DRUM MACHINE Review and Buyers Guide Part 1

Drum machines have come a long way in a relatively short period of time. If you think about the first fully programmable drum machines such as the Roland legendary TR-808, that was only a little over 40 years ago. Roland's first MIDI drum machine, the House and Techno queen that is the TR-909 was manufactured in 1982. It's nice to reminisce about the 1980s when drum machines became popular, although there's been some modern classics during this millennium including the Elektron MachineDrum from 2001 and Dave Smith Tempest from 2011. Today there are a plethora of new drum machines all with amazing new features. Yes, many manufacturers these days politely provide a nod to the classics such as the 808, 909 and LinnDrum through to the modern classic in their designs. Here is our mega drum machine guide for the current drum machines that are being manufactured. This project became so big, that we had to split it into two parts, so here is part 1:
Check out the specs and the bits we love from each of these drum machines here:
noisegate.com.au/drum-machine...
If you think that was mega, we've still got plenty more. We'll be covering the Roland TR-8s, Korg Drumlogue, Erica Synths Perkons and more in part 2...!!
00:00 Intro from Dr. Honeysmack
01:13 Soma Pulsar23
05:07 Behringer RD-8 MkII
10:14 Behringer RD-9
14:58 Roland TR-6S
22:03 Elektron Syntakt
26:06 Korg Volca Beats
29:57 Korg Volca Drum
35:11 Arturia Drumbrute Impact
39:35 Behringer RD-6
40:51 Roland T-8
46:48 Outro and wait for PART 2!
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#drummachines
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#pulsar23
#rd8
#rd9
#tr808
#volcadrum
#volcabeats
#behringer
#arturia
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#drumlogue
#korg
#rolandtr8s
#rolandtr6s
#rolanddrummachine
#vintage

[@chakarava]

Best suggestion I ever got from youtube. I'm a drum machine lover and you're my new guru. Can't wait for part 2 !

[@Noisegate]

Cheers Brian, we are working on Part 2 as we speak

[@ClowdyHowdy]

This was incredible. Exactly the kind of video ive been looking for, from someone who lovesbto perform and play, who has a sense of humor and musical style. I dont want a cookie cutter "best for your budget 2023" video. I wanted to hear them all sing and see how they play. This was all that. The only problem, is that now i have too many choices id love to get my hands on lol. Great video

[@rofferdal]

Just one question: Can any of these sound like a real drummer playing real drums?

[@trevormalcolm4328]

Really enjoyed this video, it’s not that I haven’t seen these drum machines in a ton of videos but watching them one after another makes it much easier to see their advantages and disadvantages! Looking forward to part 2!

[@Noisegate]

Thanks, Trevor, we are working on part 2 now...

[@unofsnd]

Nice. Waiting for part 2!

[@haavardpaulsen544]

This was just what i needed, in termos of getting able to choose my next drum mashine. Really good work :)

[@Noisegate]

Cheers, glad we could help

[@LocaliLLocano]

Lovely guide mate

[@Noisegate]

Thanks heaps

[@michaell.8938]

I own the RD-6, RD-8, RD-9, T-8 and the DrumBrute (not Impact). I love them all. I have other drum machines too.

[@makeperceive]

thanks for making this, very useful

[@Joe-mz6dc]

Great video. Thanks.

[@Noisegate]

Cheers

[@notsure1135]

I miss your radio show on Kiss where you would interrupt the teckers and say “I’m going to the royal Melbourne show and I will have a pie with sauce” and then cut back to the music.

[@Honeysmack]

[@vitaliiandronov8629]

Volca drum is really under-appreciated, learning curve is quite high for a volca but not for a 12 layers digital synth. One thing to mention: pair it with monotron delay and you will get a perfect combo. Sounds much better in a mix and you get a low pass filter & delay. No need to buy LXR

[@stable_music]

Very informative

[@FabriceMillion]

The TR6-s is such an amazing box for the price, best bang for the $$$

[@Noisegate]

Yeh we agree

[@StudioOOMZ]

fantastic!

[@fsdproductions3979]

I felt the pairing of the blue carharrt shirt with the white RD9 was particularly potent.

[@Noisegate]

HaHa, thanks

[@ShadLambert]

This was the video I needed! Is part 2 out yet????

[@filmstarist]

Good job 👍

[@guiom77]

Cool vidéo, thanks

[@Noisegate]

Cheers

[@cresshead]

Roland T-8 - small, portable power, cheap, +303 bass, reverb delay, probability, ratchets, 32 step patterns.... - win win win

[@55Wasert55]

Just bought a volca drum should I change it for a T-8??

[@drop7vogue]

2 different stuff imo. The volca drum is very capable too, and sounds differently. They complete each other I think.

[@scottarmstrong8585]

i like drum machines. And yes, i do need more drum machines.

[@Noisegate]

We all do

[@guiom77]

​@@Noisegate Ho yeah

[@Powhart]

30:17 see this is something I really loved about the "It's The Beat" by Simian Mobile Disco, and I always wondered how did they achieved that particular sound. Although I'm pretty sure it was not Volca Drum, cause they are very modular heavy band as far as I know, Volca is the closest thing that is giving that rough vibe.

[@hemibell]

Smd are so underrated

[@ElectronicChateau]

Behringer Aaaaàh D8. Love the way Australians their R's 😂

[@Honeysmack]

G'day Maaaaaaaaaate!

[@BazekBlu]

The Soma Pulsar 23 is badass.

[@Noisegate]

Yes it is

[@psycho6542]

​@@NoisegateThanks for doing demos without anything els connected to them, what are your thoughts on the polyend play, is it worth the price ?

[@Radar23]

Nice run down

[@CtDawG77]

Got a beringer RD-8 can barely use it because it gets so hot inside under the hats controls that it hits 150°F on top of unit where high hats and cymbal knobs are. Wish Ijust spent that 350 dollars on an Elektron.

[@vladimirognyanov9379]

Thanks ❤

[@kierenmoore3236]

33:14 … Karplus Tunnel … is that like Carpal-Strong synthesizing … ? 😜

[@Turbo_TechnoLogic]

Drumbrute Impact would be awesome, layout and handling is so easy. Sounds are also great, BUT they just don't have too much variations. The sounds get boring very quickly so I just sold mine.

[@andersjacobsen5838]

T-8 and Volca Drum sounds amazing! And are cheap too..

[@tinykarpo80s]

i dont know if u can help me but for soviet post punk like the style of molchat doma which drum machine is suitable for? thanks

[@TimesOfTheSines.official]

Good run down of the modern drum machine spectrum... But 2 missing that are also top rating modern classics imo? Are Erica Synths LXR-02 & Elektron Rytm mk2. LXR-02 is my favourite to pair up with the sound of Elektron Monomachine... It's not a Machinedrum equivalent, but damn it sure has such a similar & comparative sound of the 1st gen Elektrons digital Machine algorithm sound engines... LXR-02 is my mini mono-drum machine, or a minimal micro machine drum... Much more affordable too if u like that era sound, but can only dream of affording a 2nd hand Monomachine or Machinedrum?

[@mikepike3493]

What would be the best set up to creat Hardcore?

[@lesterfalcon1350]

33:14 "Karplus-Tunnel" LOl.

[@johnfitzgerald1055]

Does anyone know which drum machines I can start/stop with an external foot switch? I’m a guitar player looking to build sequences in the moment for live performance.

[@SmileMoreCEO]

You should be able to do that with any synth or VST as long as the pedal has CC control. Just map it to the correct perimeter (transport) and you're good to go 😃

[@paddingtonsnare987]

Only machine out of all of them that produces any sort of techno sound id get excited about was the Elektron Syntakt. Hurried on over to look for one.. then saw the price😂 Definitely not a budget option but it does sound properly good and seems more than capable

[@beesting6135]

TR-08 no doubt

[@aseomg]

3 drum machines in and I'm luv'n Honeysmack more than the machines!!

[@Noisegate]

Honeysmack luvs you too

[@ET2carbon]

FYI. the roland TR6 TR8S use a better version of modelling to digitally recreate the sound of the 808 & 909 through their ANALOG CIRCUIT BEHAVIOR tech ACB rather than zen-core or analog like those 2 Beringer models. I have them all but i wanted to mention that i felt it was weird you jumped from the 2 behringers to the a tr6 when you should have jumped to the MC 707 to show the zen-core.

[@wibblewabblewoo6249]

Drumbrute impact is a fantastic simple to use little thing

[@fender1000100]

My Yamaha reface DX is the best drum machine I've ever heard.

[@ohmn-i-]

Part 2?

[@Noisegate]

It's coming

[@angelomedi]

35:47

[@themossinator]

37:44 that sounds way out of time, that would wreck my head

[@Qu0thTheRaven]

45:58 & 46:02

[@abutomatto]

WHERE'S PART 2!!!

[@Noisegate]

Coming soon

[@robertlee1176]

You had me at, “What the **** is this?”

[@pma6738]

Where is part 2?

[@Noisegate]

Coming...

[@pma6738]

@@Noisegate Ja, ja....

[@livetips2491]

Which one the best one? Korg volca (drum/beats) vs Roland t-8? Thank you friend

[@Noisegate]

They are have their own flavour

[@kierenmoore3236]

Roland ACB sounds are pretty sweet, and the T-8 is ACB if I’m not mistaken

[@nerorctm2309]

40:50 thank me later

[@thegreatsiberianitch]

Im uh dktr 2 tho 🍔

[@TheBrainvision]

Please please don't do part 2. I've got most of these and I really don't need more recommendations 😢😢😢

[@Noisegate]

HaHa, sorry...part 2 is on its way

[@5192mark]

I bought this and this drum machine has no punch in the kick. I had the 808 and 909 and both machines had their differences but had a more professional sound this rd8 MK2 lacks that more akin to a toy for the sounds.

[@5192mark]

The tempest has more punch and sounds that can be recorded in the studio

[@thegreatsiberianitch]

Cool

[@mynewcolour]

Did you use the idv out? Always use a mono out.

[@CtDawG77]

They are built terribly my RD-8mkii gets to 150°f on top of unit within 30mins of turning on. Tried to ask if common issue and Behringer employees laughed at my question never buying from them again. Was looking at the Kobol expander but they apparently didn't make it so PWM switch works on most units.

[@deathmetalhell]

lol the stuff this guy is doing with these sounds sooo awful

[@jalmelb]

Terrible.

[@mrstephenpariah]

It's impressive how terrible Behringer clones sound. Perhaps they'd be good controllers for a superior sound source.

[@fabriziocastelli946]

Tr9 the best . End volta drum

[@chrismason5832]

Terrific work Honeysmack - the larrikin @Loopop

[@Honeysmack]