drum machine

American  

noun

1. a device that simulates percussion sounds in various combinations and rhythms, and can alter digitally stored drum sounds or make digital recordings of drum sounds.

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drum machine British  

noun

1. a synthesizer specially programmed to reproduce the sound of drums and other percussion instruments in variable rhythms and combinations selected by the musician; the resulting beat is produced continually until stopped or changed

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Example Sentences

He agreed on one condition - that he could bring Kosmo, his custom-made synthesiser and drum machine that travels in six separate flight cases.

From BBC • May 14, 2026

“Tonic” is one of several tracks in which the hurdy-gurdy is processed to resemble a snarling guitar, and a drum machine implies a relationship to experimental rock.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 3, 2026

The British singer and his band trade instruments with a sense of ease — splitting their time among a cello, keyboards, synthesizers, a drum machine, electric and acoustic guitars.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 24, 2025

Adjuah mixes in the odd SPD-SX drum machine or other synthesized percussion, but the album features almost nothing but acoustic percussion, vocals and the occasional sound of trees rustling or birds cawing.

From New York Times • Jul. 27, 2023

It was a drum machine making its lumbering way down the street Wide as a house, it shimmered with the movement of its dozens of mechanical arms, bashing away at every size of drum.

From "Uglies" by Scott Westerfeld