Elektron Machinedrum... anything like it for less$$$$?

[fac]

I've been following this thread closely, and now I've decided the best thing for me would be a Vermona DRM-1 mkIII sequenced by one of my old Electribes (ER-1 or ES-1). I'm favoring hands-on tweakability over patch memory or weird tricks. Plus, the DRM-1 is much more affordable than any of the other options out there (Machinedrum, Jomox 888/999, Linndrum II).

[musikmachine]

Does the Korg machines have parameter lock as the MD does? That's one of the big things on the MD. Locking down different settings for each step can give you all kinds of crazy sequences.

No nothing like that afaik. You have motion sequence on the MX/SX though which is basically automation. You can automate something like 26 parameters per phrase.

[Biopharmer]

i just saw the alesis fusion, which seems like a good monomachine substitute.
It's got a micron and dx7 built in. and a sequencer

[MitchK1989]

i just saw the alesis fusion, which seems like a good monomachine substitute.
It's got a micron and dx7 built in. and a sequencer

It's sequencer is more straight up workstation like. Nothing like the monomachine.

Also, the VA engine in the fusion is not as nice as the micron IMO (fewer filter models, only one filter per voice... But it does have more LFOs and Envelopes)... I love the FM engine in the fusion though. Probably one of the best FM engines in hardware (software beats everything for FM I think).

[sinkmusic]

Hi
I'm bringing this thread back from the dead !

I'm on the verge of buying a straight-forward drumsampler, and i'm eyeballing an Electribe ESX-1 for cheapness & goodness.
But several threads are raving about the MachineDrum UW, and i am wondering what could justify the huge price difference ?
The MD UW of course had drum synthesis abilities, and i'm reading that the sequencer is better, but i don't really see in which way it is better ?

For instance, with the MD UW :
- Can we have a different stepseq lenght for each voice ?
- Does it feature some random/probability features (like random pitch / decay / panning, etc) ?

In 2012, Is there anything else which could lead me to spend three times the price of the ESX1 to buy a MD UW ?

Thanks !

[Uncle E]

The ESX-1 is a fun, inspiring box but it's not a Machinedrum. Get both!

[ZenPunkHippy]

Elektron build unique performance machines, there is nothing else quite like 'em. I think the MD UW is far more capable the Electribe ESX but haven't used the more recent ESX models so it's difficult to say for sure. The Elektron gear has a unique, very digital sound. I wouldn't call it harsh, but the are definitely not attempting to sound analogue.

In 2012, Is there anything else which could lead me to spend three times the price of the ESX1 to buy a MD UW ?

If you want drum synthesis try the DSI Tempest. It can be a 6 voice polysynth or drum machine. It has a 100% analogue signal path. 4 oscillators per voice (2 x analogue, 2 x digital samples, but no import). The Tempest excellent performance instrument. Costs a bit more than the MD UW.

Can we have a different stepseq lenght for each voice ?

This is possible using p-locks (parameter locks). Each step can "lock" specific voice parameters to a unique position e.g. the filter cutoff can be set for each individual step, or in the case of step or sample length you would use the hold, decay or (sample) end parameters.

Does it feature some random/probability features (like random pitch / decay / panning, etc) ?

Yes. There are 16 LFO's per sequence, and these can be assigned to any of the 16 tracks. The LFO's can be set to free running, hold or trigger mode. The LFO shape is determined from 2 parameters which can be modulated.

Peace,
Andy.

[Whizz_Bomb]

I've been following this thread closely, and now I've decided the best thing for me would be a Vermona DRM-1 mkIII sequenced by one of my old Electribes (ER-1 or ES-1). I'm favoring hands-on tweakability over patch memory or weird tricks. Plus, the DRM-1 is much more affordable than any of the other options out there (Machinedrum, Jomox 888/999, Linndrum II).

The Vermona rocks, so much hands-on fun, and the sound is great. Highly recommend! The price is really good as well, compared to the others, as you mention.

[sinkmusic]

Thanks for the advices.
I am aware about the DSi TEmpest, but unfortunately, it is 7 times more expensive than a used ESX1
The MachineDrum synthesis engine & sequencer appeals me a lot, but i think that i am going to go for the good old Electribe for the moment

[Uncle E]

It's hard to go wrong with either the ESX1 or EMX1. No matter what anyone thinks of their sound quality, I think it's undeniable that they're amazing idea machines.

Goldbaby might be releasing a Machinedrum library some day, in which case you can get that and load the sounds into the ESX1.

[deastman]

I have an original ER-1, and an original MachineDrum v1, non-UW version. I love the sound of the MD, but I actually prefer the straightforward interface of the ER-1. A while back, I considered either upgrading to a UW version or getting an ESX1. In the end, I decided to stick with what I've got, and I picked up Geist for drum slicing. Maschine would be another option, although of course you'd still be tethered to the computer.

I've gazed longingly at the Vermona DRM-1 mkIII many times, but have never bought one. The truth is, I really want the interface of that machine, especially the trigger version to use with my modular. The sound, however, is pretty weak. The hihats and snares are extremely simple white noise circuits, and the kick is a basic sine wave circuit. If I could get that interface but with, say, TipTop drum module electronics under the hood, I'd jump on it in an instant.

[Uncle E]

These Machinedrum samples seem good:

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/electron ... mples.html

http://tarekith.com/free-machinedrum-samples/

[sinkmusic]

Thanks !

[thecontrolcentre]

These Machinedrum samples seem good:

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/electron ... mples.html

http://tarekith.com/free-machinedrum-samples/

Nice one ... thanks Eric.