Must-see Drum Machines and Sequencers 2022

Beat makers, DJs, producers, and looping artists — listen up! We have the digital drum hardware you want on hand when it counts, both center stage and in your studio. We’re talking everything from compact drum machines and basic sequencing to samplers and full-blown percussion workstations. At Sweetwater, we’ve got plenty of choices to meet the needs of any budget. From trap beats to hip-hop, EDM, and low-fi grooves, you can bring it all to life here!

Ready? We’ll count you in.

Drum MachinesErica Synths Perkons HD-011010music Nanobox RazzmatazzKorg DrumlogueElektron SyntaktErica Synths LXR-02Roland Aira Compact T-8SequencersPolyend PlayKorg SQ-64Novation Circuit RhythmPioneer DJ Toraiz SquidAnalogue Solutions GeneratorAkai Professional MPC One

Drum Machines

Erica Synths Perkons HD-01

The Erica Synths Perkons HD-01 defines “go big or go home.” Not only does it come loaded with four hybrid voices, each controllable by eight different parameters, but a capable 4-track, 16-step sequencer also supplies enough room to satisfy any rhythmic itch. Effects like delay, overdrive, and compression — they’re all here! Go further with expert-level customization tools like time division/multiplication, waveform selection, modulation, and more. There are also four velocity-sensitive trigger inputs for quickly and accurately integrating your other boxes and drum pads. A total of 64 memory slots with room for more on your SD card also mean you’ll never lose track of your backbeat library and set lists. This drum machine allows pro-grade, in-depth rhythmic and sonic shaping to the max!

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1010music Nanobox Razzmatazz

All the beats with a fraction of the footprint — that’s the 1010music Nanobox Razzmatazz! This micro drum synth packs an impressive number of goodies, including a 64-step sequencer, a pair of FM oscillators, and 120 preset kits ready to accommodate a range of genres from EDM to soul to alternative rock! Record samples of your own up to 30 seconds long and instantly polish them with incredible onboard effects such as bit and rate crushing, reverb, resonance, and more. The Nanobox Razzmatazz is as portable as they come, too, and its intuitive interface comes outfitted with only four buttons, two macro control knobs, and a 2-inch touchscreen. And its simple USB-C connection enables effortless beat making on the go from studio to studio!

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Korg Drumlogue

Whether you roll analog, digital, or a combination of the two when creating beats, the Korg Drumlogue is well equipped to handle all your ideas! This 16-pad beast houses three impeccable sound engines and a 64-step sequencer under the hood. The result is a high-tech mixture of rewritable programs and multi-type drum kits with a boatload of presets to give you a 512-sound starting point — it’s up to you to take things to the next level! From warm and punchy classic drum sounds to the latest in digital beats and sampling, you can find it, affect it, and send it however you see fit via MIDI, USB-A and -B, or any of the six audio outputs. This hybrid drum machine also features 10-note polyphony, letting you lush out when your project calls for it!

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Elektron Syntakt

The Elektron Syntakt is more than your basic rhythm engine. It’s a compositionally competent computer that texturizes like few others we’ve seen here at Sweetwater! This unique device houses up to eight digital voices on the top row of pads, including drum sounds, melodic sounds, and chords. The first four pads on the lower row control three analog voices to deliver rich samples of kicks, snares, claps, and cymbals/metallic sounds while the final four pads are reserved for synthesizing. As you change parameters from machine to machine, devoted animations on the display screen give you a visual idea of how you’re affecting the sound. And, with helpful new features like trigger modifiers and an analog effects block, you’ll quickly see how easy it is to access endless rhythmic possibilities!

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Elektron Analog Rytm MKII

Take the Elektron Analog Rytm MKII 8-voice drum machine into the studio and craft some insane analog beats. Then take it onstage and absolutely blow your audience away! This 8-voice groovebox is a beat maker’s dream come true anywhere and any way you use it, and there are many great reasons why! You can combine analog tones and effects with digital samples for 100% uniquely shaped beat layers and house your created ideas, kits, patterns, and personal samples with up to a gigabyte of onboard storage. The cast aluminum chassis is rugged and ready for the road, boasting durable backlit buttons fit for a rated 50 million presses! From pro-grade techno sound designing to just plain getting out the electronic grooves, few do it better than Elektron!

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Erica Synths LXR-02

Many have found the Erica Synths LXR-02 to be in a beat-making league of its own, and DJs here at Sweetwater agree! Thanks to the synth wizards at both Erica Synths and Sonic Potions, the LXR-02 is an optimized take on SP’s acclaimed DIY kit. It comes packed to the brim with six separate drum voices, a selection of modulators, drawbar controls, and onboard effects like drive, ring modulation, compression, and delay. Seven sequencer tracks are built into the LXR-02, each with 64 steps per pattern, giving ample room for inspired sequencing at any stage. And it’s an absolute laboratory for shaping any era of sound you like, too, from older drum samples to the dawn of digital all the way up to the impressive precision of modern beat making.

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Roland Aira Compact T-8

It’s an understatement to say the Roland Aira Compact T-8 packs a punch! This small but mighty beat machine delivers incredible value, is easy on any budget, and supplies a 32-step (64-pattern) sequencer, a high-quality effects bank, and a healthy dose of ACB-modeled drum and bass sounds. Conjunctive use with your controller and DAW is simple, thanks to onboard MIDI and USB-C connectivity. You’ll also find that the Aira Compact T-8 is incredibly aptly named, affording you 4.5 hours of travel-friendly inspiration on the go with its rechargeable lithium-ion battery. And that sharp black and orange two-tone — need we say more? It’s a professional-grade electronic drum creation station with intuition and convenience for all beat makers!

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Sequencers

Polyend Play

The Polyend Play‘s interface is a sight to see, and it’s safe to say that, with 128 performance-grade trigger pads, basking in live-sequencing and grid-mapping convenience is a no-brainer! Like versatility? Let’s do some quick math: 128 patterns, each holding 16 tracks (eight internal audio, eight polyphonic MIDI) that contain 16 variations apiece — that’s 30,000 possible track variations on this bad boy! You’ll redefine the term “groovebox” with 3,000 onboard samples and 35 sample kits to spark your creativity, all expertly dialed in with help from the detailed effects suite. Creative rhythmic controls like track speed, length, swing, and playback mode also ensure ample freedom for polymetric composing. Sensational in the studio and show-stopping onstage, the Polyend Play is up for any task.

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Korg SQ-64

Korg is no stranger to high-quality, budget-friendly synthesizing and sequencing, and the Korg SQ-64 polyphonic sequencer is the true poster child for that! This beauty houses a 64-pad matrix that’s an absolute clocking beast as an add-on to your existing synth and drum machine setup with its dual MIDI outputs. There are plenty of options with the SQ-64, which supplies four tracks for building in-depth sequences: three supporting 8-note polyphony and one for monophonic 16-part sequencing (great for drum parts!). There’s even a Keyboard mode so you can perform and record your ideas as they happen in real time. Then, save and store up to 64 of your projects so they’re ready for your next gig at a moment’s notice!

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Novation Circuit Rhythm

In need of standalone sequencing, sampling, and grooveboxing without breaking the bank? The Novation Circuit Rhythm is your ticket! Don’t be fooled by the size of the Circuit Rhythm; its 8-step and incredibly intuitive 4 x 8 pad matrix can be chained in multiple patterns for up to 256 total steps. You can also decide how you want to program, shape, and distort your sound, including controls for beat repeating, reversing, gating, auto-filtering, sample-rate reducing, bit crushing, phasing, and even vinyl simulation — how’s that for an effects section? You can also chain it to the rest of your live rig with onboard USB and MIDI connections. It’s even got a built-in rechargeable battery and included outlet adapters so you can sequence any time, any place, all over the world!

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Pioneer DJ Toraiz Squid

The Pioneer DJ Toraiz Squid is a 16-track, 64-step sequencer with highly compatible engineering that both beginner and professional performers will appreciate! Thanks to dedicated USB, MIDI, CV gate, and DIN sync jacks, you’ve got connection options for all your synths, drum boxes, vintage gear, and laptop integration for your live setup. The Toraiz Squid boasts an addicting interpolation feature, devising variations on basic sequence patterns using the settings and values you’ve selected to create expertly blended complements to your ideas. You can store 128 complete projects and easily organize them using the Squid Manager software to prepare your performance set lists — and even use Time Warp to recover and save accidentally replaced material! This sequencer is one machine that won’t leave you in the dark.

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Analogue Solutions Generator

No push pads, all knobs! The Analogue Solutions Generator module boasts a myriad of backlit control knobs for 3-channel, 16-step sequencing with your modular and semi-modular synthesizers. Its namesake is its 6-part voltage generator, boasting gold-plated touch-activated controls that allow you to reset, stop, start, and transpose any of your sequences at a moment’s notice. You can even clock the voltage generator to the end pulse, permitting sequence changes with every loop! Patching is also easy with preconfigured switches and re-patching via per-channel CV outputs. Everything comes packed up in a no-nonsense, rugged chassis built with premium components designed to outlast other modules in the field, making the Generator a superior choice for building your professional performance rig!

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Akai Professional MPC One

Want an unbound sequencing workstation that does it all at your fingertips? Look no further than the Akai Professional MPC One! This standalone sampler and sequencer functions similarly to the MPC X but with a smaller footprint and added convenience. The MPC stands for Music Production Center, and this dandy is just that! Create beats and sequences with the 16 velocity- and pressure-sensitive pads then edit and chop them on the built-in 7-inch touchscreen! The MPC One is loaded with professionally designed loops, samples, and onboard instruments to help you generate top-notch tracks. You can also load and store your samples up to 4GB via SD card and export your projects to a USB-A thumb drive! If you want to expand your setup or bundle your Akai with some stellar stage and travel gear, then be sure to check out our entire range of exciting options in the Akai Professional MPC series.

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Did You Find What You’re Looking For?

That’s a lot to digest, and, depending on your path, you might still be undecided or want to consider more options. Well, you’re in luck — we’ve got plenty! If you did find something that speaks to you or if you’re looking for advice from an expert in the field, then be sure to give your Sweetwater Sales Engineer a call at (800) 222-4700. They’ll work with you to get you set up with just the right gear!
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