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

“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 show’s producers were always pushing to save money, Groening says, and to have the show scored with synthesizers and a drum machine — par for the course for TV music in the 1990s.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 19, 2025

“Not everybody’s going to become a musician, but having somebody show you what a drum machine or what sampling is, that’s when you start to have a deeper appreciation for music,” Emmons said.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 12, 2025

And the introduction of the Roland TR-808 drum machine moved things along further.

From BBC • Aug. 10, 2023

I told myself to stay calm, but my heart thrummed like a drum machine.

From "Hollow City" by Ransom Riggs