Roland SP-606 Review: More Than A Sampling Workstation

The Roland SP-606 sampling workstation packs a tremendous amount of power into a small package. It’s a full-featured sampling workstation; it is a USB audio/midi interface; and its a capable hardware controller. It follows in the footsteps of other Roland/Boss samplers, like the SP-505. It boasts excellent sample tools, long sampling times, CompactFlash support, sample-chopping… Read More Roland SP-606 Review: More Than A Sampling Workstation

September 11, 2004January 13, 20072 Comments

Mackie Spike Recording System Review

Mackie recently introduced Spike, a digital recording solution that combines a high-quality USB-based audio/MIDI interface with software for sequencing and mixing. Mackie is marketing Spike with the phrase “Recording music on your computer doesn’t have to be such a pain in the ass.” We tested Spike to see if it lives up to that promise.… Read More Mackie Spike Recording System Review

August 19, 2004January 13, 2007Leave a comment

Future Retro 777 – Evil Incarnate, or Just an Awesome Synth?

Future Retro calls this analog beast the 777, but be warned! It should have been called the Future Retro 666, because its combination of sinful sounds and tempting knobs is highly addictive. The 777 seems innocent enough, until you find yourself wide awake at three in the morning, tweaking the perfect bassline in a cold… Read More Future Retro 777 – Evil Incarnate, or Just an Awesome Synth?

April 15, 2004January 13, 2007Leave a comment

Korg Electribe ER-1

The Korg Electribe ER-1 is an analog modeling drum synthesizer that combines great sounds, fantastic flexibility and hands-on control. Like other Electribes, the ER-1 is covered with knobs and buttons, making it easy to program rhythms and fun to tweak. The ER-1 is one of Korg’s first generation series of Electribes. This include the Electribe… Read More Korg Electribe ER-1

March 11, 2004January 5, 20201 Comment

Korg MicroKontrol 37-Key USB Controller Keyboard

The microKontrol, from Korg, is one of a new breed of control keyboards designed for mobile electronic musicians. It combines many of the most commonly used controls from a variety of studio devices, including panners, faders, keyboard and pads, into a portable device. The flexibility of the microKontrol makes it a great controller to consider… Read More Korg MicroKontrol 37-Key USB Controller Keyboard

January 29, 2004January 13, 2007Leave a comment

M-Audio MBox

Mbox is a 2-channel USB audio that gives you high-quality sound input and outputs in a small, portable package. It works with Pro Tools-based software, including Apple iLife Garageband, and makes it easy to bring audio into your computer. It hooks up using a USB cable, and runs off of USB power. This makes it… Read More M-Audio MBox

January 26, 2004January 13, 2007Leave a comment

Evolution UC33e USB Controller

The Evolution UC-33e is an affordable USB hardware controller designed to be used with any computer music/MIDI setup. It gives instant access to up to 47 different parameters. It has 33 memory locations, so changing its setup is fast and easy. In Use The UC-33e comes with 33 pre-configured presets that support popular virtual instruments… Read More Evolution UC33e USB Controller

January 24, 2004January 13, 20071 Comment

Akai MPD16 Pad

This 16 pad USB MIDI controller is an inexpensive way to add a ton of flexibility to your system. The MPD16 is an MPC-style MIDI pad controller. It gives you 16 touch-sensitive pads that you can add to your computer music workstation by just hooking up a USB cable. Carrying on the style of the… Read More Akai MPD16 Pad

January 21, 2004January 13, 20071 Comment

New Kurzweil Keyboard Workstation – the Most Advanced Ever?

Kurzweil has earned a reputation for producing some of the most capable and best-sounding keyboard workstations. Their K2500 and K2600 lines have become workhorses for professionals worldwide. Now, Kurzweil has announced the latest in its line of ultimate synth workstations, the Kurzweil K2661. Fully compatible with all Kurzweil K2x00 models, musicians should be able to… Read More New Kurzweil Keyboard Workstation – the Most Advanced Ever?

January 20, 2004January 13, 20071 Comment

M-Audio – Oxygen 8

As more and more people make music using laptop and desktop computers, they realize that using a mouse to make changes is a pain. As soon as you try and change several soft synth parameters, or make a mix, you find that using a mouse is slow, cumbersome, and stands in the way of you… Read More M-Audio – Oxygen 8

January 16, 2004January 13, 20073 Comments

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Category: Gear Reviews