Gigskinz GS-MR Recorder / Laptop bag

Advantages: Ease of use, Durability, Great First Mixer
Disadvantages: You will want to upgrade after time, cross fader wont last forever

...I bought this mixer as my first mixer after deciding to buy first decks and I think that it is good value for money. It is quite simplistic, but I realised quickly you don't need something fancy when you are just learning to beatmatch. It is simple but what it does, it does well. The USB function is a good feature you don't get in a lot of mixers in this price range, I havent yet used it to record a mix but from what i have read it isnt hard to do if you have the right program and is useful if you only have a laptop which only has a USB and not standard audio connection that you get on desktops and wanna record a mix. I have had it a year now and am now looking to upgrade, but this only because my mixing has come on from what I have learnt from this mixer, and I want to add more to my mix with functions like kill switches, effects... Read review

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Advantages: Looks, Sound quality, Smart media capability
Disadvantages: Sustain pedal, keys - slightly "keyboard" feel

...USB, and the Yamaha digital music notebook software, along with additional songs that can be transferred to the unit itself. On the downside the keys still feel somewhat like a (reasonably priced) keyboard. This is however reflected in Yamaha's latest advertising bumpf as box-style, whereas for other models they go on in some detail about grade weighted hammer keys etc. The only other drawback I have found so far has been the sustain pedal. Again in the advertising material this is referred to as a footswitch - it is just that, unfortunately there is no way of slowly releasing the sustain on the keys. There are other features provided by Yamaha, such as the digital music notebook which I have not got round to using yet, but looks extremely useful nonetheless which just underlines the quality of Yamaha products and services. Altogether... Read review

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Advantages: Big pads easy to hit with a excellent solid build ,bright lcd ,note velocities
Disadvantages: its a midi pad controller so you will need a pc or laptop

...The akai mpd 24 is a great machine ,its a perfect subsitute for its older cousins the mpc series which are used by the likes of hip hop pioneering producer dr dre. This machine has no internal memory as a mpc but once hooked up to your pc or laptop it effectively becomes one with ease . The pads are from the mpc 2500 series and i recommend working it with FL studio or reason programs ,this midi pad controller gives you the ability to give your drums a more human feel and to trigger samples on the fly . The LCD display is bright easy to read and the main global knob allows you to flick through presets and adjust note qualities Theres so much to this machine and i recommend anyone considering to get the rival korg kontrol to go for this as its trigger sensitive pads allow for perfect beat composition. Any one considering to get a pad... Read review

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