A beat machine (or drum machine as some may call it) is an excellent tool used to generate beats that simulate real drums so you don’t need to break out a full kit to get a good beat going. This can be invaluable to a musician because you can set up your beat exactly as you want it, then layer over the other parts of the composition or play along live if you’re practicing or performing. Giving you everything you need in one easy-to-use device can elevate your game to new heights, especially if you’re in the beginning stages of learning your craft. Let’s dive into the five options we have found to be the best beat machines for beginning artists.
IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Our Top Pick ![]() | Our Top Pick | Korg Volca Drum |
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2 | 2 | Alesia SR-16 Drum Machine |
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3 | 3 | Arturia DrumBrute |
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4 | 4 | Arturia DrumBrute Impact |
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5 | 5 | Roland TR-8S Rhythm Performer |
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The Top 5 Beat Machines for Beginners
Korg has always made excellent audio equipment, they have been a reliable member of the music world for many years. Having other renditions of the Volca family, the new Volca drum is a beat machine option that will leave you excited for the sounds it produces. By using a 6-part DSP synth engine, the tones that this drum machine produces are exceptional and quite satisfying. Like other Volca options, it has a 16-step sequencer that leaves all the control at your fingertips to generate all the great beats you need to couple with your other instrumental parts.
It also includes a proprietary step function that can be utilized to further generate drum tones that are exemplary. It allows you to create intricate polyrhythms by putting into play a ton of settings with drum loops and irregular rhythms. This allows for some outside the box beats to give your music a unique touch.
What We Liked
- Korg is a reliable brand that offers exceptional quality
- This drum machine is an affordable option for all musicians
- This model is a new addition by the company and utilizes great features from older models
- Has a multilayer, deep drum engine at an excellent price
What We Didn’t Like
- Some musicians feel this model could have included features competing options have
- The single audio output on this drum machine can be limiting
The Alesia SR-16 is a well-known beat machine that many studios throughout musical history have utilized to generate beats to go along with musical compositions. This beat machine is considered legendary and offers 233 professional sounds that are included with the device. It also offers seamless MIDI connectivity so you can bring new dimensions into your production.
When it comes to drum machines, this bad boy is at the top of the list for many musicians. And it’s a great beat machine for beginners, too, so you know you’re getting exactly what you need. It’s also ideal because it is set up to be compatible with just about any audio setup.
What We Liked
- A well sought-after option that has been reliable for many years
- Offers a wide variety of beat combinations that can continue giving its user a lot of unique sounds
- Seamless MIDI connectivity that brings a whole new aspect into the mix
- Compact and lightweight
What We Didn’t Like
- Some users believe that the device instructions could be clarified much better
- No backlight for dark conditions
The Arturia DrumBrute is an innovative beat machine that has a ton to offer. With it’s offerings of awesome sounding analog beats that come with a highly intuitive interface, the DrumBrute is a great option because it is compatible with a wide array of various gear that exists in the world of music. It also has the ability to track 64 patterns with 64 steps of their own, which is a ton of different combinations of beats you can generate. It gives a musician a ton of opportunity to play with new sounds and beats to create that next excellent song to add to your collection.
Arturia has succeeded in creating a unique machine that separates itself from the other competitors that exist in the marketplace. Drum machines of the past used to replicate other beat makers that came before them, but Arturia made sure to manufacture a machine that would be unique in its own way.
What We Liked
- A wide array of different controls give a musician an infinite number of beat combinations for unique tones
- Firmly rooted in classic drum machines, giving users a familiarity they can recognize
- Offers seventeen true analog sounds
What We Didn’t Like
- Some users believe that more variety in the sound would be better for the machine
And once again Arturia has made our list with a new evolution of the DrumBrute. The Impact has taken all the great features of the original DrumBrute and elaborated on them in a way that has given this new version an even better reason to check it out for consideration. The Impact includes an aggressive output distortion. Meaning that you can really dirty up your beats with the Impact and add a new layer to your style of beats. It provides an opportunity to compose some really unique songs with beats that you might not hear every day.
The Impact is also compact and lightweight, so if you’re a musician on the go who plays a ton of shows, this is a great option if you enjoy utilizing your beat machine for performance purposes. It’s also well-lit so that if you are playing shows, you won’t have to rely on the lighting setup to see what you’re doing.
What We Liked
- Can serve a wide array of musicians coming from a plethora of genres
- Has a modern step sequencer that offers 64 different patterns, opening the door for tons of different beat combinations
- Offers 10, pure analog drum sounds that give your beats a real, authentic sound
What We Didn’t Like
- You can’t load up your own samples with this drum machine
- No motion sequencing/locking or modulation
The Roland TR-808 was a drum machine that just about everyone has heard before, perhaps without even knowing it. Musicians like Marvin Gaye utilized its abilities for songs such as Sexual Healing. Now Roland has further excelled the qualities of the 808 and created the TR-8S, which features every option that came with its predecessors. Now with a new, sleek, lightweight design, the TR-8S gives composers a ton of beat options to bring their songs to life.
Roland has created drum machines that are the most reliable and sought after of all time. The TR-8S combines everything that came before and then some, so we recommend this drum machine over all the rest.
What We Liked
- A new evolution of the legendary TR-808, which has been utilized by a countless number of musicians
- Ultra-compact so it’s easy to travel with for live shows
- Easy to use and excellent for beginners
What We Didn’t Like
- May be a little high in price considering what the machine has to offer its users
4 Components to Look for When Choosing Your First Beat Machine
Simplicity and Ease of Use
Be certain that your new drum machine is easy to use and simple to set up. Each of the options that we’ve chosen are all beat machines that make things easy to plug in your new device and start playing. You will be creating new beats in no time with any of these options.
Pricing
Although there isn’t a huge variance in the price of the machines we’ve chosen, you will still want to make sure you’re getting the best bang for your buck. The Roland device is the priciest, which makes sense because it does have a lot to offer while coming from a legendary brand. But when you’re first starting out, just be sure to do your research and pick the device that’s right for you regardless of the price.
Sound Quality
When you buy a new drum machine, you want it to sound great. Right? There are other instruments out there that may not be exactly what you’re looking for, or may have a lower quality sound than the options we have compiled. Sound quality was certainly taken into consideration when choosing these five drum machines. But if you happen to pick another option that’s out there, no sweat. Just be sure you’re getting quality sound out of your device.
Diverse Beats
Diverse beats are important when it comes to your new drum machine. Having an elaborate library of options to choose from and formulate makes the experience so much greater. It provides a greater opportunity to come up with a uniqueness that can set your beats apart from the rest. And if you have other tracks you want to integrate with your new machine, check out the features on some of our options. Certain beat machines allow you to connect and upload other tracks, which can generate an additional layer in your craft.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are all of the options user friendly and easy to setup?
Do all of the drum machines use authentic drum beats and tones?
Do all of the drum machine options allow you to import samples?
Conclusion
Drum machines can be straight up fun, and they can be an excellent addition to you performance arsenal. Whether you are at home putting songs together or out on the road playing shows, having a reliable drum machine can add a new, exciting element to your songs. When you’re first starting out, there are plenty of options to choose from that will set you up right. We made sure to find the five best options so you can check them out and find the one that is right for you.