Sonicware Liven Lofi-12 [Lo-fi Groovebox & Sampler] Retro sampling with 12bit Sampler mode, 4-track step sequencer, 10 voices, 12 Track Effects + 9 Master Effect, Battery-powered, Built-in speaker

I've purchased in the past a few other devices like the Korg sample 2 and po-33, but for me the lofi-12 is definitely a step up and a great piece of kit with good value.There's a learning curve when first using it which is probably best solved by watching the you tube tutorials.It's slightly on the large side but has a better feel as a musical instrument than its rival devices.It has a few minor annoying things like the pattern chaining not allowing the same pattern to be chained several times, but it's generally nice to use and fun, allowing spontaneous music creation.Sound quality seems really good, and the FX features are also great.

I kinda don't get why the liven range get such mixed reviews. I think the xfm, bass and beats and the lofi sampler are easily the best in their price and class. This sampler is incredibly powerful! With this and the xfm you can write entire albums or make improvised semi generated random noise, you can sequence external gear and cc lock.. if you even list the featuews and then look at rhe cost. It's incredible. Some people find the learning curve hard it's really not. You needed the manual and after a couple hours going through it and playing with what it describes you get the hang very fast because it does make a lot of sense unlike a lot of other stuff. Now I have only spent a couple days with the Livens I have , I can easily pick one up and make something interesting very fast, it's the most immediate and fun music making hardware I have experienced similar to the modal skulpt and novation tracks ..