Favorite Groove Boxes/Drum Machines?

[burpgun]

I did a lot of stuff with the Alesis HR16 back in the day … the grey doorstop.

Currently have a Moog DFAM which is isn’t really a groove box but what i do is sync it to logic, record a load of improvisations and edit down to make loops. I also sometimes chop up a loop in recycle and then rearrange in the Reason Rex player which gives it a lot of mileage.

I also have the Cyclone TT78 which is like a 606 on steroids with a voice set more like a Roland CR68. Very programmable and separate outs too!

I had an HR-16 and was so excited when I saw New Order used one in some capacity. I think the buttons/pads were velocity senstive and got kind of squirely over time. I don't think the sounds were that great in retrospect, I recall the piccolo snare stood out. My unit eventually kind of fell apart and I moved to a DM-4 which had all the same sounds and more, you just did your programming in the computer.

My sense is now is that unless you're using some sort of analog unit it's so much easier to do this all on the computer now. To that end, I just bought the Cherry Audio CR-78 plug in to stratch the drum box itch.

[Marc]

I did a lot of stuff with the Alesis HR16 back in the day … the grey doorstop.

Currently have a Moog DFAM which is isn’t really a groove box but what i do is sync it to logic, record a load of improvisations and edit down to make loops. I also sometimes chop up a loop in recycle and then rearrange in the Reason Rex player which gives it a lot of mileage.

I also have the Cyclone TT78 which is like a 606 on steroids with a voice set more like a Roland CR68. Very programmable and separate outs too!

I had an HR-16 and was so excited when I saw New Order used one in some capacity. I think the buttons/pads were velocity senstive and got kind of squirely over time. I don't think the sounds were that great in retrospect, I recall the piccolo snare stood out. My unit eventually kind of fell apart and I moved to a DM-4 which had all the same sounds and more, you just did your programming in the computer.

My sense is now is that unless you're using some sort of analog unit it's so much easier to do this all on the computer now. To that end, I just bought the Cherry Audio CR-78 plug in to stratch the drum box itch.

Yes I have the demo of the CR-78 right now - it’s cool!

Agree not much point using a hardware drum box for samples these days unless you are deliberately going for a particular sound such as Linn or Yamaha RX, DMX etc.

[Iheartreverb]

I just bought an Elektron Model Cycles after about a month of watching YouTube videos.
Wish me luck…

[fuzzjunkie]

Not really a dedicated groove box or drum machine, but the Push 3 combined with Ableton Live looks like an excellent standalone MPE.

[spiffy chap]

Roland TR-606: classic sound, still not too expensive

Elektron Model Samples: simple groove box with famed Elektron sequencer, 6 tracks, can do midi, can get fairly cheap

[longtortoise]

Good info here! I had the Novation Circuit Tracks and enjoyed it but didn't find the time to use it much. I'd like to get something similar again, too.