drum machine (not virtual) w pt8?

[mdo9]

ok, so i used to program a boss dr. rhythm drum machine for some of my tracks (about 8 years ago now) and found that it used to actually get the job done pretty well. the thing is that i like to make my own beats and build my own kit. also, i don't have the time or patience to sit and program fills. the boss dr. rhythm was great for that. i could come up with cool beats then add preset fills if it needed it somewhere and it sounded like it came from the same kit.

i currently have a few virtual drum programs (battery, stylus, strike, boom). they all have their pluses and minuses. the thing is that not one of them has the capability of programming your own beat AND adding a premade fill with a drum kit you've pieced together (strike comes close). maybe i'm mistaken and overlooking something? stylus has some fills but most of the drum patterns are wet w effects and difficult to mix and match the various patterns. strike has the option of tweaking a preset pattern to your liking and adding a fill. but dare i say i don't really like the strike patterns? also sometimes it's nice when you hear a beat and want to program it straight from your head without having to tweak an existing pattern (which might cause you to lose your original idea). battery and boom have no fills to my knowledge.

i'm actually considering buying a boss dr 880. the only thing is that it seems a bit dated these days (think it came out in 04). i'm just concerned about the quality of the fills and sounds. i'm also curious if there might be a better option? or if there's a virtual drum program that i'm overlooking with the capabilities i'm looking for (being able to build a kit from a bank of samples, programming your own beat and adding predesigned fills). thanks for your help.