PROS: EXCELLENT. It can be used as a stand-alone 16-track sequencer. One track can have up to 16 instruments on it at once, ie. 16x16. It can be used to trigger drums only, and it has built-in effects which when tweaked sweeten your sound like honey. There are multiple outputs so u can put out up to 6 simultaneous ANALOG channels (makes bouncing to external editor faster) AND has S/PDIF digital out. I can't hear a difference b/t analog/digital, so the A/D convertors must work fine. The 2 MIDI outputs are EXTREMELY configurable and the dynamic range is so audible u can hear a pin drop. Not only that, but you can spend hours customizing sounds, building custom kits, buy & add more ROM's (more sounds), AUTOMATE your mixes, use some analog outs for inserts, and save preset setups for various situations. CONS: only thing more it needs is another MIDI input. And editing out sounds can be a big problem

Price paid

300.00 on eBay

UTILIZATION

Before I bought it, I went into [music store] and within minutes I was making a beat, just by looking at the way preset sequences were laid out. For in depth users, the manual is very confusing, but to get started is too simple. CON: Editing is a bit tricky

I bought a factory refurbished model which got damaged in shipping. The only problem I have is when u engage the MIDI out port A, u can't use the S/PDIF digital signal cause it goes to crap and it freezes the engine. Aside from this it works fine. I will eventually get a new one, but I'm sure this can easily be repaired.

SOUNDS

Pros: The drum sounds are extremely versatile for electronic music. I cycled thru the sounds and would use alot in beats AS IS, making creation flow. Tweaking them is extremely easy with 16 ASSIGNABLE knobs, and there are some synths in there that resonate in ur brain and ring on ur ear drum. Cons: If you're looking for realism, u won't find it here 'cuz the factory ROM isn't big enuff for multi-sample realistic sounds. Another problem is the non-percussion sounds (except organs/keys) can't be used in many other genres besides hip-hop/pop/r&b/dancehall/reggae but if you do anything else, would u even use a drum machine that much?

OVERALL OPINION

Before I bought this, I would spend hours in [music store] just on this one piece of gear. I'm telling you...I've never found it so easy to be unique. And when I want, I just sit it in my lap, turn off the lights and just play thru my headphones. It's the one piece of gear I never want to get lost or stolen because I feel like I know it.

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: TheFourth ( 4-, 2005)