I have been using the SR18 for several months and love it. I am the worlds worst rhythm guitar player, I need a drummer, drum machine or metronome (boring). The sound is great, drum machine or not, I have purchased several computer-based drum machines, and they sound great, but I hate to spend the time to program them. The SR18 includes a wide range of excellent preset beats. But of course the real power is its ability to record your own beats. To be honest, I have not done that. The unit also provides a host of connections. So far I have kept it simple, connecting the Left/Right outs to my mixer.