Drum Machines

Drum Machines utilise samples or synthesis in order to sequence or record percussive elements using pads or buttons. Many include a step sequencer to allow users to sequence a beat step-by-step. Such drum machines are incredibly versatile, offering the opportunity to create melodic percussive sequences, in addition to conventional drum sounds. The use of samples and time stretching further extends the possibilities drum machines can provide, allow for whole new sounds to be created from an original sample.

Typically, they also allow on-the-fly sampling and real-time recording. As well as being popular in electronic music, they can also be used in place of a drummer, where they are not available or desired.

Increasingly software studios incorporate drum machine units, that offer expansive sampling capabilities. The use of MIDI controllers can give the feel and interaction of a hardware drum machine in a software package.