The sound from this machine is very, very good. It is adjustable through a TSC Total Sound control module that lets you control, with a few clicks of a button, 8 preset sound shapes and 8 tones that can be controlled separately. There are also 8 user settings that you can program. You also can get deeper into the software and control a three band equalizer, compression, attack and some filtering plus other features. Overall the sound is very good at this price - not quite like the more expensive boss products but I run this through a Fender Acoustasonic Pro Amp and it sounds pretty real.

If you are a guitar player and you want a great drum machine - this should do it for you if drumming is not your specialty. Some great preset styles (100) that each have 5 patterns (intro, A,B,C Verses and an ending). You can control the key (numerous bass voicings)of each of these patterns and set up nice runs in the user styles section (100) and then shift verses with pedals. Or you can record your patterns in the exact manner you want them played in the song section (100) and have the song play any verse in any order you like. Each pattern also has a variation on pattern, drum kit, or muting. All features can be recorded as you like and also switched with pedals. To set up and play almost any song - pick a style and go through the verses. If you want the bass included, manipulate the key so that the key pattern in A,B, and C is in the same key as your verses of your song - (say A nad B fro the melody and verse C for the chorus). Once you have your three patterns in the correct keys save this style to one in the user section and call it you own. You can also manipulate any sound function from time, beats, drum kits, patterns etc, etc, etc. If the song is long with many differing keys say like HOTEL CALIFORNIA you can record your own bass and string it together in about 12 verses and then string them together as you want in the song section and have it play back in any manner you choose. It also loops. The record function has all types of edit, copy, paste and delete functions as well as very easy step-recording which is great for a non-drummer for me. There is a good variation of preset styles and with changes of drum kits or sound control the variations are probably in the millions. The kit does not come with an AC adaptor or pedals. The chord required for the kit if you want TWO PEDALS to control numerous functions that are user selectable has to be ordered or you can use any "Y" CABLE BUT IT MUST BE "TRS" (TIP-RING-SLEEVE) just not your normal stereo splitter cable (This will not work). Another great feature is keys that light up. you can see what drums, percussion, or bass notes are being played if you can't figure it out. It did not come with a mounting bracket for a stand so there is no means of attaching this neatly to a secure stand. If this unit were to be dropped - oouch

I have not had this unit long but it appears to be well made. It did come with batteries but no AC adaptor, no pedal(s) or chords. It does not have attachment mounts for a stand or rack. The buttons and lights appear rugged and stable.

This is one of the lower priced units and I am amazed at the value I am getting. I'll probably never use all the settings and variations and I was not ready to pay a lot more money to only get slightly more. GREAT FOR GUITAR PLAYERS.

N/A

This unit has a ton of functions that are not featured or well described in the brochures. There is nothing that you can not do with this unit. Sure it doesn't have as many buttons as other machines but a lot of the buttons have multiply functions AND they do light up!! I cannot believe I didn't get this gear earlier. I didn't know what I was missing. It adds so much to a solo act. Boss has created a very user friendly drum machine for guitar players.

Rock, Blues

i have used drum machines since their inception, this must rank as one if not the best i have used. i would love to have a machine with only one button !!!

all ok ecept too many buttons, when you're playing you want as little distraction as possible

rock of gibraltar solid

sounds like a band, but doesn't drink and swear and run off with your girl !!!

over 40 years guitar playing; amateur /pro/session

tex-mex-eagles-s stills-

Ok, but not great. Sounds a bit cheesy. All the patterns of all the drum machine in all the world suffer from over-loud hi-hats and this is no exception. This means creating lots of user kits which is a headache. Bass sounds are weak - unless you want to recreate that bit from Seinfeld. Hi-hats are all poor. Some of the snares are nice, but nothing there that makes you actually want to sit and experiment.

It does lots if you're patient and have a degree in computer science. To get beyond the fromage and create your own songs is a nightmare. "Styles" "Patterns" "Songs" "Verse A" "Fill B". Your head will explode. Trust me.

As a cheesy metronome to play along with ok - as a serious machine for programming your own stuff - nearly impossible unless you have hours and hours to play with

Ok. Obviously very plastic, very light. If you get to the point of throwing it because you've pressed edit-left-down-left-left-left-scroll wheel-enter-edit, just that once too often, it will probably not survive.

You get what you pay for. This is a budget bedroom jamming machine. Drums without the body odor and bad timing. These sell new for over 100 pounds GBP in the UK - thats $200 to the rest of the universe. It's worth half that.

Not tried

Got one - it's now on Ebay.

Active musician

Acoustic alternative

This product is amazing, the easiness to use, the realistic drum sounds and the simplicity to setup. The first day i got after 15 minutes i was using like i had owned it for years. I put through a guitar amp because its easier, the sound was fantastic, the amp was tinny when a guitar was played through but sounded great with the Boss. I also use it for recording as i don't know any drummers and it provides excellent both in the studio and gigging.

Being able to write your own patterns provides you with versatility and peace of mind, because if the machine does not have the pattern you are looking for (which it probably will) you can just make it. Also stringing patterns and fills together means if don't like a verse pattern or a fill you could choose one from a different pattern.

The Boss is so easy to set up, having well marked outs and ins, plus a midi out made extremely easy to use. With 100 patterns already in their, plus tempo modifier, and reverb effect you can change it to your personal taste.

Most products made by boss are of the highest quality, this no exception. Only suffering minor cosmetic scuffs after plenty of gigging I have had no problems with the DR.3

The DR 3 is great value for money, because of it's realism, ease of use and fantastic features

Active Musician

Rock

Sound is OK but obviously electronic but thats OK. I have never owned a D/Mc before so can't compare it with anything else. I have come across some pretty bad sounding real drums/drummers in my time. This is better - I am in control (or will be when I have got to grips with all the features). The sizzle cymble sound is not too good but that may be down to some tweeking within the controls yet to be discovered.

No accessories. Should have come with a mains adaptor as battery life is not good. This is no doubt due to to all the lights the unit has (very useful). I suspect the low battery warning indication comes up rather early though as am still running it an hour later. Will cost a mint in ordinary batteries - rechargeable and mains adaptor is the way forward. A carry case would have been useful. programming your own STYLE AND SONGS to meet MY needs is trhe main selling point for me.

Quick start is easy - plug in (earphones/amp) and go. The manual is OK but the manual needs a manual to undersatnd how it operates. Many of the editing steps it shows are not necessary when you understand what the manual is trying to tell you. I have owned the product for just a few hours (already I am looking on the internet to get advice from others).Many reviews mention the complxity of the m/c - this may be true but the manual does not help. I play bass guitar- I do not need the bass backing provided and just want to turn it off - nothing in the manual states ' how to turn bass track off' . However it can be done (and it is easy) but you have to dig deep. There is a steep learning curve which the manual could ease if it were better prepared.

Nothing gone wrong since I bought it - one day ago. Seemed flimsy at first but with batteries in I am satisfied the fan in my amp will not blow it away.

I suppose so - with the mainds adaptor would be more reasonable

Dropped the product as I took it out of packaging (on carpet)- does not seem to have come to any harm. I assume therfore it is reasonably well put together and robust.

Looks good - demonstrated it looks even better - flashing lights, I love them. It is a handy addition to practice and as a bassist will give a better appreciation of pulse and working more closely with a drummer.

Hobbyist

Jazz - Bass

Drums = 9 Bass = 4 I really like this machine w/e of the bass sounds. I have an 1990s vintage Proteus module with better bass sounds. For me, most of the time I'm playing bass so I turn off the bass sounds. However, if you want usable bass sounds, then look somewhere else.

Good features w/e of a midi out. If it had a midi out, I could have it trigger my keyboards bass sounds and that would have been an acceptable work around.

I've had this for close to a year and I take it over to a friends house for a practice session weekly. Never had any problems.

I gave it an 8 because it is a great jam box.

N/A

I would probably get the DR-880 now since it is more versatile. However, the 880 is $300 more expensive. In the long run, I think the better sounds of the 880 would be worth it.

Active Musician

Blues / Jazz

The Alesis DR-16, which I also own, has far more realistic drum sounds that are easier to edit. The DR-3 bass sounds are not very good, so I will stick to playing my own bass lines for recording. The preloaded patterns are not very useful to an old rocker like me. If I were 30 or under, the patterns might be more to my taste. The volume seems to be a little low even turned all the way up.

There are a lot of features which help to edit your sound. But the controls are not intuitive. I also have a music sequencer which requires entering songs note by note. But I find the sequencer easier to use.

Looks and feels pretty sturdy. But the real test will be its condition is a couple of years. My Alesis-16 is 12 years old and still trucking.

For me, this product was a waste of money. I don't like most of the preloaded patterns, so jamming is not much fun either. My first attempt at constructing a song took 3 hours and with poor results. Others may find jamming with this machine a thrill.

Don't know. Can't rate this one other than trying to find a few things online.

It looks sharp.

Home recording for about 20 years

Blues/Rock/Country

I think it sounds fantastic....>I am a beginning bass player (2years) and it is awesome. I am running it through my home stereo and I am amazed at the sound quality.

I was shocked that it didn't come with an AC adapter...>Really weird. I love how easy it is to change the tempo. I have only had it for about a week, but when I start using it I can't stop until my hands are cramping!! It is so much fun......I have not been able to use even a fraction of the features so I can't comment on anything else yet.....

Seems pretty easy so far....

It seems sturdy to me. I love the buttons that light up. If I take care of it hopefully it will last for at least a good 10 years.....I wish it had mounting brackets.....

I thought the price was great for what you get and the sound quality.....Except for the extra $20 for the AC adapter....:-(

Haven't had to use it yet.

It has a clean look. Very appealing

Hobby, 2 years playing bass

Blues, Jazz, Latin-Salsa Rock blues

I would say that for the price of this unit it surprised me and made feel very comfortable in making this purchase.Now there are some sounds that to be looped with another component to give you your overall sound in the beat your are looking for.

That I need really a beat pad to get a true sounding bass hit out of my beat.

This product is made securely to my knowledge of the shipping process.I think that the product will last as long as i take care of this product.There is not really any aspect of the product at hand.

In a nutshell yes.

No i have not tried for any upgrades yet but i will real soon.I have not needed to deal with the manufacture of this product for the it has held up mvery well.

Just a start-up unit to get on the path of my production.

Artist,Producer,Sound Engineer

Rap,Hip-Hop,Rock

Some decent drum sounds, but the bass sounds are truly awful.

This thing needs to be well built in order to withstand being thrown against walls -- which you will undoubtedly do more than once with this machine.

It's relatively inexpensive, but the sound quality and difficulty of use makes it a terrible investment.

I really regret buying this machine. I gave it to a friend about a year ago. I'm pretty sure that he's already thrown it out. Enough said.

Guitarist, singer, home recording enthusiast.

Rock

sounds are good, if you can figure out how to program them!

Incredably hard to program. I spent 4 hours trying and am planning on returning the unit for something easier to understand. The presets are worthless unless you plan to use the exact track! How many muisicians do that? For a live application, not useable unless every note is pre-programmed. No 'jamming' even thinkable!

Boss makes good stuff usually. The programmed tracks sound ok, but who would use someone elses tracks to do your own material with!?

Good

We will see soon, because I am sending the unit back.

Slick ads make it sound great. And evfen one sly comment about spending more time playing and less time programming. That is only if you use the pre-sets. Otherwise, don't plan anything else for the next few weeks; you will be programming, if you can figure it out!

Active Musician

Adult contemporary

a humanizer would be nice addition

should come with A/C Adapter.

Roland Quality Speaks for itself. 10 because they design for todays application and are always leaders.

My dealer always offers me a pro discount ....

Cannot say I ever had a problem

I like the small package because it makes it easy to intergrate into my set-up at home or on the road.

Home Studio Musician/Producer

Rock / Progressive Jazz /Blues