Deckadance review

Deckadance Pros:

• Created by the makers of FL Studio Image Line
• Asio support
• Solid layout easy navigation and intuitive for both novices and experienced users alike
• Midi capable
• Time coded CD and vinyl support
• Built in relooper, sampler, and VST midi host
• Can be interfaced with other software as a VSTI or runs as a stand alone program
• All the input and output options you should need
• Supports mp3, wave, and ogg file formats

Deckadance Cons:

• Could use more vinyl emulation functions
• Not completely midi assignable
• Lacks a few things competing products offer, but makes up for it in other ways

Bang for buck rating: A

Akai MPD16 Review

Akai MPD16 Pros:

• Midi out
• USB powered
• Optional 9V DC power adapter
• PS/2 mouse/keyboard adapter usable as well w/midi cable as USB work around to BSOD
  
• Nicer feeling pads than on the Pad Kontrol, Trigger Finger, or Axiom
• 16 pads and extra bank option to expand to 32 pads
• Velocity sensitive pads with 16 levels of velocity
  
• Fader
• Price
• Build quality
• Size advantage over other pad options
  

Akai MPD16 Cons:

• BSOD if using the USB on certain computers appears to be a USB2.0 related
• Good pads, but still not quite MPC quality better than the competitions though
  
• MPD24,MPD32, and MPK49 in some ways are better options
  

Bang for buck rating: A

EKS XP5 Review

EKS XP5 Pros:

• Price per unit
  
• Touch sensitive jog wheels really sensitive
  
• Built in audio interface
• USB 2.0
• Lots of buttons
• Nice layout
• Size

EKS XP5 Cons:

• Case flexes in spots when buttons are pressed
  
• Cheap stiff clicky buttons
  
• Price per pair
• Pair takes up two USB slots
• No built in or bundled mixer
• No midi I/O
• Relatively small jog wheel size
  
• No jog wheel adjustments
• Inconsistency on jog wheel build quality one wobbled a bit the other felt kinda stiff
  

Bang for buck rating: C-

Beringer BCD2000 review

BCD2000 Pros:

• Sound quality for listening plenty suitable to non audiophiles

• ASIO compliant down to 4ms latency depending on load

• Solid built

• A lot of buttons and sliders which feel good for non pro equipment
  

• Nearly unmatchable bang for the buck

BCD2000 Cons:

• Wallwart

• USB bandwidth hungry

• Noisy headphone preamp

• Possibly noisy mic preamp (didn't test, but relatively safe assumption)

• cramped layout particularly around the jogs
  

• small non touch sensitive jogs

Bang for buck rating: A-