MOTM

hello:

what seems to have been missed from the original post is that he wanted a 
drum machine and not a drum module. while i'm sure that the info that's been 
passed on has been appreciated, i think we've missed answering his question.

yes, the R8M is the module version of the R8. the R8 and the R8mkII, i think 
would be excellent choices from how you described your needs in terms of 
sounds. i found the timing options to be excellent and with a wide variety of 
sound cards you can cover a lot of sonic territory. the manual is terribly 
written in my opinion, but when i owned one (about nine years ago) i was able 
to purchase a book (sorry don't have it anymore) that explained its workings 
better, written by an english speaking person. the mark two version comes 
with a lot more internal sounds (i think 200 or something). i owned the non 
mark two version and all the sound cards. i was quite pleased with it. keep 
in mind though that these things are not manufactured any longer but are 
quite easy to find on the used market.

or....... you could buy a hardware sequencer and any of the modules that the 
other kind people have mentioned.

i'm partial to the x-base 09 myself at the moment in terms of currently 
manufactured drum machines but from what you described in terms of your sonic 
needs i don't think it would be appropriate.

another option: an MPC 2000 or MPC 2000 XL or the reissued and overpriced 
MPC3000 from akai. these are great sequencer/samplers whereby you'd have to 
sample your own drum sounds or buy or download samples of the sounds you are 
looking for. these units might be more than you are looking for in terms of 
features but are truly great machines (again in my opinion).

hope this helps and that i haven't offended anyone,

anton fier