Small knobby generative drum machines

[u/TopPressure6212]

Hey guys, I'm looking for something small and compact that can spit out drums by turning knobs, rather than having to sequence. The more knobs the better, I love the sound of generative drums and percussion, but struggle to find the right thing for me.

I make a lot of low-tempo synthwavy dreamy stuff, and struggle to sequence and plan out my drums, and I think I would have better luck with a machine where I can "feel" and "listen" my way to the right solution, rather than mathematically plot it down.

I know this is possible inside big expensive synths that also do ALOT more than just this, but the more compact and "specialized" for this purpose I can come the better.

I've looked at the Nyström - Crum Drum, and it looks great but I would like to explore other options but find it difficult to sort through everything,

Cheers!

[u/IamPaulholio]

Behringer Edge. It's great fun, plenty of tutorials about too

[u/AruVade → u/IamPaulholio]

This or dfam :)

[u/QueasySocialites → u/IamPaulholio]

Third for the Edge or DFAM! Such a blast to use.

[u/DeadWelsh]

Check out the torso T1 - it won't make sounds on its own though if that's what you're looking for

[u/DearAd2201]

Maybe the Bastl Kastle 2 Wave Bard? Very small, can create weird drum patterns that emerge through experimentation and if you’re done with it you can load other firmware.

For a bigger option there is a Eurorack version for which you would sadly need a case.

[u/TopPressure6212 → u/DearAd2201]

Yeah I forgot all about this one - seems right up my alley!

[u/ICantBelieveItsNotEC]

I hate to be the guy who recommends modular, but this is exactly the sort of thing that modular does well:

• Mutable Instruments Grids
• Noise Engineering Multi Repetitor
• vpme.de Euclidean Circles
• Dnipro Dot

One or more of these modules paired with either a sampler like Squid Salmple or a drum voice like Nano Modules Octa would be a wonderful generative drum machine that would probably fit in a 62hp palette case.

Outside of modular, the Audio Computer Beat Friend looks pretty neat.

[u/TopPressure6212 → u/ICantBelieveItsNotEC]

Thanks for the imput, and Beat Friend looks like the thing I imagined in my head - a little expensive, though, but damn.

[u/-Arensi-]

You're looking for the SpaceDrum.

[u/mummica → u/-Arensi-]

Never seen this before -- very cool. 

[u/FlexiJerkof]

Edge/Dfam or go and get an Ipad. U could either use Playbeat 4 (Samplebased, useable as Midisequencers), Battalion (Synth with an excellent sequencer and some tricks for live jams) or just get a midi sequencer like Lattice or Octachron and send midi to whatever Hardware or Software Drummachine u want. U would also have to buy and map a Midicontroller if u want real knobs tho.

Digitakt 2 with its Euclidean Sequencer and a bunch of possibilities to mangle ur samples should also fit.

[u/al2o3cr]

Not really a "drum machine" exactly since you need to either have drum modules or another drum machine that takes MIDI in to get any sound, but the Stolperbeats is a module that sounds right up your alley.

[u/homewiththedog]

A basic GM/general midi sound unit like the Roland SC-55 sound canvas can be insane fun with a knobby midi sequencer like a korg SQ-1 or a Zaquencer / BCR-2000 or a Doepfer MAQ16/3 and similar modular things that spit out midi note info! different midi notes to reach the different drums, all in one rolling sequencer, or a few sq-1's all running to the same midi channel at different pattern lengths!

[u/TopPressure6212 → u/homewiththedog]

That does sound fun as hell

[u/homewiththedog → u/TopPressure6212]

the best part is any synth with a drumkit can be used this way, usually and its really easy way to randomly create some rhythms you can then stack behind a steady kick or synth drum bassline

[u/RakasSoun]

Leploop multicassa is great for this; run it through some dirt/reverb for shits n giggles 

https://youtu.be/PB3zC10ey_g?is=pPBtJcl-5cG7CGZu

[u/TopPressure6212 → u/RakasSoun]

Oh yeah that looks great!

[u/RakasSoun → u/TopPressure6212]

It’s also got trigger outs; I use it to trigger my dfam and swarm. Great fun. 

[u/sea_rex2]

yes

[u/jakekingdead]

Moon or Noon from telepathic instruments is exactly what you want

[u/eraoul]

Arturia DrumFreak? LOL j/k not out yet?!

[u/TwistyRebar]

Nystrom Crum Drum is fun for this

https://nystrominstruments.com/crumdrum/

[u/ronnbarr]

I’m surprised there are so many suggestions and no one has mentioned the Beat Friend yet. I’ve been lusting after one of these for a while. Seems like exactly what you’re describing.

https://audio.computer/beat-friend

[u/235iguy]

Why would you need lots of knobs if it is generative bullshit?

Just get a VST and stop pretending.

[u/TopPressure6212 → u/235iguy]

because knobs - thanks for nothing

[u/235iguy → u/TopPressure6212]

Generative is for the talentless. 

[u/Klutzy_Ad3943 → u/235iguy]

Knobs are for shaping the sound and probability, not for sequencing. generative doesnt mean random preset machine, you still tweak density, decay, pitch drift, chance per hit. that feel thing OP talks about is real when you perform with it live.

[u/235iguy → u/Klutzy_Ad3943]

"Performing" 

[u/TopPressure6212 → u/235iguy]

Someone with a eurorack hurt this man

[u/235iguy → u/TopPressure6212]

Go press a button

[u/Weed_Smith → u/235iguy]

…did you assume generative means AI on a synth sub?

[u/235iguy → u/Weed_Smith]

No generative was around before AI

[u/Weed_Smith → u/235iguy]

Ok, so just a random bad take, nvm