Akai Professional MPK25 USB MIDI Performance Keyboard Controller
Jul 26, 2016
These review questions are all wrong for this piece of equiptment
Is it responsive? Yes and no. The keys are great but the drum pads are stiff and you really gottta pound them, which is infamously common with Akai devices. It can be upgraded to more sensitive pads. Does it sound realistic? This is a MIDI controller, so thats like asking if a ventriloquist dummy sounds like the guy making it talk. It sounds as realistic or indane or cool or lame as the module, synth, whatever you gave it plugged into. It is portable? Well...its compact, so its not cumbersome to lug around, but it doesnt accept batteries and it heeds a brain to make it work. So again, these are not the right questions to ask about a midi controller.
Bottom line: I got this cheap because it was used and thefe was more wrong with it than the seller disclosed. It does what I need it to do but not without several managable caveats. If you can get this for less than $100 used then youre in good shape. Its upgradable, somewhat intuitive if you know the ropes and theyre common as they come so theres repair parts out there. It doesnt have a power button or switch, you just plug it in which is pretty lame. I dont think its worth the pruce of one new, but Im very happy with it having ended up paying around $40 for mine because the USB doesnt work and a couple buttons sometimes dont work. Both of these arent big issues since I only use it for MIDI and theres work arounds to use other buttons or knobs i stead of the faulty ones. So find one used and a little beat up that still does everything you need it to, get it for less than $100 and repair/upgrade later. Thats my advice and my review.
4 of 4 found this helpful
Evans Hydraulic Red Bass Drum Head, 22 Inch
Sep 04, 2018
Great Heads, but dont mismatch them(please read)
The Evans hydraulic head series is great. They arent any more expensive than coated heads. They have their own unique tone so if youre replacing tom heads, replace them all with these at the same time. I have a cheaper Rogers kit and the kick drum was way too boomy. This killed a lot of the decay and has a tight attack. Its also more "springy" which helps with heel toe double kicks using a single kick pedal.
I read that these are good for anyone who has trouble tuning their kit. Thats probably because the sound decays so quickly. I will definitely be replacing my snare and tom heads with these when the time comes. The only thing Im worried about is if/when these split or tear. Im wondering if fluid will leak out but it is a very thin layer. If you have a cheaper kit thats hard to tune, are not that experienced on drums, dont have a drum tuner or play more hard rock/metal then these hydraulic heads are a fantastic option.
May 22, 2009
Great construction, but not much else
When looking around for aftermarket speakers some would say that as long as the components that make the speaker are comperable, as will be the sound. Im not so sure. These Clarions are built like a tank, but the sound isnt stellar. This probably doesnt matter seeing as how if you're a real stereo nerd, you won't be looking to spend less than a small fortune on your setup. For the money, these speakers are extremely well built, but don't expect them to bring a tear to your eye everytime you turn your stereo on.
As for the mounting holes and dimensions, if you don't have a GM vehicle, be prepared to cut, grind, trim, and possibly jimmy rig a few things like I did on my 240SX convertible.