Home
... Musical Instruments
DJ Gear
Drum Machines
Yamaha
Yamaha Drum Machine

Yamaha Drum Machine

3.5 (3)

6 Critic Reviews

2 Reviews

1 wishlisted

8 saved

Page last updated Aug 10, 2025

Pricing and availability

Store

Reviews

Price

^* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Videos

Add video

Espen Kraft

Yamaha RX11 One of the best drum machines ever made

Espen Kraft

5 MINUTES WITH - Yamaha RX-11 Classic Drum Machine

sonicstate

Reviews

Add review

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Yamaha Drum Machine.

Use cases and applications

0 0

The Yamaha RX5 is highly regarded for its Industrial and Goth sound profiles, making it ideal for these musical styles.
Source
0 0

The "Japan 1986" preset name reflects the vintage character of the RX5, appealing to those seeking nostalgic 1980s sounds.
Source

Features and functionality

0 0

Accessing presets requires navigating to the 'my library' section in the settings under locations, ensuring they are always available.
Source
0 0

The RX machines, like the RX11, are praised for their punchy sample sounds, which can be used effectively in synthwave genres.
Source
0 0

The Yamaha RX5 features a unique voice editing capability, allowing users to modify pitch envelopes for diverse sound creation.
Source
0 0

The RX5 offers multiple sync options, including internal, MIDI, tape, and external sync, providing flexibility for diverse setups.
Source

Software and compatibility

0 0

Presets can be integrated into Bitwig with ease, allowing for expanded use of the Yamaha RX5 samples in modern DAWs.
Source

Comparisons

0 0

The RX17 is valued for its ability to integrate well with various music styles, leading one user to ultimately replace a Drumbrute with it.
Source

Value and pricing

0 0

RX drum machines are currently available at relatively low prices, with examples such as a nearby unit listed at €275, offering a tempting purchase for enthusiasts.
Source

Mods and upgrades

0 0

The RX5USB expansion board allows for custom sample use, though it requires a Windows environment for setup, presenting a challenge for Mac users.
Source

Setup and maintenance

0 0

Owners report the RX5's internal tempo may run slightly faster than displayed, potentially causing sync issues during recording sessions.
Source
0 0

Repairing the RX5 may involve fixing bent cartridge ports or replacing volume sliders, indicating potential weak points in its construction.
Source

Build quality

0 0

The RX5 is notably large, larger than a Minilogue XD but smaller than a standard Hi-Fi component, surprising users with its substantial size.
Source

Critic Reviews

Yamaha RY8 Drum Machine Review – Carillon Audio

wordpress.com

The Yamaha RY8 drum machine, with its dated yet charming sounds, offers a quirky package for just $30. Although limited by surface mount components for circuit bending, it shines with its 15 drum kits and 250 patterns. The single-bar pattern limitation is a drawback, but its guitar-to-MIDI capability adds a unique twist. Sounds can feel lifeless but come alive when paired with external effects, making it a budget-friendly option for creative sound mangling. While not groundbreaking, the RY8 is a fun addition for experimentalists, though its lack of velocity sensitivity and garbled MIDI tracking hold it back.

neutral

Full Review

Yamaha RY10 Drum Machine (MT Aug 92)

muzines.co.uk

The Yamaha RY10 drum machine offers impressive portability with its battery-powered design, making it a great choice for musicians on the go. It boasts a wide range of sounds and user-friendly features, appealing to novice users and those seeking straightforward rhythm programming. However, it falls short in terms of flexibility, with limitations like non-velocity-sensitive pads and a lack of MIDI Out, which restricts its use in more advanced setups. The RY10 is best suited as a portable rhythm notepad rather than a comprehensive drum machine solution.

neutral

Full Review

Yamaha RY9

soundonsound.com

Despite its compact size, the Yamaha RY9 drum machine offers a decent sound set and some unique guitar features, making it a suitable option for budget-conscious musicians. While its 128 drum samples and 200 preset patterns provide versatility, the sounds are somewhat bland, and its programming can be cumbersome due to limited onboard controls. The guitar synth feature is a letdown, struggling with pitch tracking, but the device's portability and MIDI capabilities add value. Overall, the RY9 delivers solid rhythms but falls short of being a standout in the drum machine market.

neutral

Full Review

Yamaha RY-20 Drum Machine 90’s Vibe – Jim Atwood in Japan

wordpress.com

The Yamaha RY-20 drum machine is a gem from the '90s that surprises with its vibrant sound and live feel, reminiscent of the New Jack Swing era. While initially appearing broken due to a MIDI sync mode mishap, a simple reset brought it back to life, revealing its powerful and distinctive sound. It stands out with its excellent pad sensitivity and robust volume, offering a unique experience compared to other digital drum machines like the Roland series. Though it may have some quirks, the RY-20's ability to evoke an authentic '80s and '90s vibe makes it a fantastic find for synthpop enthusiasts.

positive

Full Review

Yamaha RX7 Digital Rhythm Programmer (1987) | Wolf Review

wolfarchitects.design

The Yamaha RX7 drum machine shines with its retro charm and affordability, offering a compact and user-friendly design. While it lacks the advanced sound editing features of its more coveted predecessor, the RX5, the RX7 still boasts an appealing minimalistic aesthetic with durable craftsmanship. However, its buttons are noisy and lack sensitivity, and the screen can degrade over time, necessitating careful inspection before purchase. Though not as groundbreaking today, the RX7 remains an economical choice for those seeking a piece of 80s nostalgia, provided the display is fully functional.

neutral

Full Review

Yamaha RX5 (SOS Apr 87)

muzines.co.uk

The Yamaha RX5 drum machine impresses with its extensive sound palette and editing options, offering an unmatched value for its price. Its ability to edit and assign 64 sounds, including unconventional samples like vocal grunts, gives it a creative edge. The inclusion of MIDI and various programming features further enhance its appeal. However, the external power supply and the complexity of the sound assignment system may deter some users. Overall, the RX5 stands out as a versatile and powerful tool for musicians willing to navigate its learning curve.

positive

Full Review

Add review

3.5 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 3 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

solusash

1787

over 6 years ago

Nice Concept, Bad Layout

Love the concept, the layout is terrible. Pads are too close, and they're too sensitive. You hit one, you may trigger any other around it.

That said, it's got MIDI out, and can be used as a controller. That, and the fact it'll sit on a snare stand, is why it's not a 1 Star rating.

Roles:

Guitarist Bassist Drummer

Genres:

Electronic Folk rock Progressive rock

pressurekay

297

almost 10 years ago

Drum Samples Galore

It packs lots of drum samples in it, a simple portable drum setup. Although due to it being an all in one unit, it gets quite annoying as I feel as though the pads are too close to each other. I do find it cool that it has a MIDI in/out feature, also the inbuilt speakers are a nice touch although the sound is not that great.