Are you looking for the best drum machine for metal? You’re in the right place. In this review, we walk you through the top six drum machines along with a buying guide.
A premium drum machine comes in perfectly handy for music producers and mixing engineers who need to write drum notations for composing music. A highly skilled and seasoned drummer is indispensable when it comes to writing notations about percussion instruments.
However, composers and recording engineers have to struggle to find an accomplished drummer capable of writing crisp notations for snare, bass, and floor tom.
And this is exactly where a drum machine comes to the rescue of mixing engineers and record producers by delivering quality drum notes and patterns. It is heavy metal musicians that make the most drum machines designed with meticulous care for copying and reproducing sounds of cymbals, drums, tambourines, and other percussion instruments.
Best Drum Machines for Metal – Comparison Table
1. Alesis SR-16 Drum Machine
It’s NOT the best drum machine for metal on the list but I decided to start with this model to give you some perspective. If you are in a hurry, please skip this review and go for a newer model of Alesis – the Alesis SR-18 (see below).
The Alesis SR-16 always has been and continues to be the favorite drum machine for nearly every stakeholder in the music industry. From remix engineers to music producers to composers, everybody swears by the SR-16 drum machine for giving vent to creativity. Alesis’s drum machine has almost everything going for it pairs of stereo (audio) output, 233 fusion notes, 16 voice polyphony, 200 preset and 200 customizable patterns, and much more.
Setting up the SR-16 Drum Machine is a breeze thanks to the integrated rhythmic differentiation. You’ll be able to create and compile songs, patterns, notes, and an exhaustive arrangement with the help of incorporated rhythmic variations. At the same time, you’ll be able to take full advantage of MIDI implementation, velocity-receptive pad buttons, editing features, and adaptable programming.
Features
- 50 programmable and 50 preset drum kits along with 233 transferable sounds
- 12 velocity-sensitive pads with Dynamic Articulation™
- Stereo specimens, step editing, and sound uploading with ambiance and reverberations
Pros
- Across-the-board connectivity: dual-function footswitch jacks and two pairs of stereo outputs
- Total MIDI support compatible with electronic drum kits, DAWs, and keyboards
- Built-in digital effects and 233 original sounds for realistic composing
- Almost twice less expensive than our first choice – the Alesis SR-18 (see below)
Cons
- The display can be difficult to read (in low light conditions) as it is not backlit
- No guide for troubleshooting
2. Alesis SR-18 Drum Machine (Editor’s Choice)
The Alesis SR-18 is the best drum machine for metal, in our opinion.
After taking the drum machine industry by storm with the SR-16 and dominating the market for nearly three decades, Alesis upped the ante with SR-18. Reinforced with state-of-the-art percussion effects, one-shot hits, electronic drumbeats, and avant-garde drumsets, the Alesis SR-18 is the worthy descendant of SR-16. Regardless of whether you’re a recording engineer, music producer, or sound mixer, you can use the SR-18 to good effect.
Composers and remix engineers can exploit the SR-18’s features to the hilt, including but not limited to dynamic articulation, total MIDI implementation, built-in and customizable notes, patterns, and songs. The versatile SR-18 drum machine comes with 500 revolutionary percussion notes, one-shot hits, digital drums, and drumsets. Alesis SR-18 also comes equipped with 100 preset patterns that represent the excellent performances of acclaimed studio drummers.
Features
- Battery backup option and included wall adapter for production on the go
- Pattern play mode for activating a variety of patterns directly from the pads
- Customizable drum roll feature
- Broad-spectrum MIDI support for pairing with computers, electronic drum kits, and keyboards
Pros
- Proprietary Dynamic Articulation technology for tweaking sample sounds during rehearsals and live performances
- It comes with one-shot hits, electronic drums, and advanced drumsets for stellar compositions and performances
- Backlit LCD ensures good visibility in darkness and low light conditions
- ¼” input at the rear for plugging a range of musical instruments
Cons
- The ‘erase’ knob juxtaposes the ‘save’ button (without any undo button) that could spell a disaster
- Backing up your compositions could be a hassle as there is no auto-save feature
- More expensive than the SR-16 but, honestly, another $100 makes the difference
3. Korg KR Mini Drum Machine
When musicians and composers talk about Korg drum machines, they usually mean the Volca Beats Analog Drum Machine or the Volca Beats Analogue Drum Machine Bundle. By launching the KR Mini, Korg has added to its product line and offered a perfect practicing rhythm machine for budding percussionists. Everything comes preset in the Korg KR Mini Drum Machine, and therefore the musician has to fine-tune the tempo.
This compact and user-friendly pocket-size rhythm machine comes with an integrated speaker and backup power feature for uninterrupted use during an outage. This mini supremely portable drum machine featuring the entire array of pads, genres, and patterns is straightforward to use. Equipped with 120 fills, 60 diverse rhythm patterns, and16 pads, composers and recording engineers have full leeway in creating their beats.
Features
- 16 pads for recording personalized rhythms and for finger drumming
- Chain function for composing songs and organizing your rhythm patterns
- Simplistic design with preprogrammed features: Just fiddle with the tempo for getting started
- Optional footswitches: Hands-free control for starting, filling-in, and stopping
Pros
- Headphone with speaker jack for linking with a monitoring system/mixer or practicing solo
- For recording performances or finger drumming, you need to knock on the 16 pads.
- Ideal drum machine for practicing acoustic and bass guitars or any instrument
Cons
- Designed poorly to be considered a user-friendly metronome
- Might take a long period to master using this mini drum machine
4. Roland Aira TR-8 Rhythm Performer
Roland has incorporated the best features of its two celebrated analog drum machines-TR-808 and TR-909 in the futuristic TR-8 drum machine. From the classic thud of the 909 to the snap and boom of the 808, every tone and gradation has been recreated with a touch of innovation. However, Roland is an acutely aware plan, and simple recreations will not please fastidious musicians and therefore has armed the TR-8 with capabilities making it amazingly versatile.
The TR-8 has been thoroughly crafted with meticulous care to ensure that every control offers a realistic feel where every drum set has strong playable faders. The RGB buttons, together with the lighted knobs, offer a semblance of real-time stage performance as well as an arresting look.
The TR-REC technique that started with the TR-808, ultimately becoming the benchmark for digital rhythm programming, has been realistically replicated in the TR-8. Nevertheless, the TR-8 transcends the original pattern creation mechanism, enabling composers to shift effortlessly between performance and programming modes.
Features
- Built-in per-step side-chain function with ext in-jacks for rhythmic gating and ducking effects
- Full parallel outputs and two exchangeable analog outputs by way of USB ports for mixing
- Large tempo button featuring tap temp knob with adjustment knobs for shuffling
Pros
- 16 versatile kits comprising 11 types of instruments together with customized kits drawing from TR-909 and TR-808 sounds
- Intuitive knob for regulating Accent function’s intensity
- Compatible with products grouped under the AIRA series
Cons
- Digitally recreated drum sounds; doesn’t perfectly replicate the pitch of individual drums
- No ‘save’ mode for backing up and retaining patterns
5. BOSS DR-670 Dr. Rhythm Drum Machine
Amongst all the drum machines that BOSS has manufactured and promoted since it commenced business, the DR-670 stands out. The BOSS DR-670 Dr. Rhythm Drum Machine is easily one of the most affordable and performance-oriented drum machines packed to the hilt with unbeatable features. This compact electronic rhythm machine is the true heir to DR-770, BOSS’s flagship drum machine integrating all the latter’s celebrated sounds.
At the same time, DR-670 features versatile enhancements, including footswitch control, velocity-sensitive pads, and the like. Some of the unique features include programmed bass lines that let you take advantage of 16 different sounds such as pick bass, acoustic bass, and slap bass. You can write drum patterns and notations using the 255 no-compromise percussion and drum waveforms classified into 64 customizable and 64 preprogrammed kits.
Features
- Velocity-sensitive pads for vibrant creative rhythm pattern presetting
- 200 multifarious user/customizable- and 200 preprogrammed rhythm patterns
- Pocket-friendly drum machine with 255 superlative drums, cymbal, bongo, and other percussion sounds
Pros
- Prominent LCD screen for clearly displaying pattern tempo
- Bass port for setting bass notes using 16 distinct bass sounds
- Foot control socket for linking optional footswitch for hands-free operation
Cons
- The learning curve for this drum machine is steeper compared to other models
6. Boss DR-880 Dr. Rhythm Drum Machine
The BOSS DR-880 Dr. Rhythm Drum Machine is a veritable rhythm developing powerhouse chock-a-block with extraordinary and practical features. This rhythm machine includes top-notch percussion, bass, and drum sounds sourced from Roland’s SRX library. Other noteworthy features that drummers and percussions can make fair use of comprising BOSS’s signature COSM amp models and effects, bass/guitar inputs, 500 presets, and 20 velocity-receptive pads.
Composers will also take to the 3 EZ compose knobs that facilitate recreating original notes and patterns without reconstructing from scratch. You can also take optimum advantage of the Groove Modify functionality for experimenting with patterns at a profound level. The DR-880 Dr. Rhythm Drum Machine also features an incredible compilation of innovative waveforms that drummers and mixing engineers can exploit effectively.
Features
- Total sound control (TSC) typified by 3-band EQ
- 40 bass notes, 440 percussions, and bass sounds
- USB port, digital out, and distinct outputs
- Expression-pedal key ins
- Four transferable and convertible footswitch
Pros
- 500 customizable and 500 preprogrammed patterns for supplementing chord progressions, ghost notes, fills, and much more
- Bassists and guitarists can plugin directly to the guitar/bass input jack for a full-throated effect
- Integrated COSM drive/amp models
Cons
- Build quality could have been better; the motherboard is not quite durable
How to Pick the Best Drum Machine for Metal?
Even the most versatile drum machine can never replace a drummer. But what will you do when you can’t find an accomplished drummer or percussionist for completing your studio recording and production? On the other hand, will you cancel an upcoming gig or concert just because you could not engage an eminent drummer?
In the absence of a drummer, your best option is to pick a premium drum machine that suits your needs and preferences. You can visit the nearest music store to check out the sound quality of at least 5-6 drum machine brands. Alternatively, you can also review the quality of the shortlisted products on the net.
Before you start shopping for a drum machine, you’ll need to keep some specific aspects or attributes in mind. Following are some of the essential factors to pay close attention to before you finally make up your mind:
Best Black/Heavy/Death Metal Drum Machines: How Different?
I have a confession to make.
I tried tons of different drum machines and can say that some of them are more suitable or less suitable for metal. However, if it’s a decent instrument, we can’t say that there is some “best black metal drum machine” or “best heavy metal drum machine.” Some specific “best death metal machine” doesn’t exist.
Many famous metal musicians tested all the kits we have included in this article. Some are more popular, e.g., the SR-16, some less, but they all do the job in any case, for any subgenre of heavy metal. Such a machine will inevitably have dozens of different rock/metal drum kits included for all genres and styles, and you can get almost anything you want.
Feel free to disagree, but it’s just an honest opinion of a person who has been playing heavy metal for almost 20 years.
Digital Compatibility
You’ll have to set up the drum machine with a host of musical instruments during a studio recording or a live performance. So the drum machine must feature HDMI ports and also have input and outputs for MIDI.
Portability and Sturdiness
You’ll want to buy a drum machine for metal that stands up to rough handling, and normal wear and tear yet stays functional. At the same time, you’ll have to keep the aspect of portability in mind as you’ll have to carry the rhythm machine from one place to another. Choose something that balances durability with portability.
User-Friendly Controls of Metal Drum Machine
You’ll come across drum machines for metal with intuitive, in-depth controls as well as ones that have easily manageable controls. The type you’ll eventually choose boils down to your personal preference.
Budget
Whether you’ll be able to buy your preferred product will, by and large, depend upon your affordability. Given the wide variety of quality drum machines available nowadays at competitive rates, you’ll find one that is within your budget. Make a shortlist of 5-6 moderately priced products, and choose the one that comes with features you can use.
We included products that cost less than $100 and more than $600 in one article. Does it mean the drum machines are SO different? No, it means there are people with differences in needs.
If you’re a beginner, you can’t get too much, even from the most sophisticated drum machine. You don’t understand how it works, don’t like an abundance of options (what are they about?). You need a simple and working solution for metal with several clear working modes.
However, if you are an experienced musician, the instruments in the $150-300 range might seem like some child-ish keyboards for you. You don’t use your drum machine for metal tones only. In this case, you might consider the most expensive models of drum machines.
Most of us need something in the middle – a $150-250 drum machine for metal that gets things done without quality loss.
Final Thoughts: The Best Drum Machine for Metal Is…
So there you are – six top drum machines for metal-two models each from Alesis and BOSS and one from Roland and KORG. While the KORG KR is an entry-level drum machine with a long learning curve, the Roland TR-8 is a tad pricey vis-à-vis its features.
So the clear winner is Alesis SR-18 integrated with a host of practical features, including 500 cutting-edge replicable percussion sounds and customizable options. It’s the best drum machine for metal available on the market at the moment.
What tips the scales in favor of SR-18 is the drum machine is remarkably affordable, offering good value for money. However, SR-16 (also by Alesis) and the two BOSS models also make good buys.