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Topic: Drum machine question |
James Morehead
From:
Prague, Oklahoma, USA - R.I.P.
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Posted 26 Oct 2005 9:52 pm |
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| We are seeking a little information about drum machines that are adequate for small live gigs. We play some western swing, older country including waltzes. What seems to be the best equipment for this type job? We don't want elite "super toys" or need to spend big bux. Just something to get the job done, sound fairly decent and not break the bank. Anyone up on the new tech toys out there? |
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sonbone
From:
Waxahachie, TX
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Posted 27 Oct 2005 12:39 am
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I think the Alesis SR-16 would probably give you the most bang for your buck. They're about $150 from Musicians Friend, probably about the same at Guitar Center. Should do everything you need to do...I haven't used one myself, but that's the word from the drummer in my band.
Sonny
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http://geocities.com/sonbone1
sonbone@geocities.com
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 27 Oct 2005 2:25 am
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I have one I use in my home "studio" and I know several that use the Alesis on live gigs. I like the SR-16 as I can use the built in programs and except for a Waltz there is no need for programming. If you want one that does more than "drums" then you need to look at other units but you will have to program in each song to use those.
One issue is you will have to program in your own Waltz (3/4) program. For reasons I don't understand they have just about everything built in except a Waltz tempo.
The only other thing with the SR-16 is I couldn't find a rhythm that I liked for "Sleepwalk". When I cut my first CD I used a Band in a Box program (Sam Cooke) for the drum track for Sleepwalk. |
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Bob Martin
From:
Madison Tn
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Posted 27 Oct 2005 2:52 am
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Hi James, I have to agree with everyone on this one the alesis will do you a good job. While there are better sounding drum machines out there the alesis will probably be the cheapest and easiest to use.
I have seen them on ebay for as low as 50.00 so you might want to check them out.
Bob |
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Gary Shepherd
From:
Fox, Oklahoma, USA
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Posted 27 Oct 2005 12:48 pm
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I don't think you'll like playing gigs with a drum machine. Basically, you'll need to push start and just play with the same drum beat for every measure. Pretty boring and unrealistic.
You might consider instead, a MIDI file for each song you'll be doing. You can use something like a Roland SoundBrush (which reads floppy disks) to load and play each file - for each song. Or even better, get yourself a cheap laptop with a decent sound card. You can plug it directly into you PA mixer. And you can do all the drum editing right on the computer.
Of course, if you just want simply beats to play with, no fills, cymbals etc, then yeah, a cheap drum machine will work. Any of them. Roland makes some nice ones that are pretty cheap. Even an old Roland 505 would work for "beat play".
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Gary Shepherd
Carter D-10
www.16tracks.com
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Bob Martin
From:
Madison Tn
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Posted 28 Oct 2005 2:50 pm
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Hi Gary, most drum machines let you chain together different patterns with a count in just like the software you are talking about so that you don't have to listen to the same cymbal and pattern all the way thru. It's called the song mode and they are usually very easy to construct.
Bob |
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James Morehead
From:
Prague, Oklahoma, USA - R.I.P.
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Posted 28 Oct 2005 6:59 pm
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| Thanx for the pointers, guys. We have a few drummers around our area, but if you say something like reliable or team player, the disappear real quick. At least with a drum machine, I can unplug it when I get sick of it! |
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richard burton
From:
Britain
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Posted 28 Oct 2005 10:42 pm
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One thing that worries me with my SR16 is the internal battery.
I've had the drum machine for 7 or 8 years, how much more life is there in the battery? |
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 29 Oct 2005 2:13 am
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| An internal battery? I don't recall anything about that in the manual. |
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Gary Shepherd
From:
Fox, Oklahoma, USA
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Posted 29 Oct 2005 7:37 am
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But song mode STILL has to be programmed by someone. I say go with a laptop and some MIDI software.
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Gary Shepherd
Carter D-10
www.16tracks.com
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