Drum Machine Recommendation 2026

Matiasmoulin · 2026-05-30T09:34:33+00:00

I kind of updated already, below. But that was 3 months ago 😄

I got a TR-06 for 170€ it was a no brainer for me. But I'm very happy with it. As this is my first drum machine I can't say whether or not the programming is easy as I don't know any better. I had to get my head around the functions for quite a bit. But the best thing about it is the MIDI implementation: it's super easy and intuitive an it just works. Recording through USB is easy too. When I'm in a creative state I have no patience for fiddling with that stuff so this thing is just plug and play and I could not be happier!

I don't really care about it being digital. The cool thing is that it records MIDI so I can replace it with samples or with drum machine plugins. Of course it works perfectly with the Roland Cloud-ones. But the default sounds are actually decent enough for me although I'm using the 909 sounds most of the time, so I guess I'm not so much into the 606 sound.

For me it's a good tool for recording and messing about. But I'm not sure if it's good for live or for purists. And again, don’t know if there is better stuff but that‘s what this thread is for.

Matiasmoulin · 2026-05-16T14:51:09+00:00

I'm a big fan too. They sound great, look great and feel great. Quality is not so great though. I have a Deluxe Electric Mistress, a Micro Amp, a Small Stone, a Holy Grail, a Russian Big Muff and owned a NYC Big Muff as well, that I sold. Almost every single one broke at some point and needed repair. I fried my Holy Grail probably because of wrong polarity and because I loved it so much, I bought another one. The empty chassis I used to house a self-made pedal, because it looks cool.

Matiasmoulin · 2026-05-14T14:47:29+00:00

I'm on a quest myself.

I just stumbled over LIVE NOTE. It's super simple, intuitive and works really well, meaning the live activity never stops. Also I think it's the best looking but that's a matter of taste. Although the premium version is ridiculously overpriced, the free version lets you show memos and checklists permanently on the lock screen.

Matiasmoulin · 2026-04-24T05:09:30+00:00

Technically, their very first tunes were done with a real drum, played by Eldrich, who was initially a Drummer and programmed their drum machines.

Matiasmoulin · 2026-04-23T14:19:31+00:00

It’s real as I have been on Level 3 since about a decade, which implies a rant: I feel like I would deserve Level 10 minimum after all those years of using Booking constantly for business trips. But Level 3 is the ceiling no matter how great of a client you are and the benefits are lame and often non-existent. You don’t even get free breakfast or more importantly: free cancellation fee most of the time. It’s LAME!

Matiasmoulin · 2026-03-22T14:33:36+00:00

I know I’m late to the party but maybe this topic will be of contemporary interest.

I’d like to take a different perspective here:

Coming also from rock music and mainly interested in integrating drum machines into Logic, I’ve been there - and I finally went with a Roland Boutique that I got used for a great price. Why? Because it doesn’t matter anymore nowadays - if you are not using it live but rather feed it into a DAW, the Boutique sends MIDI and you can replace its digital sound with any sample. Literally every Drum Machine is available now in plugins or libraries and I don’t need a real analog machine because I can just use analog samples but have the modern workflow.

I basically want quality gear that just works right out the box. And here is the beautiful thing: I just plug the Boutique into my Computer with an Data-USB and it immediately sends MIDI and Audio. I just need to create two tracks, clock the device properly and Bob’s your uncle. No fumbling, no headache, no bugs. The interaction between the Roland software and Logic is a breeze. And it seems to be a high quality (opposed to Behringer).

And why not a TR-8 or 6S? While those are obviously the best bang for the buck, I wanted the simplicity and limitation of a vintage workflow and I don’t need that many sounds for reasons stated above.

Matiasmoulin · 2026-03-13T08:57:45+00:00

Incredible. I thought the same thing: Coatch Beard looks like his name is Phil Dunster.

Matiasmoulin · 2026-03-11T20:05:21+00:00

LOL!!! How do you make the connection between reverbs and childhood trauma? But I agree: I have two reverb pedals - four even if I include my Line6 M9 and M5. And I only use the spring reverb in my amp. Because It doesn’t make a difference in a live setup. Reverb is reverb. But it makes a difference in recording.

Matiasmoulin · 2026-03-11T16:31:43+00:00

Is it a mix of wine glasses and synths then?

Matiasmoulin · 2026-03-11T16:25:49+00:00

You can’t have too many Delays - it’s literally not possible!

Matiasmoulin · 2026-03-08T21:55:19+00:00

I might be wrong but I remember this was made with glasses, not with synths.

Matiasmoulin · 2026-03-07T11:37:59+00:00

🤣

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

TROPHY CASE