Roland CM30 Cube Monitor review

Roland CM30 Cube Monitor

As the name goes.... Cube Monitor, it is really designed as a monitor either as home recording studio monitor or live stage monitor.  But, you can improvise on this one as a portable all-in-one PA system. Only 30 watt but loud enough for small venues plus it has 3 channel with one as XLR plus an AUX input where you can plug your mp3 player or iPod and use it as a backing track.

The CM30 can be linked and connect up to 8 cube monitors. Actually even just two of these that are connected together is powerful enough for a small to medium size venues. We've used this one time when we went out on a holiday and rented a caravan. We brought our karaoke and plugged it here and it sounded great. Everyone enjoyed singing. Also during birthday parties, I normally use this because it is so portable and sounds big enough on most venues.

The only downside on this one is that it does not have effects like reverb, echo or delay. So if you are a vocalist just use a mixer that has got built-in effects on it and that will solve the problem.

Overall, a very good monitor and reliable portable PA system.

                                                            

23" toy ukulele review and repair

23" Ukulele (designed for music lovers)

Bought this toy ukulele from a toy shop and it says 23" Ukulele (designed for music lovers) and it says on the side of the box "A great introduction to playing the ukulele."

The Ukulele is made from China and there's a website on the box (TheWorks.co.uk). The ukulele itself is built nicely, painting is decent, and looks like it can survive a serious beating from a child. Having said that, I dont think this one is a musical instrument. I think it's designed to be a toy. Something that a child can hold, make noise and pretend like a rockstar. Apart from that, there's not much to it.

However, after two years of its survival, my son got a ukulele lesson at school. And started to be interested in playing ukulele. Now, I managed to alter and rectify some of the issues of this toy ukulele and make it work.

First was the nut, I had to file it using a bread knife just to lower the strings and make it closer to the fretboard or frets.  Second the bridge was not attached which is good thing because I managed to find the right spot for that bridge to sort of rectify and intonate the ukulele. Meaning, I can't tune it properly before but having to fiddle with it around, I did find a good spot and superglued it and tune the ukulele.

I dont know how to play the ukulele, had to google and youtube it. So after learning a little bit about ukulele, I managed to tune it and learn few chords and managed to play the ukulele on a beginner or very basic level. Plus, my son enjoys the ukulele now.

To those who wants to buy a ukulele, I would suggest to go to your local music shop and try their ukulele, ask some assistance from the staff. Or, if you want to buy a cheap ukulele online, buy one that looks pretty decent and got good reviews so you wont have headaches.

Remington HC4250 Quick Cut Clipper Review

Remington Quick Cut Hair Clipper

This is one of the most effective hair clipper out there to cut DIY. The ergonomic design, makes it easy for you to hold and manoeuvre. No need to ask someone to do it, no wires that's in the way and saves you from going to a barbershop. Out of the box, you'll get the hair clipper itself, the charger, manual, different fixed combs from 1.5 up to 15 mm or Grade 0-4. Battery can be used up to 40 minutes on a 4-hour charging. Waterproof and can be rinse under the tap directly. Do not wash the unit when it is plugged. On the manual there's instructions on how to disassemble the blades. There is a pouch that's included where you can put the clipper. But it's too small that you can't put anything else in it. So far I've tried it and really works. Im very happy with this one.

Review of Casio CTK1150 keyboards

Casio CTK-1150 Keyboards

This is a review of Casio CTK-1150 bought from Argos last Xmas for my boy. We ordered Casio CTK1200 because that was the one that was advertised on their site that's on sale. Casio CTK 1150 is no longer available in the market. But anyhow, this one the one delivered despite the one we paid for was the CTK1200. Called them and asked but they said that it's the same. When we checked the manual that came with it, they were right. There's only one manual for 5 types or series of this keyboards. Having said that, let's move on and review what the keyboards got to give us.

Out of the box, you'll get like 4 sets of manual in different languages. One songbook, which are the songs listed in the songbank of the keyboards. Also, the songbook is useful if you have previous knowledge on how to read notes and good in learning stuff by yourself. Apart from that, I think the songbook is not meant for beginners or kids. Although, there are categories inside the songbook as A, B, C, D which means that A for beginners, then goes Intermediate, Advanced and Expert. Music stand and power supply are also included.

Now the keyboards' design is very good, lightweight, sound coming from the speaker is decent. Can use 6 AA battery on this one. 100 tones, 100 rhythms and 99 songbank. Learning option which turns on and off Right or Left hand. Also learning chords options. No sustain option or sustain pedal connection. Not touch response. No reverb or hall button/switch. But there's transpose/tune option.

By the way, we bought an X-frame keyboard stand separately and we're please with it.