Muse Research

Curois · Post by **Curois** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 4:59 pm

The point of desperately wanting a controller keyboard with weighted piano action AND controller knobs but NO sounds is as follows:

If it has sounds/rhythms/whatever on it which I don't use, it'll cost more and it will weigh more.

I want good action for the rhodes and piano sounds, and controller knobs for the synth sounds I use. The Absynth patches for instance use have lots of assignable controllers.

I don't want the previous two things in 2 different keyboards, because I want to be able to carry it around more or less by myself and I don't drive a car.

So that sums up my needs. As for trying out different keyboards for the feel, I've done that extensively already, because I work at a music store myself that sells lot's of stage pianos and some controllers.
I like the UF8 feel. I hate the Casio Privia series. I never recommend them to customers either. Looking for a cheap stage piano/electronic piano? Buy a Yamaha P70. Better keyboard, better sound AFA I am concerned

So the UF8 having what I need (good feel on 88 keys and knobs and faders for the synth patches) it only comes down to this:
Can I use those knobs and faders with the receptor. IE will it recognize them?

Yours Truly,
Daan

dburgan · Post by **dburgan** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 8:03 pm

Get a used Kurzweil PC88. That keyboard feels exactly like a Steinway to my unpracticed fingers. Lovely controller board, great aftertouch as well. Just be sure the PC88 is in good condition and you can't go wrong.

Only downside is that as a MIDI control surface it leaves a lot to be desired. But as a pure MIDI keyboard controller with piano feel, it's the shiz.

Curois · Post by **Curois** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 8:54 pm

Any idea how heavy it is? Is also an important factor

dburgan · Post by **dburgan** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 10:03 pm

Curois wrote:Any idea how heavy it is? Is also an important factor

It is not light, that is for certain. If you are going to be taking it to gigs a lot, you probably want something else. You're going to have trouble finding fully-weighted kbds that don't weigh a ton, though. If you're open to semi-weighted keyboards, it becomes a lot more possible (see Kurzweil SP series or M-Audio Axiom or something along those lines).

Also I should reiterate that the PC88 is really NOT a control surface. It has four sliders and a couple of buttons, and that's it. Programming the sliders is old school 2-line LED.

The keyboard has got awesome action though. I love mine.

c3boy · Post by **c3boy** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 10:43 pm

UF series controller knobs and sliders all work on Receptor. We'll agree to disagree on the Privia!

Curois · Post by **Curois** » Wed Dec 13, 2006 6:20 pm

I tried a UF8 out some more today at my work. I get 80 euroes discount on the 480 E price tag, which is also nice. And for about 100 euros I can buy a softcase with wheels which is actually quiet handy to carry around.
I really like the action. I know some people hate it, but I love it. It's kinda light like my Fender Rhodes.
I'm thinking of buying it. Have to think of it some more, but probably I will make my choice in January.

Niloctronic · Post by **Niloctronic** » Wed Dec 13, 2006 8:37 pm

Hi all,

What do you think of VMK-188 plus versus CME UF 8 ? I was willing to buy the former cause I've heard nice comments on Fatar keyboards, their action seems to be the best in controllers. And also because it has a joystick instead of wheels... I'm used to handling bends on my Korg X3's joy pitch as I solo. BUT VMK-188 plus has been discontinued as I've been told by the local dealer in Orlando.

Basically my gear will be one of them, a Roland XR and a Behringer foot controler FCB1010.

So I have a couple of questions:
- Is VMK-188 plus superior to CME UF8 to the point that I should try it first before buying the CME controller ?
- If so, why it was discontinued ?
- And finally (kinda OT), can I plug my Korg X3 as a second controller in the XR and make both control the module, using a different sound for each keyboard ?

Thanks for your time and comments.

thesoundsmith · Post by **thesoundsmith** » Thu Dec 14, 2006 8:27 am

I would try the VMK only if you have enough controls to throw at it to properly test. The cheaper models use very slow porcessors and can't handle a lot of midi activity. If all you are dooing is piano with sustain pedal and have turned off aftertouch you should be fine, but throw in a coule volume pedals and sliders and it really bogs down, may be why it's gone. I feel it was inferior to the CME, but the issue was never the keyboard action.

And yes, you can (#2.)

strytten · Post by **strytten** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 6:21 pm

I'm using a Yamaha S90ES because I don't want to compromise on the action. I've got a Korg CX-3 on top, and that combo seems to be serving me well for jazz (piano, rhodes, B3).

dburgan · Post by **dburgan** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 8:04 pm

According to this, the UF 8 is omnipotent:

http://www.cme-pro.com/products-list/product-uf.html

If true, that would represent some great price/performance.

Spitfire31 · Post by **Spitfire31** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 8:27 pm

dburgan wrote:According to this, the UF 8 is omnipotent:

http://www.cme-pro.com/products-list/product-uf.html

If true, that would represent some great price/performance.

Yeah. But I have an acquaintance who runs a big hi-tech music store in Shanghai. He happens to be a friend of the guy who owns CME. When I said I was interested in the UF 8, he just shook his head and said he didn't stock it, he only sold it on special order.

Why?

He then told me that he and his CME owner friend were always arguing about quality versus price. Bottom line - the CME UF 8 is certainly fully featured, but the quality is, well, so so...

Depends on how you're going to use it, I guess.

/Joey

Muse Research

KVR Audio

Looking for 88key Piano action controller /w aftertouch