CAKEWALK Dimension Pro Virtual Synthesizer Win/Mac Review

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(More customer reviews)I started with Dimension LE bundled with Cakewalk Home Studio 6 XL, but upgraded to Pro when they ran an upgrade deal. The more I use Dimension, the more I like it... it's now the primary synth in my virtual rack. Free upgrade sound packs and a software update are available on the Cakewalk web site, be sure to download. The grand piano is particularly striking, as are all the string patches in the Garritan Pocket Orchestra; very realistic sounding.
The manual is pretty weak in terms of describing how to create new sounds beyond the presets (there are whole books available on that topic), however the synth is capable of quite an array of sounds and includes a large number of built-in effects that can be chained together. The envelope generation editors allow envelopes to be applied to just about every facet of the sound module; thus using the included analog waveform samples (saw, square, etc.) you can actually make some pretty interesting analog synth-style sounds; check out some of the presets to see how this is done.
So right in the box you get a very nice sampler synth, that also can be programmed like an analog synth using raw waveform samples and the effects/oscillators, capable of stacking up to four samples at once each with separate envelopes and useful effects, that is even capable of firing MIDI sequences/loops as well, with MIDI controller/note mapping any of the settings in the patch... this is pretty much a "work horse" synth.
As a result I find I reach for Dimension as my first choice when adding a virutal synth. It's simply a great, versatile, all-round synth with a huge library of presets (counting the free downloads something like 8 _Gig_ of samples!) and an amazing amount of control to find that perfect sound. The user interface is indeed a bit daunting, so I would probably recommend getting one of the books available on Amazon if you want to dig deeper than the presets (of which counting the free addons must be around 2000 or so presets).
It may not be the perfect sampler synth, or the perfect analog-sound synth, or the perfect loop player... but it does a very decent job of all three of those with a high degree of controllability for the musician, so it's quite a nice "1-stop shop" once you get to know it.

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Dimension Pro combines real instruments with advanced synthesis. This two-DVD sound library has over 1500 sound programs, with tools that are ideal for preset addicts, while its deep editing and sound generation capabilities should appeal to sound designers. It offers n abundance of sounds that range from pristine realistic acoustic instruments, thumping basses, cutting leads, to complex, evolving atmospheres.Multi-stage effects sections and filters -insert and send effects for each part including -Bit reducer and Decimator 16 filter types; 5 tone drive modes; 3 stackable parametric EQs; 6 delay types; 3 chorus types; LFO filters; Autopan Room simulation and modulation effects Mix and layer up to 4 stereo parts per program Vector Mixer for real-time sound morphing - morph sounds by gliding between the different elements of a program Drag-and-drop MIDI into host applications for groove manipulation

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Gator GK261R ATA Keyboard Case with Wheels Review

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(More customer reviews)An excellent case and must have for any gigging musician.
Well constructed and with those all essential wheels.
I have used my Gator GK cases (GK261R and GK276R) for years and my keyboards are totally safe.

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Gator Deluxe Molded Keyboard Cases are manufactured from military grade Polyethylene! Don't trust your favorite keyboard inside anything less. Gator Cases are loaded with features you can trust. Recessed zinc plated latches make this a true flight-ready case. For ease in moving your keyboard around, the case has built-in in-line skate-style wheels and a comfortable handle to pull it with. The interior features a Gator exclusive design that utilizes adjustable padded straps that allow you to strap your keyboard securely into place during transportation. Gator ATA Rolling Keyboard Cases Feature Plastic ATA case with wheels Rugged hard-shell polyethylene construction Adjustable padded straps to secure keyboard during transport Recessed chrome-plated twist latches ATA style case with heavy-duty valance Built-in roller blade style wheels Top tow handle and side carry handles Tricot covered foam padded interior Gator is truly the first hard shell solution for keyboards at a price that is affordable. GAT GK261 - 61 Key Case; 44 x 17.375 x 6 inches GK261R fits many popular models including the Alesis Andromeda A6, Korg M3 or M50-61, Roland Fantom G6 or X6, Juno G or D, and Yamaha MO6 or MOTIF XS6 GAT GK276R - 76 Key Case; 51.25 x 18 x 6 inches GK276R fits many popular models including the Korg M3-73, Nord Stage 88, Roland Fantom G7 or Juno-Stage, and Yamaha MOTIF XS7 GAT GK288R - 88 Key Case; 59 x 19 x 6.625 inches GK288R fits many popular models including the Korg M3-88, Roland Fantom X8, and Yamaha MO8, MOTIF XS8 or S90 ES GAT GK288SLIM - 88 Key Slim Case; 54 x 15 x 6 inches GK288SLIM has a reduced interior depth and fi

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Casio CTK-671 Portable Electronic Keyboard, 61-Note Touch-Sensitive Review

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(More customer reviews)I am a bassist, guitarist, and vocalist working on my own project.
I did not have the money to throw into a Korg, Kurzweil, Roland, or Yamaha board. All I needed a keyboard/synth for was drum sounds and some keyboard/synth fill in. At first, this seemed like the model for me..
The touch sensitivity is nice.. most of the sounds are pretty decent, if not you can make all sorts of adjustments to just about anything for any tone... except the 'raindrops' tone, a common favorite on most keyboards/synths.. the raindrops tone for the Casio is a cheesy video game sound effect.
Otherwise, the sound and sound possibilities were surprisingly decent.
That is where the good review ends. 6 songs is not a lot of storage if you actually plan to compose with this thing.. no floppy. However you can save songs to your comp, and load songs from your comp to the keyboard.. if you have a good laptop and want to take it everywhere the keyboard goes, then this is not as much of a concern.
Don't buy it if you plan to use it with Cakewalk.. Casio does not provide the .ins (instrument definitions) file for it, and the manual is useless for creating your own. It works terribly with Cakewalk (and I would imagine other MIDI devices) for this reason.
If you just want to play, and never record anything, then this is the instrument for you, otherwise, go for something a bit more expensive. Do not go Casio though.. At present there are little to no .ins files for Casio boards anywhere on the web.
Also, it is certainly not an instrument to take on the road, partly for the limited storage, partly for its innability to interact with other MIDI devices to the extent it could and should be able to, and partly because it is very lightweight and flimsy, don't sneeze in its direction..
.. Look at the price, ask yourself if you can wait a while longer and buy something that is even just a little bit more expensive.. such as a Yamaha for a hundred or two more.
If you think it will help you on your home project... not unless you want to record and flatten to analog from track to track, or program everything into the keyboard and record analog.

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The Casio CTK-671 Portable Keyboard features 61 full-size keys, 32-note polyphony, and 348 tones. Built-in 2.5-watt per channel stereo speakers give you good sound quality, and a headphone jack and stereo lineout (to attach the keyboard to a home stereo) give you the volume options you need for big performances or late-night practice.
With the keyboard you get 128 general MIDI, 100 face panel sounds, 100 variations and 10 drum sets ready-to-use. Using the synthesizer functions, you can create and store 10 of your own sounds. Simultaneously use up to four effects, such as reverb or chorus, to produce your perfect sound. The 100 rhythm patterns give you everything you need to start making music.
Casio's Internet Data Expansion system lets you download new sounds, patterns, songs, and keyboard settings over MIDI from Casio's Web site.
Other features include three-song/six-track recording with real-time or editable step time, six drum pads, a pitch bend wheel, sustain pedal jack, and a backlit LCD. The LCD displays selection and status of tone, rhythm, mixer, keyboard functions, and tempo for complete control.
The CTK-671 operates with an optional AD-5 AC adapter or D batteries.

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M-Audio Key Rig Virtual Instrument Review

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(More customer reviews)I was skeptical about this software because of its price. I checked a lot of reviews and they all said the same thing: "It's worth a lot more than you will pay for it." I would definitely agree. I bought this software right before I had to go play for a week straight. As soon as I checked it, everyone was amazed about how it sounded! The piano's and rhodes and wurli's all sound top notch! My drummer, who has been playing piano for as long as drums, said if he turned his eyes away he would swear that I was playing a grand piano. The synth is also really good sounding and amazingly simple to use - its really easy to get the sound you want out of it. The B3 module is a gem! My friend owns native instrument's B4 software and that program is amazing, but this B3 module is right up with it. The sound is very pleasing to the ears....I would say any fan of B4 will love this module. Finally, the midi module is simple and sounds good. I didn't use it much because I was mostly doing pads, organ, or piano/wurli/rhodes. Overall this software is top notch, but with one complaint: the piano module isn't as loud as the other ones. This isn't a huge problem but can be annoying at times. I give it a 4 four that, but besides that it is an amazing software sound-wise and ease of use.

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Key Rig from M-Audio covers all the basic needs for today?s keyboardist in a single virtual rack. Compatible with most Mac and PC environments, Key Rig delivers four great sounding modules that can be used in stand-alone or plug-in mode. The SP-1 Stage Piano module serves up grand pianos, Wurlitzer, classic electric pianos, FM, clavinet and more. The MS-2 Polyphonic Synthesizer delivers a new, easy way to call up and edit great synth sounds. The MB-3 Electromagnetic Organ emulates the classic Hammond? sound complete with rotary speaker. And the GM-4 General MIDI Module is great for sequencing the rest of your backing tracks. The master MIDI/Mixer section lets you route, split, layer and mix these four powerful modules in whatever way best suits your performance and recording needs. A master effects section even allows for adding a common effect in addition to the individual effect section included with each instrument. Features:Four top-quality virtual sound modules: SP-1 Stage Piano; MS-2 Polyphonic Synthesizer; MB-3 Electromagnetic Organ; GM-4 General MIDIUse stand-alone or with a sequencerVariable velocity and controller settings, optimized for M-Audio keyboardsIndependent MIDI channelsIntegral mixerSplit and layer modules for performance combinationsDual effects processor for each moduleMaster effects section in addition to individual module effectsCompatible with most popular softwa...

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Ketron SD2 Orchestral Wizard Sound Module Review

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(More customer reviews)Like the prior reviewer says the acoustic instrument sounds in the SD2 are far better than similar Roland synth modules. I've been searching for the best acoustic musical instruments for many years and not other module even at 2 or 3 times the price has as many excellent sounds.
The Tenor Sax, in fact, is a wonderful breathy Tenor reminiscent of Stand Getz not only in the low register but also in the upper one, whereas I find the baritone sax to be too harsh, I prefer a more mellow Gerry Mulligan quality.
The clarinet is also excellent, especially in the upper register where it has a rich, brilliant voice -perfect for jazz.
The violin and viola recorded w natural vibrato are also top notch -with wonderful dynamics.
The Golden Trumpet is one of the smoothest trumpets you can find and the various muted Trumpets are also pretty good.
The flute is quite good, but I've got better trombone sounds elsewhere.
This synthesizer works fantastically well with a wind controller such as the EWI-4000s, the newer EWI-USB, or Yamaha models.
For the maximum fun, be sure to use it with Band-in-a-Box and you will have a wonderful combo going in no time at all. You will notice that when you enable an entire family of an instrument, you will get some instruments that obviously are outside the family. This is because the SD2 has a modified General Midi implementation, done, I'm told by the manufacturer, in order to remain compatible with some older Ketron synth modules/instruments which were designed prior to the popularity of General Midi. If you want to hear some samples of what this synth sounds like, go to the manufacturers site, or go to[...] music site and look for my Jazz2010 page.

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The Ketron Orchestral Wizard (SD2) is a pocket size sound module designed for all PC and Midi applications. Equipped with the same sound engine found in the new Ketron SD5 keyboard, the SD2 has all the latest features for recording, programming and live performances, featuring a New Stereo Grand Piano and huge Orchestral voices such as Saxophones, Brass, Woodwinds, authentic Guitars, Accordions and many others. The quality of these instrumental voices (following the traditional Ketron Best Natural sound heritage) is a remarkable advantage on the SD2, especially when stacked against other competitors. In addition, the SD2 includes very distinctive Audio Drum and Percussion Loops selected from Slow, Jazz, Latin, Acoustic, Traditional, and Dance styles.

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Crown PZM30D Boundary Microphone Review

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(More customer reviews)The microphone performed as required.
I get a good sound from hanging it close to drums, piano.
The transient attack of the percussive hit will sell you on
the performance.


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This Crown PZM30D Boundary Microphone is a Pressure Zone Microphone designed for pro recording, sound reinforcement, and broadcasting. It has many applications, miking anything from full orchestras to individual instruments. Dual frequency response is switchable between rising (R) and flat (F). The R setting delivers the crisp attack needed for piano and percussion while the F setting offers smooth, flat, high-frequency response. With a frequency response of 20Hz to 20kHz and a maximum SPL of 150dB it can handle just about any sound capture chore you throw at it.

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Casio SP2-R Sustain Pedal Review

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(More customer reviews)This sustain pedal has a tendency to stick and make a loud clicking noice when you use it. Also the top of the pedal has deep grooves so if you try to use it with bare feet, its really uncomfortable.

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This optional sustain pedal will enhance your keyboard experience. A critical accessory for keyboard players. The pdeal works with the following models: CPS-7, CPS-85, CTK-481, CTK-491, CTK-495, CTK-531, CTK-541, CTK-591, CTK-611, CTK-620L, CTK-631, CTK-691, CTK-731, LK-55, LK-73, WK-1300, WK-1350, WK-1630, WK-3000 and WK-3500.
What's in the Box Sustain pedal

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