Edirol PC-80

Advantages: About 50 controllers, comes with Sonar LE and Dimension LE
Disadvantages: DJ controller flimsy, some driver issues

...and you shouldn't normally need it if it is plugged into a USB port). A USB connection socket. MIDI In and Out sockets (you can use this as a MIDI interface to connect to another keyboard as well as using this as a controller at the same time. It does this by telling your computer that it is two MIDI interfaces). Sustain and expression pedal sockets. I have a Yamaha sustain pedal and this or an Edirol will work. Roland should work as well since Edirol are made by Roland, but I haven't tested this. IN USE Using the keyboard is very simple. The main drawback is the small screen. It only has four characters to display and with so many things that you can adjust, it just isn't enough and you may get confused. I recommend keeping the manual to hand or use the software to edit controls. All the buttons feel fairly solid... Read review

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Advantages: 27 fully assignable midi controls, high quality keyboard mechanism, v-link (for visuals)
Disadvantages: quite complex to set up assignable controls.

...My experience I have been dabbling in music since the age of fifteen ( ten years) starting off deejaying with a view to producing my own music, over the last year i have found myself with more time to enjoy this part of my life and therefore borrowed some hardware from a friend, step up the "edirol pcr m50". Its a midi controller/ synthesizer with 49 keys, 12 velocity curves 27 assignable controlls ranging from roatrys, sliders switches and even 2 pedal ports. The keyboard is also fitted with a pitch bend / modulation lever 15 memory set locations and midi input and output ports . Setting up and installing was easy although i didnt have the original driver disk the website was easy to manouvre and find the drivers i required. I linked the product up with my software of choice and although i struggled to set up the faders and rotary... Read review

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Advantages: Light, good quality sound and recording
Disadvantages: Not very large memory cards(2Gb maximum)

...or from the AC adaptor. also there is a headphone output aswell as external audio inputs.The R-1 can connect to computers by a USB 2.0 for importing/exporting WAV / MP3 audio files. In my opinion i would prefer an ipod or an expensive MP3 player unless you enjoy recording your self or music. This would be ideal for musicians.... Read review

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