The features are excellent for a controller in it's price range. 49 keys and octave preset buttons, letting you go -3 octaves or +3 octaves. The perfect solution versus buying a board with more keys, which equals more space. It has a pitch control wheel and modulation wheel, both of which prove very useful, and has a slider for data entry (volume). It is GREAT for when I'm recording in Reason and think what I'm playing is too loud or quiet, and saves time against turning and finding the volume on the sound module on the screen. Has 10 faders and 8 knobs, both of which are very responsive and feel great. I only wish the faders weren't flat, and were more switch like so they'd be easier to control precisely. It can be phantom powered through your computer or you can use a power block. I use phantom power, it saves outlets. The keys themselves feel nice enough. They're velocity sensitive, but as soon as you let go of the key, the sound dies. That's one of the unit's few drawbacks, but it's easily worked around.

Price paid

$150

UTILIZATION

Very easy. Plug it in, pop in the installation CD and it's very self explanatory. My only complaint is that the mod wheel is a little light, if it was weighted it'd be VERY nice. These are easily overlooked, though.

Overall it's built solid. I've had it for 2 months and nothing has gone wrong with it, and on the flipside it's easily moved from place to place because of its lightness.

OVERALL OPINION

No sounds; it's a controller - but the notes cut off once the key is released. Kind of a drawback, and the keys aren't weighted.

It's everything I was hoping it would be. Very responsive and it's just what I needed. Best piece of gear to start with.

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: smjVersion1 ( 6-, 2005)