My current music setup.

Replaced previous controller keyboard and phat.boy with:

Edirol / Roland PCR30 controller keyboard, self powered from USB, built in MIDI interface and plenty of controller functions covered. A neat and highly spec'd keyboard for a low price.

The PCR30 can be programmed to send just about any kind of MIDI data from the controllers, even sysex.

A newer PCR-A30 version is available now with onboard USB 2.0 Audio IN / OUT at 96Khz 24 Bit, that could be very useful for laptop users.

Want to buy A PCR-30? CLICK HERE or a PCR-A30 Here.

For general and acoustic sounds I now use an Alesis Nanosynth.

Tiny one third rack unit. Massive sounds for such a small unit. Size isn't everything.

If you need a good all round module for cheap, look no further.

Awesome sounds from acoustic to synthetic and all basses covered.

THE SECRET WEAPON:

The virtually unheard of and NEVER magazine reviewed Roland MC-09 Phrase Lab. The mono synth on this thing is shocking, probably the closest to a real TB303 currently available, its very close! It has basic percussion sounds and can be used as an effects unit with real-time control!

The name Phrase Lab comes from the onboard sampler which is extremely basic but VERY useful, you can record 4 loops into the onboard sample slots, each slot has a fader and select/mute buttons. Get a drum-loop running in the sampler and use the synth over the top.

Now don't go telling just anyone about this one OK! it's a modern classic! I think this will be a VERY sought after product in a few years!

Want an MC-09? Click Here.

I use 2 MC-09's for all of my acid lines and dance bass loops. These are amazing units.

I needed something to use as a sound module to replace an MC-505, hmm.....

After some research I got this little oddity:

Yet another Roland Groovebox! this time the D2, another one of those ODD products which sold awfully and ended up in blowout sales! another sub $100 bargain here folks! it may look daft in that orange shell BUT it packs the same sound engine as the MC-505! and includes more preset sounds!

It has the lot sound wise: 640 preset Patches, 20 preset Drum kits + 256 User patch locations and 20 User kit locations. All completely editable but basically you need software to do it. The 64 voice polyphony and 3 effects units of the 505 are also here! you loose the D-beam and all of those controllers + the extra 4 outputs, but as a sound module for sequencer use this thing is just fine!

One quick note, the MC-307 Groovebox was released prior to the D2, the 307 is, like the 303, based on the Sound Canvas engine, just a later version! hence the D2 is technically far superior in terms of sound production, especially if you make your own sounds. The 307 uses the SC-880 engine for 64 voice polyphony and more advanced effects than the 303, but take note as the 307 sometimes sells for the same price as a 505! the 505 is superior in every department.

OLD FAITHFUL:

'92 vintage Yamaha RY10 (AKA Ryio). Still the best drum machine ever made! it has shortcomings but I think its the fastest and easiest to program machine ever. Yamaha had their implementation of Grid editing NAILED on this unit! it's super fast. They NEVER produced anything with this grid edit implementation again, a pity really.

This gives 240 odd drum sounds and about 10 very short bass sounds. No effects, No  MIDI out and not massively editable sound wise. It can run on batteries and has an input jack which is perfect for a guitar or bass! the input also features a guitar tuner function.

Can be used as a guitar headphone amp and it's pretty good to program quick beats to play over.

Everybody needs a sampler!

Zoom SampleTrak St-224.

Bargain basement yet powerful phrase sampler with great effects. Uses smart media cards for sample storage and easy file exchange with a PC.

Can store 99 WAV files on the card for access to plentiful sounds instantly. Features full re-sampling and can also tune samples!

Nothing in this price range can touch this box. These sell for around $120!

Can't afford an MPC2000? get one of these, you wont be dissapointed.