Some obvious differences between the Boss DR-3 and the new Zoom machine are:

The Zoom unit has more drum kits: 127 (70 Preset, 57 User), compared to 100 for the DR-3 (50 Preset, 50 User)

The Zoom has more drum sounds: 213, compared to 120 for the DR-3

The DR-3 has more overall patterns: 800, compared to 511 for the Zoom (440 Preset, 71 User...the Zoom manual lists 16 Intros and 10 Endings but no Fills, so am unsure if these are included in the overall pattern total)

The Zoom has better polyphony: 18, compared to 12 on the DR-3

The Boss has slighty better Tempo settings: 20-260 bpm, compared to the Zoom's 40-250 bpm

The Zoom has more extensive FX capabilities, offering real Reverb algorithms like Hall, Room, Spring, Plate...compared to the more subtle Ambient algorithms of the DR-3. The Zoom also offers additional fx like Delay, Chorus, Flanger (all with Tempo Sync). The Zoom allows saving of 80 User Patches total (40 for Compressor\EQ, 40 for Reverb\Delay\Chorus\Flanger). The DR-3 only offers a total of 16 User fx settings (8 for Compressr\EQ, 8 for Ambience)

The Zoom has an Input jack (1/4) that allows connection of an external sound source

The DR-3 has both 1/4 and RCA (Phono) Outputs

You can use 2 separate footswitches for controlling the DR-3 (by using a stereo cable adapter), the Zoom manual only mentions use of a single footswitch

The Zoom offers better battery life: 8 hours, compared to 5 hours on the DR-3. The Zoom uses 4 AA batteries, compared to 6 AA batteries (or a 9 Volt adapter) on the DR-3

Personally, I do prefer the Style motif used by the DR-3 (having used arranger keyboards and the Boss Jamstation), as well as the Variation\Auto Mode functions. I also like its simple but effective interface. Others may prefer the standard Zoom interface better. Ideally, I would really like a drum machine that combined the best features of both units (isn't that usually the case?)!

There are definitely other differences that could be gleaned by reading both manuals and demoing the machines. It would definitely make for an interesting gear shoot-out! Hope this helps!

Michael



[This message has been edited by ocomain (edited 03-04-2005).]