Rhythm and Drums, Electronic or Organic. This is the core component, the driving force, the ultimate instrument to make your head bobbing, despite the genres or whatever instruments you’re playing. Our Sound Designer/Developer; Rathomi Nugraha compiles a list of 11 Best Hardware Drum Machine for Music Production in the year of 2022.

Soma Pulsar-23

I must put this machine on this list. They call it an organismic drum machine designed by Vlad Kreimer. Once you hear this 4 voices semi modular drum machine, you will believe that it is not a machine, but a living organism . Every pin rewiring and knobs you tweak creates an organic reaction from a simple percussive sound to an enigmatic drone.

The price is not that cheap, but It’s a beast.

Price : $2,299.99

Pros :

A great machine for unique percussive and drone sound
A well-built semi modular synth
A gear that will stimulate your creativity
Comes with great DSP FX processor

Cons :

Expensive
Changing the initial workflow could be complex for some

2. Roland TR-8S

Roland TR-8S was originally designed to emulate Roland’s classic 606, 808, and 909, plus: a sample playback. Firmware 2.0 update for TR-8S gave a very welcome addition, FM drum synthesizer. The synth engine is oriented on percussive sounds rather than creates a normal synthesizer sound with longer sustain.

Price : $724.99

Pros :

Including all the famous drum machines.
Comes with VST Editor that allows You use it as a plugin and load it into the machine.
Fun and intuitive, straight out of the box. Helps You generate a sense of playfulness in the creation process.

Cons :

Parameter locking can be a little bit frustrating, but doable.
Menu diving should be expected as it has more depth.
There is no Song mode.
Screen size might feel too small for some.

3. Circuit Tracks

Novation released the Circuit Tracks to replace the original Circuit that was released in 2015 . Novation is well known for their virtual-analogue synthesis integrated with a user-friendly step-sequencing workflow. Two Synthesizer tracks, 4 drum sample tracks and also Circuit Tracks broaden how the original Circuit should be improved. Two Midi sequencer tracks let you control external instruments from the synthesizer and another drum machine. Two audio inputs allow You bring other instruments to Circuit Tracks workflow’s.

Price : $399.99

Pros :

One the most user-friendly step-sequencing workflow on a groovebox.
Novation is always generous when it comes about firmware updates.
Two mono audio inputs to play with your workflow.
Two Midi tracks allowed You to expand your setup.

Cons :

Avoid it If an LCD screen means a lot for you
No separate output for each tracks
Finding patches without a screen could be tricky.

4. Elektron Model: Samples

Model Samples became Elektron’s strategy to move their direction into something more accessible and affordable. A six track groove box that comes with 300 sound presets with a very good quality, because You can get inspired easily with Factory sounds only.

Price : $279.00

Pros :

Step sequencing is powerful with this machine. Change the length pattern, parameter lock per step, Trig’s condition, LFO adjustment per track could create very inspiring results
Parameters is very easy to access.
Model Samples Filter, delay, and reverb effects are excellent.
A good way to introduce Elektron’s machine workflow
Chromatic mode allows You creates melodies with your samples

Cons :

Browsing the samples could be time consuming
Somehow it quite troublesome to mute track with “Function” combo
“Track” pads are not good for drum fingering
Some users found their “Func” and [Trig] keys broken in a short period

5. LXR-02

LXR-02 is a digital drum synthesizer born from Sonic Potions and Erica Synths.

A six-voice digital drum synthesizer will stand out among your other drum machines as it’s slap, punch you in your face, a digital chaos controlled by your fingers.

Price : $599.00

Pros :

A machine that comes transient-rich sound is definitely impressive.
A very well built tiny drum machine.
Possibilities to shape the respective sound are far-reaching
Tweaking within LXR-02 pleasantly straightforward.

Cons :

Routing each voice to effects could be quite confusing at the beginning.
No ability to upload sample into the machine
Individual outputs could be very useful.

6. Polyend Tracker

Polyend is a company behind Medusa Hybrid Synthesizer , Polyend Seq a MIDI step sequencer, they turn their head into groovebox market with Polyend Tracker. Polyend Tracker combines characteristics of a classic tracker with an updated look and functionality as a new perspective to become your workstation. Use Polyend Tracker as your Sampler, Wavetable and Granular Synthesizer, FM Radio for endless inspiration.

Price : $599.00

Pros :

Push your creativity with the combination of sampling and granular synthesis .
Unique design and workflow.
Large click wheel and the clacking mechanical key is satisfying.
USB powered machines give you portability.

Cons :

Vertical sequencing could be confusing for some.
Gritty digital vibe sounds maybe not for anyone.

7. Elektron Rytm MK2

Elektron Rytm MK2 is an eight voice hybrid analog and digital drum machine, synthesizer and sampler.

You will find it hard to resist the temptation as it has a new Black look, a build quality that comes at a price. MK2’s aluminium bodies with a black matte finish looks awesome.

As a personal opinion, the 12 backlit drum pads that come with velocity sensitivity look very good with MK2’s black finish.

Price : $1,699.00

Pros :

A drum machine with a powerful sequencer.
The Direct Sampling option allows You to record immediately.
Combining analog sounds and digital samples into a powerful sound.
A drum machine with a sleek design
A great gear for sound design.

Cons :

Rytm Mk 2 has many features and possibilities , so the learning curve is typically steep.
Quality control-related problems; hanging, and sticking button.
No “CTRL ALL” feature is a downside for some users.
A machine with depth that comes with a price.

8. Arturia Drumbrute Impact

I personally love this analog drum machine, with its price, Drumbrute impact is very compelling. It has 10 Voice, less than it’s big brother Arturia Drumbrute with 17 voice. Drumbrute Impact has 4 separated individual output, beside the mix output. I love how Arturia combines an analog drum machine with a modern sequencer workflow.

Price : $300.00

Pros :

Affordable analog drum machine.
An analog drum machine with a very easy step sequencer.

Cons :

As an analog drum machine, You can not upload samples into Drumbrute.
There is no motion sequence for its parameters.
The Analog drum machine and FM percussion may not be for everyone.

9. Elektron Model Cycles

In 2020 Elektron gave another surprise by releasing Model Cycles that bring Us another choice of low price Elektron’s gears. It was like Model Samples had a new sibling. It is a FM drum machine that has this same look with Model Samples, and as a personal opinion, I really like the Model Cycles light grey satin color with blue knob.

Price : $279.00

Pros :

FM sound engines give You a unique characteristic for percussion.
Parameter and conditional locks enhance your sequencing .
Affordable FM drum machine to enter the world of Elektron.

Cons :

Separate output for each track would be appreciated.
“Mute” is global for every pattern.

10. Korg Volca Drum

Volca Drum is one of my favourite drum machines, it reminds me of my Korg Electribe ER-1. The sounds, the way we shape the sounds probably come from something similar under it’s plastic body that resemble all the Volca series. Volca Drum is a digital drum synthesizer with six voices, dual layers per voice, wave folding, audio rate modulation, and a Waveguide Resonator.

Price : $149

Pros :

For around $149, It’s a whole lot of bang for the buck.
A mileage from the PCM sounds drum machine that somehow underrated

Cons :

only one bar per pattern is quite limited for some.
No swing feature
It would be great if it has multiple outputs.

11. Behringer RD9

A really close “clone” of Roland’s legendary house machine: TR-909, for the masses. It’s moderately priced, well built, controversial, sounds great for the price, comes with some strange quirkiness, it’s Behringer. If you are okay with the brand and don’t have any problem with Uli Behringer’s controversial move to the synthesizers world during this past years, you really should get one.

Price : $350

Pros :

Analog, sounds really close to the original, but with addition of Authentic and Enhanced mode
Improvements from Behringer’s previous RD8, which is similar but based on Roland’s TR-808
Sounds wayy above it’s price

Cons :