KVR Audio

Kalamata Kid · Post by **Kalamata Kid** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 7:58 pm

Hello All,

I read the CME UF5 Controller Keyboard - First impressions at http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic ... sc&start=0
Though it covers the UF5 some of the info also relates to the UF8. Though Karmacompose gives the UF8 a good review I am little disappointed with Bullsharks comments about the durably of the UF8. I wonder if there have been any improvements from August 2006 on the UF8 and if the VX8 is a better keyboard.

I checked the Casio piano and the P70 and now I favor the P70 by a little. See the discussion
http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic ... c&start=45

I need an 88 key hammer action or weighted midi keyboard controller. Prefer with pitch bend and modulation wheel. Very important is the velocity scaling. After touch is not essential but a big plus. Prefer the action NOT to be graded as piano will not be the only instrument played.

After some analysis it seems I need advice on the CME UF8 and VX8, 88 key midi keyboard controllers. The UF8 does not have graded action whereas the VX8 does. Is this correct?

I am really concerned about the 4 velocity curves on the CME's. Are they good? How hard to get 127? How soft to get 1? Is the VX8 worth the $400 more? Are the motorized faders on the VX8 important. Would getting the UF8 and the Behringer B-CONTROL FADER BCF2000 for $200 a better deal?

UF8 http://www.cme-pro.com/products-list/product-uf.html
VX8 http://www.cme-pro.com/products-list/product-vx.html

Also am considering:
The Doepfer LMK2+ or LMK4+ would be nice but to expensive. Perhaps used but can't find one used. http://www.aues21.dsl.pipex.com/doepfer ... boards.htm . Are there other older second hand keyboards that are truly fantastic that you can recommend?

The M-audio Keystation Pro 88 is getting bad reviews. Inconsistent velocity and sturdiness problems have deleted this one from my list. http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/K ... -main.html

Should I consider the Studiologic keyboards? The user reviews have not been great at least the few I read. http://www.studiologic.net/sl-990xp.html

My keyboard controller preferences:
Can detect all the velocities from 1 to 127. Accurately!
Has velocity scaling
88 keys piano action light key action rather heavy
Feel of the key is very important
New or used. under $1000
knobs and faders ok.

Did I miss any other models? Should I wait for announcement of a new 88 key midi controller keyboard from the Winter NAMM?

Your help will be greatly appreciated.

Kalamata Kid · Post by **Kalamata Kid** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 9:32 pm

Anyone owning or planning to buy either the CME - UF8 or VX8 please help me with your comments.

Kalamata Kid · Post by **Kalamata Kid** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 3:44 am

Does graded dies it mean a slightly different velocity curve for the low end or a heavier hammer on the low end?

Do both the CME UF8 and VX8 have graded keys?

By the way did anyone see any new midi keyboard controllers at NAMM?

Kalamata Kid · Post by **Kalamata Kid** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 2:52 am

Does anyone own a CME ZCS 88?
see http://www.cme-pro.com/products-list/product-ZSC88.html
Your comments will be appreciated

Kazass · Post by **Kazass** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 5:27 pm

Ok, so I have a CME UF 8. Before I bought it, I read a lot of bad reviews which first kinda shocked me. But the order was already on it's way ^^
When I got it, I was surprised how much better it was than the reviews made it out to
be. I guess there are really much better keyboards out there but they all seem
to cost a lot more aswell. I got my CME UF 8 pretty cheap and I'm more than happy with
it. I use it alot with Steinberg's The Grand 2 and N.I.'s Akoustik Piano plus
all thre spectraosnics products (trilogy atmosphere and stylus rmx). It works fine with
all of them and if you want, I can post you some piano I recorded with the CME UF 8
and the grand 2 f.e. if you want to here if it's playable.
And oh: Motorized sliders are the most unimportant thing I've evers seen on any
keyboard ^^

So apparently the velocity curves are pretty bad on the CME UF8 but to be honest (it might
seem though as if I don't have an idea of playing the piano but I've been playing now for
more than 7 years at a Music high school so yeah...): I'm not feeling shit and I can work
perfectly with the velocity curves you get here. Maybe one day I'll buy a better one and will
be surprised how much better it is, but at the moment I have an album to record...

Kalamata Kid · Post by **Kalamata Kid** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 6:23 pm

Kazass,

Your comments were very helpful encouraging. Where did you purchase the UF8 and how much did you pay. The going rate now is $600.

I just became aware of the ZCS which I assume cost even less. I wonder if it as the same hammer action as the UF8. I emailed CME with questions and hope their reply will steer me in the right direction.

Please comment on the graded keyboard action. Found it helpful or counterproductive?

One major concert is that it produces velocity values form 1 to 127. I assume by your comments that you are very happy with the dynamics from very soft to loud.

I was partly looking a the VX8 because of the motorized faders. Some one has said that they are distracting. Why don't you like them?

Yes please post your music using the UF8

Kazass · Post by **Kazass** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 10:40 pm

Kalamata Kid wrote:Kazass,

Your comments were very helpful encouraging. Where did you purchase the UF8 and how much did you pay. The going rate now is $600.

I paid about 700 swiss francs, that's about $600. I bought it in a shop near my home
so I guess it doesn't help you alot if you know the name

Kalamata Kid wrote: Please comment on the graded keyboard action. Found it helpful or counterproductive?

I'm not quite ure what you mean with the graded keyboard actio but if you mean the hammer
action, than it's of course much better than normal synth like keys. Guess it's productive
then...

Kalamata Kid wrote: One major concert is that it produces velocity values form 1 to 127. I assume by your comments that you are very happy with the dynamics from very soft to loud.

Didn't know that it produces values from 1 to 127

Anyways, I am happy with the dynamics
as I've never really tried any other keyboard really (at least not enough detailed).
Put it this way: If you are a good pianist and a real musician you won't have any problems
with it.

Kalamata Kid wrote: I was partly looking a the VX8 because of the motorized faders. Some one has said that they are distracting. Why don't you like them?

Well, it's not that I don't like them it's just that I don't really nead faders that move by
their selves (grammar? rofl). And automated faders cost a lot more I guess.
And they could be probably distracting while you're playing, 'cause it's weird seeing
something move by it self in front of you while you're at it ^^

Kalamata Kid wrote: Yes please post your music using the UF8

I'll upload the music to www.soundclick.com. I'll post as soon as I've done it

EDIT: Done it: http://www.soundclick.com/util/getplaye ... 30556&q=hi
Though beware, I played it kinda sloppy

Kalamata Kid · Post by **Kalamata Kid** » Sat Jan 27, 2007 10:17 pm

By graded keyboard as per specifications of the UF8 and VX8 it means
that the low or left end key to simulate a real piano are harder to depress.
Does the UF8 have a graded keyboard? I asked CME if the hammers are
heavier on the low end of the keyboard or do they adjust the velocity
curve to simulate it. I am awaiting a reply from them but suspect they will not
answer my question so please comment on this issue.

It would b interesting to know that it produces velocity values from 1 to 127.
Also is it consistent when repeating a key. Consistent from key to key?

Went to www.soundclick.com.
and entered Kazass but could not find you and got
http://www.soundclick.com/members/defau ... ber=kazass

This link was not helpful
http://www.soundclick.com/util/getplaye ... 30556&q=hi

Really would like to hear your music so please tell me what I am doing
wrong

Kazass · Post by **Kazass** » Sun Jan 28, 2007 1:36 pm

Nah it doesn't have graded keyboard action.
And yeah I guess it is consistent from key to key....
Mh and it's weird you couldn't listen to the song with this link:
http://www.soundclick.com/util/getplaye ... 30556&q=hi
It should open a new window and then a pop-up in which the song should play, it works
for me...

Kalamata Kid · Post by **Kalamata Kid** » Sun Jan 28, 2007 3:04 pm

Not sure why I had this difficulty but I did
hear your Take Five Cover with CME UF8.
Nice piece. Good dynamic range.

I prefer if the keyboard is not graded but
CME claim it is. Oh well.

Looks like I will get the UF8 but will wait till
my studio is finished.

Thanks for all the advise.

Kalamata Kid · Post by **Kalamata Kid** » Tue Feb 06, 2007 3:13 am

Went to Sam ash and tried the UF8. All seems well except when I hit the keys hard and quickly withdrew. The keys shook up and down like a bouncing ball, very briefly. Tried this on other keyboards and the key did not shake after I quickly withdrew. The UF8 was not plugged in to a sound source. Please comment.

Kalamata Kid · Post by **Kalamata Kid** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 1:13 am

Hello,

For reference to those seeking info on the CME keyboards
http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic ... f8&start=0
especially the UF8 and VX8 start here but also read the other pages
http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic ... 8&start=45

CME UF8 http://www.cme-pro.com/products-list/product-uf.htmlCME VX8 http://www.cme-pro.com/products-list/product-vx.html
CME Forum http://www.cme-pro.com/forum/

Keyboard Magazine CME Uf8 article
http://www.cme-pro.com/download/Keyboar ... review.pdf

I emailed CME with some questions but they did not reply. This is a major issue for me.

Kalamata Kid · Post by **Kalamata Kid** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 1:15 am

Hello,

After reviewing my needs and researching all the available choices for a midi keyboard I likely will buy the UF8.

1. Is there any reason to choose the VX8 over the UF8?

2. Are the newer built UF8 better built than the ones built last summer? Is the VX8 a better quality instrument?

3. I have read in a couple of threads that there is a problem in dynamics on the UF8 when trying to produce a very low velocity. Does the VX8 also have this problem? Can anyone confirm this?

4. I have read the bouncing keys on a hard strike and quick release was noticed by others but that this was not a problem. Can anyone confirm his?

5. Has anyone seen a better price than $599 for the UF8 and $999 for the VX8?

6. For students, teachers etc. CME UF8 = $504, VX8 = $783 http://www.creationengine.com/html/m.lasso?m=C3

Kalamata Kid · Post by **Kalamata Kid** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 4:00 am

Went to Sam Ash n Clearwater Florida to check on the CME UF8 and it seems to be a bit sticky initially at very low velocity. A keyboardist nearby agreed. Perhaps the stickiness goes away later or maybe one adapts to it.

The UF8 was now $499 but as I was leaving I asked the salesman about how long the sale will be and he said that the new price for the UF8 is now $399, new in the box. None in stock but they will order one for me. He even showed me the new price tag that was to go on the display. Looks Like I will be getting one very soon!!

Kalamata Kid · Post by **Kalamata Kid** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 7:57 pm

Had my UF8 for three days now. It has exceeded my high expectations by a little. There is this minor hesitancy or slight stickiness to the note when trying play softly. I suspect I will eventfully get used to it or it goes away when it is broken in.

The CME UF8 is very heavy. It seems and it feels very rugged.

The dynamic range in my first non-scientific test seems good. I can consistently get a velocity reading of under 10. Velocity 127 is extremely hard, as it should be.

I hope to install the 1.05 software today. I am using the midi connection as advised by another owner.

I have not checked out everything. What is it that I should test to see if everything is working properly? Please help me here as I have 11 more days to return it.

Please advise: CME UF8 + VX8, 88 key midi keyboard controlle