Drum machine way cheaper than modular drums but if you want modular drums the key is really a good sequencer like the Winter Modular Eloquencer that is great for sequencing drums. You could get Queen of Pentacles or Quad Drum and have all drums in one module and use a sequencer for that part.
-- sacguy71
Another killer electronic percussion module (pair): Delptronic's LDB-2 pair. The "voices" are in one 6 hp module, and the "controls" in another 6 hp module that interfaces with the first. And it's not like these sounds haven't been "road tested"; some of them derive from super-desirable machines such as the Roland CR-78, TR-606, or the Boss DR-110. CLASSIC electro sounds! These, plus a suitable sequencer (Tubbutec's 6quencer, which is based on the 606's) and you're in at around $500-ish...which is actually not too far removed from the prices on Roland's "boutique" stuff. THAT, I would endorse. Plus, with it AND a drum machine, you can lock the machine to your clock for the "straightforward" drums, then add some LDB-2 sounds as accents or as a voice of its own (such as the hihats...that "chippy" trap hat sound relies on the TR-606's sound).