drum machine help

**justinsm** · 02-01-2010, 10:14 AM

Looking for a drum machine...I'd really like to have a Roland TR-808 but that's just not in the cards as far as my budget goes. Looking for something versatile, but I really want the 'bass drops' that the 808 is known for. But there's no way in hell I can get away with spending $1000+

Anybody know of any alternatives to the 808?

**VIbes** · 02-01-2010, 05:06 PM

I think the Alesis DM5 has kits from the 808 in it. $350

**justinsm** · 02-02-2010, 10:40 AM

so could I just buy the DM5 module and 1 midi drum pad...set it to the 808 and roll? (mic'ing up the module through the PA of course). This would still be miles cheaper than the Roland SPD...which so far is the cheapest method I've read to getting the sound without buying an 808.

**VIbes** · 02-02-2010, 06:54 PM

you would need more than one pad to trigger all the drums in the set. Unless you just want to trigger one sound at a time. You could use a cheap midi keyboard to do it or I use a little Yamaha DD50 drum pad set to trigger mine.

**justinsm** · 02-03-2010, 12:20 PM

i'm really just interested in the 808 sounds at the moment...without breaking the bank.

**rmjjjt** · 02-05-2010, 06:43 AM

Do you want this for live triggering? If not, you could try something like Reason or Fruity Loops (or any sequencer really - probably some decent free ones out there) and maybe try to buy or find an 808 sound pack somewhere?

It looks like some Roland or Boss machines have built in 808 sounds - if you just want that one sound live, you could just get one midi pad to trigger the sample.

Not sure if this answers your question or not, but I hope it helps in some way.