Beat machines, also known as drum machines, are hardware consisting of pressure-sensitive pads, built-in effects, programming, and editing features, that allow you to imitate the sounds of electronic drums and other percussive instruments. It is a very useful piece of equipment if you are a habitant of the hip-hop genre.
A Beat machine has great importance in hip hop. It allows you to create, mix and program drum sounds that act as the base of hip-hop music. So, if you love to have bedroom jamming sessions with friends and family, or if you wish to follow hip hop professionally, you need to start by investing in a good-quality beat machine.
Which is the best beat machine for hip hop, you ask?
Well, there are a few; that’s why for your convenience, we’ve gathered up five of the best beat machines that will fit well for all beginners and pro-players. Let’s check it out.
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Our Top Pick  | Our Top Pick | Akai Professional XR20 | Beat Production Station Drum Machine |
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2 | 2 | Alesis SR-18 | Studio-Grade Standalone Drum Machine |
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3 | 3 | Korg, 16-Key Synthesizer (VOLCABEATS) |
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4 | 4 | Korg Portable Keyboard (KR MINI) |
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5 | 5 | Arturia DrumBrute Analog Drum Machine |
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Reviewing top five Best Beat Machines for Hip Hop
The Akai Professional XR20 is a perfectly built model that has all the features you’ll need for beat production. It has 12 backlit trigger pads capable of producing over 700 perfectly curated beat sounds, and you also get 99 preset patterns and 99 user patterns with it. The backlit glowing blue light on all the buttons and the LCD gives a striking techno look to this beat machine.
What We Liked
- Compact size and affordable pricing
- Suitable for professional use
- Backlit glowing blue light
- 700 sounds, 99 preset patterns, and 99 user patterns
- It has a microphone input and headphone output
What We Didn’t Like
- Akai has developed this one more towards the hip-hop side, so some users may feel there is a lack of traditional acoustic drum sounds.
When it comes to music equipment, Alesis is on top of every list. The Alesis SR-18 is a complete beat machine suitable for seasoned users and beginners. It produces 500 professional sounds and has built-in digital effects. The exclusive dynamic articulation technology by Alesis can modify the sample sounds to provide a realistic effect. Alesis has also provided complete MIDI connectivity on this model, so you can easily connect keyboards, computers, DAWs, and electronic drum kits.
What We Liked
- Affordable pricing
- Wall and battery powering options
- 500 sounds and built-in digital effects
- Complete MIDI connectivity
What We Didn’t Like
- Some users may complain about limited connectivity, especially due to the absence of a USB port.
This Korg Volca Beats Analog Rhythm Machine is a 16-step sequencer consisting of 8 memory patches. It offers easy editing features with one knob per function for the six editable analog parts. There is sync in and out option that allows you to clock-sync various Volca series instruments with the sequencer. It also has a built-in speaker and optional battery power, so you can play it anywhere you want.
What We Liked
- Compact and attractive
- True analog sounds and a built-in sequencer
- Sync in and out feature
- 8 memory patches and stutter for additional effects
- Flexible editing features
What We Didn’t Like
- It is analog, so the device lacks realistic preset sounds of digital machines.
- Korg has provided a lot of features at an affordable price, so you'll have to spend a little money buying a power supply separately.
The first thing you’ll love about Korg’s portable keyboard is its cute and compact design. This is quite a simple model where you just have to select a rhythm and press play. There are 16 trigger pads for drumming, and the chain function allows you to combine different rhythms. So, with the Korg portable keyboard, you can effortlessly create and record your own tracks.
What We Liked
- Highly Affordable Pricing
- It is a small portable device but offers all the features of a high-end beat machine
- It has 16 trigger pads for drumming
- has a built-in speaker and 2-watt output
What We Didn’t Like
- Designed for beginners, The Korg KR Mini has only one set of sounds.
The Arturia DrumBrute is a professional-grade analog drum machine that offers plenty of controls, allowing you to create a wide range of sounds and tones. It has two flavors for kick drums and unique analog reverse cymbals capable of producing 64 patterns with 64 steps each. It also has in-built USB, MIDI connectivity, so now you connect any device to this analog drum machine. The Arturia DrumBrute is more of a classic drum machine, but the superior audio specifications and the range of features it has, are totally unmatched.
What We Liked
- It is a complete professional-grade analog drum machine
- Lots of controls
- Has greater sound generation and programming options
- USB and MIDI input options
- 17 true analog sounds along with plenty of other options
What We Didn’t Like
- The only con is that you cannot record parameter changes or automate them using MIDI CC commands.
How to Buy Beat Machine for Hip Hop?
As you can see, there are several devices available today, and choosing the right one for hip hop can be quite confusing. Well, for your convenience, we have listed out a few important factors that’ll help you make the right purchase. Take a look,
• Analog or Digital: The first question is whether you need an analog beat machine or a digital one. Analog machines produce electronic sounds like booms, beeps, and clicks, while digital devices play sounds recorded by actual musical instruments. Both the devices have their own distinct sounds and features. So, if you need more realistic sounds, you will want to buy a digital beat machine, and if you need more techno sounds, you can go analog.
• Connectivity: Next thing you must check is the connectivity options. If you want to connect the device to a computer, you will need MIDI or USB options. However, to connect an amplifier, the audio jack input would be enough for you.
• Portability: Finally, you must check whether the device you like offers the required portability. If you require maximum portability, it is better to choose a lightweight, compact device with battery support and an in-built speaker so that you play beats wherever you wish.
