The Whatever Thread .. For Gear!!

[lordgalvar]

Here is my specific question (went back 12 pages for an acceptable drum machine thread..but just going to ask here): I need a drum machine or workstation because I want to simplify my workflow and make it quick/easy/less cluttered (just one machine to keep all my beats on). I have an Alesis HR-16, SR-16, Kawai R-5, Volca Beats (I think that is it) and have used computers and an MPC (and a ton others...). I don't like the MPC...I just don't like the way I interact with it. I want more visual programming in the old Roland Rhythm Composer Style (808, 909) or old computer tracker kind of style (or at least some kind of matrix). I find the Kawai kind of cryptic and not flexible and the Alesis are alright...I just kind of need more visual feedback.

The sounds are not that important as long as I can run them through enough effects to sound like garbage. I don't like to drag around computers or program from one (I don't like them even for recording...they just kind of irritate me in the workflow sense). So, my question is what is a good versitile drum machine with good visual feedback and buttons to use as my central machine. Bonus if I can do other stuff with it but not nessesary...oh, 808 and 909 sounds are just ok to me but not really what I want I guess (or in general anything too modern techno electric sounding which is why I think the Aira is out...)

I've been looking at these:
-Elektron Machine Drum
-OP-1 (even though I know it is a sampler...but I might be able to work with)
-Elektron Analog Rytm
-Dave Smith Tempest (even though I can't afford it)

All I want is a good/useable kick, snare and hi hat with good/easy/intuitive programming. I guess what I am looking for is something that I can sequence the hell out of spastic songs that are all over the place without a computer (or MPC because I just don't get it and can't look at the screen too long without getting a headache).

Or should I just get a bad ass sequencer and a simple sampler (but I am trying to get away from more equipment...not looking for the end all too, just something I can get caught up in that is deep enough and easy enough). Kind of just want to focus on one drum machine and get the most out of it that I can instead of puttering around with things that keep my interest for a minute and then I get pissed or bored. Samplers, computers, and stuff with too many options make me scatterbrained and I get sidetracked doing random stupid stuff instead of focusing, so limitation are somewhat nice for me (which is why I listed the ones up there).

I've also looked at building something like the midibox sequencer...Would the beat step (new one) and some neat drum module be better?

I also tend to write everything out on paper to program before I do it so I think that is the reason for the visual need. I just ain't good at tapping in beats live either (or I would just stick to the Alesis).

Eh, probably overthinking or just being picky. I'm cool with there not being an answer too (just tell me so I can stop looking). If I ever found a drummer to jam with this wouldn't even be an option though.

Thanks ILF braintrust.

[blakestree]

Aww yeah, OP-1, again and again.

[lordgalvar]

Aww yeah, OP-1, again and again.

That's the way I have been leaning...was just double checking that an impatient caveman can get along with it (been thinking about it forever).

Thanks man!

[Strange Tales]

You look into the Roland TR-8? It looks like the spiritual successor to the 808/909.

[lordgalvar]

Nah, trying to avoid 808 and 909 sounds for some reason. I was looking into it and for some reason it just isn't connecting with me. Can't explain it and it probably doesn't have a base in logic but it is what it is.

Watching people talk and try to make beats on the op-1 is frustrating as hell. I want to punch these DJs.

Dang, I just want to do some spastic punk with some blast beats and stuff scattered about. Nothing hard. I want some fast sequences haha. Damn hip hop guys everywhere (I love hip hop...just can't stand watching a dude talk about it and putter around...I want concise! Just make it quick...so far I have seen three different sequencers and nothing being made...just a dude turning knobs...one taping into tape...and one dude is still chirping about sampling his voice, like damn, I though pedal demos were bad haha)

[blakestree]

I came back to the OP-1 after going off in other "more serious" directions. It has its own unique workflow, but is pretty easy (and fun) to learn. The tiny cuteness of the OP-1 belies its inner power. It is a visually and creatively stimulating tool. Elektron gear, while quite amazing, often has a steep learning curve that can take a long time to get around.

[D.o.S.]

Nah, trying to avoid 808 and 909 sounds for some reason. I was looking into it and for some reason it just isn't connecting with me. Can't explain it and it probably doesn't have a base in logic but it is what it is.

Watching people talk and try to make beats on the op-1 is frustrating as hell. I want to punch these DJs.

Dang, I just want to do some spastic punk with some blast beats and stuff scattered about. Nothing hard. I want some fast sequences haha. Damn hip hop guys everywhere (I love hip hop...just can't stand watching a dude talk about it and putter around...I want concise! Just make it quick...so far I have seen three different sequencers and nothing being made...just a dude turning knobs...one taping into tape...and one dude is still chirping about sampling his voice, like damn, I though pedal demos were bad haha)

I had the worst time with this when I was trying to get a handle on my SP303. No one cares about your fucking fingerdrum skills you madlib wannabe.

[spacelordmother]

For cheap and crappy and visual and standalone maybe an Akai Rhythm Wolf?

[lordgalvar]

I came back to the OP-1 after going off in other "more serious" directions. It has its own unique workflow, but is pretty easy (and fun) to learn. The tiny cuteness of the OP-1 belies its inner power. It is a visually and creatively stimulating tool. Elektron gear, while quite amazing, often has a steep learning curve that can take a long time to get around.

I know the OP-1 has a lot of power...I just can't watch these dudes putter around haha. I know they sound great...and I like that you can zoom out and kind of see the big picture of the sequence which I think is what the TR-8 is lacking for me...even though watching the screen changes on an OP-1 while not there in person is a little weird.

Like I want to see what the next sequence is and I don't see that on the TR-8 (even though I think it sounds good and it is pretty).

Learning curve isn't a bad thing and I have used Elektron gear in the past and it felt more intuitive than the MPC I had...(I played around with the sidstation a lot and played with a monomachine a few times).

But man, I forgot how bad synth demos are. Like just do it. Video is called "Making a beat"..do it. Don't be like "Phase synth is cool. I like it because it is cool. Let me play it. It's cool! Did you hear how cool it is? I make beat for 20 seconds...oh yea, phase synth! cool right? oh, here is a hip hop beat I made last week already programmed in"...like when you going to get to the damn point? Ramble ramble ramble...very little actual workflow. haha. rant done. (not really that angry just kind of funny to me)

[lordgalvar]

For cheap and crappy and visual and standalone maybe an Akai Rhythm Wolf?

I thought about it...people just keep talking crap about it and how bad it sounds. I guess I just want something a little more memorable and more versitile (I guess). Just heard so many bad things. And I have a Volca I think I am also looking for more visual sequencing on the song side too maybe.

I had the worst time with this when I was trying to get a handle on my SP303. No one cares about your fucking fingerdrum skills you madlib wannabe.

I know. I've thought about the SP303 too...but yea, trying to cut out sampling too (because I ain't got no patience for it...lots of gear has taught me that lesson)

[spacelordmother]

For cheap and crappy and visual and standalone maybe an Akai Rhythm Wolf?

I thought about it...people just keep talking crap about it and how bad it sounds. I guess I just want something a little more memorable and more versitile (I guess). Just heard so many bad things. And I have a Volca

I totally get it -- and wouldn't have even suggested it (because I've heard all the same things) but you said that the sounds were less important than the standalone and effect-ability.

[goroth]

Ok, a newb question: can you make beats on say an op-1 that aren't in common time? I really want to create a grind project at some stage but I want to get away from 4:4 d-beat stuff.
Not entirely.
Because you know. D-beat.

But at least partially.

I program all my beats with guitar pro and then export to logic and then run either hyper beat (?? Or whatever it is) with alesis samples, or addictive drums.

But there's no way I will gig with a laptop.

Not that my little imaginary grind project has gigs.

But still...

[lordgalvar]

It is...I know what I am looking for is kind of what a computer is for haha. But yea...something about the Akai just doesn't sit right and I might as well just use the volca (kind of a lateral move in terms of function to me). I guess I just need songs as easily recalled as possible and the overview of that...which is why I am staying away. I could make the sounds trashy and stuff, but anything that simplifies the overall setup is better (so the less I have to do outside the better).

I think I like the idea of the recording feature on the op-1 and it has enough kits built in to where I can play around with it and figure out what I want (still don't know I guess)...just got to make sure I stick with this one.

Ok, a newb question: can you make beats on say an op-1 that aren't in common time? I really want to create a grind project at some stage but I want to get away from 4:4 d-beat stuff.
Not entirely.
Because you know. D-beat.

But at least partially.

I program all my beats with guitar pro and then export to logic and then run either hyper beat (?? Or whatever it is) with alesis samples, or addictive drums.

But there's no way I will gig with a laptop.

Not that my little imaginary grind project has gigs.

But still...

Same idea! haha! I just want some spacey, garage, and punk beats thrown in randomly too.

My thought on that was just to draw it out and math it (make the sequence length the proper length and don't get stuck in the number 16 and stuff).

I would think with the record feature on the OP-1 it is possible though more so than more traditional setups.

[goroth]

Yeah dude!

With my (actual) metal band I write that way - a riff that is "actually" two bars of 6/4 I'll write out as a cycle of three bars in 4/4, which works out well cos we tend to play odd time stuff like Meshuggah (where shit just rolls under the hats/crash going in 4) rather than the patented mike portnoy school of Make-everyone-aware-of-every-fucking-time-signature-always.

But I just wanna go nuts in this project.

Fuck dude, if you ever want to collaborate...

</derail>

[D.o.S.]

) rather than the patented mike portnoy school of Make-everyone-aware-of-every-fucking-time-signature-always.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aL2I--TCHM[/youtube]