Need Drum Machine

[dzlvs8]

This should be pretty simple. I need a drum machine. I have a Roland TR-505 but cant see anything on its screen so I dont know how to sequence it. Heres what I need.

Drum machine that makes real drum sounds for funk music (analog drums would be ok to but I NEED realistic drum sounds).

I need to be able to play the drum sounds live.

I need to be able to tap in a sequence (like a TR-707).



Thats really all of my requirements. Im just looking for something cheap. I am looking at the Korg ER-1 but I dont know if it will have realistic drum sounds. I assume it only does analog dance style stuff.
What should I get thats cheap. A TR-707 isnt something I want. They got too high of price for having such terrible sounding drums.

Suggestions?

[Stab Frenzy]

Alesis SR-16. Does everything you want and they were made in their thousands for 15-20 years so they can be picked up dirt cheap second-hand.

[Projectile]

I'd say go with one of the boss DR series (550, 660, 770). You can grab them for under 100 bucks and they do exactly what you describe. Check out some youtube videos. The Yamaha drum machines or Alesis SR-16 would probably work just as well, but I haven't tried those so can't comment on them. You really have a lot of options. There were so many drum boxes made in the 90s that sell cheap now.

[dzlvs8]

I've seen the Aleisis arouns a ton but I may have left one of my needs out or wasn't too specific. I want to be able to add in a beat from a drum by selection the beat out of a row of the 16 seuqenced steps (like a tr707 808 626 electribe) can I do that with an sr16? If its on screen I'm not thwt interestes. I don't want to spend much yime on the beat. and would like it to be easily modifiable.

Also I noticed that an sr16 can go from 85-125. If I can pick up an electribe er-1 for $150 I would rather do that. IF it plays any realistic sounding drums. So. does anyone know if an electribe er-1 or has any realistic drum sounds or can I load in my own samples?

[Stab Frenzy]

ER-1 doesn't have realistic sounds at all, it can't even do realistic x0x sounds. It does funny bleeps and bloops only. Can't remember how the SR-16 works any more, haven't used it for years. Look up the manual online and see for yourself.

[truckasaurus]

Maybe an Electribe ES-1? For the most part, your drum sounds would be as realistic as whatever you sampled into it.

[wiss]

Roland R8

[nathanscribe]

Or a Yamaha RY-30.

If you limit yourself to machine with a grid-screen display, you're missing some good machines. I'm not going to question your preference for a grid display, but there are also machines that will allow step-time entry without a graphical representation. You could always plan your pattern on paper first and then enter it. I'd also say that if you're at all able to program by ear, in real time, you might find you make things more natural-sounding. Practice and funkaliciousness notwithstanding...

[TheKeytarist]

First off, the new electribes both have tubes, so that's pretty awesome... 2nd off, how about a DSI tempest; it's analog!

[Sir Nose]

First off, the new electribes both have tubes, so that's pretty awesome... 2nd off, how about a DSI tempest; it's analog!

As far as the tempest goes, the OP was looking for something cheap; so, that's out.

TUBES... I just love the way the words sounds. Tuuuuuuuubbbessssss

[Nannerfan]

I don't think the OP wants analog...

[computron]

I would take a look at the Roland R8 as well. It fits most of your needs and it would be a great step for your drums from the tr 505. Nice crisp sound ! Real or not real drums it can do both very very well.

[Hair]

I believe the Electribe EM-1/EMX have a decent amount of acoustic drum sounds on board in addition to the electronic sounding ones, also have some very usable electric bass sounds in the synth section, even more funkability.

Of course, with the ES-1/ESX you can obviously load them with any drum sounds you desire, but because of that, you might not get up and running as fast.

The Command Station/RM1x/RS7000/Roland MC etc class of machines might also fit the bill, but might just as easily be overkill.

[Blue Monster 65]

Akai XR20. See info at Sweetwater here: http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/XR20

See video here: (plus loads more).

It's got acoustic samples, drum machines, synths, pianos, etc. Battery powered - loads of fun. I wrote a review of it on Sweetwater's site, too.

[silikon]

I can't completely quantify how much you would consider being "cheap" -- but if you already have a DAW on your desktop or laptop, then I might suggest you look at getting a plugin... The ones below are relatively cheap, and they should serve what you're trying to do.

NI Battery 3
Linplug RMV

...plus if you have a DAW, many have their own drum sampler/synth integrated (Reason, Live, Logic)

If you're going hardware specifically, I would offer up one of the smaller Akai MPC's (MPC500/1000) --- but if you're looking for linear sequencing, and inexpensive still... maybe the Ensoniq ASR-X, Korg ES-1 / ESX-1.... Maybe a Yamaha RS7000 if you can find a decent deal on one...

If you're looking to keep costs down while using samples, (realistic drums) the most bang for your dollar IMHO would be a plugin if you can support it...

Just my opinion...