What one would you choose with your own money and why?

Do any of them do anything truly unique or special?

TR-8S does everything.

They are all good.

If you know a bit about drum synthesis then the Rytm, if you know more then the Tempest.

Otherwise the tr-8s

Also if you want a decent un quantised sequencer don’t get the tr-8s.

If i did not currently own any drum machine, of these three choices the TR-8S would make the most sense to me value-wise, features, and usability. You get a little bit of everything with it -- the whole history of drum machines baked into a commercial package. After fully exploring it, it might then make sense to seek out bespoke instruments for particular uses/purposes.

Full transparency - I don't own any of these three, but have done quite a bit of purchase research on them, as they were each high on my list at one point or another. But, let's just say, I have a lot of electronic...'baggage'... so my choices get constrained pretty quickly.

I have a TR-8S. It's fast, fun, functional, flexible, not too deep nor too shallow, sounds polished, and, this is what makes it really special, it has the electronic dance music lingo hard-coded into its structure and features, making it super easy to make and play this type of music.

This also limits its range of uses. It's synthetic, machine-like, with no song mode, and only realizes its full splendor when your hands are playing its many buttons, knobs, and sliders.

To be honest, I couldn't recommend one over another without knowing working style of person that I am recommending it to.

From all my drum machines:
- Elektron Rytm MK2
- DSI Tempest
- MC-909
- and some other lesser choices

If I had to choose only one, it would be Rytm. Why? Because it gives me A LOT of patterns that could feed my whole set and leave space for working on another projects. So: main advantage is it's sequencer, but it had to sound good enough as it does. But then there is Tempest, which I choose for my primary setup. Why this? Because I work there with Ableton Live and I use patterns on machine for fast sketches, but songs are programmed in Live. Everything happens in one project that I sculpted for perfect sounds for my needs. I also like the idea of TR8s, but I am now downsizing and I couldn't justify buying it. But I imagine that someone could be happy with how it sounds. Whatever gives you inspiration is my only recommendation here.

One more thing. Best Bass Kick that I ever achieved is from my Elektron Analog 4, where I utilised second filter set to PK, highlighting desired frequencies by modulating it with envelope. I imagine that I might add Korg Kick next to Tempest to enhance bass drums it that setup.

All depends on user preferences. 2 are analog, one modeling. I’ve got a Rytm, great and very capable bread n butter drum machine/sequencer, lots of boom but I’m kicking myself for not getting a tempest when they were cheaper and am about to bite the bullet and sell a few things to get one when I just KNOW they are going to announce Tempest 2 the second I get my hands on one. Tempest sounds a lot more experimental/interesting to me as an addition to existing drums, plus more capable in a small live pa setup. My friend has a 808, loves it but the modeling turns me off immediately, preference of course

The TR-8S is the first piece of electronic music gear that I bought, and it will be the last piece that I sell, if ever.

With that said, you should at least look at the Erica Synths LXR-02. I think it's similar enough to the other items on your list to be worth considering.

Tempest beside a Drumbrute = happy beat marriage. I have several other Elektron instruments and tried friend’s RYTM a few times and I personally do not like the basic sounds, and interface doesn’t work for my brain…and even if I LOVED all about RYTM…I’d still pass because those craptastic pads…(maybe if Tempest pads were used for RYTM)
yet, if Machinedrum were still being produced, I’d like it beside my MIDIOT of Tempest (She wins in this interface, sound, feel of the pads), she’s just always taken the ‘short bus’ when it comes to its midi implementation, but I’m ok with that.
Tempest>Drumbrute >Volca Drum trio is what I like.

rytm

just look at what you can do with it - then look how polished it is - then have a glance at the others and laugh

it's not even fair, the others are plenty decent enough in their own right but over a rytm? no chance

sorry, unique and special you ask

go look at perf scenes, there is one very unique and special thing the rytm gives you among many others

Out of those three, the Tempest has the best sound, but a rather weak MIDI implementation. It's highly versatile but may also be a bit difficult to use -- at its core it's basically an analog / digital hybrid synth with some percussion-specific tweaks / add-ons.

Rytm is the all-rounder, easy to use champion, with drum-synthesis tailored "machines" / parameters, custom sample layers, and great* MIDI support (+overbridge, if you are into that kind of thing).

If I could only have only one it would be the Rytm.

p.s.: other great drum machines: Elektron Cycles + MFB Tanzbaer

* one thing you need to know about the Rytm is that they kind of fsckd up MIDI parameter modulation -- everything goes through a slew limiter which totally sucks for targets like "sample start", or any other kind of snappy, percussion-like modulation. SysEx support is great, though. And it has (12) assignable performance controllers (in addition to velocity / aftertouch) -- very useful

I have the RYTM and TR8s. It really matters what you want to do. The RYTM is a pretty powerful sampler even with only mono, due to it's ease of use for grabbing audio in (Tr8s needs an SD card transfer) and it's analogue effects.

I use my Tr8s a lot for live jams. It is amazing for live performance. I think the GOAT setup for a live jam is a Minitaur for bass, Octatrack and Tr8s. You can just do so many things with that setup, and it's super easy to bring somewhere and connect - or put on a desktop in the studio and record a jam with.

No idea what you are trying to do though this doesn't mean much.

Oh, unique - I missed that point. I will write that as a counterpoint to that fraise of the RYTM that Jamie did.

RYTM beats (hehe) Tempes in:
- parameter locking
- trig conditions
- fills
- performance knobs
- samples machine
- VCOs in some machines
- bass monster
- by my taste: generally better sounding ingredients when comparing single modules, like oscillators and filters.
- effects.

Tempest beats RYTM in:
- best interface for designing sounds
- better pads (by my assessment) and might be best from all three contenders.
- better modulation possibilities (sound designer's dream)
- those FX strips on the left are better for me than performance
- a lot of oscillators to choose from, if you like how they sound or have patience to shape them properly (two DCOs and two digital oscillators per voice)
- by my assessment Tempest is better suited for live jamming, performing without much preparation (assuming that you spent some time for preparing your favourite sound patches, but that might be at the beginning of your learning of this instrument and then you are off for years), because how interface is laid out, how pads are situated and how they feel.

To give some example of sound sculpting in Tempest, just listen to this demonstrations (I recommend whole series from this guy's YT page):

good point -- the Tempest pads are excellent, indeed.

i love the TR-8S, but this is crazy. the other two do so much more if you really want to get into designing your own sounds.

Thanks. They are so good in how they are laid out and how they feel, that if I wasn't outbid when I tried to get second Tempest years ago, I would never consider RYTM. My only problem with Tempest was that I need more than 32 patterns without reloading when live performing and RYTM provides that with a lot of spare slots. If I had second Tempest, I could switch Projects while other is playing (at least: that's how I imagine it - usually when I try something, I learn that my imagination misses how I feel about it in real life ;]). Also: I bought RYTM because there was error on Elektron page and I got it new for 1/5 of normal price (actually, I felt terrible after that and I wanted to return it to Elektron, but they told me that it's their policy to sell at price that is displayed and they think I should keep it, so big respect to Elektron; bigger than for me, obviously).

Tempest definitely feels more like an instrument to me. The pads feel really good. And while my eyes are sensitive to light, I quite enjoy the big x0x pads being lite while I sequence sounds. I think the workflows are pretty good on both, but I prefer the Tempest UI. I like having dedicated labeled knobs on the front panel instead of the 8 multi function knobs of the Rytm. Being able to layer 4 different sounds to make one drum sound is fantastic on the Tempest. Makes it much more unique and customizable. I enjoy the pitching algorithm way more than the Rytm and the groove of the Tempest sequencer feels better. No big surprise with Roger Linn having his hand in this. I much prefer the sound of the Tempest to the Rytm. I just didn't like the Rytm machines it has. The Tempest has a very punchy retro yet modern vibe to it. I just couldn't get into the Rytm and didn't like it's file structure either. Though I think that would be fine now that I've had it and would know how it's laid out.

Never tried the TR-8S. I like what Roland did with their line of drum machines and groove boxes, but I would easily choose real analog if money isn't a issue.

I always show up in these Tempest threads to boost how good it is. Today, I'd say that if the TR8S had been around when I was considering the Tempest, I probably would have gone with the TR8S, and I'd bet I'd be satisfied with that decision.

That wasn't the case for me though. I pre-ordered a Tempest, and when I got it, I tinkered for a few weeks and shelved it for a year or two. Around the time that Roland announced the Aira line (lol, remember Aira?) I heavily considered getting a TR-8. I remembered that I owned the most expensive drum machine in active production though, and so I set about learning how to use it. I learned to emulate the sounds of Roland drum machines on the Tempest, which taught me a lot about percussion synthesis. I got so into the complex routing and sound design that I ended up buying a Poly Evolver Keyboard to go alongside it. And as I explored, the limitations of the Rytm and the TR-8 became apparent. On any given Tempest kit, if I wanted 16 snare drums, 8 kick drums, and a bunch of weird noise, I could do that. On the Rytm and TR-8, you were stuck with pre-programmed sound engines, and if you wanted four different kinds of kicks on a track, you were SOL. And the flexibility and performability of the Tempest is unmatched.

Well, Roland was paying attention - the TR-8S came along and more or less addressed nearly all the community feedback. Now you can have a whole kit full of kick drums if you want. And while you're still limited to certain kind of sound engines, they seem like really well thought out guard rails to keep you from falling into the murky deep end of percussion synthesis, where originality in sound design doesn't often pay off. Plus they've got gobs of native effects built into the signal chain. It's an impressive piece of kit, and I still think about getting one.

My Tempest is my desert island synth. If I sell everything off, the Tempest would be the last to go. It's still the only drum machine I have that I can *jam* with. Not just jumping between sequences by myself in the studio, but like... punch in a beat, live, and improvise with other musicians - often over just one or two patterns, but making use of beatrolls, mutes, beatwide parameter changes, and just tapping stuff out live. I thought real hard about buying a second one just to have a second one, back when they were bouncing around on Reverb for $1200-$1300, because I knew they'd never be that price again. But I have one - no sense in getting greedy.

I've owned both Tempest and Rytm (Mk1). If I was buying now I would definitely go for the TR8S.

Reason: It is more immediate and better suited to jamming and performance. Tempest and Rythm can be made sound fantastic but it takes a lot of work to get there.

To get the best from Tempest you'll need to be fairly comfortable with analog drum synthesis. It is also somewhat borked by a lack of memory. This means no p-locks, for example, so it needs constant hands-on. Also, it needs external FX to shine (IMO).

Rytm can really rock, but setting up patterns, scenes and performances can take a long time. It is rewarding though.

When I tried the TR8S I was making music immediately, it was easy to understand, working patterns in real time and throwing the sliders around. It was a lot more inspirational and fun.

YMMV

I know you didnt ask feedback on the Jomox Alphabase wich is the current drum machine I own, but this thing sounds absolutely ****ing huge. One would say it only has 2 real analog voices but listen once you start playing with the sample voices and start tweaking the analog envelopes and filters running through the vcas... good lord, this machine sound so ****ing sweet and punchy, it’s unreal.

On a side note Im now considering buying a TR8-S because it look very immediate and convenient to have all the roland sounds in one box.

Never heard a demo where it didn't sound very industrial/techno. Is this fair to say?

I know it does samples also but kind of defeats the point of analog.

I only have a Mk1 RTYM and a TR8S (previously had a TR8), so take that as you will (I put the RYTM through the external inputs of the TR8S), and the question really is, what do you want to do with it. Do you want to make weird analog sounds? Do you want to make 4-floor beats with some tweaks? Do you want instant gratification? (This is not a bad thing!!).

I like the RYTM a lot, but if I actually want to just straight up make an acid drum track, the TR8S (if you have it setup right) is so much faster and more "productive" If that makes sense. The RYTM you can kind of pretend with live performance with the scenes and the pad adjustment, and it's not really hard to set up, but at the same point it's more like "work". Running up and down the faders, easily switching properties for knobs on the TR8S, and just playing is a lot more cohesive. I find the RYTM lends itself more towards weird off the wall beats that you can get spend hours tweaking and wiggling with to get right, where I can scroll through the TR8S kits, slap a pattern down, and get it to sound right to what your head has.

I will never sell my Rytm mk2, It has very unique sound shaping possibilities and sequencer. It sounds great and unique. Workflow is very hands-on and fast. I am using it without overbridge.

The drums in this one are all Analog Rytm (without any samples).

The track was inspired by the travel log of that "hacker" type of couple who bought a boat and sailed the seas for a while. He writes very strange (but very cool) sequencers, she wrote the log. Can't find the bookmark right now -- information overflow (sorry).

i'm also thinking about some drum hardware. I tend to use ableton for drums since i mostly like a blend of acoustic and electronic sounds, a more humanised timing and long complex processing chains.
But a rythm box would be nice for sketching ideas, jamming and when i don't feel like using a computer.

My instinct says TR8S. Seems the perfect balance of depth vs quick live workflow.
The only thing i feel it lacks is some kind of probability feature.
Just something where you reduce the chance of a step triggering anywhere from a 100 to 0 percent. Anyone who ones one can confirm there's no such thing?

if it could do that, i'd buy one in a heartbeat.

Occasionally i get some gas for the Pular23. Totally the opposite approach, but more like a unique character-instrument.


I used to have a Jomox Xbase09 and an original TR808. Both were on longterm loan from an old friend who was into techno in the nineties. He came to get them back a while ago. Probably sold them for either drugs or cryptocurrency, i don't wanna know.

I only used the Jomox kickdrum triggered via midi from ableton really. Sampled the hell out of both, but honestly hardly ever bother using them. There's so many sample packs that have better post-processing from expensive hardware, tape machines etc. baked in.

No such unfortunately. It's on some of the newer Roland products (MCs, TR-06) but not on the TR-8S.

Maybe in some future update, would be nice to have.

The thing with the TR-8S is that you really need to play it like an instrument. For many (like me), that's a good thing. You just need the right expectations. It's not a "set it and forget it" drum machine.

All three are fantastic drum machines, but each has a different character and specialty. I own the RYTM (MK1), I’ve owned the Tempest and I serve considered the TR. Full disclosure, I also use a Maschine and various software instruments.

I picked the RYTM to keep because it was the most different from Maschine and any other software. I sold the Tempest because it had some things that made it not really work great as a drum machine, though I do miss it a lot. I often used it as a polyphonic synth and it was quite good at that. I didn’t get the TR-8S because I wanted something a bit more gritty and weird sounding and I had access to the Roland Cloud emulations anyway.

You really can’t go wrong with any of them and if you wanted to own them all, I’m sure you’d find use for all of them.

I went with TR8-S for the ease of use and fun factor. If I'm forced to dig I will be less creative with it even though the others are more capable. FM update is a nice bonus.

I played with the original TR8 years back and it had a mighty punch. I get the feeling I may regret the others but with the TR8-S you can't really go wrong.