Maschine to access another world of sounds or maybe MPC One with one of their newer expansion packs?
Reading through all the post, as Im personally addicted to drum machines/synths, comes to my mind a simple thought. That thought is that when referring to learning a tool, at least for me, doesnt mean at all knowing what every button or combination of buttons do, but instead how much you can do with every button and button combination push. What I simply mean is that you probably already looking for something you already own, as you are describing Machinedrum sps1 MK2 when saying āmultiple outs, digital, lots of settings per sound, etcā¦ā , so probably you just need to think about how much you can do with it and also think differently on how you can use it 
I will personally look into MD mk2 and make the most of it, learning it inside out, EVERY machine, processing, routing optionsā¦ it is an unbeliable machine, honestly.
Otherwise, wait for a modularG2 to pop and get one. Dont use other user presets and design your own patches, the ONE and ONLY drum machine that will make you happy as I believe it is the only tool that can bring you that. With the tools you already own, any other one wont be enought I guess.
Maybe start taking a read on the manual, that is pretty good, and you will see how much stuff it can cover for your current needs.
The Gotharmanās Spazedrum sounds kinda broken to me, in a bad way.
It seems like it clips everything very easily or something.
Been watching lots of videos of it and itās always the same thing. Most of the stuff from it sounds unusable and annoying to me.
2 Likes
I know my MD quite good after 8 years of ownership, what i mean is that i am looking for something to fill the gaps. There are more than just FM, check for example Plonk that is an awesome example on a unit that can do and sounds like bascally anything!
I just interest in units that complements the MD. ItĀ“s not a machine that can do ANYTHING, it can do a lot, but i would also like to experiment with modern machines. I have slimmed my studio so that every unit i have, i use, and a lot, since thatĀ“s the best way to learn.
@Starscream, i have a Maschine tooā¦ great oneā¦ Have is as it gives access to more things. I also use reaktor when needed.
@Francis, that about DR-2 sounds greatā¦ The Modor is definately a contender. ItĀ“s stuff like that i want! Experimental ways to create basic (db drums for instance) sounds!
@Inakito, i found lots of drum kits in my Kodamo, so they are more than enough digital drums in there for me using FM.ā
@Strutter - yeah, you might be right. There are two synts i am very inerested inā¦ or threeā¦ but i wont soil the thread with synths any moreā¦
LXR02 is not much of a contenderā¦ The Volca Drum sounded quite interesting, but one outoutā¦ Nahā¦ Maybe i just save up for another prok drum for my modular, or something elseā¦
Ok, i donĀ“t think i will find the answer here - but you have given me lots of ideas and stuff to think about, and for that, i thank you!
I will let you know if i decide on somethingā¦
Cheers!
Ok, then as I already recomended may be try going Nord Modular G2, as it is probably the only Digital/VA that can cover mostly everything, always down to your demmands and obviosuly programming skills, but dont forget Digitone and Machinedrum arent only FM drum synths 
Good luck on your hunt.
I know that. Thanks for the tips, i will look into the G2!
Cheers!
MPCs can attach class compliant audio interfaces so you can have up to 32 ins/outs. Thereās a bunch of drum synth plugins, a full fledged 4 operator FM synth (among others), and with the sampler you can do things like single cycle synthesis, and of course samples. This seems like a decent option.
Otherwise Iād pursue more Eurorack drum voices, you have so many great ones to choose from:
- SY0.5 (half of a Pearl Syncussion basically)
- Akemieās Taiko (old school Yamaha FM, crispy as hell)
- Tyso Daiko (wavetable based, duophonic)
- Qu-Bit Surface (physical modelling, similar to Plonk)
- WMD Crucible/Crater/Krakken/etc (focused drum modules)
- Entity Percussion (based on a resonant filter, woody and beefy as eff)
- Modbap Trinity (not yet released but sounds killler. 3 voices, 4 algos)
- VPME.de Quad Drum / QD (some Plaits algos plus sampling and wavetables, 4 voices)
- Super Synthesis 2OPFM (small 6hp fm synth, great for percussion, no v/oct)
Just to name a few. Not to mention what you can achieve with just a nice complex oscillator and a LPG.
EDIT: Iām not sure how I forgot Noise Engineering Basimilus Iteritas Alter (BIA) which is an incredible drum synth module which I believe is based on FM / wavetables.
Hereās a QD video I did: https://youtu.be/jk0rDxxjriE
And a BIA one: https://youtu.be/gdhgpCce8-o
A good sequencer to look at if you want an Elektron-like workflow would be the Westlicht Performer.
1 Like
Thatās how I like my oatmeal.
Iāve been into sampling sounds and running them through various chains to mangle them into percussion hits.
1 Like
Itās a very complex machine and easy to get distorted / noisy sounds out of it. But it also can sound very tight or like a modern Syncussion. Itās a matter of taste and experience and I am still learningā¦ Plus it can play and mangle samples on top.
1 Like
Okay. Nothing against noisy stuff but Iāve been wondering if ppl like the way it seems to go from vanilla to absolute non-sense with seemingly nothing in between.
ā¦if lxr is no option, which makes me wonder, since itās that one digital drum thing with truu ballsā¦and given the fact. that u kind of got them all already, thereās only pulsar or perkons left, that still could make a differenceā¦
Well, lxr02 is definitely still in the game, i would need to test it properly, see how much Spacey digital weirdness it can do. If it can, i am interested!
as said, itās all a matter of programming
1 Like
Actually, i dont have that much gear, but i have tested a lot of it to find the ones that fits my workflow the best.
And i dont want, or have the time, to sit down and create all the drums i need from the synths i have. Drummachines provide my drums, with some created sounds when i need something special. Synths do what they do best in my studio.
I have very little time, which is why i have to have few units that i know extremely well and can work fast with. I wish it was different, but itās not.
I find your comment a bit disturbing and provoking; you dont know much about my situation. But thatās not your fault, since i have not told you. You have a point though, but also - i want to make drums with the gear that is specialized for itā¦ in short. Clearer now, i hope?
1 Like
Get an Erica Synths Perkons or Herbs and Stones Gentle Wham. Those look like super drum machine options to complement your setup. Iām a drum fanatic myself.
Continually searching for, buying, learning to use, and subsequently selling gear in order to find one that does the exact thing you need with few compromises is extremely time consuming! I know this because Iāve gone through it, as have most of the people who post to this forum on a regular basis. Youāve already run through so many specialised drum machines and it seems pretty clear that thereās nothing on the market that will meet the standards youāve set.
If time is limited youāre much better off spending it on your existing gear, programming bespoke drum sounds on other synths, learning Max or a similar framework for making your own DSP drums, etc.
3 Likes
āNord Drum with a built-in, Elektron-style sequencer would be an absolute dream for me.ā
Forreals. Multi outs and different FX parameters per track, too.z
To get back on topic, itās not a physical drum machine, but āDrumMachineā by Sugar Bytes is great. Love using the iPad version, too. Works great with my Digitakt. I often just make sounds on it and sample it into the Digi. I know it doesnāt exactly fit with what youāre looking for, but it definitely has a lot to offer!
2 Likes
Sometimes I trick myself by watching reviews on something I already have. I always appreciate my stuff more when I do that, especially when most of the comments are people saying how much they would like to own one.
2 Likes
I think, you got it a bit wrong. But a bit right too, i could have saved time, but i was determined to find devices that worked for me, and the music i make.
Sure, i have tested and lots of synths and drum machines, DAWs and dawless solutions - but i had a pretty good feeling after a while what i wanted, and now i am VERY satisfied with my selection. I dont really feel the need to replace any of my units; each do their own thing and each is vital, i find a place for them in each track.
But sometimes, it is informative to ask around. I dont read forums or mags all the time so i miss a lot of hardware, and thatās why i put the question out here to other members.
I have said, and i stand by, that i will be buried with my MnM and MD.
But sometimes i find sound creation unitsā¦ synths, modules and so onā¦ that have a unique sound and i instantly feel that this sound, or the synthesis method used, excites me a lot and really will fit my music. But if i dont ask, read or look, i will never find it. So thatās why, i get good ideas and tips by threads like this.
Each time i start working on a new track, i am immensely pleased with the machines i have before me. For me, the studio is perfect and complete.
Then, i am only human and sometimes get hit by GASā¦ BUT, i have decided a long time ago, that before buying anything new, i have to have learned the units inside and out.
Sure, sometimes i can wish for new things, itās only normal. A MD with some more modern features would be nice, but dont really need it, and i have tested so many machines - for me, it still is #1 because it fits my workflow and sound so good.
If i buy another, i would have trouble, because i would have too many and too little opportunities to use them. RytmMk2 is the all-round machine that basically can do most of what i need. MD is my electro / weird metallic crispy drums for certain tracks or parts thereof. My modular drummer is 1. My murder bassdrum generator, 2. My experimental station, 3. My weird percussion SFX station where i can create basically any drum sounds and use for any kind of FX, cool loops, and in general Odd stuffā¦
This third modular i also use to create more dynamic tracks, by modulating parameters and draw the curves in my dƤr.
Works great!
Now i have also - thanks to a tip here - started experimenting with the FM drum kit presets in my Kodamo, very fun and i do not think i need an fm drum machine.
Oh yeah; the Perkons is coolā¦ the Soma Pulsar 23 even coolerā¦ but, both way to expensive for me now and most likely for years to come. My money have been marked for investments in energy solutions for my house, not fun and games. Sadly, but good in the long run i hope.
1 Like
What do you feel youāre missing right now or perhaps whatās bothering you with your actual setup? Do you want new sounds? do you want new ideas? Why did you sell the gears you listed (not happy with them? then why?)
Perhaps, an external sequencer could be an option in order to get new ideas (if thatās what youāre missing, no idea). As you have a modular rig, Grids and Hermod are great. Hapax, Pyramid, OXI One, Torso T-1. Polyend Play has cool generative features to get you going and a nice performance mode to mangle away. Controlling your actual drum machines with external sequencers could bring a bit of fresh air.
If you want a different sound, I can only repeat what has been said already
2 Likes