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SurfGuitar101 Forums » Recording Corner »

Permalink Low budget drum machines

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The Knight Combo Sideman just arrived from the ebay: totally low-budget-drummer!

It's an all-transistorized Radio Shack-style drum device. It has a "tempo" knob, a "rhythm" selector knob, an "on/off/volume" knob, a "start/stop" button...and a wicked "solo" button that makes machine gun-like rapid-fire snare hits.

The Combo Sideman offers 6 beats...one of which is "the surf beat"...cool!
Basically, it sounds like those drum machines that were built into the Wurlitzer organ at grandma's house. Not-at-all "real drum"...pure machine tone 100%...it's super-easy to program, though.

-dp

ps: if you have a cool drum machine, please share some details on this thread...I'm a 'ho when it comes to goofy unusual equipment...

image

Last edited: Apr 08, 2012 11:34:50

Looks like you found a good one.

If you find one on ebay that looks interesting, you might want to check this site for sound samples of it.
http://www.keyboardmuseum.org/d_machines/vdrums.html

<img src="klzzwxh:0000"></img>

It's not really unique or cool, but it's getting old enough that a lot of people haven't seen it...

My Boss DR-220a (sounds on the site Wraydar posted):

image

It's small enough to throw into the back of the amp for easy transport. Smile

Don

I have one of these:

image

It looks better than it sounds.

image

I use an Alesis SR-16 for demos, it is an amzingly great sounding and easy to use little box.
image
Now on sale at Musicians Friend for $150... CHEAP!
--ferenc
PS- I think Danny Snyder uses the same box- when I heard his demos, I joked that we hired the same guy.

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I have one of those too!

The Tremblors on Facebook!

The Tremblors on MySpace!

PolloGuitar
PS- I think Danny Snyder uses the same box- when I heard his demos, I joked that we hired the same guy.

Laughing too true. I knew Ferenc and I had more in common then just our stunning guitar playing ability :roll:_

of course there's 'stunning' Worship
and there's "stunning" Duh _

You can't get much more drum machine than this 'lil guy. Invest the time to study the manual and learn how to program well and you'll get by just fine.

Danny Snyder

"With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo

Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta

Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party

Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF

i still use the Boss Dr 550 (from 1987), that Dr Rhythym series of machines just seems to last forever:

image

Last edited: Dec 21, 2006 13:07:16

I have one of those DR-550's too. My crowning moment was taking info I got from TFJ and programming the drum part to Mar Gaya into it.

Site dude - S3 Agent #202
Need help with the site? SG101 FAQ - Send me a private message - Email me

"It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea

I picked up an SR16 about the time this thread was originally posted. Since then I've discovered:
1. I have no rhythm.
2. I have no idea how to program this thing.
3. I forget the rest.
Any tips on how to become an drum machine master, or a Drum Machine for Morons book? The original instructions tell me what I <u>bought</u>, but it's not a real easy to use training guide..

<i>"In the beginning there was Nothing. Then it Exploded"</i>

Xotie
I too purchased a SR16 drum machine. Rolling Eyes I too am having a hard time getting what I want from it.
However I am making progress, and yesterday I plugged it into two different size , brand, and wattage amps at the same time. One amp left out ,and the other amp right out.
WOW what a sound! It sounded as real as I hope to get from a little plastic drum machine.
I keep reading the instruction manual. Little by little it seems to be seaping into my old brain.
Joel Very Happy

RE: SR16

It's all in the programming. Learn these tasks:
Setting 'length'
Quantize - necessary to speed up 'fill' function.(see next)
Using 'Fill' to load up the pattern
Accenting beats after filling
Copy
create 'song'

Here's a run through:

I want to write a 4 beat pattern that has a ride cymbal playing 1/8th notes. I adjust the length to 4 beats. Then I set my quantize to 1/8th note (one tail on the note symbol). Once I hit record the pattern keeps looping, I hold down the ride cymbal key and then press fill until the pattern is filled all the way. Then I go to 'step mode'. I adjust the first cymbal hit volume a little higher than the next two and so on as I wish.

I repeat the process for snare drum and bass drum, and sometimes a tom.
Then I copy the whole pattern to a new pattern. Erase the instrument I'd like to alter and program something different. Please understand that using the 'step' mode to program 'accent' beats is the key to making it all sound right.

Then string them all together in 'song' mode and you're golden.

Hope that helps.

Danny Snyder

"With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo

Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta

Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party

Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF

anyone out there use the Maestro Rhythm King?

image

Last edited: Dec 20, 2006 12:19:57

our drummer'sgot something like that, even simpler looking.

I use GROOVE - drumstation DT-010. downloadable from the internet for free. can't get more budget than that.

WR

Rules to live by #314:
"When in Italy, if the menu says something's grilled, don't assume it is."

https://www.facebook.com/The-Malbehavers-286429584796173/

...after all these years with the Boss Dr Rhythm DR-550, I decided to move up to the DR-770...anyone have experience with the DR-770? I reckon it will be very similar to the DR-550, but from what I understand, it has better drum sounds, and better (more realistic) pattern dynamics and expanded memory etc...

it should arrive at davepad in a week or so...perhaps I can give more detailed feedback in the New Year...

-dp

image

image

hammerhead...free download

1 try and get a good groove
2 render to wave file
3 load into your sound editor
4 add fx
5 record monotonous psudo-techno-surf music like me
Embarassed

adam

the DR-770 is wicked cool, been messing with it for over a month now, and I feel like I have barely scratched the surface. Cool collection of sounds, including Indian and Oriental style instruments. Also many emulated "old school" drum machine tones in the bank. Very flexible pattern construction. This machine might just help me sound like a better drummer than I am someday.

The accordian player at Oktoberfest used a Maestro Rhythm King. She was hot. I have a ZOOM RT-123 which goes on ebay for about $50 usually. I thought about getting a second unit-they sound good and are easy to program. They have no memory card so it is limited but I've been using it for 8 or 9 years and I have about 3 hours of songs stored. ZOOM has a newer model with more sounds but I only use a standard kit. It also has 9 basses so you can program drums and bass, hey presto you're a trio. I don't quantize because I want the timing to sound a bit off at times. I've had compliments from drummers on the sound of the machine.

QUESTION FOR SR-16 OWNERS:

Is there a setting on the SR-16 that allows you to use the pads as 'real-time table top drums'? what I mean is, I can just hook up the box, tap away on the pads and the drumsound comes out of the line-out?
doesn't need to be recorded by the machine itself, Ill be goin' into a recorder anyway.

WR

Rules to live by #314:
"When in Italy, if the menu says something's grilled, don't assume it is."

https://www.facebook.com/The-Malbehavers-286429584796173/

WR
QUESTION FOR SR-16 OWNERS:

Is there a setting on the SR-16 that allows you to use the pads as 'real-time table top drums'? what I mean is, I can just hook up the box, tap away on the pads and the drumsound comes out of the line-out?
doesn't need to be recorded by the machine itself, Ill be goin' into a recorder anyway.

WR

Yes!

Los Fantasticos

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