# Drum machine / synth / sampler geekery

**URL:** <https://ukskateforum.co.uk/t/drum-machine-synth-sampler-geekery/3727>\
**Category:** General\
**Created:** [August 12, 2023, 12:02pm UTC](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/t/drum-machine-synth-sampler-geekery/3727 "2023-08-12T12:02:52Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 7

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![jimvo](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/user_avatar/ukskateforum.co.uk/jimvo/32/336_2.png) [@jimvo](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/u/jimvo)\
**Post date:** [April 25, 2024, 11:56am UTC](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/t/drum-machine-synth-sampler-geekery/3727/122 "2024-04-25T11:56:43Z")

</div>

Great! I’d like to try a 404, looks like a solid machine.Getting a new or used one?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![pigdog237](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/user_avatar/ukskateforum.co.uk/pigdog237/32/349_2.png) [@pigdog237](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/u/pigdog237)\
**Post date:** [April 25, 2024, 12:04pm UTC](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/t/drum-machine-synth-sampler-geekery/3727/123 "2024-04-25T12:04:01Z")

</div>

Got it new but at a super discount price! It’s literally just arrived!

The new Digitakt II looks ace too. I’m selling a ton of old stuff on eBay, so if I make enough money might have to consider one of those. Will fit nicely with my Digitone!

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![jimvo](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/user_avatar/ukskateforum.co.uk/jimvo/32/336_2.png) [@jimvo](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/u/jimvo)\
**Post date:** [April 25, 2024, 1:20pm UTC](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/t/drum-machine-synth-sampler-geekery/3727/124 "2024-04-25T13:20:47Z")

</div>

Oh yeah how did you manage the super discount?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![pigdog237](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/user_avatar/ukskateforum.co.uk/pigdog237/32/349_2.png) [@pigdog237](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/u/pigdog237)\
**Post date:** [April 25, 2024, 1:59pm UTC](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/t/drum-machine-synth-sampler-geekery/3727/125 "2024-04-25T13:59:31Z")

</div>

Been thinking about getting one for a while and the price had been averaging at about £380, then the (amazing) new firmware dropped and I suppose demand peaked and they’re back at about £415 - £420. Bax had a 7% off offer over the weekend, and by chance their price also went down to £379 so with the code that was about £350 and I couldn’t resist! Back up to £415 now.

 ![Étienne_de_Crécy_-_Super_Discount](https://uksf-media.lon1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/original/3X/6/f/6f1d01d83ec889d9fbfc7d26f530f0636f5d60d5.png)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![notactuallyhere](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/user_avatar/ukskateforum.co.uk/notactuallyhere/32/26258_2.png) [@notactuallyhere](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/u/notactuallyhere)\
**Post date:** [April 25, 2024, 7:57pm UTC](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/t/drum-machine-synth-sampler-geekery/3727/126 "2024-04-25T19:57:01Z")

</div>

Lad at a gig last night was telling me about the digitakt 2, Seems they implemented some of the ideas he suggested. I played with an Octatrack and Machinedrum so he went straight for the Elektron chat.  
Not looked into the SP404 2 as I had the original many years ago and hated it. People seem to really like the new one though. Looks a totally different beast.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![notactuallyhere](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/user_avatar/ukskateforum.co.uk/notactuallyhere/32/26258_2.png) [@notactuallyhere](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/u/notactuallyhere)\
**Post date:** [June 6, 2024, 6:20pm UTC](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/t/drum-machine-synth-sampler-geekery/3727/127 "2024-06-06T18:20:41Z")

</div>

Needing to save space in the case for a gig and need to take a couple of elektron boxes so I just went crazy for a second and ordered A digitakt 2 so I can leave my Machinedrum at home.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![jimvo](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/user_avatar/ukskateforum.co.uk/jimvo/32/336_2.png) [@jimvo](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/u/jimvo)\
**Post date:** [August 17, 2024, 9:57am UTC](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/t/drum-machine-synth-sampler-geekery/3727/128 "2024-08-17T09:57:03Z")

</div>

[![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/tE2dJSWl1-c/maxresdefault.jpg "Teenage Engineering EP-1320 Medieval🛡️") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tE2dJSWl1-c)

> **[EP–1320 medieval](https://teenage.engineering/products/ep-1320)**
>
> hurdy gurdys, lutes, gregorian chants, thundering drums and percussive foley fx, all at the press of a button. the EP–1320 is the first of its kind: featuring a large library of phrases, play ready instruments and one-shot samples from the darkest of...

Fairly mental bit of kit

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![jimvo](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/user_avatar/ukskateforum.co.uk/jimvo/32/336_2.png) [@jimvo](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/u/jimvo)\
**Post date:** [September 12, 2024, 10:28am UTC](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/t/drum-machine-synth-sampler-geekery/3727/129 "2024-09-12T10:28:10Z")

</div>

[![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/NnQRZFjLRlo/maxresdefault.jpg "Roland Compact P-6 Review // Sampling, Granular and Beatmaking Tutorial") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnQRZFjLRlo)

New budget roland sampler. Could be really good for not much money. Not much of a screen though. Granular stuff in there as well

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![cleam.clackers](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/user_avatar/ukskateforum.co.uk/cleam.clackers/32/252_2.png) [@cleam.clackers](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/u/cleam.clackers)\
**Post date:** [September 12, 2024, 12:08pm UTC](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/t/drum-machine-synth-sampler-geekery/3727/130 "2024-09-12T12:08:47Z")

</div>

I’m starting to feel the pull towards getting some kit. I had a few bits and pieces at one time centred around a PC running Reason.

A prolonged period of mental health problems meant I never really got it all up and running properly and eventually sold everything having never really engaged with it.

Tl;dr - can anyone point me in the direction of how a DAW-less set up works? And maybe what some fun, budget-friendly starting bits would be (realise the answer to this is ‘depends what you want make’)? For example I keep looking at TE’s KO-II thingy.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![jimvo](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/user_avatar/ukskateforum.co.uk/jimvo/32/336_2.png) [@jimvo](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/u/jimvo)\
**Post date:** [September 12, 2024, 12:21pm UTC](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/t/drum-machine-synth-sampler-geekery/3727/131 "2024-09-12T12:21:51Z")

</div>

I’d saý start with a sampler, maybe that new roland one when it comes out. Or that TE 133. Or an sp404. Then maybe expand from there but only when you’ve got the sampler fully dialled…

(Hardware setup sounds better than “dawless” imo)

But the principle is you get a few bits synced (tempo and start / stop) either with midi cables or sync clicks (both easy to do) then run the outputs through fx pedals if you want, then into a mixer. It’s not very technical really

Then you record it in 1 take (how i usually do it) or lay down tracks 1 or 2 at a time to a 8 track or daw.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![jimvo](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/user_avatar/ukskateforum.co.uk/jimvo/32/336_2.png) [@jimvo](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/u/jimvo)\
**Post date:** [September 12, 2024, 12:43pm UTC](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/t/drum-machine-synth-sampler-geekery/3727/132 "2024-09-12T12:43:00Z")

</div>

[![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/QJv9nnnQHRs/maxresdefault.jpg "Machine Favourites: Ian Pooley on his MPC 3000 Pt. 1 (Electronic Beats TV)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJv9nnnQHRs)

[![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/XLbaa76mxHs/maxresdefault.jpg "The Alchemist on Making the Beat for 'My Will' by Nas (Sneak Peek)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLbaa76mxHs)

Some sampler inspo

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![cleam.clackers](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/user_avatar/ukskateforum.co.uk/cleam.clackers/32/252_2.png) [@cleam.clackers](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/u/cleam.clackers)\
**Post date:** [September 12, 2024, 12:46pm UTC](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/t/drum-machine-synth-sampler-geekery/3727/133 "2024-09-12T12:46:35Z")

</div>

That’s really helpful @jimvo - thank you man 👍

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![jimvo](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/user_avatar/ukskateforum.co.uk/jimvo/32/336_2.png) [@jimvo](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/u/jimvo)\
**Post date:** [September 12, 2024, 12:51pm UTC](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/t/drum-machine-synth-sampler-geekery/3727/134 "2024-09-12T12:51:53Z")

</div>

As far as starting bits, after a sampler maybe a drum machine. Price wise you cannot argue with the behringer rd8 especially used, approx £180. They are big though.

Smaller would be the roland tr6s but it’s a bit more pricey

Synths, there’s so many but i’d suggest an analogue mono synth and digital poly synth… see how easy it is to end up with too much gear and not learning each one fully

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![jimvo](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/user_avatar/ukskateforum.co.uk/jimvo/32/336_2.png) [@jimvo](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/u/jimvo)\
**Post date:** [September 12, 2024, 12:53pm UTC](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/t/drum-machine-synth-sampler-geekery/3727/135 "2024-09-12T12:53:04Z")

</div>

No worries i love this stuff if you want any more info, shout.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![cleam.clackers](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/user_avatar/ukskateforum.co.uk/cleam.clackers/32/252_2.png) [@cleam.clackers](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/u/cleam.clackers)\
**Post date:** [September 12, 2024, 12:53pm UTC](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/t/drum-machine-synth-sampler-geekery/3727/136 "2024-09-12T12:53:28Z")

</div>

Legend - thanks mate 🤜🤛

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![jimvo](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/user_avatar/ukskateforum.co.uk/jimvo/32/336_2.png) [@jimvo](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/u/jimvo)\
**Post date:** [September 12, 2024, 12:59pm UTC](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/t/drum-machine-synth-sampler-geekery/3727/137 "2024-09-12T12:59:27Z")

</div>

I had just an mpc 2000 for many years and i didn’t really want/ need anything else until i bought a little synth to try out with it then the floodgates were open to collecting shit i could do without

I would have suggested a 2000 but the prices are too high now for a very old machine that still uses floppys

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![jimvo](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/user_avatar/ukskateforum.co.uk/jimvo/32/336_2.png) [@jimvo](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/u/jimvo)\
**Post date:** [September 12, 2024, 1:03pm UTC](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/t/drum-machine-synth-sampler-geekery/3727/138 "2024-09-12T13:03:48Z")

</div>

[![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/GXkzN_NSoXA/maxresdefault.jpg "East Beast / Edge / S-1 / RD-6 Jam 3") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXkzN_NSoXA)

[![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/-v1eABIsWZk/maxresdefault.jpg "Moody 1, MPC, Uno synth") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-v1eABIsWZk)

While im on a roll… latest jam setup and an old one i found on a memory card. That uno synth in vid 2 is really cheap and flawed, but can sound amazing

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![notactuallyhere](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/user_avatar/ukskateforum.co.uk/notactuallyhere/32/26258_2.png) [@notactuallyhere](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/u/notactuallyhere)\
**Post date:** [September 12, 2024, 1:09pm UTC](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/t/drum-machine-synth-sampler-geekery/3727/139 "2024-09-12T13:09:33Z")

</div>

Dawless is way more fun but you still need to record in to something, A Daw or hard disk recorder.  
There is an insane amount of options nowadays to start out but it IS addictive so do homework to find things that suit what you want to achieve. I have been through so much gear finding things that can help me achieve what’s in my head.  
Work out what kind of music you want to do and work out potential ways to achieve it and then find gear with specs that can cope with these ideas. We can certainly advise here, like Jimvo, I loved talking about this stuff. Nowadays I don’t so much because I would always be tempted to buy stuff.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![cleam.clackers](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/user_avatar/ukskateforum.co.uk/cleam.clackers/32/252_2.png) [@cleam.clackers](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/u/cleam.clackers)\
**Post date:** [September 14, 2024, 1:22pm UTC](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/t/drum-machine-synth-sampler-geekery/3727/140 "2024-09-14T13:22:35Z")

</div>

Pretty tempted by one of these. Been watching a few review vids online of this sampler and a few others too.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![jimvo](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/user_avatar/ukskateforum.co.uk/jimvo/32/336_2.png) [@jimvo](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/u/jimvo)\
**Post date:** [September 14, 2024, 7:54pm UTC](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/t/drum-machine-synth-sampler-geekery/3727/141 "2024-09-14T19:54:26Z")

</div>

The new roland one? Looks sick, loads of good features (direct sample in as well unlike the volca). Thomann are doing them for £170 posted from Germany. They have a really good pre paid return policy if you change your mind.

Only thing im not sure about is the very limited screen. But the reviewers seem to think it’s not a big problem.

They’re on pre order at the moment, for that price you might as well! If you don’t like it send it back.

The other one I’d mention is a used mpc 1000 though they’re not as cheap as they used to be but you might get lucky

[Previous page](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/t/drum-machine-synth-sampler-geekery/3727.md?page=6)

[Next page](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/t/drum-machine-synth-sampler-geekery/3727.md?page=8)
