Members The Unknown Posted December 9, 2012 Members Share Posted December 9, 2012 Hi! I've been using a Zoom RT-223 for a little while now and I've been experiencing a problem with the tempo of that particular machine : at the same BPM, it runs a little faster then my other gear (arpegiator on my synth, metronome on my Mac, etc.). So, I've decided to upgrade. I like to use a "real" drum machine rather then softwares for many reasons. What I'm looking for is something that will give me great, deep sounding drums. I'm mostly using electronic drums settings, so electronic drum sounds need to be great. Synth functions would be a nice extra (the possibility to program synth patterns). The least important aspect of a drum machine for me are the bass guitar sounds, as I'm primarily a bass player and will not use the bass of a drum machine at all. I've done my online shopping and came across the Alesis SR-18 and the Akai XR20 that caught my attention. My budget is around 300$. Any other suggestions? Any experience with the Alesis or the Akai you'd like to share? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members burster Posted December 9, 2012 Members Share Posted December 9, 2012 The Alesis SR-18 is a cool all around DM but, the Akai XR20 is more of a Hip-Hop DM. A used the DR-880 would be the ticket. I have have owned all of these and ended up going back to my trusty MPCs. I can load any samples I want and have a "custom DM. The MPC500 is a little small but, does what the bigger one do. The MPC1000 would be the one to get. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members CDA Posted December 9, 2012 Members Share Posted December 9, 2012 Are you syncing your Zoom? The Alesis SR18 and Akai XR20 have the same operating system. The XR20 is more electronic-sounding and has pretty flashing pads (very important), the SR18 more realistic, as has been already noted. The problem I have had with both is that they sometimes will not sync with MIDI clock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members The Unknown Posted December 9, 2012 Author Members Share Posted December 9, 2012 Originally Posted by CDA Are you syncing your Zoom? The Alesis SR18 and Akai XR20 have the same operating system. The XR20 is more electronic-sounding and has pretty flashing pads (very important), the SR18 more realistic, as has been already noted. The problem I have had with both is that they sometimes will not sync with MIDI clock. I'm not syncing the Zoom... actually, I'm not much of a MIDI guy, so I don't know exactly how that works (maybe I should read the part of the manual where there's info on that...). You have a problem with syncing the SR18 and the XR20? So, if I understand clearly, I'd have the same problem with these then with my Zoom? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members zoink Posted December 9, 2012 Members Share Posted December 9, 2012 Originally Posted by The Unknown I'm not syncing the Zoom... actually, I'm not much of a MIDI guy, so I don't know exactly how that works (maybe I should read the part of the manual where there's info on that...). You have a problem with syncing the SR18 and the XR20? So, if I understand clearly, I'd have the same problem with these then with my Zoom? Yeah, you definitely want to sync your drum machine via MIDI to any other equipment you're matching tempo with. Trying to do this acoustically would be a genuine headache. P.69-70 of your manual talk (http://www.samsontech.com/site_media...ls/E_RT223.pdf) shows how to run the RT223 via an external device, though you can do the same thing in reverse and slave other devices to the RT223. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members VanHalen Posted December 9, 2012 Members Share Posted December 9, 2012 http://www.ebay.com/itm/Boss-DR-770-...item3a7c3ad778 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members CDA Posted December 9, 2012 Members Share Posted December 9, 2012 Originally Posted by The Unknown I'm not syncing the Zoom... actually, I'm not much of a MIDI guy, so I don't know exactly how that works (maybe I should read the part of the manual where there's info on that...). You have a problem with syncing the SR18 and the XR20? So, if I understand clearly, I'd have the same problem with these then with my Zoom? Not necessarily - it seems to depend on what you're trying to sync it to. I cannot sync either with two multitrackers (Yamaha AW16g and Tascam 2488Neo) or a Korg M50, without putting another device between them. I've been using an old Alesis HR16 for this purpose, and it also works with an Akai Miniak. I have no idea why, as everything else syncs with the multitrackers and the M50 fine.Oh, and what Zoink said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Chando Posted December 9, 2012 Members Share Posted December 9, 2012 Get an old Roland R-70. thank me later.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members The Unknown Posted December 10, 2012 Author Members Share Posted December 10, 2012 Originally Posted by Chando Get an old Roland R-70.thank me later.. I could thank you today... if you send me one for free... But seriously, I'll keep this in mind when I come across one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members The Unknown Posted December 10, 2012 Author Members Share Posted December 10, 2012 Originally Posted by zoink Yeah, you definitely want to sync your drum machine via MIDI to any other equipment you're matching tempo with. Trying to do this acoustically would be a genuine headache. P.69-70 of your manual talk (http://www.samsontech.com/site_media...ls/E_RT223.pdf) shows how to run the RT223 via an external device, though you can do the same thing in reverse and slave other devices to the RT223. So I guess I'll spend $6.49 for a MIDI cable before I do anything else... thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mooginator Posted December 12, 2012 Members Share Posted December 12, 2012 or buy a virtual drum application for your computer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Franz Schiller Posted December 15, 2012 Members Share Posted December 15, 2012 My favorite drum machine ever was my Boss DR770. It got knocked over one too many times and broke. Though it may sound dated now, it was super intuitive to use. I replaced it with the newer Boss DR880, which definitely sounds better, but has too much stuff on it, and requires a hundred button presses for everything. Before you get an MPC really consider if you need a sampling sequencer. Like really. OR if you want something you're comfortable with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members SoundwaveLove Posted December 15, 2012 Members Share Posted December 15, 2012 for 600 i'll sell you my Vermona DRM MKIII. If you can't afford that just grab an electribe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Blackbelt Jones Posted December 16, 2012 Members Share Posted December 16, 2012 I have an xr20 and I love it. Great sounds and easy to use. MIDI clock locks right in to my AcidLab Bassline 3 for hours of techno fun. I slave it to Studio One as well. Plus it has cool blue backlit drum pads. The xr20 has an electronic sound set... It gets tagged as a "hip hop" drum machine and it is certainly marketed that way (shortsighted by Akai IMO) but in practice it works well with any electronic style. There are some 100 kits and you can make your own from the 700 samples on board. It has basic panning, eq, compression and delay to fine tune a kit as well. Easy to learn how to program.... Sometimes simple is better! The synth samples really stink, but several of the one shots are suprisingly useful and fun. If you are after more traditional sounds and acoustic drums the Alesis is a better bet.Hope that helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members CDA Posted December 16, 2012 Members Share Posted December 16, 2012 Originally Posted by Blackbelt Jones I have an xr20 and I love it. [...] it has cool blue backlit drum pads. I've put mine in the Christmas tree. I don't have to buy any lights for it now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Blackbelt Jones Posted December 16, 2012 Members Share Posted December 16, 2012 Originally Posted by CDA I've put mine in the Christmas tree. I don't have to buy any lights for it now. Ha! That must one rocking xmas tree. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members OPEN OCEAN Posted December 17, 2012 Members Share Posted December 17, 2012 for me - and of course among millions - the king is the Linndrum bur if you are on low budget you must consider any early 90s rythm box. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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