Remove the sequencing facilities from your drum machine and what do you get? A damned good idea for a new product that's what! Paul Ireson checks out Akai's 16-bit sampled drum box - the perfect companion for your sequencer.

As the sequencer comes of age, the role of the drum machine is brought into question: why have a sequencer in your drum box if there's already one in your computer? Simon Trask investigates what may be the next step for the beat box.

Drum Expander

Your drum machine used to dictate the sound of your music - but the variety of sounds in Alesis' drum expander gives you back your freedom. Tim Goodyer says everything starts with a D.

An all-British sound-sampling and drum-synthesising MIDI percussion machine with built-in sequencer gets an exclusive preview courtesy of David Ellis - there's even comment from the designers.

Korg MR-16 MIDI Rhythm Sound Unit

Korg’s MIDI percussion module

Drum Modules

Repackaging a powerful and popular drum machine as a rackmount and adding drum triggers is sure to attract more interest to it. Nigel Lord explores the new Cheetah MD16.

Maximum Percussion Module

Having set standards with their Proteus sample reader and their Pro/formance piano module. E-mu are trying again. Simon Trask beats up the new Pro/cussion drum expander.

Sampled Percussion Performance Module

What is it about programmed drum parts that make them sound programmed. Paul Wiffen goes in search of the secret of realistic drumming, and finds it in the Emu Procussion.

Digital Percussion Synthesiser

The ability to modify its selection of drum and percussion sounds is the strong suit of this expander from Kawai. Vic Lennard reports on the continuing beatbox boom.

Digital Rhythm Module

If you've ever wanted to trade some of your drum machine's sequence memory for sound memory, the DRM1 could be the beat box for you. Matt Isaacson sounds it out.

MIDI Percussion Voice Generator

Simon Trask confronts a technological puzzle. Why have Korg put 19 digital drum voices in a box that contains no sequencing software?

Rhythmcheck

The half of the drum machine that goes 'bok' put in a box. Curtis Schwartz reckons it's not half bad

Drum Expander

More than a beatbox, less than a sampler, the Percussion Sample Player appears to be a unique rhythmatist's instrument. Simon Trask looks at the pros and cons of a dedicated drum sampler.

DrumCheck

The cheapest—and ugliest—way to add sampled sounds you your acoustic drums or drum machine. Tony Reed reports

Total Percussion Sound Module

From the R8 Human Rhythm Composer comes the Total Percussion Sound Module "humanising' without a sequencer? Simon Trask investigates Roland's latest beat box and a selection of sound cards.

Total Percussion Sound Module

Sequencer owners rejoice! Roland have taken the 16-bit PCM sounds from their popular R8 drum machine, put them in a convenient rackmount case, and added extra slots for ROM and RAM cards to produce a beat-box par excellence. David Brenton reports.

DrumCheck

Bob Henrit tries out the latest in a flurry of products from Simmons — a MIDI'ed sampled percussion expander

Paul White takes a look at a new Dutch 'black box' that promises to bring digital percussion sampling within the reach of the common people.

synth drums, actually

We first looked at the Digisound in July, but now the Dutch sampled-sound percussion machine has some new features and a new distributor. Paul White checks out the new version.

Alesis D4 16-Bit Stereo Drum Module

Alesis' new D4 offers 500 16-bit drum sounds, external audio triggering and extreme ease of use — what's not to like? Julian Colbeck investigates.

Rhythm Sound Module

Fascinating rhythm

Rhythm Sound Module