Music Maker Sounds Excellent!
589641
Its Kareoke and MORE!  Definately good for a few beers and friends.  Question, and the only one I need to know before I purchase this:  I like playing my imported music on my xbox HD in games that support it (GTA3, RAW2, NHL HITZ).  Can the MP3s and Music imported from the PC to XBOX using this program allow me to play those tunes on other games like the XBOX HD does?
2617621
Very well made. This is a monophonic analog synthesizer that just sounds great. Everything is as advertised, but some of the questions I had when I purchased it were these:
1) Is it Monophonic or Polyphonic? - this can be answered two ways. First, it's a monophonic synthesizer. You can only play one key at a time. I purchased this for basic bass lines, and it does a great job with that. Second, if you use the synthesizer as a keyboard input for a synthesizer program on a computer using with MIDI or USB connections, it's POLYphonic...and a very good polyphonic as well. I've only been using it through USB, and there's a bit of lag. I hope to try it with MIDI in the future to see if that's eliminated, because that makes this thing even MORE powerful!
2) Does the sequences allow for different note lengths? - Not in the same pattern. You can change what each entry in the sequence indicates through the software, but you cannot have quarter notes and half notes in the same sequence. I found this disappointing, but it still works very well.
4068882
I have been recording music as a hobby since I was a kid in the mid 1960s. I am familiar with all of the pre-computer formats. I find little joy in messing with a computer to make music. The best sound comes from the older, analog formats. If you have a good LP and turntable, that sounds the best. Reel-to-reel is awesome too and can make anything sound warmer.

I purchased the Sony 480 as an attempt to replace a DAT (Digital Audio Tape) deck I used to master certain projects. I expected less than I hoped for. I was pleasantly surprised. I use the slow "speed" to master my recordings and then dub (copy) tracks onto another minidisc recorded at standard "speed". Once I have what I want, I make a digital copy of the final minidisc onto a CD. The only thing I do not like about this deck is that the face plate is plastic. Otherwise, this machine is an "A". The power switching has a relay like expensive components, the remote is well made, there are useful features galore, everything works, and works well. I am scooping up two more before they disappear. How nice to have had this experience.
2845466
Got this for Christmas...having a blast with it. I agree with the reviewer Gabriel Heiser that it can be a little cumbersome at first, but the more you play with it the more automatic those steps become (kind of like learning Windows for the first time). You need to follow the manual very closely. Also, print a copy of Gabriels' steps to get you started. The free short videos on YouTube by ProAudioDVDs were really helpful too. If you really get stumped, buy their DP-004 instructional DVD.

I will tell you it's all worth it. I like this MUCH better than the cassette version. The sound is clean, and you aren't limited to just 4 tracks since you can bounce them to one track (mono) or two tracks (stereo) over & over. The built-in mics are very high quality IMO.

I also like plugging my guitars and drum machine directly in to the 1/4" inputs and recording each instrument track with my headphones on. Or, if your guitar amp has a headphone jack, you can use your amp for direct recording from it. Be sure to test between a headphone cable and a guitar cable. In my case, the Yamaha drum machine worked better with a guitar cable, but the amp needed a headphone cable from its' headphone jack. You can get those cords and adapters from Radio Shack.

Some reviewers have complained about hiss in the background. I've found that only happens when you play guitar through your amp recording from the amps' headphone output. If you plug/record directly into the DP-004, that goes away. Also, be sure to unplug the guitar from the DP-004 when you bounce the tracks to eliminate hiss and/or turn the input A or B level knobs down to zero. If you want effects, you can play through an effects pedal (IE the DigiTech RP70 or RP90)&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/DigiTech-RP70-Guitar-Multi-Effects-Processor/dp/B000Z33ICY/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">DigiTech RP70 Guitar Multi-Effects Processor</a>. I have the RP80. You can record directly through that and not even use your guitar amp if you use headphones (kind of cool). Also you can do finishing touches with Audacity on vocal/instrument tracks via USB transfer, then slip them right back in on the DP-004.

It's also fun to hook it up to a home stereo (again, Radio Shack cords) and blast the results out loud. Also if you do that, the quality is better for mixing if your headphones are plugged in to your stereo. The quality through the DP-004 headphone jack is so-so. I also recommend getting the power adapter and just using the batteries only if needed. I bought a like-new Sony PSP-100 Power adapter fairly cheap from someone here on Amazon for under $10. I'd also recommend buying a larger SD card...at least 4GB or bigger.

In my opinion, if you can program a universal remote, you can handle this.

UPDATE: 3/25/10
I liked this thing so much I decided to upgrade to the DP-008 8-track version. Since I like to overlay many guitars, some keyboard, vocal, bass, & drum tracks, I found I outgrew the 4-track. In my opinion, if it's just you and an acoustic or electric guitar with vocals, you're fine with just a 4-track. But if you have a band you're recording with this (in my case, a one-man band) for mixing many instruments, spend a little more for the 8-track version.
203654
Just outstanding sound -- and the interface took maybe three minutes to figure out. Nothing to it. I needed a replacement for my iPod Classic and thought this could work; but the first one I ordered (from a different seller on Amazon) was junk: It had a cosmetic manufacturing defect and, much worse, it would not connect to my PC. I returned it, stewed a week as I fumed at my bad luck, then tried it again. Bingo! I got a gorgeous, beautiful device that I immediately copied my hi-res songs to (ALAC and FLAC formats, plus some 320 mp3 files). It plays everything perfectly! The sound is fantastic. I use mostly my Koss Porta-Pro headphones, but when I'm not working and really want to do the music justice, I pull out my Grado 225 cans and float off to a pristine musical world. My ears are acclimating to the sonic purity of the songs played on the X3 and most of the time I hear a difference from the MP3 version. On classical music the diff is more apparent. Highs and mids are great, and the bass response is phenomenal. This is better by far than my long-loved iPod Classic! Highly recommended.
4629361
Sounds fantastic. All instruments sound warm and true to life. Bass and mid are fuller and more powerful through this DAC than they are on my V90 DAC (a fantastic DAC in its own right). I have read a few reviews on here saying its got harsh treble, this is not the case in my experience. The treble sounds perfect and not harsh at all.

One problem though, it does crash regularly,it seems to happen only when im listening to youtube (I mostly listen to itunes). The sound becomes crackly. Easily fixed by flipping the unit and and off. It sounds so good that I am willing to live with this problem.
2337520
Tried this after using (and returning) an Akai MPD16, which looks pretty similar - but this feels better, responds better, has more features and is easier to use. And unlike the previous reviewer, I didn't have any problems whatsoever with hooking it up: I just plugged in the USB cable, it worked, no drivers needed, end of story. Great with Ableton Live, and just amazing when hooked up to percussion instruments like StormDrum. Highly recommended.
1047378
I've had this a few months now, and I'm still amazed at the quality of the sound and the beauty of the thing. THe only improvement I make would be to devote a small keypad to setting options which are now done by hold two keys down and then pressing a non-obvious piano key corresponding to what you want to do. Things like fine tuning pitch, playing demo stuff, changing from piano to organ etc. A bit fiddly, and always has me digging up the manual. Not worth taking a full star off for that, especially at the price.

Excellent product and excellent value for money
4031639
I got my H320 shortly after Christmas 2004.  I had originally gotten a RCA Lyra 20 GB from my Mom for Christmas.  It sounded good, but it didn't seem very reliable.  I took it back and got a Creative Zen Xtra NOMAD 40 GB.  That one didn't sound very good at all.  That's when I got the H320.  I must say that I am very satisfied with this product!  It sounds excellent, it's easy to use, and it hasn't given me one problem yet!  The battery life is great too!  Whenever I buy my next MP3 player, I definitely plan on getting another iRiver!
1237090
I'll never run out of sounds with this thing and it's fairly intuitive to use.  Being able to try all the online sounds and then download the ones you want into the unit is another big plus.  The sound quality is also superb.
213729
This is a fantastic music player! It has a rich sound and is super easy to setup and play music. I love it so much that I bought a CONNECT:AMP.
1483941
This software is great. I also use music maker for loop arrangements, but music studio has a different philosophy. It is a great combination between audio recording and sequencing that you will also find in 4 times more expensive products such as Cubase. There are a lot of effects and vitual instruments included that you have to buy normally as stand alone. I love it because all you need in addition is a small midi keyboard and Soundcard with Asio support......really a nice product for musicians and bands. For an easy entry music maker would be the better choice.
301498
Cool sounds. Add some reverb and echo and some eq and you have yourself a nice little percussion toy. I plan to actually compose with it. I'm sure they make nicer quality ones but hey this sounds just fine to me.
1343588
This is a fine instrument. The craftsmanship is just amazing. Ok it does not sound like my custom made floating bridge Oud. However for the purpose of using it with a live band, it "rocks"! I mean no feedback, easy to tune and if you are good with sound you can get impressive results, even revolutionary. The face of the Oud (Soundboard) is made of Cedar wood, warm indeed to compensate the "not that great pickup system" compared to the Multioud Ambience. The fretboard is wider than any traditional Oud, meaning easier to play!!! Well enough said, check this video I made to know how it sounds. For this demo I have used a good old Yamaha Aw4416 which was used as a mixer. I have applied Chorus and reverb effects... Recorded Directly via my Apogee Duet 2 to Cubase 7

http://youtu.be/8gyPpAOTSsw

Enjoy and hope that was helpful!
32716
Very nice sounding mp3 player, but I can only give 4 stars because it does not have a shuffle feature, which would be great, because if you have a boatload of music, you're going to have the same band more than once.  But I did find a work around for this, I'm constantly modifying my recordings for better sound quality, and found a nice freeware program called Jajuk, which allows you  make up playlists of all your music, and then you can transfer your music already shuffled onto the player. I just made up a bunch of folders and setup different playlists for each folder, which brings me to the other feature which I find totally cool, is the ability to change out your micro sd card, so all that great music you got can be broken down to what is different genre for each card.  Great for the pool parties ;)
3575315
I purchased this on sale, but even at the original asking price at around $50 it would be well worth it. It is surprisingly loud, and it comes with two different attachments; one to hold it in both hands, and one for lap playing.

I have used it to record several parts for songs already, and I love this thing. It would be a great and fun gift for a beginning musician  and even for someone who has played for a while like myself.
812666
It sounds amazing, holds lots of music and I use it during work outs as well as when I'm driving, I plug it into my car's speakers and this little MP3 player sounds magnificent there too!