Esem / Eesn

Gear Hall of Shame

August 5th, 2007, in the afternoon

This page is about mobile digital musicians on a budget. I list things you'd better not buy. Spare you the frustrating experience with some products I've bought over the years.

Now, bear in mind, I am quite budget-conscious. My budget has always been tight, and I've always tried to pick stuff that will last me, or at least, earn the cash for its successor. This is especially valid for computers, and audio interfaces.

The bar is fair. Most units listed under Gear (to the right) all perform well, with the exception of the ones listed here. It's a simple equation. I like it built like a tank, metal body preferrably. I like it to work, no matter if I use it regularly or power it up once in a blue moon. I like it to do what it says on the box. I like it to last. My screening process is tough, and if a faulty device still makes it to this list, I feel cheated for buying it.

:::

DISCLAIMER: These are my own thoughts. I don't claim to know the universal truth. Maybe I've had a faulty unit (maybe not). This is merely provided as a place to vent off steam.

So here's the list in no particular order (yet):

Edirol PCR-M1

This nifty little keyboard has it all. 25 velocity-sensitive keys, lots of buttons, knobs, fair amount of control. It looks perfect. After one year with only occasional use, it acts horrible. Picture this. I hit E moderately. That transmits E3 at velocity of 4. I then hit F, right next to it, in absolutely the same way. I get F3/127. So E3/4 and F3/127. I press F# lightly.. F3#/127. For the same w/ G i get G3/15.

Get me? The keyboard is fucked. It started off with the top C (last key), always hitting at full velocity, so I wasn't bothered. But then it slowly crept into the other keys and now it's scattered all over the keyboard, and it's a real problem. So what I did was open the thing, disassemble it, clean it, close it. That seemed to work! For a while!!

I then proceded to open it and take a picture so you know what's inside.

Sorry, Edirol, I don't care who you are, where you come from, and how good the s.l.i.m technology is. You sold me a crap product that doesn't last, and I feel stupid, and lied to, for buying it. Stay away from PCR-M1 as its ugliest problem takes months to reveal itself.

M-Audio Transit USB

This was an on/off struggle for a week. I've gone as far as to describe why you should not pick up a USB soundcard. For me it wasn't stability, it was worse than that. The card would turn on and off on a completely random basis. Later on I discovered it had to do with electricity so I couldn't be bothered anymore. I can't get proper electricity everywhere. I need the thing to work the same way all others do.

M-Audio MicroTrack 2496

I ranted enough about this unit. Good on paper. Annoying to use, though no specific problems as such. I've lost confidence in M-Audio now. I mean, come on, the Midisport is perfect. What's with this expensive piece of plastic here??

Add your comment

Name:  (required)
Email:  (optional, not shown anywhere)
Site:  (optional)
Comment: 
* 
+ =
Add the two numbers above. Otherwise I'll think you're a bot.
 

Comments:

Chris Laurel says:

I'm curious, how many people have you met with this problem? I have the same thing happening. It started with it not registering velocity accurately. I chased a physical route, one which led me to discover a screw in a stripped hole that aided in holding the keys down. My attempts to fix it have been fruitless. What I do know is; after removing the plastic keys and exposting the soft covered trigger i can press them down and get velocities up to 127. placing the keys back failed to get the result.

anyway. I'm still not sure if it is a physical issue or software related. Im just curious to know if there a similar complaints.
I'm just another one.

I'm looking at the Novation stuff too.

Chris

posted: October 18th, 2008, in the evening
g~ says:

Hi Chris.

I think it is related to the conductive rubber they've decided to use. Not everyone seems to experience this problem, so I guess it might be limited to the first units manufactured..

In any case, I opted for Novation and that seems to work fine so far!

posted: October 19th, 2008, in the afternoon
Peter Fitzpatrick says:

I Bing'd "PCR M-1 Keyboard Problem" and found your site.

I thought I had found a bargain and the ideal solution when I was on business in Japan last week. I got one of these keyboards at reduced price.

Bitterly disappointed to find that one of the keys has this problem. Sending out full velocity regardless of how I play the key.

I'm going to telephone Edirol to see if I can get a replacement keyboard or if there is a fix available.

Has anyone developed a DIY fix ?

posted: January 21st, 2010, around noon
Tam says:

I have the same problem with the PCR-M1. I noticed the high-velocity issue almost immediately, but as all my kit was not in use at the time, I didn't pay it much attention. I hadn't used it at all until recently; it had been sitting in its cloth case for almost three years. I now find that not only do I get 127 velocity on some keys, but two keys give NO output unless really hit quite hard (and even then the output is unpredictable). Basically, the keyboard has had about two hours' use in total.

I managed to find an address for Edirol support in Europe ( Support@ediroleurope.com ), but they dismissed my complaint, saying it was out of warranty.

Here in the UK we have trading standards laws which means a product has to be fit for purpose when sold. This device clearly was not. Customers have up to six years to challenge the vendor. After receiving Edirol's dismissive response, I told them I would be taking this route, but they didn't bother to respond. The problem is you have to take it back to the store from where you bought it and argue the trading standard law with them (and Edirol know this). I'm still going to do it, though. It's on my New Year's list of things to do.

posted: January 28th, 2010, in the small hours
Tam says:

Oh - and worst of all, I sold my Novation Bass Station to pay for this, as I felt the PCR-M1 had much better potential for travel. What a terrible mistake. I PROMISE I won't be buying Edirol again. They have a dud, and they know it, and are stupidly damaging their reputation by refusing to support their disappointed customers.

posted: January 28th, 2010, in the small hours
Bobo says:

i bought edirol pcr-m1 too, guess what? after about a year some of the key isn't working, so i send it for a service to a local store, after about a month, 2 dead keys... (sigh...)... that's too bad, nice looking controller without durability...

i am looking for another keyboard controller...

posted: September 3rd, 2010, late evening

Previously

Posts of note: