Andrea S.
Very easy abd intuitive groovebox with lots of options in the choice of samples. The perfect companion for Donner B1.
Daren A.
Great value for money and some nice features, also sounds very nice - uploaded samples are reproduced very well and sound nice and clear. However I have had a few crashes and bugs on the current 1.03 firmware, namely: muting sounds can cause a blip sound, changing parameters can cause the machine to freeze, or sometimes the machine just stops responding to any buttons. Hopefully these issues will be fixed in the next update, but for now I won’t use it for live use. There are some basic features I’d like to see added and a few operational enhancements needed, but overall I think it is a fairly good drum machine, and props to Donner for giving 4gb of space for samples, which is a lot more than most have.
MICHAEL C.
I find this machine to be brilliant and love the fact I can expand with my own samples. Well made and intuitive. My only gripe was that my old eyes couldn't read the black print easily resulting in me making my own stickers as in the picture. Much easier now. Great machine
Frankie C.
Absolutely love the D1 and the B1. Wish there was a dedicated donner website for free samples to download to it
Steven W.
I would like to submit a review, but I haven’t received it. There seems to be a delay. I will update and make a review when I actually receive it.
ROBERT H.
SOUNDS GOOD..EASY TO USE..ALSO GREAT FOR LIVE
gnarly.music
Thanks@gnarly.music
MALO BEATS
Thanks@MALO BEATS
Shaun F.
Great sounding little drum machine, packed with features, but the touch-sensitive knobs are a pain. Wish they could be turned off.
Doug I.
Great piece of gear. Good value and arrived quickly.
Clive P.
As always Donner has delivered another FANTASTIC product
JAME
The Essential D1 Performance Beat Machine is a fantastic addition to any music setup. It combines real-time recording with step sequencing, making it versatile for both live performance and studio work. The 12 tracks, with custom effects and a Master Compressor, deliver rich and dynamic sounds.
The touch-sensitive encoders are precise and user-friendly, displaying parameter values on the LCD screen for clear adjustments. The factory content from Loopmasters is a great bonus, with 16 drum kits and 64 beat patterns ready to go.
The color-coded UI and responsive RGB pads enhance usability, and the D1's connectivity options (AUX IN, MIDI I/O, USB Type-C) make it easy to integrate into your existing gear. With features like 16 velocity-sensitive pads and a 4-bar step sequencer, it offers great flexibility.
Overall, the Essential D1 offers excellent functionality and ease of use at a reasonable price, making it a solid choice for any electronic music creator.
Real
The presets include various sounds and modes, so you can use it directly without connecting it to a PC.
It is nice to download and read the PDF manual from the Donnermusic website, which contains more information and is easier to understand.
You can also download the installers for Windows and Mac operating applications from the Donnermusic website, so anyone who uses the machine can download them from the Donnermusic website.
By the way, if you access the URL in the included instruction manual, you will be redirected to an unrelated overseas website, so you can download the PDF manual and installer by accessing the URL listed in "How to update the firmware" in the "Product Description" section of this product page.
The product itself is small in size, but it is fully functional and consists of a minimum of buttons, so even beginners can use it without hesitation.
It can be customized well when connected to a PC, so it seems that it can be used easily in various situations, both for DTM and as a performance machine.
Love Peace
I have a few Donner music instruments and equipment, all of which are well functioning with good quality. The Donner D1 Beat Machine does not disappoint. It has a compact design, packed with features, and comes with an easy-to-use interface right out of the box.
The built-in sounds and patterns mean you can get started without needing to connect to a computer. While the included instruction manual provides a just a very basic overview, we can also download the PDF guide from the official website which provides more helpful and in-depth information. The touch pads are responsive, and the device's overall design is intuitive, with well-spaced buttons and an informative LCD screen.
Overall, the D1 combines practicality with powerful features, making it a worthwhile investment. It is a great choice for both beginners and experienced users.
Derek
If you connect it to a computer, you can enjoy it in various ways using the dedicated app, but you can also easily enjoy it by connecting it to a speaker.
You can connect it to any speaker that has a microphone input terminal.
It is easy to operate, and even a beginner can use it by reading the manual. It is a lot of fun.
supmilesaway
Thanks for @supmilesaway
Floyd Steinberg
Thanks for@Floyd Steinberg
Dj Katier
Thanks for @Dj Katier
Chaysounds .
Thanks for @chaysounds
Ewan Watson
This was ridiculously easy to get setup. I love that it can be a standalone or better yet incorporated into your setup. I’m still playing with it and finding endless functionality and having a blast. This is a very cool and robust piece that would improve any dj setup.