joemattiello's Reviews

Versatile, good features for the price

Solid build quality and many connections. Useful for sequencing 2 synths with CV/Gate (Hertz/Octave and/or Volts/Octave) or a synth and CV parameter. It has major/minor key modes but currently locked to C for both. Tempo syncing has some weird quirks depending on if you're using USB or external clock/gate clicks. A great portable sequencer that's instantly useful or MIDI and CV gear.

Good

Haven't used long enough to review.

Fragile, limited

Pros: CV output & MIDI Output Cost

Cons: Not sturdy. Dropped it once off my desk and 3 of the knobs don't work very well anymore. Difficult to sequence or know the sequence. With no display or LED feedback, knowing which note each step is on is really a guess. It does key lock to mode, but there's not an easy well to tell what the tonic is. ie; I can lock to minor but I don't know which minor scale it's set to.

This would have been killer hardware with a simple 2 character 7 segment at the least. As is, it's ok for quick sequencing if you don't mind making mostly random sequencers.

Also missing many advanced features like step repeat, step velocity, step skip (not mute)

Good for the money

Very cheap when Monoprice has sales + free shipping. Feels as good or better than a Fender Squire and looks better to me as well. Holds a tune very well. I leave mine hanging on the wall and take it down once in a while to practice. Seems to always be in tune to just get going.

Comes in a cheap case and crud strings but not an issue for the sub $100 price. Some decent strings and some fret conditioning and this is a very playable guitar that looks good too.

Haven't had it long enough to comment on reliability.

Amazing synth, inspiring

This is a synth that truthfully makes textures and tones that no other synth will. It's a bit of a modular, and bit of a sequencer with a lush reverb built in. This is the kind of synth you can use to get new ideas when you're stuck.

Only down side is it is a bit complex and sometimes feels "random" when you make connections or change parameters just because it can be unorthodox. This synth is better at making ambient tones for existing tracks, or lead and bass lines on new tracks where the idea of the track is open to experimentation. It could be difficult to dial in a specific sound you have in mind for a track that's further down the production road.

Cheap and gritty

This little desktop synth has real girth and character. True one knob per function with full MIDI control, makes this an easy synth to noodle with or incorporate into your studio. A great, extremely affordable synth for newbies or pros.