SEQTRAK Mobile Music Ideastation, Black

I love this thing. Over 2,000 instruments to choose from. I don't even use it as a beatbox and have been having a blast going through it using the app on my Apple iPad. So easy to control it through the app. It is controllable on its own but it's a bit more of a challenge to remember all the commands. So for the value it's a great deal. I want to learn how to make a beat on it as well but as I said I initially bought it just for all the amazing Yamaha sounds and oh my word they sound amazing. Well done Yamaha.

I will tell you why this is an incredible device. It has filled every expectation which is rare [I am particular!] Most digital-based sequencers+synths have displays that are required. You cannot get the feel of the instrument. Rather on digital devices you have to glue your eyes to a screen to do anything. It is annoying. Not here. If you enjoy hands-on equipment this is the instrument of the decade, in my opinion. This device is tactile. You navigate it by feeling your way around, selecting durations, time, repeats, instrumentation, etc. If you get lost, you bring up the app and learn what you need to know so you don't need to bring the app up again. It is easy to use imho. I spent two hours on three different days and learned the basics. I am not a pro musician I am strictly amateur, tho' I have used a few digital and analog synths in the past. Really what you need to operate this genius-level device is a little discipline and concentration for a few hours. That's it. Anyone who hasn't mastered the basics just hasn't spent any time with it. For the first day, I paired my Seqtrak with an Android. I tried an iPad and laptop computer, but they were too big. The app is designed to match the Seqtrak itself and fit nicely on a phone. So you don't need to carry a lot around. Just the Seqtrak and the phone for when you totally blank on where something is. The more you use the device, the less you use the app. I made several nice beat-tracks each day. They fit nicely in the higher project slots. Digitized audio works great there are some videos about how to make efficient use of your samples. Watch them. The quality is good for the money of course. Sound quality is excellent. Functionality can't be surpassed at this pricepoint certainly! It is a lot of fun. Honestly I haven't had so much fun with a synth in years. Enjoy this device.... only one such issue happens a generation. This is it. Buy it, use it or miss out. Highly recommended. I would give the Seqtrak six stars if I could.

Having so many instruments ready to go in a small convenient package has been nice creating samples to use for making beats

Awesome little groove box! I recommend spending a few minutes reading through the manual before each session until you learn all the features. I did this instead of watching videos online and was able to make a music I enjoy vs copying someone else’s style and I got to learn all the features and I love it! The synth engine is excellent for a standalone unit in this price range. The hardware is not very durable for a musical instrument so avoid hitting the buttons hard and don’t hand it to your toddler to play with. I did this and now one of the synth buttons lost sensitivity. The midi cable that it comes with makes it possible to use with most keyboards. It even works with my 2010 casio Privia! The usb midi works with a modern midi controller but not an archaic keyboard like mine. It should ship with a midi adapter and be sure to send it back if it doesn’t. It’s not proprietary but it’s only manufactured and used by Yamaha. You can order a replacement adapter with the part number: VFD34200 I bought it new and received a returned unit that didn’t have any peripherals, but it did have the RMA slip from the previous owner.

Huge variety of sounds. It takes a little time to remember the button combos, but then it’s easy to put together ideas. Very portable. I haven’t tried connecting to other devices but a midi keyboard would be useful for playing melodies. Definitely worth it just for the sound library.