The primary function of a drum machine is to allow its user to program drum rhythms and patterns. A drum machine is an electronic instrument that looks like a box with some buttons and pads on it.

The problem is that a live drum kit requires space that many home studios don't have, and finding a drummer for the sole purpose of getting some musical ideas going can be a hassle too.ĭrum machines solve precisely these problems. For the most part, the role of a drummer is to create a rhythm or a beat that other musicians can use both as a metronome as well as a source of inspiration. But there were times when music software wasn't as advanced, and drum machines were in popular demand. Nowadays, most of it is produced on a computer inside a digital audio workstation ( DAW). Modern music is heavily influenced by rhythm and sequenced sound layers. A used drum machine can be had for under $500, which is much more affordable for most musicians. Unfortunately, an MPC costs several thousand dollars. Since a drum machine is dedicated to just drums, it will have fewer options and probably not be as sensitive. On top of all that, an MPC will work with almost any other instrument you have, such as a keyboard or guitar. You can also determine how sensitive the pads are. You can assign any sound you want to each pad, or even multiple sounds at once. However, an MPC is far more customizable than a drum machine. As technology improved, it became possible for drummers to program entire songs with a drum machine.ĭrum machines and MPCs both serve the same purpose: they play pre-programmed drum beats and sequences for you. If you wanted a different drum part, you'd have to manually turn a knob to move onto a different preset beat.

Some early models only had a limited number of drum beats and would be preset to play a small drum solo. Drum machines were first used in the late 1960s. Some famous songs have even used drum machines for all the drum parts, such as 'Take On Me' by a-ha and 'Autobahn' by Kraftwerk. They can be programmed to play individual drum beats or a full drum track. They are electronic instruments that play pre-programmed drum beats. Drum machines are a relatively new invention.

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