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Akai Professional XR20
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Akai Professional XR20
alatchala alatchala
Published on 09/07/11 at 13:12
Value For Money : Excellent
View previous opinions.

UTILIZATION

The XR20 is very easy to use. This is my first drum machine and I managed to get nice sounds in less than an hour. The division into two sets drums (Drum + 1-shot) facilitates the direct creation and editing of sets is also quite fast. Synth Section is a bit small but useful for basslines. I wish I could mute each pad independently, allowing only the XR20 to mutate by section. However, I loved the Note Repeat button and backlit blue pads are really nice.

The French manual is clear but it will refer to the complete manual in English for the problems a little more pointed. However, one can very well do without the manual if you fiddle a little buttons.

Editing sounds is easy with the wedge that can quantize the notes at the right place. It is a bit tedious with the Step Edit function, which is still useful to reset pad badly hit by when recording.

SOUNDS

The XR20 was designed for the Hip Hop sounds, therefore in this direction but it is quite possible to do other genres like Rock, Techno, Jazz ...

The sounds are mostly not too realistic but I do not think it is the role of a drum machine.

I think the claps sound a bit like all but the sounds are still effective, few kicks even very interesting.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 9 months and I'm not about to part with it. It is very small (I put in a pocket notebook), it connects quickly, we can put it on batteries, perfect for a small beef improvised.

However, to use "live", it is not practical, it has not all functions at your fingertips. That's why I will soon move to the next level with a Korg Electribe EMX-1, more directional control.

€ 150 bought almost new, I think the value is excellent as the rhythm box is full of resources and the choice I would do without hesitation.