The Boss DR-880 is a bit of a classic, and for good reason. It’s got that old-school drum machine vibe, but with a ton of modern features that still hold up. The biggest selling point has to be the sounds. They're pulled from Roland's famous SRX library, and they just sound great—really punchy and realistic, especially for rock and pop. You've got a huge variety of drum kits and percussion, plus some really solid bass sounds, which is a nice bonus.
The thing is a bit of a beast, and you can get really deep with the programming if you want. The pads are velocity-sensitive and feel pretty good to play. But what's cool is that you don't have to be a programming wiz to get started. The "EZ Compose" feature is a lifesaver; it lets you build patterns quickly without having to get bogged down in a bunch of menu-diving. The Groove Modify function is also great for making things sound less robotic and more human, which is a big deal for a drum machine.
One of the more unique things about the DR-880 is the guitar/bass input with built-in effects. For a songwriter or a guitarist practicing at home, it’s a killer feature. You can plug right in and have a full band setup with drums, bass, and your guitar all through one box. The effects aren't as good as a dedicated multi-effects pedal, but they're more than enough for practice and getting ideas down.
Now, it's not perfect. It's a complex machine, and the learning curve can be pretty steep if you want to master every single feature. The screen is a bit small and can be a pain to navigate. Some people also find the pads to be a little less responsive than something like an Akai MPC, but that's a matter of preference. And while you can save a ton of patterns and songs, you can't export individual patterns easily; it's a bulk backup deal. But for a lot of people, these are minor gripes. If you're looking for a solid, all-in-one drum machine with fantastic sounds for recording or live use, the DR-880 is a serious contender and a piece of gear that has stood the test of time.
Link to buy at $3
https://horrorweapon.gumroad.com/l/BossDR-880
