Akai XR20

This will be short and sweet, but:

This Akai drum machine is pretty much identical to the Alesis SR-18, right down to the manual. I looked at a PDF manual online, and instantly recognized the Contents heading called "10 Steps To Instant Gratification." Alesis has been using that heading since the SR-16 manual, written (largely by Craig Anderton) back in 1990 or so.

I'm not mentioning this in order to launch any scuds at the machine -- I own both an SR-16 and an SR-18, and like them both quite a bit, with certain reservations.

Granted, the controls are shifted around on the top of the XR20, and the sound engine is different (the Akai is specifically optimized for hip hop / dance styles.) The SR-18 is by far the best sounding rock drum machine I've owned -- very high-res -- so if they did as good a job with the Akai sounds then you hip hoppers will likely be impressed, too.

Be aware: If your beat creation style is to tap the pads live, then you may find, as others have, that the pad sensitivity on the Alesis SR-18 is not very fine. On my unit, and apparently on others I've seen reviewed, there only seem to be about 3 levels of velocity sensitivity. To get the loudest one without injuring my finger, I actually use the handle end of a cheap old cafeteria teaspoon. So IF they used the same pads on the Akai (and I don't know that they have) then live tappers may not be happy. I have read one user review on the Americanmusical.com site which specifically said how GOOD the pads were on the XR12, so maybe Akai sourced their pads elsewhere and they may work fine. Check it out -- you'll know soon enough.

I don't mind that problem because I am familiar enough with the deep editing capabilities to tweak the velocity in the step edit page before stringing my patterns together. But if you want to tap-in your patterns and be done with it, then you may not have the subtlety of touch to make the patterns sound realistic without further editing. Then again, for hip hop it may be that subtle velocity differences my be less concerning than they are in pop and rock, where the goal is to make the drums sound more like they were played by an inconsistent human drummer. Your mileage may vary...

Buy one online, try it out. The SR-18 is a fine-sounding machine, and you may find that Akai remedied its pad sensitivity shortcoming. Happy hunting.

See above.

See above.

SR-16 bought in 1997 still 100% alive and kicking.

I usually don't buy brand new gear, I'm a big believer in using what you have. You shouldn't have to rely on top name (Expensive!) gear to make a kickin beat. That being said, I checked this box out at the local guitar center one day and within 5 minutes - I knew I had to get one.

First off, the preset sounds are really good. I mean really, really good. Now, I wouldn't use this box on it's own to produce a track- but with some good software and outboard stuff, this box really holds up for the price. I love the mpc style pads and programming- editing sounds is a snap. The only thing that has been a little trying is learning how to set up bar lengths and such on the patterns. I'm really used to 808 style programming, that's where 16 drum pads are on the box and you select the beats you want to use per sound. (16th notes) This box has no graphical interface of any sort. It's all about feel- not visualization.

Features are limited- but again your working with a certain pricepoint. This is probably the cheapest akai drum machine out there. It's really about the sounds here- more than anything. Forgot to mention that Akai has added in some cheezy synth sounds too- so you have those to play with. I never use those- I bought this for the kick, snare and HH.

Pro's: NIce sounding effects, ability to tune drums up+Down, Decay envelope, quantization and swing settings, mpc pads.

Cons: When you hit the mute button- it mutes ALL THE DRUMS!!! (WTF?)You can either mute the synth, the one shot sounds or the drums- but not individual sounds- just the whole category. That's nuts- I guess that it's not made for live tweaking! It's also acting a little funky running off of nuendo- (it just randomly stops sometimes and falls off midi clock) but I don't know if that is something with the box or the computer. NOt enough output options for mixing externally.

Forget the Synth sounds and buy it for the drums!

Killer drums and one shot sounds. the 808 stuff is really, really good too. That 808 cowbell sounds like the real thing! Akai markets this as having over 700 sounds onboard- I haven't gotten deep enough into the box yet to know.

This machine is designed for "Urban Music"- I guess that means hip-hop. The programming style really lends itself to breaks- which I was making within minutes of opening the box. I also do a lot of Deep House stuff- the sounds work on that level too. But as stated, it's not set up for visual programming (4x4 stuff)- it's really more set up for breaks and beats. Probably would be nice for D&B- if I knew how to program it

One note: The pads are supposed to be velocity sensitive. That may be, but it's a subtle change. Maybe that's more the style of real drummers? I have to really hit that pad to make it louder. I hope they hold up under that abuse.

Love this machine, I wish it were a bit more suited for live sound because it sounds so good. I think I would buy it again- but on the other hand, I may just upgrade and get a nice MPC. I'm hooked now!