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I rate the Drumstation HIGHER than I would a real 909/808 because it is more space efficient, more reliable (face it, the 909's and 808's are getting old and some of the IC's are dying in them due to age), automatically MIDI'd, the ability to save 40 custom kits and sounds so close that it is pretty much the same beast. Plus, it's not nearly as expensive.
If you like analog drums this is the second best rack unit you could get--the number one analog beat machine, in my opinon, is the Jomox Airbase--but you'll pay dearly for the Jomox. Myself, I'm going to have both.
I like this unit so much, I'm contemplating selling my 808/909 cards for my R8! I haven't touched them since I got the Drumstation.
If you are into MIDI, the 40 kit presets are a godsend--why tweak when you can simply send a patch change to add the distorted kick drum? Excellent!
My biggest gripe is the crappy power supply they give you (replace it) and the lack of an "on-off" switch. What's with manufacturers nowadays being so darn cheap? How much can a simple switch cost... jesus, I'll pay the extra buck for it, just gimme' the friggin' on-off switch you cheap bastards!
In short, this is a good unit to have around the house. Make sure to fill out your warranty card because Novation isn't necessarily known to be the most reliable of manufacturers. However, when it works (and mine does), it is simply excellent!
JKM
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