Sold my AR MKII. Really liked the compression and the drive, the synthesis much less so, and I deemed it was too expensive a machine to keep if the sounds it produced weren’t to my taste.
Bought a TR-8s, didn’t like the ergonomy and sequencing options at all (I tend to find Elektron’s sequencer a bit limited regarding resolution - steps within steps - and handing of complex time signatures, but it is heaven compared to Roland’s).
In the market for a second hand Syntakt right now:
Same kick as the AR: liked it
Less expensive overall
No samples and I’m ok with that (at core I don’t want samples and file management. I can produce with samples in my DAW)
No individual outs but that’s an issue that I’ve solved using a midi cable that goes into a miniature synth that just goes “beep” into my Pill pedal when I need, with the additional benefit of being able to pump-sans-kick (ghost kick), which is an effect I cherish.
A bit afraid it will be lacking in the compression department, but a second hand Boum might help there. Bit wary about the snare and toms too, which were a weak point of the AR.
I’ve been enjoying model cycles as a beat machine, a sort of mini machinedrum with modern sequencing functions and a pared back layout - highly recommend it if you’re not fussed about analog - if it has to be analog I would go with a uni pulse and individual out modded cr8000 as it sounds brilliant and is super simple to use
I disagree with much of this. vintage instruments have been the heart of my studio for the better part of two decades. they’ve rarely been down, nor am I afraid to use them. maintenance has been no more constant than with any other modern-day analog instrument. and parts have never been unattainable. granted, I don’t own an 808. but I don’t see a lot of them listed for sale as “for parts only.” and even for rare parts, DinSync has re-manufactured those for the RE-808, and they’re designed to be drop-in-ready for vintage units.
but yes, they’re not cheap. and they occasionally need work.
If you paint in broad strokes, someone is bound to split hairs with you.
There are exceptions to every rule. So, if you’ve had a great experience with these old machines, I congratulate you wholeheartedly.
My advice, however, comes from the vantage point of a mid-level touring musician, who has been around, and knows all-to-well what it means to balance budget, durability, reliability, and the replaceability of any piece of gear that I presume to rely upon for my livelihood.
Of course, your mileage may vary.
But I’m not the one looking to buy an 808, so…
It seems to me that we’re all gambling with someone else’s money here.
for me it used to be a living then I retrained and now its a meditation - drum machines are all perfect really because you don’t have to deal with a selfish arsehole who doesn’t have his own car, plays too loudlyl, uses the bell of his ride most of the time to ensure your high end hearing loss is guaranteed, so yeah, drum machines are all perfect
For me, these days, I’m either touring with a real drummer (to which end, I’ve been lucky enough to work with some of the best in the world: i.e. professionals who never overplay or soundcheck like toddlers), or I’m in situations wherein electronic beats are the aesthetic, and so a drum machine is simply the right tool for the job.
I enjoy both experiences, for opposite reasons. It’s the fluidity and dynamic of playing with other great musicians versus the benign foundational aspect of the machines which gives me more latitude as a player.
With the latter, I’m typically the one producing the beats too, and I really enjoy that part, so…
I’ve been playing with my new AR MKI and I strongly urge you to give Rytm another chance. The default settings on the machines do it no justice. And no you don’t have to drive distortion up to make it sound good. Coming from someone who likes the Nord Drum!
well I don’t think @Bitsnbobs ever mentioned wanting to tour with an 808 so I wasn’t considering that… I was thinking from the standpoint of a studio-used drum machine. lots of people have 808’s and various other vintage instruments in their studios and don’t have them under constant service.
anyway, not trying to argue… and it’s fine we disagree. people say the same as you did a lot (some who’ve never owned a piece of vintage gear), and it always bothers me. so I felt compelled to put it out there that it’s at least not always as you stated.
Every time I fire up my Nord Drum, I realize I prefer literally any other synth for drums. I think I’m going to sample its transients and find it a new home.
well so far cycles is super fun and flexible, haven’t tried it in a mix yet - am waiting on a cr-8000 which is due soon to scratch the unaffordable 808 itch…so maybe with a unipulse mod it will offer that vintage vibe with modern programmability, watch this space…
EDIT: cr8000 damaged on arrival so its going back…
It’s not the most tweakable thing in the world. You’ve got one big knob and a lot of buttons. Having a lot of prior experience with the SQ80, I actually tend to like this workflow. In practice, though, something about drum synthesis begs for a lot of moving back and forth to balance things out, so you end up jumping between sections. There’s a couple of modifier keys you have to consider too, which makes it a little bit tedious.
Program changes require a bank command. This isn’t a big deal and most modern sequencers can provide this, but it’s another thing to think about, so it’s more sand in the gears.
I actually don’t love the sound. There’s plenty of sweet spots, but a large surface area has this “phasery” (resonator) vibe. There’s something sort of early 2000s sci-fi and plasticky about it in a way that’s a bit off to me, like it’s the kind of thing that feels like it’s not going to distort in a beautiful way. It’s weird because I have a Micro Modular that I think sounds great, but I guess that the G1 engine is a lot different from whatever’s under the hood here. That said, it can sound very realistic for snares, toms, timpanis, that sort of thing, and it can make very thumping kicks. I particularly don’t love the hi hats.
This is more personal, but over time I’ve realized that for drums I prefer samplers, “abusing” more general synths, or drum synths that are more simplified but also immediate to tweak (Model:Cycles, Rytm, TT606).
What I like about it:
Trigger inputs. Pretty fun with any trigger-like signal, be it audio or CV. It can be a trigger to MIDI converter too - it’s very versatile.
Nice for the aforementioned big kicks and tasteful acoustic sounds.
Nice size for what it does, between the M:C and the Micro Modular.
Really good build quality.
They really did do a great job with the UI, considering the limitations.
A lot of people have posted about being annoyed with the stereo outputs, but that never bothered me.
If you want to check out the sound for yourself and see whether it’s your thing, I recommend listening to attowatt (on Instagram & Bandcamp), who’s been using it heavily for quite a while. The quality of this video isn’t the best, but it gives a taste.
EDIT: Oh yeah @Jeanne’s got one now. She’s a fkn beast on literally everything.
