MIDI Equipment > Edirol MIDI Equipment > up to 280 GBP

Advantages: Great control and options!
Disadvantages: Not many mostly down to software!

Ok so i got my pcr300 on my last trip to the states in a samash store for a steal at $200! I got it home and of course had to download vista drivers but not much of a problem! I got it hooked up via its usb cable and i was set! I hooked it up and it just took off! i didnt need to set or program it! Although the keyboard does have an editor in which you can edit and set all of the controls on the controller to do whatever you want. The keyboard itself ...
...controls, 18 velocity pads, Keyboard split and layering unique crossfader feature, as well as nine fully assignable faders! All connections are on the left side - USB, MIDI IN/OUT plus separate Hold and Expression pedal ports. The PCR keyboard works with USB bus power. so you dont need an ac adapter. It also comes bundled with cakewalk software the Cakewalk Production Plus Pack. which includes SONAR LE, Project 5 LE, and Dimension LE. Overall a ... Read review

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

...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 ...
...for the DJ Slider Control which feels exceptionally flimsy. None of the controls have a 'click' center, but some of them have the option of having a 'virtual center' - it makes the center position a bit larger. Every time you move a control, the display shows the 0-127 value of what has just been sent. The drum pads are a velocity sensitive, but are not very sensitive. Velocity curves can be adjusted. Each control can send a message on a different ... Read review

Advantages: very cheap
Disadvantages: feels cheap

...to download software from the behringer website in order for the device to function fully. this surprised me as most stuff is shipped with a CD. it feels a bit plastic and cheaply built compared with other motorised mixers. the motors are pretty quiet and really fast. they are not as smooth as the more expensive motorised mixers but with the next cheapest thing being about £500 im not surprised. i have been using one of these for about 6 months, ... Read review

Advantages: Very low cost for a device like this, quality design, functions as midi interface
Disadvantages: Noisy faders, programming is a little unintuitive

Generally a worthwhile piece of hardware for your home studio. For a motorized fader DAW interface, this is unbelievably cheap, with similar models usually twice the price or more. However due to this you won't get all the features of a £1000 DAW - I've found the faders to be a bit on the noisy side, they aren't touch sensitive (only really needed if you want to modify a pre-programmed pattern - they still record your movements fine, and the display ... Read review

Advantages: well made and easy to use
Disadvantages: positioning of front and back ports can get cluttered

Amongst audio interfaces this is unique for having both audio/midi ports as well as the light-up top knob and buttons. These can be asisgned to functions in a wide range of audio DAWs from Apple's Garageband to Logic and Cubase. The unit is simple to install and use although I did have to download the latest drivers for it to be recognised on a USB port. With two audio inputs, guitar and a microphone or other instruments can be quickly setup. The ...
...the connectivity. Once connected it immediately offers high-end audio clarity and 3ms latency which ensures you hear straightaway the music you're playing. Although this unit is now a few years old, its sturdy construction and versatility make it a better option than the newer Guitar Rig Sessions 3 XE device. ... Read review