Ableton Forum

evanb wrote:If I didn't want to lay down the cash for a MD, what would be 2 goods options for a drum machine? I am looking between 300-800 to spend

Honestly? At that price there isn't anything worth getting :-/ You could pick up a copy of reaktor, that has plenty of drum machines you could control with your mpd.

In terms of hardware, I'd say a Korg EMX-1 or even the ER-1MKII. For software I think Microtonic or Logic's Ultrabeat are both very good. Ultrabeat in particular just got the equivalant of Elektron's parameter locks.

Honestly though, nothing is like the Machinedrum, it's very unique in how it sounds and the interface. Took me years before I was able to afford mine, but I think it was well worth the wait.

As a previous poster said, there's not much available in that $800 or so price range that's worthwhile in my opinion. Someone else may have a different take on it. In the $400 or so price range I can recommend the Korg Electribe sampler. It's a great machine, and it's huge fun to sequence parameter changes on it.

However, I still feel that if you are going to spend money, go all out and rock the MD-UW if you can swing it. It's hard to explain why because it's simply a tactile experience at the end of the day. Using the MD is just an insanely inspiring process for a lot of people. It's been a wet-dream for me from a sound-designer's perspective. Just a matter of hearing the extremely dynamic changes you can make with small knob tweaks. Some people make the mistake of saying that these machines are sonically limited. This is far from the truth, but you need to put in the time, read the manual, and test it out to see why.

My advice is to take advantage of a store's return program. Usually this means you can try some gear out for 15 days or so, and you can return it for a full refund within that time period, no questions asked. See if the machine is for you. I wish you the best, whatever decision you make!

- Nick

Is the ESX-1 what i would be looking at? Does it come loaded with drum samples or do you have to load your own? I am just not getting into programming drums in impulse or battery so I was thinking I would give a machine a try and see if i like it.

The wax comes with some drums but I think its one of those things where you'd want to load your own samples for the best result.

And the drum machine comes with its own?

And the machine drum comes with its own?

The mschinedrum is mainly a drum synth, and as such it doesnt rely on samples per se. The UW versions do come with some samples preloaded, but again you'd really be more likely to load your own.

So in terms of using just as a drum machine is the UW still absolutely necessary?

I woudl never recommend the MD without the UW option, it's that good IMO.

+1 for the SPS1UW 2

satisfied SPS1-UW MKII owner here just dropping in to say +1 MD

A friend has a mono machine and the machine drum and they sound GREAT. I can't afford one so I've been using the EMX-1, it may not be as nice and fancy but I can tweak patterns in real time and use a synth pad floating in the back for ambience (the synths are pretty cheesy but the effects and filters REALLY help). I would but a 2nd EMX-1 so I could one day use two as controllers at a live show. They are fun.

EMX-1 is an awesome box, it's all I've been using to make music the last few weeks.