Edirol tries a budget controller keyboard

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...

NegativeG 15.08.2008 · Read review
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Review of Edirol PCR-500

Canal du Midi

Advantages: architectural wonder
Disadvantages: cost many human lives to build

...The Canal du Midi, is a man dug canal, situated in the south of France, and joins the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean sea, via the Canal Garonne. The water sources which allow the canal to be constantly navigable, come from the Montagne Noire, (situated in the south west of the Massif Central, near Mazamet, in the Tarn area), by three lakes, and the Saint Ferréol dam. This technical challenge, first imagined in 1539, stayed a project on paper for almost a century, until 1636. ¤ø,¸¸,◊,¸¸ ,ø It was Paul Riquet, an ingenious engineer, born in Béziers in 1604, who started the first portion of the Canal in 1636, under the reign of Louis XIV. The Saint Ferréol dam was built in 1667, and in 1680, the locks at Béziers, called "Les écluses de Fonseranne" were built. Pierre Paul Riquet died that year, and the very first navigation...

bodsquidge 25.06.2007 (09.06.2007) · Read review
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Review of Canal du Midi, Languedoc

Edirol Pcr 300

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 has 32 velocity-sensitive keys, which have aftertouch, 50 fully assignable 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...

robshields 20.03.2008 · Read review
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Review of Edirol PCR-300

Edirol pcr m50 keyboard

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...

Gerryatrix 24.06.2009 · Read review
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Review of Edirol PCR-M50

Sturdy, versatile audio/midi interface/surface

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 back plate includes MIDI in and out ports to complete 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....

Sean_23 16.06.2008 · Read review
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Review of Native Instruments Audio Kontrol 1

A good enough device for sure

Advantages: solid build, stable, quiet, easy to install, no problems so far
Disadvantages: mic preamps need more gain - but not a major issue

...I've had the Edirol FA-101 for over eighteen months and it's been performing well. So I can recommend it as a good buy. But you may like to note the following: 1. The mic preamps could do with a bit more gain on them. I use AKG C1000S condenser mics for recording into Adobe Audition and I keep having to 'Normalize' my recordings because the mic preamps aren't providing enough poke. It's not a big deal. But you should know about it. 2. You cannot power this device from a 4-pin Firewire cable. Bus power is only available from a 6-pin Firewire cable. So laptop users with only a 4-pin interface will have to use the supplied power transformer. I would recommend mains power anyway because in my experience many of the problems that people have with bus-powered units (Firewire or USB) are caused by not enough power being available from...

jasonford 02.01.2009 (03.01.2009) · Read review
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Review of Edirol FA-101

Belkin Wireless USB adaptor

Advantages: Simple to set up and use
Disadvantages: Software is not the greatest

...I bought this USB network adaptor for my son when he still had his Windows 98 machine as the PCI card that I reviewed previously was too advanced for his hardware. This USB adapter was bought to connect to my Belkin wireless router meaning that I now had a wireless network consisting only of Belkin hardware. --Whats in the box-- On opening the box, there were no real surprises. There was the USB adapter, a stand which would allow you to place the adapter on your desk if you didnt want to have it plugged directly into the back of your PC, the antenna, a quick installation guide and a CD which contained the drivers and a full manual. --Installation-- On reading the quick installation guide, it was apparent that the software had to be installed before the adapter was plugged in. The reason for this was because, when the hardware...

craggybuk 14.06.2007 (28.09.2007) · Read review
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Review of Belkin Wireless G USB Network Adapter Network adapter

Ideal for Superb Home Recording

Advantages: all the inputs/outputs you need, excellent sound card, Zero latency, easy to use
Disadvantages: none it has solved all of my home recording problems and dilemas

...The Novation Nio 2 is a fantastic bit of kit for anyone who's into home recording. This really will be the missing piece of the jigsaw for anyone who wants to set up a home studio and create professional sounding tunes. It has a number of inputs including 2 headphone inputs , jack input for guitars, seperate mic input and line in and midi in. it also has midi out and 2 line outs. Even better it has a switch which allows you to use condensor mics and an inbuilt zero latency (this really helps when you start recording!) comes in a bundle with amazing pre-amp effects rack and a whole host of effects/sample bundles. You also get LIVE 6.0 studio. Effortless to use, top quality and good value!...

Logan33 29.01.2009 · Read review
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Review of Novation NIO 2 | 4 USB Audio Interface

USB Power-ed up Adapter

Advantages: Compact and Portability
Disadvantages: Price

...This USB Power Adapter is a must accessory to have if you have any kinds of iPods. As you would know, when you buy an iPod, you will only receive the iPod itself and the link cable. This means the only way you can charge the iPod is through the computer. However, this is disadvantage for many reasons since you would need to make sure the computer is on when charging. Because its USB charged, it takes quite a long time to charge it to full. This USB Power Adapter deals with all of the charging problems and many others. The size of the power adapter is very compact, with its dimension of 4cm by 4cm (estimate and could be different when bought from different country). It is also not so heavy for portable use. Also, you can change the adapter itself to European, Asian or wherever with great convenience. All you have to do is slide it...

zikiman 08.10.2009 · Read review
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Review of Apple USB Power Adapter

USB is for me

Advantages: Have plenty of USB ports at any time
Disadvantages: Can be a bit of a pain when it comes to the power supply.

...It seems like ages ago that I had a PC that did not have enough USB ports and the two that it did have were discreetly hidden around the back of the tower. At first this was not a problem as I hardly ever used the USB ports. As my computer grew so did the need to access these USB ports, this soon became an annoyance as I kept having to turn the tower around to access the ports and plug another device in, this also meant sacrificing whatever was in the port at that time. I began thinking the only choice I would have would be to get a new PC that had four USB ports, two of which now seemed to be positioned on the front of the towers of the newer computers. A friend suggested that I should look at getting myself a USB hub, as this would not only add to the amount of USB ports that are available to me, but would make accessing...

sit2020 07.10.2007 · Read review
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Review of Belkin Hi-Speed USB 2.0 4-Port Hub - hub - 4 ports