505/606/626/707?

[powerhibiki]

Guitar player primarily, want to get started on setting up an electronic studio, starting with a drum machine. I've never used a drum machine.

505/606/626/707? Good idea to start with one of these as a beginner? If so, which one? If not, what else?

Consider the pricing vs quality/usability of each tool. for instance 505s can go for much cheaper than 707s. Is a 707 really better, is the difference of a few hundred dollars worth it, etc. It is difficult for me to decide which to go with.

Help me pick a starting drum machine please.

[Stab Frenzy]

Get something newer, an Alesis SR-18 or Akai XR-20 would be a way better choice than any of those. Or get something that samples like an MPC 1000 and have any drum machine sound ever.

[powerhibiki]

Question then: If these old things are so limited, how come they all seem to be so popular? What I mean is, what's all the big fuss about? Just that they are old and vintage? Or is there some advantage they have over all the modern alternatives. I am including the 808 and 909 in this question. Is it the way the sequencers are laid out?

[pflosi]

This thread comparing the 707 and 626 might be helpful...

[8bit9bot]

Question then: If these old things are so limited, how come they all seem to be so popular? What I mean is, what's all the big fuss about? Just that they are old and vintage? Or is there some advantage they have over all the modern alternatives. I am including the 808 and 909 in this question. Is it the way the sequencers are laid out?

its mainly the sequencing style - on these machines the drum sequences are visually laid out and they're so easy to use - the vintage sound is the other perc - other than that they are super limited - the 808 can only make 1 style of drum sounds... analog drum sounds - the 707 can only make 1 style of drum sound... pcm based 80s drums (similar to linndrum)

my suggestion is if you're a beginner its a waste of money to use a vintage drum machine - use samples of drum machines loaded into a computer sampler or an akai MPC - as someone else stated

[space6oy]

i have / have had 505, 606, 626, 707, 727, 808, 909, linndrum, xbase09, machinedrum, SR-16, MFB modular & a couple other oddballs. i just love the sounds and simplicity of the old drum machines (didn't hang onto the SR-16, machinedrum, 505 & 626). a guitarist friend of mine was recently wanting to learn drum machines, i started her off with the 707. if you're going for an oldie to start off with that'd be my recommendation.

[Jaytee]

Honestly, if you don't yet unrest and why you might want one of these hardware units, don't waste your money.

That's not to say that they aren't excellent instruments, but rather that their current market price is driven largely by nostalgia and name recognition. If you don't have a very clear idea of why you need the actual hardware, chances are very good that you can get what you need (or at least get extremely close) with a few free samples and the computer you already own.

[ninja6485]

They sound good, look good, they're fun to use, they hold their value, and they appear in many people's favorite songs! That's why they're expensive. Personally I love the Rolands, but If you're interested in something with classic appeal and you don't want a Roland (I feel like I post this advice lot), try a Yamaha RX style drum machine, like the RX-5. It's cheap, it has a lot of features, and it offers many of the percs the Rolands offer, plus it sounds like Fsol's project: Stakker - Humanoid. It does not have a xox style interface; however, which may or may not be important.

[powerhibiki]

Thank you all for your responses. I am going to with a TR-707 for its sequencer and LCD monitor. From what I have seen, they just look so fun to use, very intuitive interface. Thanks again!

[space6oy]

[condit79]

Also, check out the older electribes. I have an Er-1 and it's the best. Super easy to sequence, mute and solo parts and as long as you don't push the low boost knob too hard you'll get great sounds out of it. A bit brittle on the high end, but not bad for $100. Plus if you get units that are midi capable later on, you can always use it to sequence the sounds on other machines and get the best drum sequencing around.

[powerhibiki]

Hello again, another question: 606 or 707? What should I get for my first drum machine?

From my research, 606 sounds better due to being analog, but has less sounds. 707 has the LCD screen, a few more sounds, and is digital. prices are about the same so that's negligible.

Please help me decide, between a 606 and 707!

[pflosi]

606 or 707? Apples and oranges really. Decide which sound you want, they're completely different.

That said, they do complement each other rather well...

[space6oy]

i'd be surprised if you could get a 606 for as good a deal as a 707. also don't forget about midi vs. din sync.

[meatballfulton]

Make sure you understand that with those old Rolands you're getting very artificial sounds and mechanical sequencing...great if you want that sort of sound for dance tracks, synth pop or whatever but if you want something to sound like a real human drummer, forget it.

Modern drum machines can do very realistic acoustic drums as well as electronic noises, some can be sequenced to feel pretty human as well.