If you’ve ever tried recording your own tracks with a drum machine, or if you play drums for any kind of band or project, chances are you’re already looking into getting the best drum machine for guitars. A good electronic drum kit can produce some truly realistic results that rival even modern studio-quality recordings, meaning it’s easier than ever to take your music production skills up to the next level.
The problem is that there are so many cheap and not-so-cheap drum machines out there on the market right now… How do you choose which one is best for your needs? Well, we’ll make it easy on you! Instead of spending hours scouring through Amazon reviews and forums to find answers, here at Guitar Moderne we’ve done all the research for you. We’ll show you what there is to know about each drum machine, give you some quick recommendations, and even cool down your budget a little bit too.
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Top Picks for Best Drum Machine For Guitarists
1.Alesis SR-18
The Alesis SR-18 is an affordable and easy to use audio drum machine. The SR-18 features 200 realistic, natural sounding drum sounds and 210 accompaniment styles (you get 10 original styles too). The built in sequencer (with 5 different custom kits) allows you to mix and match your favorite samples, add fills and choose from 70 different patterns. You can also easily change the volume for any instrument or pattern with ease by using the dedicated volume knob for each channel. And if that’s still not enough – you get a USB/MIDI input so you can easily hook it up to your computer! This digital drum machine will have all of your friends saying “I want that. I need that.” It’s just $249.99 on Amazon .
2.Korg Volca Beats
The Korg Volca beats is a true workhorse. It has 16 different types of analog drums, 10 editable beat patterns and 100 preset styles (40 original). The built in sequencer allows you to change the tempo as well as sync with other volcas (and even other drum machines if you want). You can also sequence your favorite tracks via USB connection – which means you have a HUGE collection of digital samples at your fingertips! And whether or not this means anything to you, it’s actually kind of an adorable little machine. I mean just look at it… who would’ve thought something so cute could be so much fun? At $149 from Amazon , it’s a seriously affordable piece of equipment. One thing worth noting though is that there is no power adapter included. But if you need one, it only costs $8.99 .
3.Ddave smith Instruments Tempest
The ddave smith instruments tempest is a digital drum machine modeled after the original Linn Electronics LM-1. It features 10 analog voices and three fully polyphonic digital effects (so you can tweak your sounds to perfection). This bad boy has over 200 presets and 12 banks, and it also comes with a built in arpeggiator for when you want to add an added layer of interest to your beats. The USB connection allows you to sequence external MIDI drums from any source, making this one of the most versatile pieces of studio equipment around! And if that wasn’t enough – it’s also compatible with all major music software!
4.Arturia DrumBrute Analog Drum Machine
The Arturia DrumBrute Analog Drum Machine is an analog drum machine with a modern twist. This powerful little machine features 16 different analog drums, 4 sequencer tracks and 3 effects (more than enough to get your beat on). It also boasts some pretty impressive flexability thanks to the built in step sequencer, MIDI IN/OUT jacks and USB port. It’s capable of controlling other devices via MIDI or even act as a sound module for your production tools! Best of all it comes with 128 presets across 8 banks so you can start making beats right out of the box. And at $399 , it won’t break the bank either!
5.Boss DR-880 Dr. Rhythm Drum Machine
The Boss DR-880 is the perfect drum machine for anyone who loves to lay down grooves. This powerful workstation boasts dozens of realistic sounds (complete with adjustable tuning and muffling) as well as 99 preset patterns (including fills, rolls and song variations). You can even change up your beat at any point in the pattern by using the on board step sequencer. It comes with USB capabilities, MIDI IN/OUT jacks and a 1/4″ stereo aux input jack so you can connect it to other devices and instruments (like keyboards and guitar effect pedals). The Boss DR-888 also has an auxiliary output that allows you to hook it up to your computer or sound system. And if all that wasn’t enough – it’s compatible with BOSS’ drum software for PC and Mac called “BR-864”, which allows you to edit your beats to perfection. And if that’s not enough for you – the Boss DR 880 comes in a ton of different colors!
Things to consider before buying Drum Machine For Guitarists
1.Price
Price is an important aspect when buying a drum machine, especially if you’re on a budget. In this guide we’ve listed some of the best drum machines for under $300 . While there are drum machines that cost less than $100 , they won’t be able to produce high quality sounds and most likely won’t have all of the features you need in a good drum machine. At the same time, it’s possible to spend well over $1000 in search of a drum machine with more advanced features. Before spending too much money on your new purchase – make sure it offers everything you need at an affordable price!
2.Presets
Preset patterns can often come in handy when trying to develop beats for your songs. In some cases you might even be able to download these presets from a website and load them into your drum machine via USB. The Boss DR-880 comes with 99 preset patterns, allowing you to start making beats right out of the box. For more advanced machines with MIDI capabilities – it’s possible that they come bundled with software that allows you to edit and create new sounds. In fact, Arturia’s DrumBrute Analog Drum Machine is compatible with their “DrumBrute” software for PC and Mac , which allows you to customize your beat patterns.
3.Type of pads
In some cases, drum machines have different types of pads/buttons where each one produces a unique sound (or set of sounds). If this is important to you, make sure you check out what type of pads your new drum machine has. In most cases, drum machines come with a combination of pads that produce different sounds. One example would be the Roland Octapad which has eight individual trigger pads that each produces a distinct sound. If this is important to you – make sure it’s available on the drum machine you’re considering buying!
4.Number of buttons/pads
The number of buttons and pads will often determine how much control the drummer has over the beat they are going for. If you plan on using a live drummer or if your playing style involves more movement than sitting down at the computer working away at your beats – look for something with lots of pads (as well as different types of pads) that allows you to easily create the perfect beat. If you’re more of a traditional musician who will be playing from a laptop or at your desk – you might not need as many pads and buttons, allowing you to save some money as well as plan out your beats more efficiently. In most cases, drum machines with lots of buttons/pads are better suited for live musicians who can take advantage of all their different sounds and features.
5.Connectivity options
While not every device may come equipped with MIDI connectivity, it’s a feature that can be incredibly useful in a lot of different situations (especially if you want to expand the capabilities beyond that drum machine). It’s possible for drum machines to connect with other pieces of equipment through USB, MIDI or even an audio interface. If you are interested in taking advantage of multiple devices/connecting your machine to other musicians – be sure that the drum machine you order has enough connectivity options to allow you to make this happen!
6.Size
The size of a drum machine will often determine how it feels while playing live shows and sets. While some people don’t mind working on more complex beats on smaller machines, others may prefer something with bigger buttons/pads that feel more natural while playing live . Before buying – ask yourself what type of drum machine would suit your needs best when playing live shows! If none of these features are important to you – save some money by purchasing one of the less expensive drum machines on the market. However, if you’re looking to take your playing to the next level – try out some of these devices that feel great while performing live shows!