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Hardware drum machines and grooveboxes have made a big comeback in recent years. The models on the market vary enormously in terms of specs and price - there are plenty of both cheap and high-end drum machines available - but the common thread running through all of the products included here is that each one of them enables you to create beats without the need for any other gear.

The phrase, drum machine, refers to an electronic instrument that has a) built-in sequencing, and b) an onboard controller used for playing beats, grooves, or rhythmic compositions. Drum machines are often played, or controlled, via touch-sensitive pads.

For example the polish company D16 make an awesome TR-808 replica virtual drum machine called the Nepheton – too bad Pro Tools users cannot have access to it. Imagine-Line, the guys behind FL make some great drum machines themselves; Groove Machine is a great example, but, sadly, it’s not available in.AAX format.
In this tutorial series we take a close look at all of the features in NI's Battery 4. In part I we cover using the library, automation and MIDI control, tempo control, the file menu, and more.

You won't find hybrid MIDI pad controller systems such as Native Instruments' Maschine and Arturia's SparkLE in this round-up, and we’ve excluded dedicated drum synths (ie, ones that don't have their own sequencers), too.

How do I choose a drum machine?

Obviously, price is going to be a significant factor when you choose a drum machine, but it's not the only consideration. You need to decide whether you want a portable model or something that's more likely to stay in your studio, and also what kind of sound generation features you want. Many drum machines use synthesis to generate their tones, but others also add sampling into the mix, giving you greater flexibility.

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Also consider audio outputs. If you want to process your drum hits individually, it's useful to have multiple outputs, so each sound can be sent to its own channel and treated with its own effects.

If you're planning to take your drum machine on stage, make sure the one you choose has a performance-friendly interface. A fiddly workflow isn't just going to cut it in the live arena - you'll likely want something with decent-sized pads rather than just buttons

So, what are the best hardware drum machines that you can buy? Based on our reviews, these are our favourite products on the market right now.

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1. Teenage Engineering PO-32

You can take it anywhere

Syncable to other gear

Looking more like barebones calculators than drum machines, Teenage Engineering's Pocket Operators are fun and surprisingly flexible sound makers that can be had for a low price. There are three drum/percussion products in the range: the PO-12 rhythm; the PO-24 office, which deals in noise percussion; and the PO-32 tonic. This last model is the pick of the bunch as it enables you to import sounds from Sonic Charge's MicroTonic, allowing users to completely alter and overwrite its sonic palette. You can also sync the Pocket Operators with each other and to other gear. While they can be slightly fiddly to use, these machines are great fun, and come at a very affordable price.

Read full review: Teenage Engineering PO-32

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2. Korg Volca Beats

Fine analogue sounds

Affordable

Taking inspiration (we suspect) from Roland's classic TR-808, the Volca Beats has an analogue and PCM sound engine but offers digital control, meaning that knob tweaks and note info can be recorded into the built-in sequencer. Volca Beats has six analogue and four PCM sounds: the kick can be clicky or deep, the hats cut nicely, and the snare has a woody tone that can be further bolstered by layering a PCM clap or increasing the amount of 'snap'. As with the other Volcas, connectivity options are somewhat limited, but ultimately, the Volca Beats is about fun, and that's what you'll have when you use it. If you want quality analogue drum sounds on a budget, look no further.

Read full review: Korg Volca Beats

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3. Roland TR-09

The look and sound of a TR-909 on a budget

Looks and sounds like a TR-909

Less background noise than the original

Let's get this out of the way first - the TR-09 doesn’t sound exactly the same as a TR-909; however, the visual and functional similarities are clear, though the TR-09 has a much-reduced footprint and can be battery powered. Button placement is broadly similar, so anyone familiar with the 909 will be able to create Patterns and Tracks without reading the new manual. One downside on the TR-09 is the size and feel of the knobs, which make editing fiddly at times. There are some sub-functions littered throughout the interface, but these are generally indicated on the front panel. Portable and with the flavour of a real 909, The TR-09 is a drum machine that's capable of delivering great results.

Read full review:Roland TR-09

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4. Roland TR-08

If you've always wanted an 808, this is the next best thing

A truly classic sound and 21st century features

No multiple analogue outputs

It would be easy to focus on the ‘authenticity’ aspects of the TR-08, but it is much more of a 21st century machine than the original TR-808 in quite a few ways beyond its DSP-driven sound engine. Although the programming system follows broadly similar lines to the original, you now have the ability to add sub-step beats, create random patterns and dial in some swing - all useful features. Compression can be applied individually to the Kick and Snare, whilst Tuning and Decay is available for some sounds (with the ability to select a long decay version of the Kick for those Miami bass lovers out there). This is a decent-sounding digital resurrection of a classic beatbox, though we'd still like to have seen a few more editing options and multiple analogue outs.

Read full review:Roland TR-08

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5. Arturia DrumBrute

Battery Drum Machine