DM1 - The Drum Machine App Reviews

I really wanted this to be a great drum machine, but the desktop version is buggy. I could accept graphical bugs, but what I can’t accept are sound bugs. Each instrument should be independent, but I am getting weird interactions. Specifically, I find that adding a clap on a beat changes the level of output that comes from a high hat for the next few beats after the clap. These interactions are not musical. In addition, I ran into three visual bugs within 5 minutes of using the program, so quality control is just no happening. I wish I could get my $10 back.

I purchased both the desktop and iPad v’s of DM1 … awhile ago. And its been awhile since i’ve even bothered to open either app. both have been plagued by crashes from day one, but the desktop v seems to be a guaranteed bomb every time I open the thing - getting back to its “possibilities”. Just as I’ve loaded in my own acoustic drum kit, one piece - one sound/sample at a time - before I can save the new kit, it crashes. I don’t ever use the word “crash” in re to apps and OSX/iOS, but I don’t know what else you call a perfect flight to a great destination that suddenly has you plummeting into the open ocean with all of your luggage and medication (files, samples, sequences, etc) lost to the depths of the Hadreatic Abyss. *However … I have not tried to use DM1 since this latest update. if its changed, which it seems that the issues have been ironed out - I will be re-vamping to 5 stars. its potentially a GREAT sequencer that can control (or be controlled by) all your midi apps … and the kicker is that you have only your own limits as far as what sounds you throw into the “drum kits”. It comes with enough to have hours of production with simple parameter changes – after my acoustic kit is in, next step is experimenting with words and phrases to see what will happen … sound fun?

never opens, it crashes when started.

A couple of minor screen issues. When switching to full-screen mode, the graphics are displayed a bit too far to the right, with a blank, black area on the left and the right side rolling off the monitor. After switching back to window, the window displays much larger than the graphic interface, leaving several cm of black space around the right and top. I have screen shots, but obviously I can’t post them here. I realize this may not be the best place to post this, but I clicked the support link and after navigating around the Fingerlabs site I can’t seem to find a link for tech support. There are “envelope” icons, but they simply open an email window with no address…more for sharing the page with a friend, not so good for contacting the developers unless I already have their address. So hopefully someone will see this. Otherwise, everything works well so far. I’ve used the iPad version for years. For reference, here’s some info on my machine: OS: OSX 10.11 Beta (15A234d) Model Name:MacBook Air Model Identifier:MacBookAir5,2 Processor Name:Intel Core i5 Processor Speed:1.8 GHz Number of Processors:1 Total Number of Cores:2 L2 Cache (per Core):256 KB L3 Cache:3 MB Memory:4 GB Boot ROM Version:MBA51.00EF.B03 SMC Version (system):2.5f9 Chipset Model:Intel HD Graphics 4000 Type:GPU Bus:Built-In VRAM (Dynamic, Max):1536 MB Vendor:Intel (0x8086) Device ID:0x0166 Revision ID:0x0009 Displays: Color LCD: Display Type:LCD Resolution:1440 x 900 Pixel Depth:32-Bit Color (ARGB8888)

I would at least think since its a EDITORS CHOICE , it would at least have some descent plug-ins … F NO !! These beats or whatever the hell you want to call them are low Quality and are basically bland/dull/boring whatever you want to call it ! Who ever these Mysterious editors are they have no taste … Im coming from a Logic pro x point of prospective so i guess you only get what you pay for…. Sh*t ! Dont waste your money ..

Save for Logic Pro X. This is “Okay” for beginners, but I wouldn’t recommend it for making an album. Slightly (actually more than slightly) disappointed. I’m saving you $10 by saying this.

I have this on my iPad and it’s a ton of fun. Why on earth is this not available as an Audio Unit plug in???? Seriously? I really really want to know why… Current version, FX DO NOT work on individual sounds. Only in MASTER mode. Weak sauce. Otherwise, fun app. Just seems buggy in the desktop version and it’s again, ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS that this isn’t available as a plug in for use in Logic. Will change my rating if the FX bug is fixed to a 4. I will change it to a 5 when I can use this as a plug in.

simple, fun to use drum machine. i have this on my iPad also. i wish it had garage band integration. easy to use, would be a great introductory drum machine for kids getting into music.

I used this app on iPad, that was great! But now, I used this on Mac, I can’t see “Swing” in Song category Please update this problem!!

DM1 for the Mac is a great, old school style drum machine that gives you a fantastic array of classic machines (most of the big names and some obscurities) as well as a surprising amount of contemporary sets covering pretty much every genre it could (I mean, they went as far as commissioning the psychedelic post-punk / Portishead connected band Beak> to make a kit). Will you make a record with it? By itself? No - while DM1 offers a some meldodic elements, it’s a drum machine and isn’t really pretending to be anything beyond that - it’s not a DAW. With that in mind, there’s no reason you couldn’t record some banging drum sequences, export a sound file and use it in a project in your DAW of choice. Well, beyond laziness. In my opinion, DM1 is fantastic as a sketchpad and an easy, no hassle app to just pull up and make some beats with that are absolutely usable in bigger production. That anyone could complain too much for something this user friendly, with this big a library and this cheap is just telling that we’ve become spoiled by the 99¢ price point (I’m sorry - ten bucks for what DM1 does is more than fair). Perspective: if this, in the same form, were a VSTi / AU / RTAS, you’d be paying anywhere from 60 to 200 bucks US. I mean, c’mon.