Which drum machine to get? Xbase, DRM1, Drumstation...

stikygum · Post by **stikygum** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 10:52 am

I have a Jomox Mbase right now, but I'm looking for a punchy drum machine. I don't have the money to get a 909 or 999. I think I've narrowed it down to 3 drum machines: Novation Drumstation, Jomox Xbase09, or Vermona DRM1. Not sure which to get. They all sound pretty good. From what I've seen on youtube, the Xbase seems to have quite punchy drums. The Drumstation sounds good but from youtube it seems to be possibly lacking cutting through. The DRM1 seems fun and sounds good. I'm wondering how it compares to Jomox and a 909. Or possibly a combo of a Drumstation a compressor would cut nicely?

kuroichi · Post by **kuroichi** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 12:18 pm

Keep in mind that only the jomox has a built in sequencer, so unless you have one, the others will need one.

They all have their good points, and can all be punchy really, although id say the jomox and vermona will have their own characteristics, as they are analog.

The Xbase 09 only has 3 voice polyphony also, which might cause you some problems.

stikygum · Post by **stikygum** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 12:40 pm

So the Drumstation is digital? So pretty good for digital then, but maybe it won't be as alive and punchy as the other 2.

The sequencer is mainly a bonus. I'm using Logic for sequencing. I'm mainly looking for sound, and punchy at that. The Jomox with only 3 parts is actually fine. It really comes down to sound and tweakability. Also, if one has punch closer to a 909, that might do it for me.

Z · Post by Z » Sun Apr 13, 2008 3:34 pm

stikygum wrote:So the Drumstation is digital? So pretty good for digital then, but maybe it won't be as alive and punchy as the other 2.

I've owned a real 808 for nearly 20 years and a 909 in the late 80's/early 90's. I picked up a DrumStation last year and I have to say that it has the best emulations of these intersuments I've ever heard. You can also do things with it that you can't do on the real instruments, but you're only tweaking the sounds of 808/909.

I messed around with the Vermona in Pamona (Analog Haven, that is) last year when visiting LA and I was kind of let down with it. Maybe becasue I only spent about 20 minutes on it. I'm sure there are users out there that have made good use of thier instruments that can give yu a better opinion. It would be cool if there was some sot of patch memory to save the sounds you create.

I am unfamiliar with the Jomox, so I cannot comment. I don't think I would get something that is 3 voice polyphonic, though.

If you want to create unqie sounds, I'd say go for the Vermona. If you need authetic 808/909 sounds, get the DrumStation.

Z

syncretism · Post by **syncretism** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 4:28 pm

If you don't need a sequencer, then consider getting a JoMoX Airbase99 or JaxBase03. Editing isn't as fast out of the box, but there are free software editors and affordable hardware controllers that you can set and forget. They sound quite good.

I like the DRM1-Mk3. It really shines for certain applications, like old school electro.

JSRockit · Post by **JSRockit** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 5:01 pm

syncretism wrote:If you don't need a sequencer, then consider getting a JoMoX Airbase99 or JaxBase03. Editing isn't as fast out of the box, but there are free software editors and affordable hardware controllers that you can set and forget. They sound quite good.

I like the DRM1-Mk3. It really shines for certain applications, like old school electro.

These are great suggestions.

kuroichi · Post by **kuroichi** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 6:06 pm

I agree..

Why didnt I think of them!!!

xibalba · Post by **xibalba** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 7:41 pm

id have to agree with the others

drumstation - if you great 808.909 sounds

vermona - sigh in a world of its own out of these three to bad mines gone.

jomox - i didnt like it when i had it damn controls were cumbersome if it had a better interface then i probably would have kept it.

Soundwave · Post by **Soundwave** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 8:37 pm

crufty · Post by **crufty** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 9:08 pm

pass on the drumstation (w/out eq anyway), it is weak. Ultrabeat is better imho.

stikygum · Post by **stikygum** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 9:53 pm

It's interesting to read about the drumstation because I hear what I've heard from you guys. Some people think it can do 909/808 pretty dang well (even though it's digital) and others think that it can't cut and lacks presence. Is it fair to say the 909/808 emulations of the Drumstation are good, but just lack the punchiness and presence that the 909/808/999 would have?

No 309 for me, I had one once and it sounded quite cold to my ears although I thought it could punch pretty well.

The Xbase intrigues me since I own a Sunsyn and Mbase and find them pretty easy to get around. What about the Xbase makes it hard to navigate - are you talking about performing live with this thing (because I'm only using in the studio).

I'm suprised not much Vermona love. It seems to have some unique sounds, and nice sounding analog ones. Do you guys find it punchy?

syncretism · Post by **syncretism** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 10:04 pm

The Mark 3's kick channel - introduced in this latest version, certainly has some heft. I'd say the JoMoX was the real bassbin-rattler of the two, but they're both really good for the job. The Vermona also has a nice BBD reverb on the snare, claps and a few other channels, IIRC, and that adds a lot of character.

The DRM series wasn't meant to sound like the Roland X0X drum machines. It has a sound of, and stands on, its own.

If you're looking for hardware versions of Rebirth, then you might also like the Fahrenheit skin for the Sound Art Chameleon.

xibalba · Post by **xibalba** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 10:41 pm

stikygum wrote:It's interesting to read about the drumstation because I hear what I've heard from you guys. Some people think it can do 909/808 pretty dang well (even though it's digital) and others think that it can't cut and lacks presence. Is it fair to say the 909/808 emulations of the Drumstation are good, but just lack the punchiness and presence that the 909/808/999 would have?

No 309 for me, I had one once and it sounded quite cold to my ears although I thought it could punch pretty well.

The Xbase intrigues me since I own a Sunsyn and Mbase and find them pretty easy to get around. What about the Xbase makes it hard to navigate - are you talking about performing live with this thing (because I'm only using in the studio).

I'm suprised not much Vermona love. It seems to have some unique sounds, and nice sounding analog ones. Do you guys find it punchy?

SUNSYN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Suburban Bather · Post by **Suburban Bather** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 11:35 pm

stikygum wrote:
I'm suprised not much Vermona love. It seems to have some unique sounds, and nice sounding analog ones. Do you guys find it punchy?

Here's some love for the Vermona :love10: The snare definitely needs help IMHO, but YMMV. Joemeek threeq fixed that problem quick. Indiviual outs and stereo outs is a plus. You can isolate what ever sound you want from the stereo outs, FX FX FX FX!!!!!!!!!!. This is my first hardware drummachine/module, so I've nothing to compare it to but using various drummachine/acoustic samples in Impulse from Ableton Live. I really like the Vermona, but its definitely not going to totally replace using drum samples in Live. As said before, the DRM1 is really good for techno/electro. The drum 1, 2, and multi channels can go from high or low frequency bloops/bleeps to textural backround noises. I believe it can be modded with some CV controls(will have to look into that myself later down the road

).

And yes, I feel the DRM! is punchy even though the snare greatly benefits from having a dedicated eq/compressor on it.

onetwothree · Post by **onetwothree** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 4:24 am

From what I've heard others say, one thing to keep in mind if going with the DRM1 is that the osc is not able to sync its start phase on key trigger, resulting in a very unstable bassdrum ( shifts in loudness, depending on the phase its in when triggered) being corrected somewhat when you add a lot of pitch mod to the sound, so you cant really have that 808 style bassdrum.