10 Best Drum Machines UK 2024 | Roland, Korg and More

If something is part of a brands boutique range, as this drum machine is with Roland, then you know you're getting something sophisticated. That's exactly what's on offer with the TR-08. Here, they've recreated their former glory 808, but in a modern instrument, and we have to say they've done it rather well!

The sounds are great, which could surprise some people as they're digital recreations of analogue sounds. Still, we bet no one would ever notice! There are even a few effects thrown in, such as tuning and delay, plus, it's light and compact, making it perfect for a wide range of situations. 

The Korg Sample got off to a roaring start and has been one of their bestselling pieces of gear in the Volca range, and here, we have the follow-up. While it's the second instalment, we see it more as a refinement rather than a redesign, featuring some much-needed tweaks such as the inclusion of hardware.

The big one is a micro USB port, which allows you to directly import samples from the computer. Although it might not seem like much, doing so on the original was a painstaking task. Furthermore, the USB port works as MIDI control, plus the company have doubled the sample memory. 

With a complete digital circuit, this offering from Elektron is a brilliant bit of innovation as far as the drum machine goes. The instrument has eight-voice, a 16-step sequencer and over 1 GB of onboard storage. With this bit of kit, you'll be able to build a whole library of sample possibilities. 

The drum machine also works in a variety of different situations, from the studio to the stage, thanks to its compact and rugged design. Plus, if you're so inclined, the company even throw in some integrated effects, such as delay and reverb, for adding flair to your rhythms and beats.

If you're looking to recreate the classic 808 beats from yesteryear, chances are you'll have to flog your house to afford one of the original instruments - even secondhand. Well, that is unless you fancy investing in the Behringer RD-8, which faithfully recreates these sounds (and looks!). 

It has the full package, with each drum element from the kick, toms and snares sounding rich, warm and, more importantly, indistinguishable from the originals. The cymbals may sound a little different, but don't mistake that for worse, they just have their own flavour!

IK Multimedia are renowned for their work with synths, and although this is their first attempt at a drum machine, we have to say they've done a pretty good job! It features impressive and authentic-sounding drum parts, with particularly rich and crisp claps, snares and hi-hats. 

Not only that, but there are 100 preset kits to explore and an extremely versatile 64-step sequencer to take control of. While the casing might feel a little cheap and flimsy, it's hard to argue when getting some much tonal bang for your buck!

Built to give you the power to create, produce and perform, this offering from Novation is an excellent bit of kit that punches way above its price range. It's remarkably fitted with two independent polysynths and the ability to load in your samples - all controlled by a whopping 32 pads. 

The hardware included is impressive, with a new SD slot (for samples), a built-in rechargeable battery and extra connectivity options compared to its previous model. However, although the rechargeable battery is a nice touch, it still has a pretty limited life span. 

As the name suggests, this is the latest release from the Elektron Rytm line. It carries many of the old features, such as the much loved eight-voice sound engine, but there's been one upgrade from the MK I - the pads. Before, they were a little hard, now they've been replaced by larger, softer pads, so you can finger drum away as merrily as you like.

As you'd expect, there's a lot going on here, with each pad capable of holding nine different engines dedicated to making a particular type of drum sound. While all this tech is great, it could be a little overwhelming for newbies. Plus, it doesn't come cheap!   

If you're not sure how much you'll use your drum machine but still tempted enough to part with a bit of cash, then the Teenage Engineering PO-32 could be right up your street. These devices have a surprising number of tones for their size and even allow you to import sounds to create a personalised sonic landscape. 

Granted, it's not the most professional-looking equipment, so we wouldn't recommend it if you're trying to wow new artists in the studio. Still, if you're looking for an introduction that doesn't require too many connection points or just something to have a little fun with, these make an excellent addition. 

Although often considered the more affordable version of the Roland TR-8S, this younger model still has plenty to offer budding musicians. There are plenty of kits, such as 808, 909, 707 and 606, plus an FM synth engine, which can store downloaded samples via an SD card. 

It also includes a decent sequencer and various built-in effects, providing variation when experimenting with new sounds and making music. Though it has to be said, it's not full of the most unique tones, but it's a great place to start for beginners to drum machines. 

First, on our list, we have this drum machine from Arturia. It's completely analogue and combines gritty, organic sounds with powerful processing. There are ten different voices, but all are hard-hitting and in-your-face, which is sure to delight those looking to create some high-impact beats. 

Furthermore, the device has a 64-step sequencer and unique colour function that implements per-instrument effects for tonal variation. However, although the sounds are good at what they do, there is little variation, which can be a problem if you like to switch between various genres.