u/ltmon

I have lots of long flights (think 10h and up to 15h) coming up for me, and I thought I'd dip into the world of grooveboxes to have something more to do.

Needs: Small, standalone, battery powered or at least low power USB.

Wants: Something that doesn't feel like a shrunk down DAW -- a bit of a unique workflow and feels like an instrument. Ideally good for doing more than just 4 bar loops. Can push me towards new things.

Dislikes: Trackers -- they just have always felt like work. I haven't tried the handheld ones (just software) but they are mostly out of budget anyway.

I don't think I can part with the cash for a Teenage XY or OP: so that can give you an idea of max budget.

My shortlist so far:

• Woovebox: Definitely small, super powerful, but not sure of the UI and workflow still
• Liven Evoke: Interesting workflow and very tactile. But a bit big, and maybe too tied to one style of music.
• M-Vave FM: Small, custom firmware makes it better, very cheap. But maybe too limited and will get boring.
• MC-101: Powerful, but maybe a little big. Top end of budget.
• Zythian: Powerful, might need powerbank? But feels a little too much DAW-in-a-box anyway.

What would your choice be? Anything else obvious I'm missing?

Edit: I'm not in the US and the second-hand market is not thriving where I am.

Background: middle-aged male, too skinny but fit, working out for strength/longevity but wouldn't mind putting on a few extra kg also. Have been lifting for 12 months, but probably have some issues that still count as "beginner fitness".

This kind of thing can happen with a lot of my exercises, but a sample case recently:

Kettlebell deadlifts, 10 reps x 3 sets with 1 minute breaks. With the weight I am on, by the last rep in the last set I am pretty much cooked -- maybe I could squeeze out one more.

This is what I understand "work until failure" means and is the desirable outcome for triggering hypertrophy etc. etc.

However, more than 48 hours later and my hamstrings still very stiff and sore. It's uncomfortable to bend down, and going upstairs is something I'm actively avoiding. I will probably feel OK in another day or two. To me, this means I'm overdoing it and pushing beyond my ability to recover in a reasonable time.

I'm pretty sure my basic form is not an issue.

Does anyone have advice for how to differentiate between working a muscle to it's failure point, versus actively harming your recovery? Should I drop down weight/reps even if it's not putting me into the red zone during the workout?