What do you guys think about the ZOOM SB-246 Drum Machine?

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Overview:
Backing tracks for everything from Old School to New School and Beyond: The SB-246 is a dedicated Hip Hop rhythm machine created in collaboration with hot new Nashville-based producers Beat Kangz. The 246 features 529 Hip Hop sounds and a built-in Sequencer with Loop recording capability.It's the ultimate machine for building authentic tracks perfect for all hip hop styles.Slim, compact design and battery operation mean that the SB-246 can go just about anywhere.It's equally at home on stage, in the DJ booth or on the street.

Array of 529 Hip Hop Sounds:
Take your pick: kicks, Snares, claps, beatbox, percussion and tons of other rhythm sounds. Select fat synthesizer or acoustic instrument sounds. Or go for special Effects: strings, scratch, orchestra hits and more. The SB-246 comes with a total of 529 dedicated Hip Hop sounds already built in. Since no data loading is required, you can start to lay down tracks right away.

Loop pattern sequencer optimized for Hip Hop:
The loop pattern sequencer is great for putting together complex tracks. Just loop a few measures and add rhythm sounds in real time by playing the pads. Non-stop programming helps you stay in the groove. When you have created a number of patterns, switch to song mode and line them up in any order. You'll have a song ready in a flash.

Drum kits support a variety of styles:
East Coast, West Coast, Old School, and plenty of other styles in various categories make up a full complement of 80 "kits". Each kit features a layout of 13 pads x 3 banks. Bank 1 holds the core rhythm sounds that carry the loop pattern. Bank 2 has sub rhythms and percussion to snazz up the basic beat, and bank 3 gives you guitar chords, brass, synth hits and other pitch sounds. With the SB-246, all that you need is right at your fingertips.

Create original kits:
In kit edit mode, you can go right in and alter the existing kits. But no need to stop there: freely combine 39 sources to form your very own drum kits. Parameters that can be adjusted for each pad include sound source, pitch, level, and panning. Up to 127 kits can be created and stored in Memory.

24 bass sound sources:
Sine wave for that earthshaking rumble, acid style synth bass with resonance, and many other Hip Hop favorites are ready to spring into Action. Add to that acoustic bass, sitar, strings, synth pad and other bass sounds that also can be used for non-rhythm parts. To input the bass line, the pads are assigned to a chromatic scale and can be played like a keyboard. A dedicated switch lets you instantly mute the bass Track whenever necessary.

210 Preset patterns produced by Beat Kangz:
All 210 preset patterns of the SB-246 have been pre-programmed by upcoming U.S. hip hop artists "Beat Kangz". Masters of current styles and classic hip hop beats the Beat Kangz have programmed tracks that are ready to go into the studio today. Intros, Fills, Endings and other variation patterns can be combined to create tracks that are ready to record.

Powerful effects including compressor, EQ, Reverb, chorus, and flanger:
compression/EQ is a powerful tool to shape the overall drum sound. Reverb effects let you control the ambience. These effects can be used simultaneously. Effect settings can be stored in 40 different patches for each effect.

Real-time song programming with remix feel:
Freely assign patterns to the pads and then play and switch them in real time: that is what real-time song recording with the SB-246 means. Play loops in DJ style and end up with a finished song. Alternatively, line up patterns one by one using step input, or use the FAST (Formula Assisted Song Translator) method to specify a pattern sequence and then write it out in one go.

Groove play brings out the DJ in you:
In this mode, patterns assigned to the pads can be played and looped as if you were using a Sampler. Get into the groove and bring down the house with your live DJ performance.

The multi-band compressor allows individual compression settings for different frequencies. By focusing only on the target area, you can add a boomy kick to the bass or sharpen the attack of snares and hand claps. Pump out those dance beats with a powerful punch, mutate the sound by going lo-fi, or use the resonance filters for dramatic impact.


You get a choice between four types of reverb effects (hall, room, spring, plate) plus chorus, flanger, and Delay. Each pad has its own effect Send level setting, so you can do things such as applying gate reverb to snare only. Flanger and delay can be synchronized to the tempo by measure or by beat. Whip out some totally novel sounds for club music.

Jam function for free-style sessions
Simply by operating a single foot switch, you can move through a sequence such as intro, pattern 1, fill-in, pattern 2... ending. While MCing or controlling the turntables for scratch effects, you can still do a freestyle session of any length using your feet. *The foot switch (FS01) is available as an option.

Use the metronome for rap rhythm training
For simple rhythm training, the metronome function with its dedicated key comes in real handy. In addition to the standard 2 - 8 beat, you can also use 6/8 beat, 7/8 beat, 2+3 beat, 3+4 beat and other mixed beat settings.

Touch-sensitive pads enhance emotional playing
13 drum pads with built-in touch sensors bring out not only your timing, but also the dynamics and delicate nuances of your finger work. Programming is made even easier through visual cues provided by the self-lit pads

MIDI IN connector and external line input
The MIDI IN connector allows synchronized play with an external device. By receiving note messages, the SB-246 can serve as drum sound source Module in a desktop-music system. The line input accepts the Signal from a CD player or other line-level source. Mix the input signal with the sound from the SB-246 and output the combined result.

2-way power from batteries or AC adaptor
The unit will operate continuously for eight hours on a set of four IEC R6 (size AA) batteries. Whether in the DJ booth or on the street, the SB-246 is always ready. For extended studio work, an AC adaptor can also be used.


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So, do any of you guys use this product, and if so, how do you like it? Should I buy this product as something to begin on, or something else? I plan to buy this product so that I can get a "start" in making beats...

I have to say, this product is certainly not a bad deal for only $180...
 
i havent used it yet, although im sure the synth sounds are pretty horrible. and the sequencer may not b too easy to program. but i dont kno, so dont trust dat. also, ur gonna b limited to just those sounds, it wud b better to get a sampler in my opinion.

but wut i did was start with a used roland rs-70. it allowed me to sequence simple beats and gave me alot of sounds to choose from w/ effects and some sound modification. i got it for 350$ used. if u can find a cheap keyboard wit a sequencer, i suggest get dat instead, cuz hiphop is not just about da drums.(i assume ur doin hiphop cuz dats a hip hop drum machine). look on ebay. or at ur local music store or pawn shop for cheap used keyboards or workstations.
 
I'd pick up the zoom st-224 on ebay instead of this if you want a cheap beat box, since the st224 is a sampler, and not a preset box.
But hey why not use a software app for drums, unless you just want to get away from the puter.
 
might be a good little scratchpad for when you're on the go. Maybe it's like a budget command station.
 
Mattman04 said:
But hey why not use a software app for drums, unless you just want to get away from the puter.

Yeah, I would rather have something more "hands own"/physical, but I will definately use software once I start.

Any more suggestions guys?

I don't know where to start, there is SO MUCH that people are recommending, that I don't where to go and what to buy...
 
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ok, if u hav a music store near by, go there, find a good salesman and tell dem wut ur lookin for. den experiment wit stuff til u find sumthin u like. theres alot of different ways u can go.
 
Hey guys I have one for sale, if anyone is interested just PM me, peace
 
Here's a quick review...

Caponegville said:
Hey guys I have one for sale, if anyone is interested just PM me, peace

Here's a review of what "Capone" think about the SB-246.

Caponegville said:
jacksoncharvel61 said:
Say, can you give me a review of your StreetBox SB-246 Drum Machine? Also, can you record with it and then put the results on the computer?


Yah well its a great machine to start out on, as I became interested in making beats I bought the 246 because of how easy it was to lay down a quick beat.... It has alot of different kits that you can use and has all the essentials like tempo, time signature, note repeat (which allows you to perform drumrolls) and much more. I like that it also has midi in which I use with Cubase SX3 to cue it up and play back the track I just made with the midi clock so it always lines up with the track on the computer. Check out the official website for more info if you havent already. I have some songs that I posted on my soundclick page, 90% were made with the 246. Like I said if you are getting into beatmaking and wanna learn the hang of it quick then I would like to see you get some use out of it.

Also to answer your other question yes you can record everything on the machine and then run it through a 1/4 inch cable to the soundcard.

Oh yeah, you can check out sound clips of the SB-246 on "Caponegville's" soundclick:

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pageartist.cfm?bandID=519910
 
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As posted above my tracks didnt fully explore the versatility of the machine, I merely just only used a handfull of kits as well as created some of my own.........
 
ok for a beginner I've seen and read the specs on thatdrum machine a thousand times.
 
Sorry to bring this post back up, but I had run across this piece of gear, and my first question was...
Who Da F*** are the Beat Kangz???

What ever happened to using you know, reputable spokespeople to sell your product?

LOL
 
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