While the DrumBrute isn't be all, end all drum machine it does a great job of being an classic X0X box with pretty darn good analog sound. And lots of voices! A lot of people are not fans of the first kick voice--I'm not either, on its own. However it is fantastic to layer as a top kick, to beef up the snare or layer under the clap. I love the hats, they unforgivingly dirty. All the other voices--even the zap, which when pitched down makes a fine little perc sound--find their way into my tracks consistantly. The DrumBrute sound is DRY. Much like other analog instruments. Much like the MicroBrute. Most of the time I end up using a lot of processing; however, the DrumBrute voices take to lots of processing very well. If you already have some good saturation, distortion, etc you can get a lot of different textures out of the DrumBrute.The master swing has a really nice groove to it + swing per track + individual track lengths + "note nudge" means you can really get some pretty natural grooves going. There is a lot unsaid here (invidual outs, master out multi mode filter, rolls/stutter, etc). For my money this is way more interesting than the TR-8.Just a note about my star ratings below. I gave the "sound" category a slightly low rating because some of the voices do have a limited sweet spots on the parameters--the DrumBrute isn't a sound deisgn power house. "Wow Factor" was low-ish because...well...I've owned and used a lot of drum machines. The DrumBrute didn't come crashing out… read more the gate with unheard of features. But it is a workhorse drum machine that'll work for many people. If you want to get started making House or Techno and don't want to use a computer, you could do far, far worse than choosing a DrumBrute as a first drum machine.

Musical Background:
Was a DJ for a few years, now I just make tunes for the one-man party in my extra bedroom.

Musical Style:
Electronic music. Mostly dance-y stuff, but I kinda like it all. read less