Drum Machine recommendations

[DJourg Registered Member Find all posts View Profile Close DJourg]

In continuing my wrist-relief break from V-drums, I'm wanting to program some stuff without actually having to play it into the on-board sequencer. Hence, I need a drum machine.

I don't need anything too sophisticated, just to be able to program rhythms, esp. those using triplet-eighth notes in addition to the regular sixteenth notes. The drum machine will be running my TD-10 so sounds are not really important.

Would like to keep it under $ 200. I've been on e-bay and seen the Alesis HR series, these seem ideal. Any comments, extra recommendations?

Djourg

[jrcel Registered Member Find all posts View Profile Close jrcel]

Doesn't the TD10 have an onboard sequencer?

[ToBiMaN Registered Member Find all posts View Profile Close ToBiMaN]

What about your computer?

[BINARY Registered Member Find all posts View Profile Close BINARY]

Hey DJourg, drop me an email.

~BIN

[Guest Close dr. kildrum]

Originally posted by DJourg:
I don't need anything too sophisticated...I've been on e-bay and seen the Alesis HR series, these seem ideal.
Djourg

Djourg,
I've got the Alesis machine you mention. It will do what you describe. Although I haven't purchased a software program yet, I've tried many. They honestly offer many more options and offer a more user friendly interface. But if you don't need the bells and whistles, I'd consider selling you my Alesis and put the $ towards the CY6s I want to add to my kit.

Although the Roland sounds are generally much better, and certainly more editable, there are some interesting sounds in the Alesis that I trigger via midi. (A couple of splashs, a cowbell that I like, and a couple of bass drum sounds.) But the main thing I use it for is to layer sounds. (i.e. set the midi channels and volumes so that when I strike the hi-hat, the TD-10 gives me whatever hat sound it is set to, but the Alesis is also triggered and adds a little tambourine, etc.)

Come to think of it, it's pretty cool. Maybe I'll keep it. I'll have to play around without it before committing. Anyway, it really comes down to your needs and personal preferences.

[DJourg Registered Member Find all posts View Profile Close DJourg]

A few points:

1) I do not own a home computer. I cruise this site at the office.

2) TD-10 has a sequencer,yes; however, you must record your own live playing...two problems: Trying to ease wrist problems and I would like to be able to program notes of rhythms I can't play yet.

I have other plans for the device; i.e. triggering multiple sequences...which gets to another question:

Can a drum machine/sequencer pattern be triggered by hitting one of the pads connected to the TD-10?

DJourg

[Guest Close dr. kildrum]

Originally posted by DJourg:

Can a drum machine/sequencer pattern be triggered by hitting one of the pads connected to the TD-10?

DJourg

I haven't tried it, but I don't see why not. If not, there are pedal inputs on the Alesis to start/stop a pattern (pedal about $5) and to advance/go back your selected pre-set or user created patterns. I'll look at the manual. Wouldn't be surprised if you could do it with midi settings.