Roland SR-JV80-07 Super Sound Set

Advantages: cheap, easy to use
Disadvantages: no effects limited sound editing, dull sounds

...The Alesis SR-16 holds the title of the best selling drum machine of all time and some would say with good reason. The sound quality that this machine can produce is excellent but the drawback is that the 230 odd sounds contained within the unit are uniformly dull and uninspiring. If you need a workhorse set of drum sounds for backing tracks etc then the SR16 will do the job in style but i would not recommend it to anyone who has any kind of imagination in their music. The operating system is fairly straightforward but some of the pattern editing is fairly cryptic if you don't have a manual, apart from that it's pretty easy to figure out whats going on. The SR16 can has 150 somewhat dodgy preset patterns but you can create another 150 of your own to string together in the 100 available songs. Outputs consist of a stereo pair and an pair... Read review

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Advantages: Not too bulky, can use headphones, weighted keys
Disadvantages: control button under the piano

.... The piano is not supplied with a stool. You can pick up a Roland adjustable piano stool for about £80 or there is a good chap on Ebay who does super adjustable piano stools for £50. I bought two and they are terrific. On the whole I am very happy with this digital piano. It isn't the same as my accoustic piano, but no electric piano is going to be. For what it is it is one of the best I have tried, barring the slightly woolly middle octave and the inconvenient control button. These are things I can live with and I have derived much pleasure from playing it. I would recommend Roland digital pianos if yoiu are not in a position to have a nice accoustic instrument. If you want loads of gismos there are models that will give you far more, but that is a different market!... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: sounds, key action, responsiveness, sturdy
Disadvantages: no dedicated windows driver supplied

...I purchased the kawai MP4 in Jan 07. This is my first "portable full size piano". I action of the keys is unbelievable and exactly as a real piano. The touch response can be customised to fit the style of the player and also each sound can also be customised. The MP4 has 64 onboard sounds which can all be altered, shaped and programmed to suit and then saved. The recent firmware upgrade provided by Kawai means that theres 264 memory allocation spaces to save your settings. The sounds can also be mixed together and custonised (up to 4 at once). The midi functions of the MP4 are in a class of their own. The onboad sounds can be "mixed" with external sounds and each turned on and off at the touch of a button. Most dedicated Midi controller keyboards do not have as many functions on as the MP4! The sounds are very realistic... Read review

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