The ZOOM MRT-3 and MRT-3B Micro Rhythm Trak Drum Machine is an excellent little drum machine that has the benefit of actually sounding like a real drummer. Here is my honest review of this superb little piece of equipment based on owning it and using it in my music creation.
The ZOOM MRT-3 series drum machines are full featured, inexpensive, and incredibly real sounding. You can program your drum beats from scratch creating your own drum kits, drum combinations, and custom beats, fills, etc. You are also able to use the large selection of pre-programmed drum kits, rhythm tracks, intros, fills, song endings, etc. to create a completely customized song without having to come up with it all from scratch if you wish. This unit typically costs around $100 but I have seen used units for as little as $40.
The ZOOM MRT-3 and -3B make excellent stand alone drum machines, as well as great add ons to any digital recording system that lacks onboard rhythm programming or lacks the realism and versatility most musicians require for their music recording needs. This unit features a MIDI input that allows it to be synchronized by digital recorders that include an internal MIDI clock such as ZOOM’s new MRS-4 4 track digital recording studio, making it act and be controlled like a built in drum machine.
You are able to set up your drum kits any way you want as well as pan the sound left or right, or anywhere in between among the different drums and output the signal via the stereo jack to your recorder, allowing you to create a complete drum track pre-mixed and ready to record so you don’t have to waste tracks on your recorder panning the drums out and getting the mix right. The optional foot switch allows you to control various functions of the MRT-3 remotely such as bass drum triggers, high hat open/close, on/off and play functions. With all of its impressive features this little unit can even be easily used on stage in the absence of a real drummer. Once the song is programmed and controlled by the foot switch, the audience won’t be able to tell the difference between it and a real drummer, with the exception of the real drummers occasional mistakes. It is seamless in it’s function and uses advanced technology to simulate a human drummers techniques completely.
The 7 velocity/pressure sensitive drum pads allow you to control up to 14 drum sounds simultaneously using the pad bank button to switch between sets of drums. The MRT-3 and -3B feature 50 preset and 20 user defined drum kits so you can get your kit to sound any way you like. It includes 200 preset and 99 user defined rhythm patterns allowing you to create all kinds of complex rhythm patterns in music styles from country, to metal, to hip hop and everything in between. This unit only weighs 1lb and can be powered for up to 15 hours on 4 AA batteries or for unlimited time using the optional AC adapter.
The ZOOM MRT-3 and -3B includes a built-in mastering kit which simulates the equalizing and balancing that is done during professional mastering sessions allowing anyone to achieve a completely polished drum track ready for the finished recording. The illuminated pads light up when they are active so you can monitor your patterns during recording and after for easy editing and checking of your songs. This also makes it simple to edit your patterns and spot areas where you would like to make improvements.
The MRT-3 and -3B are exactly the same units except for the color. The -3 is a silver color while the -3B is black. Both units give the user unparalleled functionality for the price range and are in the reach of most musicians budgets without giving up key features. One thing to watch out for is there have been reports of the circuit boards getting messed up if it gets really dirty or dusty, however I have kept mine like I keep my other equipment and I have had no problems with it. Keep it relatively clean and you shouldn’t have any trouble.
The ZOOM line of drum machines has impressed me for the most part and I give the ZOOM MRT-3 series a resounding two thumbs up. I was expecting to pay several hundred dollars for the type of drum machine I needed to get the “real drummer” sound I required with the easy features included here and I literally found this little gem at a pawn shop in good condition for $40 dollars. The pawn shop workers didn’t even know what it was. If you are an aspiring musician, a pro, or just enjoy messing around with it, definitely consider getting one of these for yourself.
