The million dollar question. How do you choose the best drum machine?
Just like synthesizer keyboard machines, drum machines come in a variety of sizes and designs to suit any performer’s need. Today, we’ll be looking at some of the most compelling beat machines for those just starting out.
We’ve reviewed the top 8 best drum machines for beginners in our lab to help you pick the right one for you.
Here’s a quick roundup of our picks:
- Roland AIRA TR-8S Rhythm Performer
- Korg Volca Beats
- Teenage Engineering Pocket Operator PO-32
- IK Multimedia UNO Drum
- Roland AIRA Rhythm Performer TR-8
- Alesis SR-18 Drum Machine
- Native Instruments Maschine MK3
- Behringer RD-6-SR Drum Machine
Best Drum Machine for Beginners: What Makes a Great Option?
There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to choosing the best drum machine for beginners, if that’s you. Often, you’ll have to experiment with a few different devices before you find something that really appeals to you. However, the most popular products on the market are often the most intuitive.
A great drum machine, even some of the cheap keyboard drum machine units, will come with an array of features, allowing you to explore different sounds and creations with ease.
A decent drum machine will have wonderful built-in effects that you can experiment with, as well as a host of programming and editing features to allow you to customize your beats and samples.
Depending on the quality of the drum machine, you may even be able to set a variety of presets, so it’s easier to access.
At the very least, you need a set of pressure-sensitive pads that are easy to use and a convenient workstation that feels comfortable to mix from.
What is a Drum Machine?
Before we get into our 8 picks, let’s have a quick look at what a drum machine actually does.
A drum machine is a percussive tool designed to bring bass rhythms into musical performances. These devices are simple pieces of hardware that imitate the sound of electronic drums and other instruments, allowing professionals to create more unique performances.
Though the exact design of a drum machine, or modular synthesizers, may differ depending on your choice of hardware, most are box-shaped tools with a keypad – similar to the beat pad machine devices.
The modern drum machine allows you to mix and program drum sounds, removing the need for a live drummer. Today’s devices can create amazing music for a range of genres, from dance and rock to hip-hop and electronic music.
Considerations Before Buying a Drum Machine
Before you jump in and start looking at affordable drum machines, you’ll need to ensure you have access to all the right features. As mentioned above, your requirements may change over time depending on how you plan to use your drum machine – but the following capabilities are a must.
Also, will you be looking at buying a new drum machine or looking at used drum machines for sale?
A selection of drum sounds: Most drum machines will come with a wide selection of preset sounds to get you started. The more sounds you can experiment with, the better. It’s worth looking for something that makes sense according to the genre of music you tend to perform, and the speed of the audio you produce.
- Effects: To expand your sound library, you’ll need access to a range of effects, and the potential to edit your drum hits according to your needs. The best drum kits will come with a range of ways to update your music with preset sounds and customizations.
- Durability: A drum machine, just like a set of drums, can take a lot of abuse over time. You’re going to be constantly tapping the pads and interacting with the hardware. At the same time, your device needs to be durable enough to withstand the road trips where it might be thrown in a backpack or placed in your trunk. Durability is key.
- Portability: One of the biggest benefits of a drum machine is that it gives you all the functionality of a drum kit, in a more portable size. The best portable drum machines need to be compact enough to transport when you’re on the road. However, it’s also important to ensure that the buttons don’t seem crammed together on your device. Look for a combination of comfortable performance and practical portability.
- Connection options: Most drum machines will come with a range of connectivity options. Aside from the standard headphone jack and main output, you’ll also have an input for external instruments and DJ devices. We’d recommend looking for a device with its own MIDI and USB connectivity ports if possible. Most drum machines, including cheap drum machines, will at least allow you to plug in your PC or laptop, so you can access a wider range of samples.
The 8 Best Drum Machines for Beginners
Now that you have a good idea of what a drum machine looks like, and what kind of features you should be looking for, it’s time to begin looking into some of the top contenders on the market.
We chose these best drum machines for their exceptional functionality, durability, and ability to perform well under pressure.
1. Roland AIRA TR-8S Rhythm Performer
Best all-rounder with enough features to last
The Roland AIRA TR-8S Rhythm Performer is one of the more advanced drum machines for beginners we’re covering today. Designed to give you a more comprehensive mixing experience, the TR-8S combines the best Roland heritage with fantastic production options and sensational sound design.
You can even design your own kits with sampled sounds, effects, and TRS drums built-in. With every sample from the most popular TRS drum machines, this is a comprehensive all-in-one kit for any performer.
You’ll have no trouble finding the sounds you need, with the option to pull from an extensive preset collection, or simply import your own sounds with the SD card slot. There are decay and tuning adjustments available, sample starting point options, and the option to experiment with speed and sound direction.
The TR-8S effects include everything from filters on cymbals, to delays on a rim shot.
- Extensive selection of sounds
- Decay and tuning adjustments
- Multipole options
- Excellent range of effects and filters
- Fantastic functionality
- Durable design
- Not as portable as some alternatives
2. Korg Volca Beats
Huge amounts of analog fun to be had
The Korg Volca Beats analog drum machine creates stunning analog sounds similar to the classic rhythm machine. There’s a 16-step sequencer (Electribe-style), with eight memory patches to explore, and a stutter function for creating repeated triggers to dramatically change the sequence whenever you want to produce something new.
A set of six editable analog parts with one knob for each function allows for quick and easy editing within seconds. One of the most impressive things about this device is the fact that you can play it anywhere, with the built-in speaker and optional battery power solution.
- Built-in speaker and battery power
- Six editable analog parts
- Crisp analog sounds
- Fantastic 16-step sequencer
- 8 memory patches
- Repeated triggers via stutter function
- Looks a little old fashioned
- It may not be the most durable device
3. Teenage Engineering Pocket Operator PO-32
Perfect for those on a tight budget
The Teenage Engineering Pocket Operator PO-32 creates a unique experience with 16 preset sounds you can swap with VST data transfer. The device comes with support for the MicroTonic plug-in, to create various new drum sounds. You’ll be able to easily transfer new VST files via line-in jacks and microphones and repeat selected sounds too.
The full onboard computing system means you can create an entire song from scratch, with access to pattern chaining, and 64 pattern options. This device works standalone, with no need for external gears, and it syncs with additional pocket operators too.
- Works as a standalone drum machine device
- Tweakable drum synth performance
- Supports Microtonic VST/AU transfer
- Repeating for selected sounds
- 64 patterns already built-in
- Syncs with multiple pocket operators
- Somewhat small and fragile
4. IK Multimedia UNO Drum
Great value for all-analog beat making
The IK Multimedia UNO Drum portable PCM/Analog drum machine is one of the easiest tools for today’s beginners to get used to. Though this product isn’t as advanced as some of the alternatives on the market today, it comes with up to 12 PCM voices and 6 analog voices to choose from.
You also get the option to save up to 100 pattern and KIT presets.
With 12 double velocity pads, you can experiment with sound in no time, making the most of a full 64-step sequencer that offers 8 parameters per step. For connectivity, you’ll have an audio in and out option, as well as USB and 2.5mm MIDI connections.
- 12 multi-touch pads
- Save up to 100 patterns and 100 kit presets
- USB connectivity
- Excellent sequencer
- Sleek and portable design
- Great for experimenting with voices
- Powerful performance
- Build quality is a bit flimsy
- Buttons instead of pads
5. Roland AIRA Rhythm Performer TR-8
Like a legendary 808 but at a fraction of the cost
Roland Drum Machines have a long reputation for excellence. And this unit is no different. A stunning Roland drum machine for the modern music creator, the Roland AIRA Rhythm Performer TR-8 is an all-in-one solution for drumming and sampling.
This compelling tool comes with a range of 16 kits to choose from, with 11 instrument types. You can create custom dream kits using both the 808 drum machine and TR-909 classic sounds. There’s also a large tempo knob with its own tap tempo button.
The Roland Aria TR-8 drum machine is a sleek and compact machine, with a dedicated knob to control the intensity of the accent function, alongside per-step delay, and reverb effects with their own dedicated knobs. There’s also a set of two assignable outputs (analog), and full outputs (parallel) for your USB.
- Excellent reproduction of original
- 16 kits with 11 instrument types
- Large tempo knob
- Intensity control
- Two assignable analog outputs
- Mix sources connectivity
- A little large for some beginners
6. Alesis SR-18 Drum Machine
Great first time drum machine
Compact, yet powerful, this Alesis SR-18 Drum Machine is a popular choice in today’s marketplace, attracting the attention of all kinds of musicians thanks to an onboard sound library, built-in effects and processors, and an extensive set of more than 500 professional sounds.
You can create all kinds of amazing audio experiences with this device, and it comes with seamless MIDI drum machine support too.
With all the production essentials you need in one portable device, the Alesis drum machine ensures you can produce amazing experiences anywhere. There’s even pattern play mode, so you can trigger programmable drum roll and tap tempo functions.
- Perform anywhere with battery power
- More than 500 professional sounds
- Seamless midi connectivity
- Production essentials pattern mode
- Compact and portable design
- Easy-to-follow instructions
- Not the best button quality
7. Native Instruments Maschine MK3
The possibilities are limitless with this machine
Native Instruments is one of the best-known names in the music industry for a reason. If you’re looking for fantastic DJ technology, NI has you covered with a huge range of hardware options to choose from.
The Native Instruments Maschine MK3 drum machine is an excellent example of the versatility of the brand, with an integrated hardware/audio-software system. The solution includes an arranger, sampler, FX, mixer, and more in one product. You even get your own professional audio interface.
With touch-sensitive knobs for parameter tweaking and extensive input and output options to choose from, you’ll have no trouble creating some of the most advanced mixes with a drum machine like this.
There’s a smart strip for strumming notes, performing with FX, and pitch-bending sounds too. Plus, the solution comes with access to a 25 GB Komplete 11 select library with tons of creative sounds.
- Hardware and software in one
- Excellent library of sounds and samples
- Tons of input and output options
- Touch-sensitive knobs
- Excellent smart-strip strumming
- Fantastic durability
- Higher learning curve for some beginners
8. Behringer RD-6-SR Drum Machine
You could spend hours on this thing, we did.
Lightweight, elegant, and brimming with power, the Behringer RD-6-SR Drum Machine is a fantastic tool with true analog circuitry. If you’re looking for a more traditional or “classic” sound experience, the Behringer controller has you covered, with a range of amazing drum sounds and a global accent capability built-in too.
Highly acclaimed and authentic clap sounds from the DR-110 drum machine allow performers to instantly upgrade their mixes with fantastic bass and acoustics. As an added benefit, you also get a selection of 6 independent analog outputs to support your external processing technology or give you access to rhythm recording.
- Fantastic analog circuitry
- An authentic reproduction of classic sounds
- 8 original drum sound with mix options
- Global accent capabilities
- DR-110 drum machine clap sounds
- 6 analog inputs
- Heavy for portability purposes
Best Drum Machine for Beginners: The Verdict
Every DJ and music creator will have their own preference when it comes to beat-making technology, synth keyboard units, and their choice of best drum machine. The options above all have something fantastic to offer in terms of usability, innovation, and performance.
However, our overall top pick as the best drum machine for beginners, has to be the Roland Aira TR-8S Rhythm Performer. It’s a great all-in-one drum machine solution.
But saying that, your choice of the best drum machines, modular synthesizer units, modular systems, and eurorack modules will always be a personal preference kind of thing!
Take your time, experiment and the rest will fall into place.
Happy drumming!
