Sure if it’s the same sample - this is why I referenced ‘Robin Robin’ samples. there are 10-15 samples of the same drum type but there’s variations in an analog machine each time it’s triggered. This is the ‘magic’ of analog. Each sample can then be randomly triggered in something like Ableton Drum Rack.
My point is I have worked extensively w/ all those drum machiens for decades - and it’s just my personal preference - my favorite for hats are the DR-55 and Roland TR-707 - even though the later is sample-based the VCA changes the tonality of each hit just slightly each time they’re triggered. It can easily be seen in the waveform if sampled into a DAW.
I really don’t think the TR-8S offers anything in the hihat synthesis field that can’t be done with Rytm or Syntakt …? Unless it has to be 1000% exact this or that model of a vintage drum machine …
606 / drumatix
606 based patches I’ve patched on the Nord G2 - tune / detune to taste, map velocity and / or random module to osc tune, amp and filters. The metallic osc in the G2 is pretty wonderful for hats and cymbals.
Tanzbar, 606, CR-78, FR-2, DR-55, and 707. Pitched down hats on the SCI-Drumtraks are a real favorite as well. Creating your own hats can be a lot of fun if you’re in the mood.
I count myself amongst those weirdos who like the Rytm/Syntakt/MC hats too, I think Elektron did a good job at capturing somewhat the character of Roland analog hats without being a direct copy of them, and especially on ST and Rytm (MC to a lesser extent) there is plenty of scope there for shaping them further, as well as making them very dynamic through the use of locks.
909 hats and 707 hats are nice sample based hats that became classics for good reason, though I don’t use them as much. Other early eprom based hats are nice too, linn, emu, sci, Oberheim, Yamaha etc.
I also like to synthesise my own hihats and cymbals using a variety of gear and techniques.
I think they are not as immediately sweet at their default settings as some of the others mentioned here which is why some people might see it this way. But they are vastly more powerful and flexible than the retro machines that often only have a decay parameter. Especially Rytm with the ability to layer samples.
So my answer is Rytm because I prefer depth and sound design over limited sweet spots. Give me a Hydrasynth over a Juno-106. Never had a Machinedrum, Nord, Tempest, or Jomox though - these other contenders I assume have more flexible engines.
The CY Ride machine can make awesome hihats btw. Closest to 808/606 I have found on it.
This is spot on. I’d also add that some of the early Univox/Korg and the really early Acetone (Roland) “organ-accompaniment” drum machines have killer hihats.
The magic of those early machines (and even the later 808/606/110) is the way the circuits interact… cymbals change the tone of the hats, open and closed overlapping make new textures and the accent can distort and smudge high frequencies in a pleasing way.
To my ear the worst classic HH sound is the 909. Nails on a chalkboard. Best of the current options are probably the Nord Drum 2 and 3P, then maybe the Tanzbar and Alpha Base.
For vintage drum machines, I like hihats on the 606 and the Drumulator. On a new machine, I can get similar results from the Vermona DRM1 MkIV. (Wasn’t able to achieve this on the Rytm using synthesis. I had to use Drumulator samples.)
good to know since kick and hi hi hats are essential to darkwave and synthwave styles besides techno and house. I love my Rytm but hi hats not so great until I tweak the new lab feature.
gotta say that the layering of analog machines with a sample in rytm is truly merging both worlds, by themselves they might lack something, the machines might lack something in the pitch envelopes or sound too metallic/harsh, and the samples can be pretty boring and hard to tune, but once they are merged together, pushed slightly into the overdrive and share same filter they sound really good, and you get the subtle variation for each hit even with the sample, as long as the analog machine somewhat audible there.
those aren’t synthesized though, which is what I assumed this thread was about. though I guess it wasn’t stated anywhere… anyway, I love the 909 hats. I can see hating the open hat though, since it’s way over-used and cliche: kick on steps 1/5/9/13, open 909 hat on steps 3/7/11/15…
On another note, I do really love the 909 cymbals. The ride and hihat have such energy, nothing else does. Although I was a bit close recently with the Digitone. I’d love to buy a four voice desktop synth that enables one to synthesize such sounds. A full package with things like resonator and comb filter, the ability to analyse external input/loaded samples to apply their spectra to the synthesized instrument (à la Spectraphon) … heck if the latter feature is present, it doesn’t even matter what is the source. Could be 2 op fm with feedback.
I only own one drum machine now and it is my best and favouritist.
TR8-S. 606, 808, 909 all in one box. Easy to use, more fun to play than any other drum machine I’ve ever owned, plus it has FM hats which are quite cool. The saturation/drive/compressor FX are killer.
love it!