Toraiz SP-16: the spiritual drum companion of the JP-80?

[kimsnarf]

I have yet to try it for myself, but the Pioneer Toraiz SP-16 appears to be exactly what I would expect a drum machine to be like if Roland had designed one to accompany the Jupiter-80.

Just look at it! Black brushed-aluminium front, big colorful buttons, a large touch screen, best-of-class intuitive operation, designed for performing, has great audio quality, spare-no-expense costly. Sounds familiar? It might have come from an alternate reality where Roland didn't go down the AIRA path but instead continued the Jupiter path. It even shows the same signs of reception: misunderstood, outside the price sweet-spot, lacking expected features, people expecting something else (a full sequencer). Deja vu!

While there are many superb, modern synths out there, I can't say the same for drum machines. I still haven't bought one. Considering how much I enjoy the Jupiter-80, this could be it! It is definitely a unique, stand-alone machine.

Has anyone tried it?

[marctronixx]

its cool but a bit pricey for what it does. the dave smith and roger linn tempest is a much better product (i own a tempest).

roger linn has made a linnstrument. ever had a gander at it?

https://youtu.be/thFD5ezOn3c?t=14s

[kimsnarf]

The Tempest is pricey too. It can't import samples and I have yet to hear a sound demo I like. It's more cool/weird than practical. The Arturia Drum Brute is the analog drum machine I prefer so far, but the lack of patch recall is a deal breaker. I can't be expected to reprogram the drums each time I switch between projects! What a missed opportunity! The Elektron stuff is fine on paper but what horrible interfaces with gruesome pads and buttons. And the TR-8 is way too limited, can't really be played (no pads) and always sounds the same.

The Linnstrument is just a MIDI-controller, right? I'm working on my piano-style muscle memory and am not in the market for another input style. Maschine etc are better drum controllers but require a computer. I want stand-alone hardware.

A sampler can sound like anything, which really appeals to me. The MPC Live is also on my radar and has better specs/features in some areas. But so far I prefer the Toraiz interface and workflow. It so reminds me of the Jupiter-80 experience.

[marctronixx]

whoa cowboy! didnt mean to strike a nerve! ;-)

i didn't know all of that data you posted in your follow up post! please accept my apologies for disrespecting your intelligence and missing your actual meaning.

ill followup though.. :)

the tempest is an awesome bit of kit. its a 6 analog voice synth that can do beats. no sample input (didn't know that was a feature you had to have since you didnt list any deal breakers in your first post) which let down a lot of early adopters. the machine is awesome and is worth its price since, as mentioned, its a 6 voice analog synth. it has many cool old school linn samples and obx and other flavors too. i love it.

the drumbrute, yeah i have that too. :D it sounds old school analog-y (not a fan of the snare though). you can save patches via the computer interface.

yeah the linnstrument is a midi player. again i didnt know what you need so pardon my ignorance.

i have the tr9 which is lovely!

i plan to get the mpc X! that is nice. played with it at namm this year.

i agree the pioneer thingy does compliment the "look" of the jp-80.

[LivingEdge]

For the price I'd get an FA-06 for $300 cheaper.

I can't believe the price this is selling for, then again I'm a musician and not a DJ.

I own the FA-08 and a lot of what's listed reminds me of it.

[Devnor]

Wow! That thing looks cool. Great features too. I'm in the market for a new drum machine, was thinking MPC but I need to do more research now.