my experience and opinions
Hi folks! Just wanted to share my experiences with drummachines, as I found some statements I don't really agree with, and some I do agree with. First of all, I would NOT recommend the electribe r mkl or ll as a replacement for an 808 or 909. To my ears, it sounds bland, digital, and somewhat like a toy. Also, certain sequencer features are missing, like flams and rolls. Quite overrated, I'd say. The drumstation is only good as long as you haven't heard the originals. Then it too becomes somewhat toyish imo. Using electribes to sequence modules in order to emulate the classic tr's is not such a good idea imo. Their 'funk' is missing. Something about timing and quantization that simply isn't there.
Also, I don't understand why people talk about 808's being 'hard' or 'banging'. Imo it's the 909 that BANG!s, whereas the 808 BOOOOOM!s I've yet to come across a machine that can booooom quite like an 808 or BANNNGGG like a 909. But the --base series from jomox comes really close, and sometimes outshines the originals with their extended parameters and features and crazy snappy vca's. A truly slept upon classic is
the roland r8. The 808 booom that comes on the 'electronic' soundcard is quite fabulous, and there are many more editing capabilities than the originals. With the decays pushed to the max, a simple kick gives you bass for 30 seconds or something. No kidding. And that's a BOOOM that takes up SPACE! It doesn't have a step sequencer though, which might put off some electronica heads. However, it's mpc/sp12/00 pad-driven sequencer is heaven sent for all urban-type music producers. It's cheap, has tons of professional features, has 8 separate outputs, has superb touch-sensitive pads and sounds great! It's also fantastic as a drum sequencer for external modules. Buy an r8 and an akai s950 or
e-mu emax and you're in mpc 60/sp1200/808 heaven. Word.
The best and cheapest 808/909 emulation is
a jomox airbase 99 controlled by a yamaha rm1x imo. The total cost of that package should be approximately 800 usd, and then you get a helluva lot more than what you bargained for. The rm1x is a fantastic stand alone sequencer for all kinds of uses; I use it as my main sequencer for all my synths and samplers, it clocks my drummachines, and I record all knob-movements into it. Absolutely fantastic value for money on the second hand market. Can be had for as little as 300usd. Indispensable for live and studio use; I don't turn on my computer anymore, unless when I'm recording audio. Great stuff.
To summarize; if you want to make bangin' tracks, stay away from the old electribes and novations drumstation. They simply scream 'emulation!!!'. (I can't comment on the two 'new' electribes, as I haven't had much experience with them. My gut feeling tells me 'stay away!' though...) Jomox airbase 99, roland r8 and yamaha rm1x is the way to go if you need BANG!, BOOM!, SLAP!, CRACK! and hands-on FUNGK! You might even use an
mbase 01/11 instead of the airbase if all you need is a versatile analog kick. I believe you would do well to take heed to my advice, as I am an audio fascist... -: )