What's wrong with a real drummer? Um. Where do I start?

If you got a real drummer you'd better have serious PA. Oh and a mixer. Oh and don't forget the monitors. Oh and a guy to mix your sound. Oh and a vehicle big enough to take all this stuff. And don't forget rehearsal rooms.

Drums without bass? Personally , I think yuk.

It sounds like the (?) guest who started this thread is doing pub or bar gigs. Many of them will not book a band with a drummer. And if they do book him with the drummer, the poor guy is not going to get any more money for it.

If you've got limited programming skills try and get a machine that will play midi files ( The Yamaha QY series are ok and start at £10 on ebay )

The Zoom rt323 is a great drum and bass machine. It holds about 20 songs and takes smart media. The thing has a pattern play function so you can add fills on the fly. Start/stop footswitch, 48k samples and it's very easy to program. It does groove stuff as well so it doesnt sound wooden like most drum machines. It has partial GM compatability too.. It doesn't drink beer and doesn't want paying after the gig.

I recently recorded a band that uses one, and I can send you an MP3 if you want. PM me.

Hope this helps. Good luck with the gigs.

MofA