Drum Machines: Which One Should You Choose?

Drum machines for music production in my estimation is the next logical step if you are a DJ.

I like to start from a familiar place in most of my writings to create a foundation for learning. It helps me explain the entire process a little bit better. So if it sounds familiar you know why.

If you don't already know I started DJing in the early to mid 90's. A little emceeing was thrown in there as well. But I was always intrigued with the beats. Especially Hip Hop beats.

I would study the beats and deconstruct them. I listened to every nuance and every break down. I listened to the how the song started and how it ended. I listened to drum patterns and melodies. Lets face it listened to everything.

I was never really musically inclined but I did have an ear for what I considered good music. My first attempt at music was the violin in kindergarten. That lasted all of 2 seconds. I could barely get the first six notes out to "Three Blind Mice".

But 18 years later I lucked up on a Yamaha TX16W which they don't make anymore and the Alesis SR 16 drum machine with midi capability and that's all she wrote.

I was instantly hooked. With my pops old stereo system I began sampling his old jazz, soul and funk albums and no one could stop me.

That was in 1992 and in 1994 I bought my turntables and mixer. After that in 1996 I bought the Roland VS880 digital track machine along with the ASR 10 which for some odd reason would not hold sequences even after I returned for a new.

But low and behold the Akai MPC 3000 (no longer manufactured) which is the industry standard drum machine and the next of kin to the MPC 60II. I was set.

I had so many beats and started to collect so many records I was running out of space. But then came Napster and there went Napster and here is Napster again. You know the once free peer to peer network and file sharing software company yadda yadda yadda.

I've now upgraded to the Akai DPS 24 track machine. Hot! Hot! Hot!

Here is a picture of my Akai DPS 24 and behind that is my Yamaha S30 Keyboard.

This is a temporary production set up in my basement. As I'm writing this my partner is having the finishing touches put on the recording studio in his basement. I'll move all of my production DJ equipment to his basement when it's done.

The price has come down significanlty since I bought mine almost 2 years ago. If I waited I could have gotten a complete studio package and saved $700. Ugh!

So what does a drum machine do? As I stated earlier I use the Akai MPC 3000. The Akai MPC 3000 is a MIDI Production Center drum machine/sampler. I can sample from any device and I can control any device with MIDI capability and it can sync to any device with MIDI capability.

There are plenty of different drum machines but the reason why the Akai MPC family are so well received is because it stands on its own.

You can get any keyboard like the Korg Triton Le/Sampler which is a great keyboard but what makes it so great is the engine that drives the sounds within it. It's the MPCs ability to control and sample from any source that makes it so great. It does not need a sound library. You create the sound library.

Keyboards can sample but that's not the reason why you buy one. You buy it because it sounds great.

Drum machines are another beast. Drum machines can do so many things nowadays. I am looking to upgrade to the Akai MPC 4000 to use with my DPS 24. With the speed of computer processors that are being used in some drum machines it is almost stupefying what you can do with one.

Here are some drum machines and keyboards/rackmounts I recommend to use with your DJ equipment.

Some tips for selecting drum machines.

- Always get the optional 8 outputs for easy dumping when recording.

- Make sure you have SCSI capability for an external hard drive.

- SMPTE control capability to sync to or control other devices.

- Digital inputs/outputs - we are living in the digital age so you need to stay current.

- Sampling capability so you can truly express yourself.

Akai note: the MPC series comes in different models and different price levels which makes them very budget friendly. That's another reason why I prefer Akai drum machines.

Akai MPC2500 Music Production Center

The Akai MPC2500 Music Production Center combines a 64-track MIDI sequencer with a 32-voice, 16-bit stereo digital sampler in one extremely powerful desktop unit.The Akai MPC2500 has 2 internal effects processors that can be used simultaneously. They include a wide range of effects algorithms, such as reverb, delay, bit grunger, chorus, phasers, flying pan, 4-band EQ, compressor, and a phase shifter.Realtime control is provided by 2-note variation sliders and 2 Q-Link knobs that can be separately assigned to allow flexible, realtime performance control of a wide variety of selectable parameters. These parameters include level, pan, filter cut-off and resonance, and tuning. Each assignable Q-Link knob can generate MIDI data so that parameter information can be recorded and played back from within a sequence.2 MIDI inputs and 4 MIDI outputs come standard on the Akai Music Production Center, enabling 64 external MIDI channel operation. In addition, the MPC2500 can individually control its onboard sampler with up to 64 parts, allowing users to assign a different program on each track.A large LCD screen allows a clear view of sequence data. Continuous MIDI data can also be shown, as well as edited, graphically. The Akai MPC2500 comes with 16MB of onboard memory which can be expanded up to 128MB of RAM via the optional EXM128 memory card. Optional CD-M25 drive adds CD burning capability.

Akai MPC4000 Plus Production Station with CDRW Blue

The Akai MPC4000 Plus Production Station with CDRW is the ultimate professional, high-resolution sampling and production workstation. You get a 128-track sequencer, 24-bit/96kHz stereo digital sampler, a 4-channel 56-bit effects processor, and 16 velocity- and pressure-sensitive pads with adjustable velocity. To power all these advanced features the MPC4000 Plus has a custom-designed LSI sampling engine built around a high performance Intel Strong Arm CPU. It offers all the advantages of dedicated hardware with a large LCD and ultrafast audio processing plus computer interface capabilities via ak.Sys PC/Mac control and networking software. Plus you get the classic friendly and intuitive user interface of the Akai MPC series and great-feeling pads with drag and drop sample assignment for easy and expressive programming.The 300,000 note sequencer boasts 960ppq resolution and a sequence data clipboard you can use to create a phrase library. You get both pattern-based and linear sequencing with the capability to run a pattern-based sequence and a linear sequence simultaneously. The large LCD also allows an unprecedented view of sequence data showing data as a piano roll or as a drum machine 'grid'. Continuous MIDI data can also be shown and edited graphically.The MPC4000 Plus includes Keygroup support like Akai's rackmount samplers so you can play multisample piano, bass, strings, and synth sounds from a...

Roland MV-8000 Production Studio

The Roland MV-8000 Production Studio puts the ideal suite of tools for groove-making, sampling, and CD-burning in an elegant, integrated package. Sample your own sounds or import Roland, Akai, ACID and WAV libraries, then arrange it all using 16 touch-sensitive pads and Roland's most powerful audio/MIDI sequencer. With professional COSM effects, mastering tools, CD-RW drive, and USB port, you've got the ultimate studio for today's producers. Quickly turn raw samples into songs. Up to 101 minutes of sampling and compatibility with a wide range of audio formats. Record up to 128 MIDI and 8 audio tracks, apply effects, and burn CDs. Loads sample libraries ranging from Roland and Akai to WAV and ACID formats, all with just a few simple commands. Then it's just a matter of tapping in some beats, arranging the song, and adding effects before burning it all to an audio CD. 136 tracks of sequencing. The sequencer section boasts total integration of audio and MIDI and up to 136 tracks of recording. These include 128 MIDI tracks (with 32-channel operation) and 8 stereo audio tracks (16 mono) that can be used like a linear recorder. You can program beats on the MIDI tracks and combine them with freestyle vocals or acoustic instruments on the audio tracks, with the ability to 'punch in' at any time. Sync audio to the sequencer's BPM 16 large drum pads let you program beats and trigger audio phrases. The pads are both...

Roland MC909 Sampling Groovebox

Korg TRITON Expandable Rack Module/Sampler (No Longer Being Made) - I was told by my local pro DJ shop guy that rack mount modules produce better sound because of it's compact configuration which means the engine doesn't have to work as hard to push power through the wires like a keyboard does.

Korg Triton Rack

Personally I can't tell any major difference and I like to think that I have a keen ear. I asked my friend Johnny Croom, former Music Director for the world-renowned R&B group Boys II Men, if there was any significant difference. He says not to the untrained ear. He also says that if you are confined by space and like portability then the rack mount Triton may be your best bet.

For this rack mount Korg all you need is a MIDI Keyboard or some other MIDI device. This will activate those wonderful full sounds that the Korg is so well known for. Follow the manufacturers guidelines for MIDI interface to make sure your 2 devices are on the correct MIDI channels. If not one can't control the other.

If you are interested in using DJ software with your drum machine then make sure you have a MIDI interface card on your PC or your outboard gear that comes with your DJ software package like Pro Tools.

Have fun with which ever drum machine you choose. The best way to learn is to experiment.

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