Best Bang For Buck In Class 
by Ryan Simpkins from Utah, May 2008

In the class of low cost controllers, the PCR-800 brings some great value to the table. There is too much to go over, but let me hit the highlights:

Good:
- Keybed, solid synth action, you can really apply the pressure.
- Nice action on the knobs.
- Plenty of buttons, all have a solid feel, all are lit.
- Plenty of sliders.
- Great value (aftertouch, controllers galore)

Bad:
- All the sliders are cheap. Especially the fader. It wobbles and twists quite badly. I don't use it for fear of breaking it. Just go easy on 'em.
- No continuous knobs. They are all 270 degree. Having some of them be 360 would be useful.
- Don't use the pads for drums unless you don't use pads that much. They are good buttons, but horrid drum pads (too small for my fat fingers any way). Get a padKontrol or something if you want pads. Trust me, it is worth spending a little extra.

Final Thoughts:
Don't buy in to the "cables out the side" idea unless you keep your PC on your left. If you are like most people and keep it on the right, you have to run cables back over to reach the PC. Don't forget how bulky a mess of cables can be. It doesn't seem very well thought out, but it may be the "perfect fit" for some users.

At the end of the day, it is hard to complain much when you consider how much you are getting for such a low price with this controller. I use mine frequently as it is a lot easier to fit next to the DAW than an 88 key controller.

If the sliders were a little higher quality, and the keybed a little less noisy, this would be a 5 star board.

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