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I’ve been a big fan of Donner’s instruments for years, but I know that not everyone in the music production community shares that opinion. Donner often faces criticism for various reasons, and while I’ve consistently enjoyed their products, it’s essential to reassess them with fresh perspectives—both by critically evaluating new products and by reconsidering past releases in light of new developments. We’ve been following the Donner MEDO sampler and sequencer since its debut at NAMM several months ago, eager to see how it stacks up against the rest of their lineup.
We received one for review, and I’ve been using it both in and out of the studio for a few weeks. I’ve developed several opinions—some that align with common criticisms and others that differ from the typical online discourse about Donner.
Before diving into my specific thoughts on MEDO, I’ll discuss what Donner represents as a brand, general assumptions about them, and my personal experience with their products over the years. Then, I’ll share my thoughts on the MEDO, covering what I like and don’t like. Finally, I’ll talk about who this product is best suited for, so you can determine if it’s the right fit for you.
Let’s dive in.
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Is Donner A Good Instrument Brand?
Donner is a Chinese manufacturer of synthesizers and instruments that generates a wide range of opinions. One of their strongest selling points is that their products are mostly aimed at beginners and intermediate players on a budget. They offer a variety of products, including keyboards, synthesizers, and travel-friendly samplers like the MEDO, all at very accessible price points, which brings both advantages and disadvantages. These instruments are great for beginners, backup options, and those still learning or playing at an intermediate level without wanting to spend too much.
However, Donner has faced criticism, particularly from diehard enthusiasts who view the corners they’ve cut in terms of build quality and functionality as unacceptable compared to more premium brands like Moog, Roland, or Arturia.
Personally, I’ve used a lot of Donner products and enjoy their synth bass and drum machines. As a gear reviewer, I think Donner does well within their target market. While there are some friction points, you do get what you pay for, and the fact that they offer such products to these audiences is commendable.
Donner Medo Review – The Pros
The On-Board Mic Is Cool!
I think the coolest part of the MEDO sampler and sequencer is the onboard mic. It’s really the main X-factor, and without it, I wouldn’t be able to recommend this product as highly as I do.
Being able to take this sampler anywhere and record sounds—whether it’s musicians at a street fair, an interesting noise you hear while traveling, or instruments you have on hand—adds a really fun functionality. It makes the whole experience enjoyable. While the mic isn’t on par with high-grade, premium condenser or tube mics, it captures audio of similar quality to an iPhone mic, which is impressive given how far iPhone mics have come in the past decade. The MEDO’s mic picks up clean, quality audio that’s good enough to flip into beats or sketch ideas on the fly, no matter where you are.
It’s A Fun Toy
Ever since the MEDO was debuted at NAMM (video below), it’s been raising eyebrows and catching some flack from the more tech-heavy, tactile, instrument-focused community online. But what I feel like a lot of this segment is missing is that this isn’t meant to be a professional studio tool in the same way your Prophet, Torso Sequencer, or Korg MS-20 Mini might be.
My experience with the Donner MEDO is that it’s just fun to use. It’s not going to be one of the studio-defining tools that I use to make my most streamed records—at least not in the foreseeable future, who knows? But it’s great for killing time while you’re traveling, hanging out outside, or just soaking up the sun and making fun beats. It’s a super approachable, low-stress, low-commitment way to make music on the go.
Of course, it’s not going to hold a candle to a heavy-duty sampler or an MPC, but if you’re looking for a budget-friendly, fun toy to play with your kids or work with on the go, it really checks all those boxes.
[embed]https://youtube.com/watch?v=azE0tkLGNF0&si=EqB64xvl51jqlen3[/embed]It’s Very Portable
It’s super travel-friendly, which adds to the fun, toy-like quality I mentioned earlier. It easily fits in your pocket and has a long-lasting charge, so you don’t have to worry about the battery draining quickly. There’s a lot packed into this device that makes it perfect for on-the-go use.
Combine that with a decent microphone, and you’ve got a highly portable device that’s at its best when you’re out of the studio.
I really think this is what Donner was aiming for with this product, and they nailed it.
It’s Only Getting Better
Donner is still actively updating the firmware for this device, which means there’s potential for significant improvements in the future. While they haven’t released much information or hinted at what’s coming, it’s encouraging, especially when considering some of the bigger gripes I have with the Donner MEDO sequencer and synthesizer, which I’ll discuss shortly. By the time you read this article, whether it’s a few months from now or later, some of those issues might already be resolved thanks to these updates.
The hardware itself is solid, and you get what you pay for, but the software is where it falls a bit short for me. However, the fact that they are actively working to update the firmware and software gives me hope that, over time, my biggest frustrations with this device will be addressed and fixed.
What I Didn’t Like
The Drum Sounds Suck
The biggest letdown with the MEDO is the stock drum sounds. They come off as cheap, almost like something you’d find on a digital Casio keyboard. This wouldn’t be an issue if you could swap them out or upload your own samples, but unfortunately, you can’t do that right now. I’m really hoping future firmware updates will allow for uploading your own drum samples.
If you could load even a small library of your go-to drum kits onto this thing, it would make a huge difference. Being able to sequence and layer your preferred drum sounds under what you record while out and about would be a game-changer.
So, Donner, if you’re listening, please make it possible to swap out the drum sounds—because as of right now, they’re pretty lackluster.
It Doesn’t “Feel” Sturdy
This is a common gripe Donner faces with many of their products. Despite the actual quality and durability of their instruments, they don’t always feel sturdy right out of the box. They lack that durable weight we often associate with something that can handle wear and tear, whether in the studio or on the go.
I’ve been using the MEDO for about six weeks now—I got an early copy before the official release—and so far, it’s held up fine with no dents, dings, or issues. However, that doesn’t change the initial unboxing perception. Some might feel it doesn’t seem sturdy enough, which is a common complaint across many of Donner’s products, not just the MEDO.
Personally, I’ve used a ton of their gear. I’ve got their SYN BASS next to me as I write this, and I’m familiarizing myself with their new drum machine in the studio, with a review coming soon. I’ve never had any durability issues with Donner’s hardware, but I understand that first impressions matter, and the initial feel of the product is the most important of all (at least to some).
Who Is The Donner Medo For?
On The Go Producers
If you’re a music producer who spends a lot of time out of the studio but still wants to make music, this is a perfect device for you. There’s music happening everywhere that’s ripe for sampling—whether you’re at a farmer’s market and catch a band playing that you want to record and flip into a beat on the bus ride home, or if you just want to sit in the park or on your lunch break and cook up some sketches.
This device is ideal for that.
You don’t need to lug around your laptop or carry expensive sequencers that take up your whole backpack. Instead, you can have a tiny beat machine right in your pocket or side bag to make beats on the go, which you can easily transfer to your studio later.
A major X-factor is the ability to sync via Bluetooth MIDI, making it compatible with a lot of other MIDI controllers. You’re not limited to just tapping the sequencer with your fingers; you can control it with a smaller device or through an app on your phone.
This feature makes it perfect for on-the-go producers. You might hear a cool sample while you’re out and, even though the drum sounds aren’t great, as I mentioned earlier, you can still lay down a rough idea behind that sample. When you get back to the studio, you can replace those drums with your favorite kits and samples. It’s a really efficient way to generate ideas quickly when you’re in a creative space outside of the studio, which can often lead to some of your most innovative and expressive work.
Occupational Therapists
I know this is a bit more anecdotal and specific to my world, but my wife works as an occupational therapist, and she’s found that her patients on the autism spectrum, who are often musical geniuses in their own right, respond incredibly well to musical instruments during therapy. While her patients usually have their go-to instruments like the violin, piano, or keyboard, these small handheld devices really enhance treatment, especially in outdoor and more sensory-heavy environments. Recently, she’s had a lot more success using devices like this one to push kids’ sensory experiences and enhance treatment sessions with her musically inclined patients.
I know this is a specific use case for us, but for occupational therapists out there, my wife and I can’t recommend this device enough. It’s small, lightweight, easy to throw in a therapy kit, and can really open up a lot of doors for treatment with patients on the spectrum.
Parents
Anyone with a toddler knows that kids love things that make noise. While many of us have toys like light-up vacuums or dollhouses that sing songs—fun the first time but migraine-inducing by the thousandth—this device offers a fantastic alternative. It has a volume knob on the side, so you can keep the sound low, but it still satisfies that desire kids have to press something and hear a noise, preferably a musical one.
My son definitely prefers noise-making instruments over other noisy toys, like that dollhouse most parents have stashed away somewhere. This is a lightweight yet durable toy that he can hit, fiddle with, and play around with, producing noises that are more musical and far less obnoxious than the endless stream of Bluey or Cocomelon songs that flood the market these days.
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