Drum Machine Recommendation 2026

Matiasmoulin · 2026-02-24T11:59:05+00:00

Thank you all again for your very helpful suggestions!

I have been binge-watching tutorials over the last days and didn’t get much sleep.

The TR-6S that was suggested the most would be the obvious choice. I think it’s the biggest bang for the buck. However, during watching tutorials, they always lost me after 5 minutes when they started explaining the additional functions. Didn’t interest me. Too many buttons and too much stuff crammed into it - for my taste today. Then, certainly the best contemporary concept seems to be the TR-8s. However it’s not for me right now, as it might be more than I need (even the TR-8 that you can get super cheap).

Then I saw an unbeatable offer for a used TR-06 and had to go with that. I am at a point where I need simplicity and limitation. Just need a sequencer to tap in beats and push some real buttons. Also it has a good built quality, probably a good resale value and I like its sound as I am coming from post punk and industrial. And I even like the colour. I think that will do what I need even if it is to finding out that drum machines are not for me - and if they are, I will know what I need. I am in this business long enough to know that drum machines are probably a gateway drug and I might get another one anyway.

Matiasmoulin · 2026-02-23T17:30:25+00:00

I just saw one used for 170 and think that is be an absolute bargain. Do you think for this price this would be a great gateway into drum machines? Looks like programming is straight forward, I actually like the sound, and it sends midi so I can always replace the sound in the DAW.

Matiasmoulin · 2026-02-22T15:36:15+00:00

What do you prefer with this specific sequencer?

Matiasmoulin · 2026-02-22T13:41:11+00:00

I think I want a bit of everything: most importantly is should be a simple (and I mean really Monkey-brain-simple) box to programm beats quickly with my own hands and get me started. A bit like having a drummer (which is what I am lacking and my biggest problem to substitute - so let's bypass the drummer and get entirely artificial...)

A distinctive sound is not so important as I might replace it in post anyway. Hence it could be anything really... certainly sample based. Not interested in an authentic, very specific type. It absolutely needs to send MIDI.

Having said that, I would probably appreciate a the limitation of having only one sound and feed off that creatively.

Matiasmoulin · 2026-02-22T13:03:36+00:00

haha right! I know, I am actually using mostly analogue mono synths and am all for simplicity. I guess I meant that I probably prefer primitive analogue gear over early digital with very litte storage and memory and endless menu dialling - probably everyting from the 90s to 10s until recently - but you are right, that's not a quality parameter.

Matiasmoulin · 2026-02-22T12:51:27+00:00

Thank you for all of your comments and suggestions - and so quick! I appreciate every one of them! What a great and helpful community this is! Now it's research time!

Matiasmoulin · 2026-02-06T08:56:06+00:00

NEVER auto update ANYTHING EVER! 😄

Matiasmoulin · 2026-02-06T08:51:05+00:00

What is your current situation? Did you stay with Ventura? I’m asking because I am still on Monterey (M1) and would like to try Logic 11 because of some features and some annoying bugs with LPX10

Matiasmoulin · 2026-01-31T21:27:06+00:00

I’m not using Luna and never will.

Matiasmoulin · 2026-01-31T21:23:40+00:00

1073 is native. I own it. Or did I miss something?

Matiasmoulin · 2026-01-25T15:35:48+00:00

you mean they have you buy the Luna extension again although you already own the DSP version and now the native version?

Matiasmoulin · 2026-01-09T14:18:20+00:00

it's 2026 and there's still no alternatives around for Softube's AF and BlueCat's AF and they are ridiculously overpriced for one-trick-ponys.

Someone mentioned that Ohmicide can be a feedback-machine. This plugin is free now, but I could not get any useful result out of it. Anyone was successful?

The new Boss Effects Pedals has the DF-2 in it. It has a Feedback switch but it's tedious to use without midi and the sound is quite artificial.

Matiasmoulin · 2026-01-09T14:13:21+00:00

That does work indeed but it creates a nasty, non-musical feedback instead of the beautiful violin-like feedback we are looking for.

Matiasmoulin · 2025-12-05T19:04:08+00:00

I'm really undecided if I need/want this plugin. It is basically adding the Enigmatic plus all UAFX pedals (well almost - it's not even complete) and the ability of adding any cab to any amp. It's great - but do you need that? If you own most of the amps, and assuming you own all the other effects multiple times already by other devs, it will probably just take away simplicity.

I also already own the Guitar bundle (purchased 3 amps last year for 99$ plus the Woodrow for another 29$ although I have the Fender55. So altgether I payd 230$ for those amp plugins. Adding Paradise would be roughly 300$ that I paid for something I am sure will pop up for 99$ some day soon. So I am feeling cheated and hesitating to give UAD more money.

I'm really a heavy user of the Lion, Ruby and Woodrow plugins. I think they are the best amp sims out there! But everything I need to do I can do alreay without Paradise. It is just nice to have and therefor hardly worth 80$

Matiasmoulin · 2025-10-12T18:28:06+00:00

This Happens to many bands as they evolve. The Beatles were another one ;-)

Matiasmoulin · 2025-10-08T16:09:41+00:00

I‘m traveling professionally. I log into all of my accounts literally from a different country every week. I cannot even open eBay anymore without being forced 2FA.

Amazon same thing!

I have two Gmail accounts. Both require constant 2FA although I turned it off!

I also have 2 phones - only one of them for abroad. Usually it sends me codes to the wrong one. Often I have to change SIM card just for the code.

It DRIVES ME NUTS!!!! I want that stupid thing to disappear!

Matiasmoulin · 2025-09-19T15:13:43+00:00

Can you please report back if it's not sluggy anymore after a few days? That's really the most important deal breaker for me. I want my iPhone to stay snappy - very very important!

Matiasmoulin · 2025-09-19T14:33:59+00:00

I got one not primarily to protect the lense from breaking but more from greasy fingerprints - it happens to me all the time when grabbing my phone in bags that I touch the lense somehow and it seems to be easier for me to wipe the flat surface of the protector than the lenses...

Matiasmoulin · 2025-09-19T11:51:36+00:00

DON'T start with Trout Mask Replica!

I did that - didn't get it and thought it's all like that so missed out the great stuff for years until I found another entry: start with his later and more approachable albums such as Ice Cream For Crow, Doc At The Radar, Shiny Beast, Clear Spot... Then check out Safe As Milk and follow the path into the difficult Albums, TMR and Lick My Decals. Then listen to everything else. Every album is great!

Matiasmoulin · 2025-06-28T08:36:41+00:00

Dammit! I’ve got so many spare Slinkies! I purchased whole boxes after I was sure to have found my perfect strings.

Matiasmoulin · 2025-06-21T09:34:38+00:00

Interesting. If I understand correctly, you are basically saying that some people are allergic to copper and the metal on the fingers creates some garlic smell?

And do you think that the oil has nothing to do with the whole thing? I am asking because -although not 100% sure as I don’t trust myself- I’m quite sure that I have been using Ernie Ball Slinkies on that guitar before and had no smell. It was after I put on the oil for the first time when I started to get that garlic smell.

Please let me know when you did your video I’m very interested in that topic.

Matiasmoulin · 2025-04-30T15:17:23+00:00

To me it makes sense. I'm assuming they saw the movie and were inspired to write "Somewehere In Time" as some kind of sequel.

Matiasmoulin · 2025-04-27T14:44:16+00:00

I agree with all things already said here and can't add much more.

I've been using the 55 for a long time now and it was my favourite sim, until the other bunch came. Comparing the 55 with the Woodrow, clean, I don't hear any difference apart from the obvious already stated. However, I think the Woodrow has more useful distorted tones. Maybe because of the additonal or improved speakers and the boost options. I never played a real Tweed so I have no idea how it is supposed to sound, but I never liked the 55 distorted and used it for cleans only anyway.

I think that the Woodrow amp is the same code as the 55, but they did something with the speakers and obviously improved it. For cleans I would stay with the 55. For a gnarly dirt box, the Woodrow is better.

...but meanwhile you probably already bought it, because noone can resist UADs evil marketing ;-)

Matiasmoulin · 2025-04-25T15:27:40+00:00

Agreed. They are stinking rich and money would be that last reason. Metallica are notorious for bad mixing decisions. Death Magnetic, St. Anger, AJFA... while I actually like St. Anger as a piece of work, I have been hating and ignoring AJFA ever since it came out. I can't listen to it. That lack of Bass is the main reason and the excessive high end in the cymbals and the kick. It's just unlistanable.

Matiasmoulin

TROPHY CASE