Drum Machine VS Live Human Drummer?

Question

What is better? I am a drummer and am feeling self conscience about a lot of people saying drum machines will overthrow the industry; what is everybodys thoughts on this?

Is watching a little metal box more exciting than watching a human monkey thrash sticks?

Answer 1

A live human drummer! Nothing can beat that.

Answer 2

People have been saying this since drum machines came out 20 years ago. Hasn't happened yet. I prefer a live drummer any day to a machine - I'm sure most musicians do. I played with one guy who's playing so inspired me that I wanted to write songs to highlight his awesome skills. Besides the inspiration, you have the interaction with another person. That's irreplaceable with a little plastic box, no matter how 'authentic' the drum sounds.



The only advantages a drum machine has is that you don't have to keep paying it to show up, it doesn't complain about how heavy drum stands are, and it's never late to the gig. Also, it doesn't take up as much room in the car as a live drummer, and it'd girlfriend never gets drunk and passes out at the gig.



Seriously, though - we're looking for a good guy to play drums for us on the project we're working on. We've got access to a great program, but I want the real thing. What drum machine could have replaced Keith Moon or Ginger Baker or Neil Peart or Mitch Mitchell?

Answer 3

Our group couldn't afford drums, so we use a drum machine, but we almost never use it in playback mode. We do too much with variations of expression, and being able to change things "on the fly" as we perform is too important, so I almost always play it manually. Technique differs, since it's fingers instead of hands and feat, but it's still live and I don't think the best musicians will ever get away from that, or want to.

Answer 4

Live human drummer of course. Drum machines are for lazy people (and Phil Collins).