Greatest Handclap ever...I still use the Handclap now in tracks...that sound has been used by several producers, Like DBX (Daniel Bell) for it's cutting, snapping character.

The most glaring omission I've noticed in all of the reviews here...You cannot use this thing to play your created patterns with MIDI (the internal time clock will lag like heck and eventually after 28 bars you'll be out of sync), the only way is to use it by itself or sample it.

Great machine for $75-100, would not buy another unless I could circuit bend it...

Buy this machine!!!

I would recomend for anyone to buy one and I think they are the best.

Q: WHAT ARE THE TONE CONTROLS FOR A: What are the tone controls (for the samples) at the back for!? The point they were making was that the machine does'nt sound that bright already. But I've found a great use for the tone control. I find it especially useful for rolling off the high end with sampled kick drums, which not only cuts down the noise, but improves the sampled bass drums sound by dulling it. This is a technique often used by dance producers to get a smoother, more bassy sound.

ACCENT TRICKS

I found a great trick is to use the "mute" and "accent" buttons to get some dynamics out of the unit. "Mute" does'nt really mute at all. In fact it just lowers the volume of the sound, if you press mute and a drum pad together. Example: To get a techno snare roll to increase in volume, press mute and snare together. This will make the volume lower. Then just press snare on its own for the next snare hit. Finally, press accent and snare together. The volume of the snare will seem to increse gradually now. You can use this trick to get some dynamics into any of the sounds, getting around the fact the pads are'nt touch sensitive.

My experiance with the machine.

I paid some Australian $300 for the machine some years ago. At the time that probably equalled around $ 150 U.S dollars. Given the mint condition, and the rarity of the machine, I'd snap one up for this price. If you can find a lower price, then good, but I would'nt recommend a rough example, as drum machines are a pain to fix. I can't say how happy I've been with the machine. Its fun, easy to use. It is most reminds me of a Linndrum but it is a better machine. The crunchy sound of the samples make the drum sounds "sit" in the track much better than newer drum machines. I find modern stuff horrible- too bright! After passing the snare and cymbals through a reverb unit, this drum machine sound just right- not too dull, not too bright. The only thing modern that could tempt me is the AKAI MPC 2000, but do I need that kind of memory? The CASIO isnt for loops, after all, but drum sampling.