[2025 Latest] How to Choose and Popularity Ranking of Drum Machines Rhythm Machines ＆ Grooveboxes [Recommendation]

2023-12-21

Theme：Drums ＆ Percussion, Software, DJ ＆ VJ

Drum machines and grooveboxes not only play the drum part in drum-less bands, but have also become the main item in production of dance and club music such as house and techno genres. Recently, the latest model from Roland, the SH-4D, was featured in a demo video by world-renowned Detroit techno artist Carl Claig, and this became a hot topic. Jeff Mills and Vince Watson’s performances using the Roland TR-909 have not faded away.

■ Carl Craig

■ Jeff Mills

■ Vince Watson

In this issue, I will introduce how to select a drum machine (rhythm machine)/groove box and popular models.

What is a Drum Machine (Rhythm Machine)?
What is a Groovebox?
Recommended Drum Machine (Rhythm Machine) Models
Recommended Grooveboxes

What is a Drum Machine (Rhythm Machine)?

Drum machine is a general term for gear that combines a sequencer and a drum sound source.
Some models can automatically play sampled (recorded) sound sources instead of playing drum sounds, and are sometimes simply called ‘rhythm machines’.
Some distinguish those with sampled sound sources as drum machines and those with synthesizers as rhythm machines, but both are electronic musical instruments that create rhythm patterns, and are now regarded almost synonymously. In addition, there are two types of machines; one for production/live performance and the other for metronome/accompaniment.

For Production/Live Performance

Roland / TR-8S

For Metronome/Accompaniment

PLAYTECH / PRM100

What is a Groovebox?

A groovebox is a device for music production that combines a sequencer and one or more sound source modules (typically a drum, bass synth, or sample sound source) in one unit. Many of them are equipped with sound sources, sequencers, and effectors that are ideal for dance music and club music, and can create full-fledged music with a single unit. The original groovebox was Roland’s MC-303, and the name ‘groovebox’ was originally given to this model. Later, similar devices were released by various manufacturers, including Korg’s Electribe Series, and the genre was established.

It is difficult to make a clear distinction between drum machines and grooveboxes, as both have become so multifunctional with modern technology that the boundaries between them have almost disappeared. However, I think it is safe to say that drum machines are suitable for drums and percussion, while grooveboxes can do almost anything, including bass, melody, and so on.

What is a Sequencer?

A sequencer is a device or function designed for automatic performance made by playing back audio data. Analog sequencers control audio data of the performance by means of voltage control such as CV/GATE. Later, advances in semiconductor technology led to the development of devices that encode audio information of performance, and record and play it back in semiconductor memory. This device is called a digital sequencer. After the birth of the MIDI standard, it became possible to store and play back a variety of MIDI data, which is audio information, and this greatly improved the expression ability.

Korg / SQ-1 Sequencer

Korg / SQ-64 Polyphonic Step Sequencer

What is a Sampler?

A sampler is a piece of equipment that can freely process recorded sound and use it as a sound source. It can sample sounds from instruments, audios, records, etc., and reconstruct them anew. A sampler is equipped with an audio input jack and can sample sounds on its own, while a sample player is a device that cannot sample sounds on its own but can install sampled sound sources from a computer or other device and play them back.

ROLAND / SP-404MKII Sampler

ELEKTRON / Model:Sample ES-MSM Sample Player

Recommended Drum Machine (Rhythm Machine) Models

Let’s take a look at some of the best-selling drum machines!

Roland / T-8 BEAT MACHINE

The AIRA Compact is a new instrument that allows you to enjoy Roland’s unique sound and know-how in the palm of your hand! The T-8 is a beat machine that makes it easy to enjoy making beats for electronic music. The rhythm sound of Roland’s TR-808, TR-909, and TR-606 and the bass sound of the TB-303 are all in this single device. The T-8 can be used as a rhythm section for a variety of electronic music! The built-in battery makes it ideal for portable use and live performances!

Korg / drumlogue Hybrid Drum Machine

The drumlogue is Korg’s newest drum machine is equipped with a hybrid analog-digital drum machine equipped with the whole new analogue circuit developed by a legendary engineer, Mr. Ikeuchi, who invented some masterpieces such as ARP 2600 M, MS-20 mini, and ARP Odyssey. Equipped with the same multi-engine used in the prologue and minilogue xd, the drumlogue is a hybrid analog/digital drum machine and allows you to create new sounds and drum phrases never before possible!

Roland / TR-8S

The TR-8S includes all past Roland Drum machines: The TR Series including the TR-808, 909, 707, 727, and 606, and the sound of the CR-78 CompuRhythm, the predecessor of the TR-808 and a major influence on the pop classics of the 1980s and beyond. These sound sources are not merely sampled or modeled, but rather the electronic circuitry of successive machines is perfectly simulated internally, resulting in a more precisely reproduced sound. The TR-6S is also highly customizable, adding preset samples, custom samples, and even FM sounds, greatly expanding the possibilities for production and live performance. The entry-level model TR-6S is also recommended.

■ Roland / TR-6S

KORG ( コルグ ) / volca drum

Korg / volca beats Analog Rhythm Machine The volca Series is a popular small synthesizer! The volca beats offers a genuine analog sound based on the famous rhythm machine reference out of its small casing. It is also very simple to operate, making it a highly recommended model as a first unit! I also recommend the volca drum, a digital percussion synthesizer that allows you to freely create sounds without the constraints of a drum set, such as kick, snare drum, and hi-hat.

■ Korg / volca drum

Arturia / DrumBrute Impact Analog Drum Machine

This is Arturia’s Brute Series drum machine! The DrumBrute Impact is a versatile analog drum machine with a unique and powerful sound that literally is like a ‘brute’, featuring a 64-step sequencer, a Color function that changes the sound, and a polyrhythm mode that allows you to create complex rhythms. It is very simple to use and the large pads make it ideal for live performances!

Groovebox Recommended Models

Here are some of the best-selling groovebox models!

Novation / Circuit Tracks Groove Box

This is Novation’s innovative groovebox! The Circuit Tracks is a groovebox with 2 synth tracks and 4 drum tracks. With Novation’s sophisticated synth engine and the ability to swap out sample packs via Novation Components editing software, you can create a wide variety of music with just this groovebox and a computer. In addition, two external MIDI tracks allow you to control a separate MIDI synthesizer or MIDI instrument, making it the main part of your live performance! This model is truly an all-in-one studio, combining the functions of a groovebox, mixer, and effects pedal in one unit. Even if you have never touched a musical instrument before, you can still intuitively program on it, making it a good choice for beginners! The sampler’s sibling model Circuit Rhythm is especially recommended when increasing the number of drums in Circuit Tracks, and its effects pedals are also very powerful!

■ Novation / Circuit Rhythm

Roland / MC-707 Groovebox

The MC-707 is the latest flagship model in the direct lineage of the original Groovebox and has almost all the features needed for electronic music production and live performance. The MC-808 can be used to create music based on the sounds of Roland rhythm machines and synthesizers that have laid the foundation for electronic music, including the TR-808, TR-909, TB-303, JUNO-106, and SH-101, and it also works perfectly with DAW software! The entry model MC-101 is also available, so if you are interested in this model, you should check this out as well.

■ Roland / MC-101

Elektron / Model:Cycles

Th Model:Cycles is an FM-based groovebox from Elektron, a leading Swedish manufacturer of electronic musical instruments.Elektron’s products are high-end that does not require a DAW software at all, but this Model:Cycles is relatively easy to handle. It is a device between a synthesizer and a drum machine, and each of the 6 tracks can be assigned to a machine, which is like the Korg/volca drum.

Korg / ELECTRIBE2-BL

This is Korg’s popular ELECTRIBE Series model! The ELECTRIBE2-BL is equipped with various analog modeling instruments and sequencers, allowing you to intuitively play rhythm, bass, chords, and melodies, and is a great tool for live performances and production. The ELECTRIBE2-BL can also be used for full-scale music production, including detailed editing and final mixing by exporting sequence data to Ableton Live. It also uses the Motion Sequence feature that memorizes parameter movements, a feature well-known on Korg products! I also recommend the sampler version, the ELECTRIBE2S-RD.

■ KORG / ELECTRIBE2S-RD

Elektron / Syntakt STK-1

The Syntakt is a drum machine/synthesizer developed by Elektron, featuring 8 digital tracks and 4 analog drum tracks for a total of 12 tracks for a wide range of sound creation. A powerful sequencer that uses Elektron’s unique parameter lock function allows for dynamic performance! The sampler-based Digitakt has also been very popular since its release!

■ ELEKTRON / Digitakt II