Music Gear Meta-Reviews

Most of the articles listed here are what we call "Meta-Reviews". These are done by analyzing reviews, comments and discussions from around the world as we process items to calculate their Gearank score..

Breedlove Pursuit Nylon: Acoustic-Electric Nylon String Guitar Meta-Review

Submitted by Alexander Briones on
Breedlove Pursuit Nylon Acoustic-Electric Guitar

In a market saturated by clones, Breedlove's unique and eclectic acoustic guitar designs provide a refreshing break. This distinct design approach definitely applies to their mid-tier Pursuit Nylon - a true modern nylon acoustic-electric that easily stands out from the rest. And the difference goes beyond just skin deep, because this particular model strays from traditional specs to make the instrument more at home for steel string players.

Behringer XD80USB 8-Piece Electronic Drum Set Meta-Review

Submitted by Jason Horton on
Behringer XD80USB 8-Piece Electronic Drum Kit

The XD80USB is similar to the XD8USB with the main differences being:

  • It comes with the HDS240USB sound module with 175 sounds and back-lit LCD screen.

  • The three tom pads are all dual zone.

  • The cymbals are dual zone including the hi-hat.

There were a few more people who expressed negative opinions of the kick pedal even though it's the same piece of hardware as the XD8USB.

Epiphone Goth Thunderbird-IV 4-String Bass Guitar Meta-Review

Submitted by Alexander Briones on
Epiphone Goth Thunderbird-IV Electric Bass Guitar

If you're surprised to find that the Epiphone Goth Thunderbird IV got such a high Gearank score take comfort in knowing that I was too. Metalheads just love this bass guitar and after careful consideration of the reviews, I'd have to say that I'm convinced that it really is one of the best for its specific genre - which is rock and metal. It starts off with a black finish alder body and a 34" scale maple neck with a wider 1.73" nut.

Roland UA-55 Quad-Capture 4-Channel USB Audio Interface Meta-Review

Submitted by Alexander Briones on

The Quad Capture is a sleek audio interface with the company's brand of quality and functionality. It features two XLR/TRS combo inputs that is equipped Roland's VS preamp.

Roland gave the Quad Capture Auto-Sens, which automatically adjusts the gain levels for optimum clip free sound. This feature makes the UA-55 easy to use with different instruments, making it novice friendly.

NB Although this is a 4-channel interface it only records from 2 analog inputs + 2 digital inputs simultaneously - you can't record from 4 simultaneous analog sources.

Novation 61 SL MKII Meta-Review - 61-Key MIDI Keyboard Controller (Discontinued)

Submitted by Alexander Briones on
Novation 61 SL MKII

Far from an ordinary MIDI keyboard, the strength of the Novation 61 SL MKII is in its wealth of control options and convenient automatic mapping with popular DAW software that include Ableton, Logic 9, Pro Tools, Cuebase/Nuendo, Reason/Record, and Sonar. Most notable of these controls are the 8 touch-sensitive encoders that feature 11 segment LED rings and infinite rotation. Other controls include transport buttons, 8 pots, 8 sliders, 8 soft feel trigger pads, and a touch sensitive speed dial.

Marshall AS100D Meta-Review (100-Watt Acoustic Guitar Combo Amplifier)

Submitted by Jason Horton on
Marshall AS100D

Marshall's acoustic series amplifiers designed specifically for acoustic guitar are quite popular and the AS100D is one of their better selling models.

It sports 4 channels with two of them having mic inputs - it can handle piezio and magnetic picups as well as vocal mics.

One channel is dedicated to vocal microphones with a mic preamp with phantom power and an XLR socket so it can effectively be used as a mini PA system.

Behringer XM8500 Dynamic Cardioid Handheld Microphone Meta-Review

Submitted by Jason Horton on
Behringer XM8500 Dynamic Microphone

Here's what I found when I processed over 1,500 customer and expert reviews of the XM8500.

The Behringer XM8500 is primarily designed for live vocals, however you will also find it being used on drums and other instruments and also for recording in home studios.

The thing that owners of the XM8500 most often cite positively is that this is an excellent microphone for the price given that it usually sells for only $20.

M-Audio Oxygen 25 MK IV 25-Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller

Submitted by Jason Horton on
M-Audio Oxygen 25 MKIV 25-Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller

M-Audio Oxygen 25 MK IV Meta-Review

The M-Audio Oxygen 25 MkIV is the fourth iteration of the company’s sleek MIDI keyboard and it is highly rated by reviewers for having full size keys while being compact and easily portable at the same time. It carries over the same impressive keyboard feel with easy DAW integration via transport controls, and adds in 8 velocity-sensitive pads for triggering loops and samples.