Behringer U-Control UMA25S

I was looking for something portable but functional. I'm mainly a guitar player so I didn't want to spend a fortune on a controller - so I was looking at the entry level market but still with enough features and functions that it was usable as a composition tool and controller.

The fully assignable knobs and 25 keys were the main technical features, and the knobs work really well. The keys are pretty average I guess, but it's definitely a step up from my laptop keyboard.

The other characteristic that motivated my choice was the size. It's very light and so is good for me as I am currently abroad. I was able to take it abroad with me and take it around so I can still work on music whilst away from home.

The unit connects to my laptop via USB and is also USB powered (so no extra power source required). The midi functionality works via the USB and the unit also functions as an audio interface, so that meant there was one less thing to bring (in theory).

The audio interface itself is not great. I find the sound distorts so I use a separate audio interface, which I already had (and was about three times the price of this unit). So that is something to bear in mind - if you're buying this and expecting to be able to monitor the sound via this unit you may want to think again. I still think for the price this is a good unit though.

UTILIZATION

This is a simple USB powered, plug in a play midi controller. All of the knobs are fully assignable so you can set each knob to a parameter on your DAW. This is great for controling effects in real time and it's amazing what you can come up with just by playing around with this.

You also have controls to control playback and record, which is very handy. Also included are some CDs with a free DAW and a heap of VST plug ins. I use Logic so I haven't used these but if you're using this device as an entry level controller and don't have a DAW it could be a good entry level choice (although Logic is so cheap now I would probably recommend you save another couple of hundred bucks).

If you have even a basic understanding of using controllers this should be a very simple unit to setup and operate.

OVERALL OPINION

What I like about this is the ease and simplicity of use. I just plug in and play. I can easily control effects in real time. Recording is very easy. The keys although average are adequete for what I am doing.

The unit is light and feels a bit cheap but I am not taking this out live and it gets looked after. No damage so far. I also like the bright red finish. It looks really cool and because it is light it feels like you can throw it around and have fun with it. It feels like a toy so whatever I do with it feels like fun, whereas if I'd bought a more expensive unit I maybe would feel like I'd have to make more serious music.

It also comes with a carry case so there is some protection if you do decide to use it live. I guess again you can go out and gig with this unit with a lot less stress than if you're carting an expensive Nord or something around with you.

I think for the price this is a great controller. It's simple to use, it looks cool, it's light and you can use it anywhere. If this is your main instrument maybe get something a bit more professional, but if it's an extra bit of kit for your arsenal then I think it's a lot of fun.

I wanted a small keyboard matre, compact, not too expensive, with a few buttons, memory configuration and if possible an audio interface for beginners in the computer music and manage multiple VSTi. The UMA25S rpondait this need perfectly!
- Trs small footprint (25 ratings, low thickness), it easily fits on the desk in front of the PC keyboard and mouse cot.
- 8 knobs and 8 switches for time-rel CONTRL VST instruments, mixing or controls squenceur.
- 16 memory configuration: I know, it's the only one in this price range offer this, and can juggle multiple VSTi without having to reprogram the keyboard every change. Gnial!
- An audio / MIDI interface via USB, of fairly good quality (provided you do not push the volume too much, otherwise it tends to saturate low)
- A reasonable price when I bought it (less than 100)

Cherries on gteau:
- An abundant connections: headphone jack with volume rglage, rglage of monitoring, microphone jack (jack) with rglage gain, input and output Stereo line, MIDI OUT (int esting to control a MIDI device without using the PC), 2 taken to sustain and expression pedals, USB to host (with power supply via USB) power outlet (to use the keyboard without PC), 3 compartment AA (dcidment anything is possible, for food!)
- Sduisant design, red mtallis the most beautiful effect, with a beautiful finish.
- MIDI learn function (for easy configuration of MIDI commands)
- 2 CDs of software provided: Squenceur audio / MIDI XT2.5 Energy (enough for beginners) + a package of utilities, VST effects, VSTi instruments ... Most tlchargeables free on the net (except Energy XT), but it's still time to win.
- A great surprise on the packaging: a bag of good quality and wish drawback with the place Necessary for the accessories: a multimedia headset with microphone Intgr (limited quality for music, but I did not expect to find one, so it always has been and if I open a call center will help me! LOL) for a bandoulire scne ( yes this mini keyboard can be used on 25 ratings scne ... if you need!)

In short, you guessed it the price I never thought of having something as complete and as neat design! 10/10.




UTILIZATION

The touch keyboard is a bit Drout, with half the keys depressed: the dynamics matriser is difficult for me as yet used to the type of synth keyboards or keyboard of my semi-ballast Tyros. Pianists, go your way, from a heavy touch you forcment trsdu (unless you buy knowingly, for the qualities that I evokes above) .
In the long run, and the sensitivity is reached rglant draw shades presques Fidler for ... but we must admit that the pleasure of the game is not really l. At the same time, do what is expected of a keyboard of 25 notes?

Regarding the manual, it is complete, plutt clear, but fairly technical (requiring MIDI!). If you rfractaire your reading technical manuals, go your way, you'll get very little of the keyboard without going through l. Likewise, if your rfractaires programming or if you have little patience trs (like me), this keyboard can be is not for you: you could spend a lot of time configuring the beast ... Unless you use the MIDI learn, at the VST or at the keyboard, but it is not always possible (many are not compatible VSTi MIDI learn). For me, using many VSTi, I intended to use the memory to store 16 16 VSTi diffrent configurations ... in practice, given the technics of the thing and limits of my patience, I have programmed only 3 or 4 ...

However, if you come after the programming of memory ("preset" for short), the use is very simple and you can (finally) enjoy the many qualities of this keyboard and your VSTi prfrs.
If you do not come to the end, you can still use the beast as a simple keyboard, without using the buttons and using your mouse instead (o the keyboard a little intrt bulky which keeps the door mouse hand). This is what I do most often when I am too lazy to program the keyboard.

Well, you'll understand that we should not expect miracles from the use of cot and comfort of play, considering the price and size of the keyboard. Use this keyboard as a "real" keyboard takes some effort matre learning and adaptation, but I do believe I am right in saying that much is the case with most keyboards matres ... I therefore put him 7 / 10, keeping in mind the price and small footprint, which justifies the keys half-deflection.


OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 1 year.
I have not tried others, but I hsit MODELS with much more expensive (M-Audio Axiom49 example) or basic (SERIES Korg Nano, or s Behringer UMX series). I ignored the advice and ... my instinct.

What I like:
- Design sduisant
- The functionality and connectivity
- Audio interface intgre
- The memory configuration
- The small size
- The bag provided

What I like least:
- Half the buttons pushed, but the price paid for a small thickness. It should be just aware before you buy (that said, the opinion of APRS, the nanoKEY Korg, to mention that it is the worst at the touch)

In the end, this keyboard has successfully performed its mission: it allowed me, with a budget pokey to test my intrt for computer music and better apprhender my needs. It is now time for me to move up a gear suprieure, so I'll sell it and add a few hundred dollars ...

If c'tait again, I would do without hsiter this choice, because the report is simply qualitprix stupfiant! I recommend it to beginners who want to computer music "test is" less cost, even change the hardware in the future. I also recommend the Maoists over say, who want a mobile keypad, no coteux, programmable and easy to transport.