Akai MPD 24 USB/Midi MPC Pad Controller Review

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(More customer reviews)I just love this product. I have made so much music with it. I just love the mpc style pads. I don't understand why keyboard manufactures don't use the sensitive pad system. It just feels like how an instrument should be controlled. I have a midi key board and the only reason I use it to get at more notes. This pad set up lets you pound out rhythm lines just like you would on a bass or guitar. Ones you figure out the cro matic scale set up. I want a giant one of these with like 64 keys.
I am going to sell my mpc1000 because with the mpd24 I get the sensitivity of the mpc pad but the ease of control of my computers sequencer. Mpc software is so 1990 to me.
I just adjust the swing in the sequencer on my computer and Bam! I have an mpc!
Oh and writing drum loops is just so easy with this unit.

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Designed for use with Digital Audio Workstations (DAW), sequencing, and other software applications, the Akai MPD24 USB/MIDI pad controller enables you to program drum parts in a much more intuitive and natural way than by simply playing them on a keyboard. With its array of knobs and sliders, the MPD24 allows you to control parameters on your favorite DAW or software synths, offering incredible real-time control.

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Numark NS7 DJ Turntable Controller with Serato ITCH Software Review

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(More customer reviews)Coming from a turntable and vinyl background, I was and still am excited about this product. I purchased it and have been very content. The unit is about 35lbs. and VERY solid. I have to get use to scratching on it compared to turntables. The platter should have been made 9" but I'm taking it in stride. All crossfaders have a quality feel, no static and the scratch curves feel as good or better than my Rane TTM57sl.
My only complaint is that Numark did not future-proof this unit with effect buttons. I find the software (Serato iTch) and mixing is (CURRENTLY) a little more boring than Serato Scratchlive and my 57 mixer. Serato is supposedly working on effects and making iTch's software closer in features to Scratchlive.
I purchased the Numark case with the unit and REALLY love doing mobile gigs now. No more individual TT cases and mixer cases. No more RCA and ground wires and at least 15 minutes less setup time. I'm saving close to 70 lbs. in travel weight too. One bit of advice is to be wary of using PCs with this unit. I have a Unibody Macbook Pro 2.66Ghz but struggled making a Core2-Duo 2.2Ghz 4GB ram PC work "glitch-free" with the NS7 and iTch. It had quirky behavior while tracks were playing, random stops and various audio dropouts. Many PCs will (by default) have IRQ sharing which can hose up USB connectivity (the main source of NS7 communication to your laptop) if there are conflicts.
In troubleshooting, I had to insure bluetooth, anti-virus, firewalls, NIC cards, screen savers, wireless Network cards, on-board video and all sorts of services were disabled on the PC (a TOTAL administrative nightmare!) and still ended up having to run the latency at 5ms or greater for decent performance. My mic had major echo delay with this setting so enough was enough.
I purchased the MBPro and have not had a SINGLE glitch since. My latency is at 1ms AND I can run apps in the background while DJ'ing without problems. I highly recommend the NS7 (with adequately powered MAC) for any mobile DJ.

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Designed in collaboration with Serato, the Numark NS7 DJ Turntable Controller combines an all-metal chassis with adjustable torque, motorized, aluminum-turntable platters, vinyl, and a professional audio interface to deliver a complete performance solution that will satisfy even the most hardcore turntablist.
It offers a full complement of premium faders, knobs, buttons and the new Strip Search virtual-needle-drop control, which integrates seamlessly with the included Serato ITCH software. The NS7 delivers hands-on control of every aspect of Serato ITCH and sends data to the software more than ten times faster than standard MIDI resolution. And because it was designed for ITCH, NS7 setup time is the bare minimum--no tweaking, no mapping; just plug and perform.
The NS7's dual decks flank the mixer section. Its recognizable, professional appearance is supported by clean design in matte and glossy black. The entire unit is housed in a heavy-gauge, industrial-strength metal casing that is ready for the torture of travel.
Key Features
High-resolution controller built for Serato ITCH and compatible with Scratch LIVE libraries
Direct-drive, motorized turntable platters with classic and modern feel settings
Includes Serato ITCH DJ software, fully pre-mapped
Audiophile-grade audio circuitry with mic and line inputs, system and cue outs
Extensive loop, cue, and track-access controls
Strip Search (patent pending) virtual-needle-drop control
Controls most MIDI applications without requiring a mouse or keyboard
Rugged, all-metal construction
High quality, replaceable, customizable CP-PRO crossfader and D-TYPE line faders
Support for Whitelabel.net files in ITCH
Mix using either 33 RPM or 45 RPM speeds

Perfect Feel The NS7 has two seven-inch, motorized, high-torque aluminum turntable platters, and the turntable controls feature modern and classic settings that alter the feel to model the feel you prefer. Seven-inch, legit vinyl records with 45 RPM adapters sit on real slipmats--no simulation.
Solid, rugged, rubberized buttons and knobs compliment a high precision, replaceable CP-PRO crossfader and D-TYPE line faders for an unquestionably high-quality feel. The CP-PRO digital-VCA crossfader has a solid feel that is smooth and rigid. Like the crossfader, the D-TYPE digital-VCA line faders are replaceable. The crossfader offers contour adjust and reverse adjustment, enabling you to customize its operation.
System Simplicity Forget the mouse and the keyboard. The NS7 renders ITCH software perfectly simple to operate, with its click knob and large, backlit buttons navigating though your music library. You'll spend less time looking at the screen and more time enjoying performing thanks to the visual feedback you get from NS7's more-than 100 LEDs and more-than 100 hands-on controls.
A single USB cable between NS7 and your Mac or PC is all you need to send audio and data back and forth. The NS7 has onboard audio outputs so it's the only piece of gear you need to connect to the PA system or powered speakers. It outputs 24-bit, 44.1 kHz digital audio to the sound system on XLRs and RCAs. The front panel contains mic input, RCA line input, and both 1/4" and 1/8" headphone outputs with volume control.
The NS7 comes with an integrated laptop stand that supplies safe, secure mounting for your laptop. You can use an ultra-small space because NS7 elevates your laptop off the table.
Precision Control The NS7 sends control information over USB at more than ten times the standard MIDI rate. This innovative communication technique yields extremely high-precision, low-latency control.
There's nothing like dropping the needle on a record for quickly locating a point in the track, and with Strip Search--the unique virtual-needle-drop touch strip--you can locate a point instantly within the track using the on-screen waveform
Five hot-cue-assign buttons on each deck digitally mark your cues on the track. These marker points are recallable in ITCH and Scratch LIVE, and you can load Scratch LIVE cue points in ITCH.
Each deck offers an extensive Serato-style loop section, and you can choose between manual and auto-loop functions and an automatic BPM analyzer further assists loop makers. Creating automatic smart loops of any measure length is a breeze, and you can mutilate and modify to heart's content with a variety of controls such as Doubling, Halving, Shift, and manual controls.
Audio Quality The NS7 contains a host of professional audio connectors and a multichannel, 24-bit USB digital-audio interface. The high-definition post-mix analog audio output features a minimized circuit path with containing only one audiophile-grade bipolar capacitor. This optimized design maximizes phase coherence, ensuring that audio is tight and punchy.
Serato ITCH Software IF you use Scratch LIVE, you'll become quickly familiar with Serato ITCH. Because ITCH doesn't require a timecode interface, your system can be as simple as, say, NS7 and your computer. Since ITCH makes timecode a thing of the past, you won't need to worry about needles skipping or vinyl wearing out. You can load your Scratch LIVE crates, loops, presets, and cue points seamlessly in ITCH. The NS7 also works with most other MIDI DJ software and supports iTunes.
ITCH handles audio processing and mixing including channel fading, EQ, crossfading and track trim are processed for outstanding control and management of your tracks, ease of recording your set, clip-proof gain management, and BPM calculation using the power of your computer's processor.
The History function in ITCH keeps a comprehensive record of every track played and exports sessions from your history to 'txt', 'csv', or 'm3u'. ITCH also has a Loop Roll function that provides a looping effect where the playhead jumps back to normal time when you release the loop. Built-in key support ensures that ITCH reads key tags from MP3 files and displays them in the 'key' column in your library.

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Akai APC40 Abelton Controller Review

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(More customer reviews)I've been drooling over this since it was announced, and I am so happy that I finally broke down and bought one. It's a shame that there are no reviews up yet, so let me be the first to say that this controller is amazing. Make sure that you erase any previous midi mapping that you've done and then restart Ableton, and you'll find that it has perfectly automapped itself. At first I thought that it was a little strange that there's no manual included... but after five minutes, I realized that it DOESN'T NEED A MANUAL. That's just how intuitive it is, from top to bottom.
The hardware itself is up to usual Akai standards: the knobs and faders feel weighty and responsive. This thing is both larger and thinner than I thought it would be, but after playing around with it the size feels perfect. The two-way communication is killer- just drop an audio clip into Live and it will instantly appear on the grid, color-coded to match its status. Recording and triggering loops couldn't be easier, and the entire interface perfectly emulates what you're used to seeing on the screen.
In the upper right-hand corner you have control over the pan and sends A through C for tracks 1-8, which is really nice. My only complaint is that I would have preferred to have it become all the sends for whatever track is highlighted, but I'll get used to the new workflow. Part of what makes Ableton Live great is that it accommodates so many different styles of music, so making a universal controller for the program was a bit of a challenge. Akai really stepped up and once you get your hands on it, you'll see what all the hype is about: this really is the be-all and end-all of hardware for the program.
One downside I've found is that navigating the plugins can be sort of clunky. First you highlight a track and then the knobs in the lower right are assigned to the first plugin you've placed there. Then you use the left and right buttons to scroll through each unit, and when you do the knobs reassign themselves to control the appropriate effects. I find that having to click through them all is sort of difficult, but there's nothing stopping me from using the mouse like I used to. I guess the only thing that is stopping me from handing out a 5-star rating is that the APC40 sort of forces you to use the workflow they've designed. Remapping the controls isn't difficult, but everything is laid-out and labeled in such a way that it sort of corrals you into getting used to doing things their way.
This review is starting to look a little long, so I'll just sum it up: I absolutely love this thing. I wish I had picked it up sooner and if you are AT ALL considering this purchase, just do it already. Well-constructed, well-programmed, and absolutely worth the money. Like me, you're probably used to using an assortment of controllers and you're wondering if you need to spend the cash. Well, this thing will replace all of those and more, and you'll quickly get used to the layout. Just do it!

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Working in partnership with software developer Ableton, the Akai APC40 Performance Controller offers a control surface that's specifically designed for performance with Ableton Live software. Designed to be a powerful, intuitive controller for electronic music performance artists, DJs, hip-hop producers and traditional musicians using Ableton Live on stage and in the studio, the Akai APC40 transforms your experience from one of constructing tracks with software on a computer to one of fluid, effortless, musical creation.

Key Features
Designed in partnership with Ableton for Ableton Live
Unique clip matrix with multicolor lighting displays current clip status
No mapping required; every knob, button, and fader is customizable
Bidirectional communication between APC40 and Ableton Live
Solid, professional feel with rugged, metal chassis and premium controls
Comes with Akai APC40 edition of Ableton Live Lite, free upgrade patch for full versions of Live
Works with standalone editions of Ableton Live
Works with most MIDI recording, sequencing, and performance software
USB plug-and-play connection for Mac and PC
Premium controller with rugged, metal chassis

Direct Design Because Akai Professional and Ableton designed the APC40 specifically for Ableton Live, you don't need to map its controls to talk to the software. Just connect your laptop to the APC40 via USB--thanks to its plug and play capabilities, you won't need to install any drivers. It comes pre-mapped for instant use with Ableton Live software, so if you're new to it, you'll find using the APC40 to be easy to get around on. And if you're an experienced Live user, you'll be happy to note that you can custom-map every single knob, button, and fader on the APC40 to completely customize the controls for the way you like to work.
Virtual View Because of the bidirectional communication between the APC40 and Ableton Live software, the APC40 can receive feedback from the software and display it on its clip matrix of 40 triggers and on LED rings surrounding each knob. The clip matrix gives you an instant view of clip status: what's loaded, what's playing, and what's being recorded. Each state displays on the matrix in a different color so you can get a quick picture of clip state. You can shift your clip focus and get an overview of the clips you have loaded for your set.
The APC40 has 16 knobs, each surrounded by a ring of LEDs. These LED rings make it easy to see your settings on dark stages, indicating the currently selected parameters' values.
Premium Feel The APC40 is built with a rugged, metal chassis and slip-proof rubber detailing. All of the knobs and faders are solid and precise for pinpoint performance. It even features a high quality, replaceable crossfader for transitioning between clips and loops assigned to "A" or "B."
Creative Control The APC40 comes with Ableton Live Akai Professional APC40 Edition software, which is fully functional for performance and production. Owners of standalone editions of Ableton Live 7 or 8 can also work seamlessly with the APC40. Live 7 with the latest automatic update has full support for the APC40 and all versions of Live 8 are APC40-ready.
The APC40 has two banks of eight knobs. The first set controls Global parameters so you'll always have instant access to your main sends, pans, and other essentials. The second bank of eight knobs is dynamically reassigned to the Track you select. You can control eight track parameters at a time, and as you switch channels, the Track knobs follow your focus. For example, you might be working with the Beat Decoder on track two. When you switch to track four, the eight Track knobs that you had been controlling the Beat Decoder with are now controlling the Flangeverb on track four. You'll even notice that the settings for each knob load on the light rings so you'll immediately see each knob's status.
The APC40 also enables special clip-status views and feedback that only the APC40's matrix can display. The matrix is not limited to only 40 clips: you can scroll and shift, enabling you to access, control, and perform with an unlimited number of cells.
The APC40 has a wide range of controllers. The eight Global knobs can access four banks of controls; the eight Track knobs control nine different track parameters each. This gives you a massive total of 72 controllers that are dynamically reassigned each time you switch tracks. Channel faders, bus faders, and a crossfader give you smooth control of key values. You have even more control power with special controls including Tap Tempo, Tempo Nudge, record enables, solo/cues, and two assignable footswitch inputs.
Specifications
Dimensions: 16.88 x 13.13 x 2.62 inches (WxDxH)
Weight: 5.8 pounds
Power supply: 12V 2.0A pin-positive, included
Communication: USB-MIDI with proprietary hardware/software handshake
Inputs: USB, Two assignable footswitch inputs
Mac system requirements: G4 or faster/Intel Mac recommended, 512 MB RAM/1 GB recommended, OS 10.3.9, 10.4 or later. recommended, QuickTime 6.5 or higher, DVD-ROM drive, USB port
PC system requirements: 1.5 GHz or faster, 512 MB RAM/1 GB recommended, Windows XP or Vista, Windows-compatible sound card/ASIO driver support recommended, QuickTime 6.5 or higher, DVD-ROM drive, USB port

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Korg MicroKey 37 Key USB Keyboard Controller Review

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(More customer reviews)The Microkey demonstrates that Korg learns from its failures and its successes. The Microkey's predecessor, the Nanokey, had some advantages: it was cheap and you could throw it in a laptop bag. Users soon found out that the Nanokey was too cheap. It wasn't sturdy, and the button keyboard did not win awards for usability. On the other hand, The Microkorg and Microkorg XL synthesizers have been hits with their mini-sized keys. Korg basically took the keyboard fromt eh Microkorg, put it in a no-frills controller case, and gave it a reasonable, [...] price tag. In short, the formula works.
With 37 mini-keys (3 octaves C-C), the Microkey is too big for a laptop bag, but it fits nicely in your lap or on a table. It plugs directly into your computer via USB. In my case, it was plug-and-play with Windows-7, with the computer automatically loading the driver; however I had to download a driver (no problem) for Mac OS-X. The small keys are easy to get used to, have a good feel and good velocity response. The Microkey does not transmit aftertouch. Other than the keys, the only controls are lighted octave shift + and - buttons (shifting up to 3 octaves in each direction), a spring-loaded pitchbend wheel, and an un-sprung modulation wheel. I knocked off a star for failure to include a jack for a sustain pedal, much less an additional jack for a volume pedal or continuous controller.
KORG LEGACY COLLECTION SPECIAL EDITION - This is what I really want to talk about. The Microkey is bundled with light versions of several software packages, the most notable being Korg's own M1LE. M1LE contains most of the sounds of Korg's bestselling hardware synthesizer/workstation of 1988, the Korg M1. Approximately 100,000 M1 synthesizers were sold for almost at almost [...]. In other words, the M1LE is pretty worthwhile on its own, but it really becomes worthwhile after you register your copy of M1LE online at [...], because registered M1LE owners qualify to buy a special edition of Korg's Legacy Collection software synthesizers for $99.00. The Legacy Collection Special Edition includes BOTH the analog edition and the digital editions of the Legacy collection. It includes the MS20, Polysix, Mono/Poly, Legacy Cell, Wavestation, and M1 (expanded). Recently Korg unbundled these software synths and started selling them individually for $49.99 each. So with the Legacy Collection Special Edition, you're basically buying all of these synths plus the hardware controller for $50.00 less than what you'd pay for just the software synths. Buying the Legacy Collection changes the Microkey from a good buy to a great buy. You have to download the synths one at a time from korguser.net, and the registration procedure is a bit of a pain. The license allows you to download the software on more than one computer that you own, but you can only use one at a time. Each computer that you install the software on must be individually registered. http://www.amazon.com/review/create-review There is no dongle or USB key needed for this version of the Legacy synths.
THE COMPETITION: For my money, the closest competition is Arturia Analog Experience - The Factory Hybrid Synthesizer, which, like the Microkorg plus Legacy Collection, gives you a compact controller plus thousands of sounds. Arturia's product, for just a little bit more than the Korg, Arturia gives you a more full featured controller (with aftertouch). It's a viable option that I almost bought (and might buy yet.) Another option (especially for Windows users) would be M-Audio's M-Audio Keyrig 25 25-note Synth-Action Keyboard and Midi Controller or M Audio KeyRig 49 49 Key USB Keyboard Controller I bought the Key Rig software separately several years ago. Here's a link to my review of the Key Rig Software, http://www.amazon.com/review/R1ZNFX9NE271ES. If your needs are simple, Key Rig may be all the software you need.

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Gain powerful control over your favorite music software, Korg-Style! For live performance stand alone soft-synth applications or as a music production studio tool, Korg's MicroKey is the perfect choice for controlling your computer music software. The microKEY is slim, lightweight, USB powered and compatible with all of your computer music software; use it to create your own compact and customized command center. Korg MicroKey Keyboard Controller Features USB MIDI keyboard - thin, lightweight, and USB-powered 37 velocity-sensitive mini keys Comfortable and easy-to-play Natural Touch keyboard Octave Shift and Key Transpose features access the full MIDI note range Pitch Bend and Modulation wheels add expression to your performance Dual USB connections are ideal for daisy chaining a nanoPAD or nanoKONTROL Natural Touch mini keyboard The microKEY features 37 velocity-sensing mini keys, using the same Natural Touch keybed found on the Korg microKORG XL and microSTATION. This keybed has been designed with careful attention to the touch and feel. The proportions of the black keys and white 'waterfall' keys have been adjusted for optimal playability, and the key touch makes it easy to play chords, glissandos, and rapid-fire phrases. The microKEY accurately conveys the dynamics of your performance to any software plug in. Extended Range and Expression The Octave Shift buttons extend the range of the microKEY by four octaves in either direction - up or down. The Key Transpose allows you to play in any key instantly. Used together, these two features provide access to the entire MIDI note range. For adding tasty expression to your performance, the microKEY is also equipped with both a Pitch Bend wheel and a Modulation wheel. USB versatility

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Avid KeyStudio Review

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(More customer reviews)This is exactly what i was looking for!!! ive been searching on and off for something like this for a long time. the keyboard is very basic and easy to use but is still capable of so much. Pro Tools SE is very easy to use and fun!!! would recomend to anyone that would like to learn how to make music for fun!!

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Powered by the same technology behind many of today\'s greatest hits, Avid KeyStudio instantly transforms your Mac or PC into a full-featured recording studio. The streamlined combination of Avid hardware and software—the 49-note, velocity-sensitive M-Audio KeyStudio keyboard and Pro Tools SE music creation application—makes it easy to turn your inspiration into a professional-quality song. Just connect the keyboard to your computer, fire up the software, choose from over 100 different instrument sounds, and start playing. You can build out your composition with loops from the huge included library, then add effects, polish your tracks, and share them with the world.

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Tascam US-144 USB 2.0 Audio and MIDI Interface Review

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(More customer reviews)I absolutely love this product for portable recording. I have a Dell notebook computer and have used this to record solo piano and my music lessons. The microphone pre-amps are pretty decent. I have used the mic preamps directly and have compared them with the same mics used through Grace One preamps. Surprisingly decent in comparison. The recordings of piano compared to a setup with a MOTU 828 MKII and Grace One's was really pretty good. I absolutely loved the large controls for gain on the top of the unit. Very easy to manipulate and more solid than other competitive product cheap knobs. The fact that this unit is USB 2 means that the recording quality can be far superior than USB 1.1 units that are going to limit whether you can do high quality recordings on multiple channels. The midi interface works great also in Acid and Sonar. The unit definitely will cause your laptop battery to drain faster if you are using mic inputs with phantom power but that is fine by me for the great functionality. Line in works fine but if I had any minor complaint it would be that it would be nice to have an effects insert interface. Obviously, this should not be a problem for line-in devices but is more of an issue for mic recording where you might want some outboard vocal processing. The headphone interface is good and I like the ability to use a mix between the computer and the external source into the headphones.

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The Tascam US-144, their follow-up to the mega popular US-122, delivers everything you'd want in a portable audio-MIDI interface and more.Record two tracks at a time with zero latency; whether you have a PC or a Mac, your song ideas go down in real time, real easy. Its size means you can take it anywhere you take your laptop, yet it's packed with features that make buying it an audio no-brainer. MIDI input and output, high quality mic inputs, 96kHz/24-bit recording (better than CD quality)-all the stuff you'd want without the fluff you wouldn't. The US-144: the answer to your recording needs.

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Line 6 FBV Shortboard MkII Foot Controller Review

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(More customer reviews)This review is specific to the FBV Shortboard with a Line 6 Spider IV amp.
I bought my Line6 Spider IV 75 (1x12) amp about 6 months ago and just recently bought the FBV Shortboard as I'm playing in a band again. I was fairly underwhelmed with the amp before acquiring the shortboard. Now, it seems like a seriously worthwhile amp that I can gig with.
A bit of background on me, I've been playing for close to 15 years, both casually and semi-seriously, as an amateur musician. I've owned everything from boutique tube amps (eg Egnater IE4) to simple old tube amps (50's Fender). For a while I thought Line 6 products were beneath me. I even considered buying the Spider IV "settling." Now? I'm definitely changing my tune. Discussion about the tone of the amp aside, the shortboard is the difference between the Spider IV being a neat toy for home and an amp you can actually use in live settings. The simplicity of having your entire rig in one amp and a single pedal unit with only a single 110V power supply between them is great. No worrying about a patch cable going bad or running out of 9V batteries. No weird hum from the poorly grounded club and your vintage tremelo pedal. It's nice.
Down to the board specifically... right out of the box, you can switch between banks and presets, turn the four categories of effects (stomp, modulation, delay, reverb) on or off, control tap speed, turn on the gain boost, run the looper and have a switchable volume/wah pedal. That's a lot of stuff with no setup. And if you spend a lot of time with the amp, you really don't need much more from there.
When you plug into your computer and use the Line 6 edit software, you can get a lot more out of this thing. For one, it's a lot easier to change the presets on your amp. You have much more finite control over every amp/effect setting. Plus, you have access to things you normally wouldn't. For example, if you are using the pitch shifter, you can set it to be controlled by the expression pedal. You can set any of the time-based effects to be tap controlled or run off a specific delay time. You can copy/paste presets as well. Beyond that, it's a lot easier to be organized with designing your amp settings. For me at least, I like having a graphical view of all my volume settings and the ability to move presets around with a mouse so I can make sure everything I'll use while playing a given set is in a place that makes sense and one channel won't be considerably louder/quieter.

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Get the most from your Line 6 amp and POD with FBV Shortboard MkII foot controller!FBV Shortboard MkII isn\'t your average foot controller. It\'s a full-on remote control that keeps you at the foot of the stage instead of tied to the front of your Line 6 amp or POD. It offers all the classic advantages you expect from a Line 6 foot controller, including rock-solid channel switches, a rugged wah/volume pedal and an oversized backlit display, but it\'s also full of surprises. The steel footswitches give you total control over your tone. Dedicated footswitches let you change, scroll and select presets with uncompromised speed, add or remove effects in an instant, synchronize all your time-based effects with Tap Tempo, and more!Load up to 64 presets in the 4 banks. Adding individual or simultaneous effects on top of each preset allows for on-the-fly colorization and customization of your tones. An added bonus: the well-spaced footswitches are conveniently laid out so that you\'re not stepping on two at once (unless you want to)! The burly, full-sized pedal feels solid under your foot and features plenty of grip. Click the toe to volley back and forth between volume and wah-wah control. (Adding an expression pedal provides dedicated volume control.)Oversized and backlit, the LCD is big, bright and easy to read. It shows you everything you need to know including preset name chromatic tuner display.FBV Shortboard MkII connects to your Line 6 amp or POD via the included locking RJ-45 cable. FBV Shortboard MkII also features a USB jack that can be used for upgrading the firmware of Spider IV and Spider Valve MkII amplifiers.Perfectly paired with Spider IV and Spider Valve MkII amplifiers, FBV Shortboard MkII provides complete, hands-free control of the looper, pitch-shifter and other on-board effects. FBV Shortboard MkII is compatible with most Line 6 amplifiers and POD processors.

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You Rock Guitar YRG-1000 MIDI Controller Electric Guitar, Black Review

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(More customer reviews)First, my background with midi guitars: I've owned a Godin midi guitar along with the Axon midi guitar unit. I also use midi synths/interfaces such as Reason.
Pros/Cons
Pros: Lowest action possible on a guitar (there are no neck strings, the neck is virtually a keyboard with very sensitive 'string inlays' on the neck). The pitch bend and modulation switches work very well. The outputs are impressive: one 5pin midi out, a 1/4" out, headphones out, and usb. It interfaces flawlessly with Reason, the main sequencer I use, using either usb or midi connection. The onboard samples are actually much better than I thought they would be, especially some of the synths. I will address the latency as a separate topic from pros and cons. The software control panel is also very nice, similar to the Axon control panel for their unit. Virtually every variable is adjustable on this device and the developers seem to plan to keep opening up new bios features in future updates. Customer support is the best I've ever talked with. They sent me three different guitars to try (the first one I got had a dead panel). They paid for all the shipping and even called me once or twice. The customer support system online is also very nice, it keeps a running dialog between you and service reps via a forum post type of system. You can't say this company isn't dedicated to their patrons; they stand behind their work.
Cons: As some have noted, the instrument is plastic and light. I'm a bit circumspect on its robustness so I treat it cautiously. I doubt it would survive if dropped on a hard floor more than once but that is pure speculation. I do believe it will withstand lots of use though. I do not use this device as a videogame controller but as an interfacing tool for midi sequencers for composing. It can do alot of things other midi guitars will struggle with (rigorous chord strumming, tapping, etc) but like any midi guitar, it is NOT for replacing a real guitar. To that end, it is hard to nail down specific negatives about this kind of design because so many will have different expectations and needs. If anything goes wrong with the device, I will update this review in the future.
Comments:
Now, for the latency questions. If you use the guitar by itself with no external sequencers, there will be no latency. Interfacing with externals is good but it needs to be explained: basically, by using the 5 pin midi out you will have almost no latency. Specifically, it depends on what mode you use. If you use the picking strings then you can expect in the range of 4-6ms maybe, perhaps lower if you have a zero latency monitoring card. If you use TAP mode (just using the neck alone as an interface) then the latency is virtually eliminated. By using the usb connection, the latency is also very good. However, with usb, the string picking mode latency will be noticeably higher - but the TAP mode is still extremely low latency (I use usb and tap mode by default with no problems). The neck really is a nice piece of engineering and tap mode is really great. With string picking you can strum chords without glitching, unlike other midi guitars that rely on the original guitar design with strings running the full length of the guitar - which typically results in much more unpredictability when playing.
Last/random thoughts: As noted in the beginning, I've used quite expensive/elaborate midi guitar setups (~1500-2k usd). If what you want is a device to interface with midi sequencers without having to learn keyboard/piano then this is the ultimate device in my opinion. The latency is minimal and virtually non-existent at best and there is very little glitching to worry about due to the isolation of the neck and picking strings. For 10x less then an ideal midi guitar setup, it's hard to go wrong. It is a really amazing piece of hardware. Hopefully, they will stop with the videogame aspect altogether and just make this a pure midi guitar project. This review may seem full of adulations but there is no such thing as a perfect device - and this one is far from perfect. However, in the context of the midi guitar market, it is my most preferred option and, in my opinion, the best performing, best featured, and luckily most affordable, option on the market.
If I have missed anything, leave a comment.

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The You Rock DigitalTM is a full-fledged digital and MIDI guitar! It's fast, accurate and feels good to play due to the unique patented fretboard technology.

99 internal presets allow you to choose from any of the internal 25 professionally sampled real guitar sounds, 50 general Midi synth sounds, 25 song & 50 drum loops.

Because it's digital the YRG-1000 Never Needs TuningTM. Select any one of the 65 internal tunings or design 9 custom tunings of your own.

The unique You Rock ModeTM allows you to play along with the internal songs and never play a wrong! Learn to play quickly and easily.

The You Rock Guitar features a built in recorder and even provides an input jack so you can play along with your favorite mp3 player or other audio devices.

USB and MIDI ports allow you to connect the YRG-1000 to your favorite computer music software applications on Mac and PC and other MIDI instruments for recording and learning. USB allows for new downloadable content and upgradable firmware always keeps you up to date.

With the optional GameFlexTM cartridges you can connect to your favorite video games like Guitar HeroTM and Rock BandTM or use a MIDI Pro Adapter for advanced play on WiiTM, PS3TM and Xbox 360TM platforms.

The You Rock Guitar requires USB power or 4 AA batteries (not included).

Includes: You Rock Guitar, user manual, 1/4-inch guitar and USB cables, guitar strap and picks and quick start / guitar chord poster.

Click here for more information about You Rock Guitar YRG-1000 MIDI Controller Electric Guitar, Black

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