The choppy history of the drum machine saw a simple rehearsal tool rise to fame during the eighties where it became an indivisible part of music history. And while fresh takes on the formula are released every year, remakes of vintage eighties drum machines are insanely popular - and come at really nice prices.
The Drum Machine
Although there had been attempts to build an 'automatic drummer' in the past, drum machines only really picked up in the late seventies, and the models that were built back then still provide the blueprints for the drum machines, and even the virtual software-based drum machines, that are designed today. So, if musicians or producers want to add the vintage-flavour of an old-school drum machine to their work, they don't have to rely on ancient hardware that needs a lot of maintenance or outdated MIDI ports that need extra adapters, but can pick up a nostalgic remake or emulation that sounds just as good as the original and is built from more modern components that will do exactly what you tell them to do - and for longer.
Roland Drum Machines: The 808 and The 909
Roland is responsible for producing some of the icons of the drum machine universe - so iconic in fact, that second-hand vintage models will now cost you a bomb. The big names are the TR-808 and the TR-909, as well as the slightly older CR-78. Every model had its own entirely unique sound to it, so while the CR-78 helped shape synth pop, the 808 virtually made hip hop possible, and the 909 is basically what house music was built on. But that's not to say that these monsters of synthetic drum sound haven't popped up in an endless array of different genres. In fact, they still do, especially since the 808 and 909 have been treated to more-than-a-few remakes, look-alikes and sound-alikes that offer near-enough exactly the same set of drum sounds but can be picked up on the cheap. The 808 and 909 are also loved for their x0x method: an interface that lays out a single measure that can be filled with notes which, for a lot of people, is the charm of a drum machine and is the only way to build beats.
Akai Drum Machines
Another drum machine hero of the eighties was the Linndrum which, after Roger Linn's company went to ground and Linn started working with Akai, became the Akai MPC-60. Towards the end of the eighties, the MPC-60 would form the core of a lot of hip-hop and introduced the world to the MPC-method: a two-dimensional grid of pads that could be used to punch in beats. Even modern grooveboxes still use this method. So, when you're looking at a drum machine with an x0x layout, you know you're looking at a model that takes its cues from the Roland approach, and if you're looking at an MPC drum machine or groovebox, you know it mimics the Akai method.
Remakes of Old Drum Machines
Hardware developers, including Roland have since produced reissues and remakes of legendary drum machines from the past. Germany-based Behringer has been churning out their take on old-school drum machines for years already, offering similar looks as well as sound - but more importantly, offer these models at a really affordable price. So, whether you stay true to the originals or you're more-than satisfied with an accurate imitation, the sound of some legendary drum machines is more accessible than ever.
Modern Drum Machines
There are also plenty of manufacturers busy developing the drum machine concept, so you can find models that take a more inventive approach, like the gear built by Elektron and Teenage Engineering. A lot of these models are complete groove boxes that can also be used to write melodic material by controlling built-in synthesisers. The popular Korg Volca Series also echoes the past while offering some newer features, and some other developers still stick fairly close to the traditional approach while adding a more contemporary spin, like Arturia.
Drum Machine Software Plugins
Besides physical hardware drum machine, you can also get software-based virtual drum machines, which come in roughly one of two forms. The first are digital recreations of vintage drum machines like the 808 or 909 which offer the same sounds and usually the same controls as the original hardware. Then there are drum-loop libraries in the form of things like Kontakt instruments. These libraries don't usually come with a fixed 'visual interface' that mimics a control panel but offer loops or samples that can be stacked in the tracks of DAW recording software to build a beat. Virtual drum machines and drum libraries are ideal for musicians and producers that want to work with high-quality sound but aren't so bothered about the buttons, knobs and blinking lights of hardware-based drum machines. Of course, if you prefer to work with your hands, but you're not interested in picking up an expensive drum machine, then you could opt for a drum plugin combined with an external USB MIDI controller.
Electronic Drum Kits, Percussion Pads & Drum Machines for Children
If you're a drummer looking for more drum-machine-style sound, then you can opt for either a full electronic drum kit or a set of electronic percussion pads. These instruments aren't designed for programming beats, but can be played with a pair of drumsticks just like an acoustic drum kit. Most models are designed for performing drummers, while some, due to their price and compact size are designed for beginner drummers - even children. While you won't necessarily find a massive array of drum machines designed specifically for kids, Playtime Engineering do their best to give kids a tactile drum-machine-style experience.
Frequently Asked Questions About Drum Machines
What does a drum machine do?
With a drum machine you can easily punch in a drum pattern and set it on a loop. Often, you can even tweak and customise the individual drum sounds. A lot of popular music from the eighties was made using drum machines, and these days, they can be heard in almost any genre, but especially in any electronic music.
What's the best drum machine?
Anyone who wants to make dance, house, synth pop, or eighties-style music will want a drum machine with analogue sounds and an x0x-style sequencer, which can be a hardware or virtual software drum machine. If you're more into the sound of the nineties and want to make hip hop or similar music, then a drum machine that triggers samples and has an MPC-style sequencer will do the job.
