · Post by **roboctopus** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 5:26 am

Recently I asked for opinions on the TR-606 versus the 707. Well, taking stock of what I owned and what I wouldn't mind parting with for a decent old school drum machine, I decided to expand my search.

So let's throw out any notions of musical style, and ponder: What is the best old-school drum machine to be had for under 500 dollars? I say old-school because I don't like the interfaces of most modern units. I don't want a ton of features. I want immediacy and ease. (for features I have a computer!)

I'm still thinking about the 606 and the 707, but I would really like something like an E-mu Sp-12.

Any suggestions? If you had less than $500, what drum machine would you buy?

cartesia · Post by **cartesia** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 5:37 am

I'd probably buy an electribe sampler instead.. same sequencing, but more sounds possible

Post by **wiss** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 5:59 am

small list....

1. Emu SP-12...those filters, those filters...it can be had under $500

the rest are in no order

akai mpc 60
roland r8
roland r70
roland r5
boss dr 110 (i perfer it over the 606)
sequential circuits drumtraks or toms
roland tr 727
roland tr 707
linndrum
Oberhiem DMX

i could go on and on.....

GeneralBigbag · Post by **GeneralBigbag** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 8:28 am

If you were really, really patient, you might get an Xbase for <$500. I got my Airbase for $200, but that was a total steal.

hyphen nation · Post by **hyphen nation** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 8:30 am

My favorites from Wiss's list:

Emu SP-12
akai mpc 60
sequential circuits drumtraks or toms
linndrum
Oberhiem DMX

only thing I'd add to that is the weird Electro Harmonix DRM series...yeah, pre programmed, but really cool... and go for like $200

also, I've seen MPC 2000xl's go for like $600 - $650...

Altitude · Post by **Altitude** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 1:43 pm

You should be able to find a used MPC 500 for that easily.

cartesia · Post by **cartesia** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 2:00 pm

^ yeah but theres a reason why theyre cheap

Post by **Stab Frenzy** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 2:24 pm

hyphen nation wrote:My favorites from Wiss's list:

Emu SP-12
akai mpc 60
sequential circuits drumtraks or toms
linndrum
Oberhiem DMX

Can you really get those for under $500? If so point me to em, I'll have an SP-12 and an MPC60.

Post by **wiss** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 4:18 pm

Stab Frenzy wrote:
hyphen nation wrote:My favorites from Wiss's list:

Emu SP-12
akai mpc 60
sequential circuits drumtraks or toms
linndrum
Oberhiem DMX
Can you really get those for under $500? If so point me to em, I'll have an SP-12 and an MPC60.

Yeah, as long as your not buying off ebay or from a broker most drum machine can be had under $500 and usally a whole lot less.

JSRockit · Post by **JSRockit** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 5:15 pm

Maybe look into the MFB-503.

http://www.mfberlin.de/Produkte/Musikel ... -503e.html

By the way, there is nothing wrong with the MPC500 at all...except for the fact you have to do a bunch of menu diving. It is under $500 used because it is only $575 new.

In regards to not wanting to deal with modern options, vintage annoyance can be just as frustrating ie old discs, limited memory, maintenance, etc.

xibalba · Post by **xibalba** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 9:36 pm

MPC 1000, 2000, 2kxl can all be had for around and under 500 (its a c**p shoot on the price)

as far as dedicated drum machines

tr 707 and 727 can be had for 150.00 to 250.00

if you want a dedicated drum machine try what gen bigbag said

xbase09 500 + its hard to find one on the bay and around here but prices seem to flux on this as well.

alesis has a few drum machines as well and so does that boss dr. line

Carey M · Post by **Carey M** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 11:58 pm

wiss wrote:
Stab Frenzy wrote: Can you really get those for under $500? If so point me to em, I'll have an SP-12 and an MPC60.
Yeah, as long as your not buying off ebay or from a broker

And as long as you are not living in Europe. Both the SP-12 and the MPC60 seem to go for well over 500 euros here...

- CM

roboctopus · Post by **roboctopus** » Wed Feb 20, 2008 1:40 am

Whoa, there are some good suggestions here! I would consider an mpc60, but I think finding one under $500 is some tough work. Watching youtube demos, I gotta say I like the sound of the Drumtraks. I dig those obviously lo-fi sampled kit sounds. I'm going to keep my eye out for an SP-12, since that's my current dream drum machine, but the drumtraks is second on the list.

To be fair, I would love to have a 909, but it ain't gonna happen until my student loans disappear. XBase seems like pure luck to go for under $500. I dunno.

Anyone have experience with sp-12s or drumtraks?

JSRockit · Post by **JSRockit** » Wed Feb 20, 2008 1:49 am

Or the poor man's SP...the Casio RZ-1. The SP-12 isn't really worth it...unless you get the turbo model.

Post by **tallowwaters** » Wed Feb 20, 2008 1:52 am

JSRockit wrote:Or the poor man's SP...the Casio RZ-1. The SP-12 isn't really worth it...unless you get the turbo model.

so the rz-1 is the best drum machine under 500?

that thing is a piece.

Roland R70 coupled with Korg ES-1?

for boring a*s electronic sounds, i have no clue.