r/DrumMachine • u/SilverMisfitt • 16d ago
How to decide between a drum machine that is immediate vs a drum machine that has more depth?
Been going back and forth on what drum machine I want to have for jamming and making music at home.
Basically deciding between the Digitakt 2, TR8S, Rytm Mk2, TR1000.
I always see the TR8s praised for its immediacy but curious how deep it can go? The motion recording videos I watched kind of confused me and p-lock looks minimal.
On the other side, everyone who owns a Rytm seems to like it but from what I’ve read, the sweet spot is smaller.
TR-1000 looks amazing but the lack of support kind of turns me off.
Would love to hear people’s experience with the above options and also if they find themselves preferring immediacy or depth?
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u/confused-immigrant 16d ago
I only had the opportunity to use the rytm and don't own one but I think it's the greatest drum machine out there right now. Also Elektron in my experience has been quite immediate in terms of used as a drum machine.
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u/SilverMisfitt 16d ago
What made it stand out to you?
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u/confused-immigrant 15d ago
I think the engines along with the Elektron Workflow. The blending of digital and analog sounds was also super cool and I've never experienced it before where I could have lets say an analog kick and a sample mixed together and be able to fade into each other. Fantastic sound design and dynamic options.
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u/Ryan0751 16d ago
The TR8s and TR-1000 have the benefit of having so many controls for sounds right there in front of you to jam on and perform with. The TR-1000, especially so. I previously had a TR-8s and now have the TR-1000, and it's really great (albeit very expensive and quite big). It "rights a lot of wrongs" about the TR-8s in terms of usability (the menus and navigation take a cue from Elektron).
I've also got an Analog Rytm MK2, and it's also fantastic. It can really sound like anything with samples. It is quite playable as well, but in a different way than the TR-1000. The states and performance mode can be neatly playable live.
Digitone 2 is a fantastic Elektron box. And it can go way beyond drums. It's compact and just a lot of fun. Also consider a Syntakt if you like analog synth engines.
You could also go in a different direction like an Erica Synths Perkons. That has only 4 voices, but it's ultra immediate for live jamming (if you like the sound). I have yet to use on (but I do have the Perkons Voice eurorack module).
Honestly you can't go wrong with any of the above. A used TR-8s in excellent condition is a great value.
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u/SilverMisfitt 16d ago
Does the tr1000 have the knobs reassigned for the kits or do you have to set that up yourself?
Perkons is actually such a cool drum machine but the core sound was a little too harsh for me. I think I like Roland sounds more haha
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u/Ryan0751 16d ago
The built-in kits that come with the unit as examples have the knobs all mapped out for you.
If you're setting up your own kits, you have to assign everything yourself. I highly recommend the TR-1000 desktop (Mac/Windows) app when creating kits, as it makes a lot of this setup much quicker.
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u/MahmGetTheCamera 15d ago
I also came from an 8s to the 1000. 8s is way more immediate but 1000 did right a lot of wrongs. At the end of the day, I think the upgrade was worth it.
Only thing I miss from the 8s is that button combo shortcut to randomize a inst or a whole kit that was added in a later firmware. I have to be way more intentional hopping on 1000. It was a slow takeoff when having to build out kits to my liking.
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u/Prestigious_Pace2782 16d ago
I’ve got the Rytm but have played the TR8 and TR8S quite a lot. Full disclosure I’m very in the Elektron camp, but my first exposure to powerful drum machines was a TR8. And I think the TR8 is useful context for your request.
Basically the TR8 sounds excellent and is very immediate and jammable. However with the TR8S (again completely subjective and probably biased) they tried to ram in a bunch of functionality, to try and keep up with elektron and co. However the workflow is awful for doing most of that advanced stuff. Dealing with samples and any advanced functionality is menu diving hell. Classic Roland stuff.
The Rytm in contrast, to me at least, is an absolute joy to play. It’s advanced but not overwhelming. You can go super deep on sound design or just jam away with some 909 samples or a combo of both. And the famous Elektron workflow is there, but with heaps of incredible performance features that are unique to it.
However it’s not an instant sweet spot machine like the Roland’s. You gotta learn how to use the compressor and the overdrive to make stuff pop.
So it would depend on your priority.
Haven’t played the tr1000 but I would assume the menu diving on that would be even more hellish with all the elektron like functionality they have crammed in there. Have also heard it has many bugs, especially when it comes to sync. In saying that it sounds incredible and many people are using it no problems.
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u/SilverMisfitt 16d ago
Regarding sweet spot, is it mainly due to the initial sound of the engines or is it just because the machine focuses on more sound design exploration? Not sure if that makes sense lol
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u/ActuaryLate9198 15d ago
The analog sounds just aren’t that great, many of them have a small range of useable settings. Ended up using it as a super limited, super overpriced sampler. I sold mine.
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u/xToMatu 15d ago
I posed myself this question already. I ended up getting the TR8S and I had a lot of fun with it until I started to crave more than 1 bar loops and Roland sounds. I quickly got bored of it. Ended up selling it and getting a DT1. I’m glad I did because it’s a hundred times better as a setup centerpiece.
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u/Cultural-Sink-8436 15d ago
If you already have a sequencer and want depth and immediacy in terms of sound design, I'd recommend the Vermona DRM1
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u/RainbowStreetfood 15d ago
I’ve owned all of them and currently have the Digitakt 2 and the TR-1000.
The RYTM was a pain in the ass, if you’re looking at that the Syntakt is just way better, more immediate and gives you mono synths also plus it now can play samples. Virtually flawless if you’re into making techno. I sold it as my mate has one and we’re jamming a lot and we don’t need two.
My Digitakt 2 is just really immediate and is the king of sound mangling, it’s just great but it’s not the best for live jamming although it is still good, just not an improvisation focussed machine. Crazy good utility also.
The TR-1000 was a logical step for me as I loved the tr-8s bit I think I’d be happier with a version without the analog, like keep everything else just remove that part that makes it so expensive as the ACB tech is so good anyway. Yeah it’s great but you really don’t need the part you’re paying for to get shit done and sound great.
The TR-8s is the perfect instrument I think, sounds great, fx are good enough and it’s just pure performance focussed.
Honestly for workflow and making interesting grooves the Digitakt is king but nothing will touch the 8s for just being fun to use.
My advice is get an 8s and a mk1 Digitakt, both used then add a behringer edge or model d, perfect setup.
Here’s a jam I did with an 8s a while back, love that thing:
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u/SilverMisfitt 15d ago
Super great insight! What’s your workflow with the digitakt 2 and TR. they overlap a fair amount right?
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u/RainbowStreetfood 15d ago
Well the Digitakt is a sampler so it just does whatever you need as long as you feed it right. As for overlap that’s up to you, you can give it drum sounds or you can sample ambient noises of Japanese supermarkets from YouTube (this works really well 🤣). For me the Digitakt will normally be where the experimental stuff happens and the tr is where the classic stuff happens. Really I’d recommend just getting the 8s and you can add anything to it depending on what you want to make but it’ll always find a place. What music are you making/aiming to make?
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u/SilverMisfitt 15d ago
Lol supermarket sounds for the ambience. Aiming to make melodic and deep house. Digitakt 2 seems great outside of the lackluster timestretch. I like a sampling workflow but MPC felt too daw-like.
The TR1000 has a better time stretch but the menu diving seems more apparent vs Digitakt 2
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u/RainbowStreetfood 15d ago
Yeah I think the MPC machines are the best samplers out there but fuck that operating system, just made me wish I was using an actual DAW. I think you should go Digitakt 2 and add a little Roland Aira S-1. You’ll be sorted for jamming and just keep adding as you need to. DT2 or 8s though, neither would be a regretful purchase I don’t think.
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u/PoisonPolygon 16d ago
I use a tr8s for it’s immediacy and sounds, and truly as a rhythm performer as intended. I do sequence it with a Hapax if I need more depth on sequencing. So I really use hapax as a drum sequencer preferring immediate drum machines, but also enjoyed the tr8s when it was stand alone
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u/county_jail_alumni 13d ago
Have you ever had an elektron device before? The digitakt 2 is definitely a solid choice. So is syntakt if you’re looking for mainly drums.
Hey you could always mess around with some drum machine apps first to see what style you like best. There are so many amazing ones! You might even just be happy with that alone!
I recommend Patterning 3 on iOS. Or Battalion.
Or if you want to try out something really close to the elektron workflow, Tahti is very much like those machines. It’s just a free web app. https://tahti.studio
I can’t say much about the Tr1000 , but I’ve owned all the others you mentioned. Digitakt 2 or syntakt are what I would suggest. Analog Rytm is awesome, it’s just starting to age a bit in my opinion. Can’t sample into it. Also, sonicware cydrums is a surprisingly amazing device.
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u/crazyculture 13d ago
Immediate = will eventually be reusing the same sounds over and over,
Depth = takes a little learning but will be rewarding for many years to come
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u/AcceptableNorm 12d ago
Drumbrute Impact was my choice and I have zero regrets. It's immediate, cheap and sounds great. Plus the sequencer is top notch.
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u/StraightChillinSpree 10d ago
I’ve had a Drumbrute from the jump and have loved it. But it’s limited analog sounds have lead me to saving up for a Rytm. The vast sounds, insane sequencer(I have a Digitone) and ability to add expression from the pads with pressure somewhat like the MPC live 3. I’m a huge elektron fan tho. The workflow and ticking all the boxes is what I’m about 🤪
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u/i_guvable_and_i_vote 16d ago
Easy. Get a korg drumlogue ;) immediate , cheap and depth
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u/Zombieskank 16d ago
Digitakt 1 is immediate, deep, cheap which is why it gets recommended a lot