Loopop host Ziv Eliraz shared his latest video with us, an in-depth look at the Donner Essential D1 Drum Machine, which debuted at the 2023 NAMM Show.
The Essential D1 Drum Machine is a 12-channel sample-based drum machine. Donner saysthat it’s aimed at the entry-level market, “offering a simplified, yet inspiring user interface” and offers both real-time recording and step sequencing workflows.
As ever, Eliraz offers a overview of the Essential D1, digs into how it works, and shares his take on the pros and cons.
Topics covered:
0:00 Intro
1:10 Overview
4:05 Song structure
6:35 Build
7:10 Connectivity
7:45 Common params
9:35 Per track params
10:35 Folders
11:30 Params 1 & 2
14:15 Sequencing
14:50 Step seq
15:50 Param locks
16:40 Sub steps
18:00 Undo
18:30 Fill sequencing
19:05 Recording live
20:15 Quantize
21:35 Swing
22:00 Saving songs
23:20 Mute/solo
24:10 Note repeats
24:30 Effects
26:00 Control app
26:20 Pros & cons
32:15 Factory sequences
Pricing and Availability:
The Donner Essential D1 Drum Machine is available now for $299.99 USD.
Spoiler alert. It’s not very good!
However, I do like how simple it is to program 2 different fills and the fact you can have 4 “beats” per “pattern”, or whatever their nomenclature is for that.
Other than that, it offers nothing I can’t get elsewhere in an overall better package.
I can hear the Bad Gear theme song playing in my head just from looking at this thing.
At least it’s not a knockoff
colored LED’s? pass.
This *might* be worth picking up on clearance.
Save the money for a Yamaha tyros
I’m not buying a drum machine until someone clones the ESX
I love my ESX-1 and have programmed it to death, but the Donner machine has at least two improvements; unquantised programming (“free time”), and velocity sense pads.
This sounds pretty good to me, lots of versatility and just enough control. The sound demos at the end really say a lot. It’s a little crispy for me on the high hats but some people might like that.
for that price? I’d forget this and grab two volcas
$300? Ha!
THIS. Kinda. The ESX was ahead of its time & hindered by early 2000s tech.
Don’t just clone, enhance. Keep the workflow, front panel & inputs (buttons, dials etc) but add a bunch of updates like having the screen show waveforms, better FX & cleaner sounding DACs. Drop in better tubes too.
I’d sell my Digitakt & 404mk2 for that.