Ranking all my Drum Machines (best to worst)
After years of hands-on experience, I ranked every drum machine in my collection.
I also included which ones I decided to sell (and why). This Blog is designed to help you decide which drum machine is right for you.
Where to pick up these drum machines:
(using the purchase links below would be a huge support to this channel and what I do - at no extra cost to you):
🇺🇸 USA- GUITAR CENTER
TR-8S / DIGITAKT II / ANALOG RYTM MKII
NORD DRUM 3P / PO-12 / PULSAR-23
🌍 EUROPE - THOMANN
TR-8S / DIGITAKT II / ANALOG RYTM MKII
NORD DRUM 3P / PO-12 / PULSAR-23
👇🏼 If you'd rather the video version of this blog, here it is:
Rapid Round Info:
- All-round live workhorse: Roland TR-8S — immediate, flexible, hybrid DAW / standalone integration, insane value.
- Best MIDI/mixer “brain”: Elektron Digitakt (OG) / Digitakt II — elite sequencer, sampling, Overbridge, compact; arguably the best-priced do-it-all box in this comparison.
- Elektron's flagship Drum Machine : Analog Rytm MkII — analog sounds mixed with digital samples, multi audio outs/ compatible with Overbridge software; very efficient in the studio and on stage.
- Made for actual drummers: Nord Drum 3P — fast to learn, instantly playable (with drum sticks); shines alongside an acoustic drum kit.
- Pocket inspiration: Teenage Engineering PO-12 — instant beats, lowest price on this list, very limited in the con text of this comparison but the vibe is there.
- Analog-digital oddball: Korg Drumlogue - quirky, thin analog tone; decent i/o but the workflow lags behind Elektron units.
- Experimental/organic: SOMA Pulsar-23 - unique sound + patchable chaos; pricey and very specific (like all SOMA gear), flirts with modular synthesis.
- Cheap but still analog: Arturia DrumBrute Impact - immediate, fun, individual outs for key voices (rare at this price), very specific sound that people seem to either love or hate.
How I rated each drum machine
I produced basic patterns and rated each machine based on the following:
- Controls/Standout Features: How fast can I shape a usable groove?
- Learning Curve: Does it take hours, or days to get used to ?
- Compatibility: Does it play nice with other boxes? How's the DAW/USB/MIDI behaviour? Can it be a brain?
- Audio Exporting: Either via audio or software.
- Portability: How convenient is it to carry around ?
- Bang for Buck: Does the price reflect its capabilities ?
I also note why I sold a few units in this comparison—no shade; sometimes gear desires overlap and there needs to be a change, in which case, something's gotta go (in my opinion).
Roland TR-8S
Why it slaps: The most “what-you-see-is-what-you-play.” Faders, encoders, motion record, accents—perfect for live improvisation. Quickly loads classic Roland ACB kits (808/909/707/606/CR-78) plus user samples. Personally, I use the TR-8S specifically for Roland drum sounds and am totally happy with just that. Doubles as a USB audio interface + MIDI controller + standalone drum machine - all at once if you'd like and it 's especially tight with Ableton.
Where it falls short: It can sound a little thin in the low end; also not ideal as the MIDI brain. It likes to follow instead.
Scores
Controls/Features: 8.6/10
Learning Curve: 9.5/10
Compatibility: 8.0/10
Audio Exporting: 9.0/10 (USB multitrack + 6 assignable individual audio outs)
Portability: 8.0/10
Bang for Buck: 10/10 (used prices are absurdly good)
Best for: Live techno/house sets, hybrid DAW workflows, players who want hands-on immediacy.
Pro Tip: If your TR-8S feels thin live, layer weighted 909-style kicks, possibly straight from an Ableton session (if that's what you're combining it with).
Elektron Digitakt I & II
Why it slaps: Elektron sequencers are an absolute cheat code: per-step parameter locks, micro-timing, trig conditions, sample chopping. The Digitakt II is equipped with up to 16 audio tracks (audio or MIDI), deeper FX/mixer pages, and song tools compared to the OG Digitone.
Trade-offs: More menu pages than TR-8S; feels like a production tool / brain first, performance surface second (unless you pre-template your set). The Digitakt is still a very hands on instrument, but just in a different way.
Best for: Producers who are sequencer centric and want one box to compose, control and mix external gear- then bounce stems later into, into Overbridge. If you produce techno music - the Digitakt II is a perfect tool for you.
Scores
Controls/Features: 8.7/10
Learning Curve: 7.0/10 (if you're new to Elektron) / 8.0/10 (if you're Elektron-familiar)
Compatibility: 10/10 (MIDI brain + Overbridge, stellar CC control in a tiny box)
Audio Exporting: 7.5/10 (stereo out; multitrack via Overbridge)
Portability: 9.5/10
Bang for Buck: 9.6/10 (OG Digitakt is a steal!! - DT2 still very fair)
Pro Tip: I would suggest leaning into param locks and trig conditions with any Elektron sequencer. I dozens of video in this series that may help you out with that concept.
Elektron Analog Rytm MKII
Why it slaps: Deepest and highest quality sounds in this comparison - especially for techno music (kicks/claps/rims), plus sample layering per voice is a plus. You can layer analog and digital sounds over the same voice. It has performance pads, scenes, and 8 audio outs - which is killer in a production setting. The Analog Rytm MKII really makes you feel like a musician either in the studio or live on stage.
There's one downfall: No dedicated internal mixer (like the Digitakt) which makes it a follower and not a leader in terms of midi syncing.
Scores
Controls/Features: 9.5/10
Learning Curve: 8.0/10
Compatibility: 8.9/10
Audio Exporting: 10/10 (Overbridge + 8 assignable outs across 12 voices)
Portability: 8.3/10
Bang for Buck: 8.9/10 (pricey, but earns it)
Best for: People who want their favourite techno artist's favourite drum machine.
Pro Tip: Combine longer digital samples over top of short hi hat samples to get these interesting "swarming" types of effects along with your percussion rhythms.
Sequencer Transcription Series
If you ever find yourself stuck on a rhythm, not sure why something isn't working, or just recycling the same patterns over and over again - here's a different approach: start with sequences that already work. I've been building a catalogue of transcriptions pulled from popular, released tracks and records over on my Patreon, formatted specifically for hardware sequencers.
You can browse the full collection right here: https://www.patreon.com/c/liamkillenmusic/patreon-sequencer-transcriptions
Nord Drum 3 P
Why it slaps: It's actually really meant for a drummer, lightning-fast to learn, pads are performance-ready, a neat bridge between acoustic drumming and synth percussion.
Gaps: Presets don’t wow me as a synth user, editor reportedly buggy, stereo out only.
Scores
Controls/Features: 7.2/10
Learning Curve: 9.1/10
Compatibility: 6.9/10
Audio Exporting: 3.0/10 (stereo only)
Portability: 8.0/10
Bang for Buck: 7.9/10 (better value used)
Best for: Drummers adding electronic colour to an acoustic kit.
Teenage Engineering PO-12 "Rhythm "
Why it slaps: Pure constraint-driven fun: 16 punchy sounds, transient/tune per voice, pattern chains. Dirt-cheap inspiration.
Gaps: Mono output, almost no real MIDI/DAW integration, you’ll hit the ceiling quickly (and that’s fine).
Scores
Controls/Features: 8.0/10
Learning Curve: 10/10
Compatibility: 4.5/10
Audio Exporting: 4.0/10
Portability: 10/10
Bang for Buck: 9.6/10
Why I sold it: I moved on to deeper boxes; PO-12 is still great as a pocket scratchpad.
Pro Tip: Run the PO-12 through your favourite distortion pedal and you will be surprised just how huge the PO-12 sounds.
Pulsar-23
Why it slaps: Nothing else sounds - or behaves - like it. Patchable, organic, chaotic; FX sound AMAZING and have their own audio outs, which is genius. The Pulsar 23's vibe, like much of Soma Laboratory's other gear, rewards pure exploration.
Gaps: Big, heavy, expensive; steepest learning curve in this comparison, by far. More of a studio instrument than a grab-and-go live box for most, although i've seen some people use it live (god bless them). But hey, it still sits out on my desk at all times.
Scores
Controls/Features: 9.3/10
Learning Curve: 2.3/10 (hardest to learn)
Compatibility: 7.9/10 (≈ 8.9/10 if you’re modular-centric)
Audio Exporting: 8.5/10 (individual outs incl. delay/reverb having their own outs)
Portability: 7.2/10
Bang for Buck: 6.0/10 (luxury niche; magical if it’s your niche)
Best for: Sound designers/experimental techno heads who want living, breathing percussion.
Pro Tip: You're able to tune the hi percs low enough to the point where they create their own rhythms and pitches - one of my favourite sounds actually. This is a technique that I explore in the video below:
Arturia Drumbrute Impact
Why it slaps: Fantastic entry-level, fully analog drum machine: immediate hands-on sequencing, there's a per-track randomize/fill function which can add a lot of depth to your grooves, and there are individual outs for kick/snare/hat/FM.
Gaps: People seem to either love or hate the sound of this thing and it's not a strong “brain.”
Scores
Controls/Features: 7.9/10
Learning Curve: 8.7/10
Compatibility: 6.9/10
Audio Exporting: 8.5/10 (4 × ⅛″ outs + stereo)
Portability: 9.1/10
Bang for Buck: 9.6/10
Why I sold it: I Grew into drum machines with broader sonic range and deeper overall integration - all of which are mentioned on this list.
FAQ (Rapid Fire Insights)
Which drum machine is best specifically for live techno?
TR-8S for immediacy and faders; Analog Rytm MkII if you're looking for fat, rumbling kicks and performance pads.
Digitakt vs TR-8S - what’s better as a “brain”?
Digitakt (OG/II). The sequencer/MIDI/Overbridge stack makes it a stronger hub. TR-8S is better as a performance-first drum box.
Cheapest solid analog starter?
DrumBrute Impact. Immediate sequencing and priced extremely well as an Analog unit.
Digitakt II or OG for a first Elektron?
If your budget is tight, the OG is a no-brainer and is still a beast.
If this blog is what got you going on any of these machines - there are purchase links at the top of the page. Using any of those links would be a huge support to this blog and what I do in general 🙏🏻.
Thanks for your support and hope to see you soon.