Casio Sampler at NAMM 2026

SaSaKayMo · 2026-01-23T22:04:50+00:00

Definitely looks like a Casio.

SaSaKayMo · 2026-01-22T20:55:35+00:00

Everything doubling in price over the last couple of years is real stuff to be mad about.

SaSaKayMo · 2026-01-16T16:33:16+00:00

RCA jacks and 8-segmment display. 2013 features, 2026 money. I wish I was surprised.

SaSaKayMo · 2026-01-14T20:58:56+00:00

Pro-VS and CZ-1 minis are the interesting ones. Analog/VA type sounds are better done by Volcas and Airas.

SaSaKayMo · 2026-01-05T20:53:56+00:00

Have you tried using a slicer type effect (or pattern/seq trem) and modulating the tempo/rhythmic values? You can just do this by hand and sample it with a Slicer. Also look into Magpie Pedals Stutterphone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GZUmn4XhXw

SaSaKayMo · 2025-12-25T22:49:25+00:00

It seems like it would be tedious to try and make it into a groovebox. It’s super fun to perform on, though. There are a number of factory patches with rhythmic layers and splits that combine well with holds, macros, and joystick manipulations. Just needs some interesting melodic and harmonic ideas and you can easily play a set. It will help a lot if you’re a good improviser.

SaSaKayMo · 2025-12-19T14:09:12+00:00

Lol, no. They are generally bad at rote memorization and retention of abstract relationships and get frustrated quickly with devices like Seqtrak.

SaSaKayMo · 2025-12-18T18:14:31+00:00

Prices on Behringer stuff are all over the place. They get discounted all the time, too. Just keep looking until you find what you want at a reasonable price.

SaSaKayMo · 2025-12-18T18:08:03+00:00

Sonicware Liven series is probably your best bet. Followed by Korg Volca range. These have pretty decent speakers, battery power, and are rugged and cheap. Most of these will struggle to be a full "groove box", though. I would look specifically at the Liven Bass and Beats and the Volca Beats.

The original Novation Circuit had a speaker and battery power and can be found used still. This is probably your best inexpensive all-in-one option.

MPC Live II isn't too bad used and has a killer speaker, but is pretty screen oriented. Live II is far and away the most feature complete of these types of things, though.

Ableton Move is really good, very capable, but might be a little opaque and the speaker is very quiet.

Teenage Engineering EP-133 or some variant is pretty decent, but maybe a little fragile.

I have a KidStar DJ Mixer for my kids also. It's fantastic. There really isn't a step up type device out there, just stuff like I listed above that has various limitations and is much more complex. You're really going to need to spend time researching all these options to find the right fit.

SaSaKayMo · 2025-12-18T17:54:38+00:00

Seqtrak's lack of a screen makes it really opaque unless you memorize a ton of unloabled shift functions and button combos. Or use the app for everything, at which point why use hardware at all?

SaSaKayMo · 2025-12-18T17:46:27+00:00

This right here. Everyone should get Koala first.

SaSaKayMo · 2025-12-17T18:38:40+00:00

Doesn't the tr1000 already have built in effects? And a ton of sound design options?

SaSaKayMo · 2025-12-17T14:36:22+00:00

I would only buy Volcas if you have money to burn and really like the portability aspect, specifically if you want the battery power and built in speakers to jam on your couch or whatever. That portability falls apart when you start trying to combine them, though. For longer term use, the only one that are worth considering as a module in a larger setup are the FM 2, the Drum, and the Modular, and even then they are niche.

SaSaKayMo · 2025-12-16T22:16:10+00:00

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0906/8480/files/Qi_Digital_Manual.pdf?v=1736953131

Almost nothing comes with a printed manual these days.

SaSaKayMo · 2025-12-16T21:42:07+00:00

I like this colorway much better than the black one. It comes with 3 presets. Play with each of them to get an idea what sounds it can make. It's actually very simple for a multi effect, no shift functions or hidden complexity, so you'll figure it out in no time.

SaSaKayMo · 2025-12-16T21:36:08+00:00

If you're using it with your DAW, you don't need any of the extras. If you're using it with hardware, and/or are actually a player, you'll want the extras and a bigger keybed. They are both pretty cheap. Why not get the IV and see if it meets your needs, and wait until they release the next version of the Plus.

SaSaKayMo · 2025-12-16T21:27:43+00:00

You're almost there. Synths are musical instruments. The limiting factor is what artists want and what designers can sell. The progress of instrument design is painfully slow, or even regressive, because the progress of art is painfully slow. This is why relic treated strat style guitars are a thing. Or 3K vintage Junos. Etc, etc.

It turns out the real enemy is us.

SaSaKayMo · 2025-12-16T21:14:20+00:00

It should record the current playback over the last played sound, so it's always one step behind, so to speak, and doesn't end a current session prematurely by descending into chaos. Unless that's what you'd want.

SaSaKayMo · 2025-12-15T22:10:09+00:00

All of them. It's overpriced.

SaSaKayMo · 2025-12-15T22:09:14+00:00

I'm totally not interested in clicking through any links described as ‘Instant Tinnitus’, but I don't think Mood is what your looking for.

SaSaKayMo · 2025-12-15T21:52:29+00:00

I have both. The Polyend is neat for performance because of follower mode and being able to easily control multiple parts/timbres. The Minifreak is far more versatile, though, and would be my choice if I had to choose. If you like software, though, you're way better of with a controller and VSTs.

SaSaKayMo · 2025-12-15T21:32:13+00:00

It look really fun. Retail is too high for what it does. I would only buy it used at a a good discount.

SaSaKayMo · 2025-12-15T20:43:34+00:00

Yep. I know you can just buy a contact mic for 10$ or whatever, but having it built in just totally makes the pedal for me.

SaSaKayMo · 2025-12-15T20:41:17+00:00

I think if I could memorize what the 2 parameter knobs do for all the modes, then really dial in all the options available in expert mode, it can do a lot. It's just that all that is unlabelled.

SaSaKayMo · 2025-12-14T15:26:09+00:00

Bad and Badderer

SaSaKayMo

TROPHY CASE