KVR Audio

BERFAB · Post by **BERFAB** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 4:08 pm

steveecrane wrote:Even though other users have had issues with the CME UF8 from a hardware perspective - and I suffered at the hands of their 1.0.4 driver for FAR too long when using the USB port - the keyboard's action is superb (for me at least).

Then there's the draw-bars - great if you love Hammonds - and the knobs - good for a quick twiddle! The only downside here is the pitiful beta-version editor for the keyboard's on-board controls. Yeuch!!!

I'd suggest using a powered USB-2 hub to counter any MoBo issues.

The v1.0.5 driver is MUCH-improved - the timing and hanging notes issues are better (but still not quite perfect, IMHO) - and the MIDI outs still seem to work just fine, as ever; however, if I leave the keyboard for more than an hour, I have to reboot my ASIO host (either Cubase SX3, Steinberg's VStack, most standalones or Hermann Seib's SAVIHost) as it seems the Windows driver has 'lost' sight of the keyboard! OK'ish in the studio (well, broadly acceptable for now); absolutely shite on-stage!

Good value (especially if you look around - it's end-of-line right now!); reasonably good build quality (t'is bloody heavy!); suspect drivers (which STILL need looking into)!

I have, however, found their Tech Support pretty responsive: they could certainly give some of their European counterparts a run for their money!

Hope this helps ...

Please forgive what might be a dopey question. My weighted KS-32 was made well before the days of USB, so I use it as a controller with a MIDI cable plugged into a Tascam US-122 interface. Never had a problem with it.

So my question is, if I upgrade to one of these new whiz-bang digital value 88 key controllers with aftertouch (i.e. the UF8) can I route it the same way--with a MIDI cable rather than a USB cable? Would there be a difference in performance? Could I still assign functions to the knobs/faders, etc. with just a MIDI setup?

Thanks
-B

Kalamata Kid · Post by **Kalamata Kid** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 4:28 pm

The UF8 I believe works with midi or USB.
Using midi may have fewer if any problems but
some of the features will not function.

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

Ichigo Kurosaki · Post by **Ichigo Kurosaki** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 6:42 pm

I need an update 88 MIDI controller. Prefer silver over black.

Ichigo Kurosaki · Post by **Ichigo Kurosaki** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 8:19 pm

How about this guys?

http://www.guitarcenter.com/shop/produc ... =102931664

Ichigo Kurosaki · Post by **Ichigo Kurosaki** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 11:28 pm

Hello?

musikmachine · Post by **musikmachine** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 11:36 pm

Looks good for the price if you don't want aftertouch

Ichigo Kurosaki · Post by **Ichigo Kurosaki** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 11:40 pm

I want after touch! Crap! What about this? :

http://www.guitarcenter.com/shop/produc ... =103861183

Or is there something better?

BERFAB · Post by **BERFAB** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 3:38 am

Kalamata Kid wrote:The UF8 I believe works with midi or USB.
Using midi may have fewer if any problems but
some of the features will not function.

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

So which features won't function?

Kalamata Kid · Post by **Kalamata Kid** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 4:28 am

The answer to your question is in one of these threads on midi keyboards:

http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic ... highlight=

http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic ... highlight=

http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic ... highlight=

Kinda busy to look but if time permits and I find it I will post here.

steveecrane · Post by **steveecrane** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 5:34 pm

BERFAB,

As far as I'm aware, the only restriction on MIDI versus USB functionality specific to the UF-series of CME keyboards comes with the templates which are specifically designed to allow the Stop, Play, Record, Rewind, Fast Forward and RTZ keys with your favourite sequencer (esp. Cubase, I understand, which is another reason I prefer using USB connectivity despite the problems inherent in that!).

For some reason, the MIDI port will not facilitate these, I understand. See the review here:

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/aug05/a ... cmeuf8.htm

for more details. (Martin Walker is a musician and long-time, revered and well-respected reviewer of 'all-things-PC' for the UK's leading high-tech magazine ... and now owns a UF8 as well as being a Cubase user).

Ichigo Kurosaki,

The only affordable master keyboard I found (in the UK) with aftertouch, was the CME UF-range.

PS The manager of my local music tech supplier, Digital Village (http://www.DV247.com), stated that they have far more reliability issues with M-Audio's Keystation Pro than with the CME range, Chinese or not! Yes the red paint chipped fairly easily on mine, yes the USB port had timing, sticky and lost note problems, and yes (despite v1.05 of the driver) the host music app still requires a re-boot if you leave the (USB-attached) keyboard 'unattended' for too long. However, having said all that - and despite there only being 4 velocity curves - it's the best darned action I've come across. And, at the price (£249, since you're asking) it was a steal. The MIDI port works faultlessly, by-the-way, apart from the restictions mentioned above.

glokraw · Post by **glokraw** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 6:28 pm

[quote="steveecrane"]BERFAB,

As far as I'm aware, the only restriction on MIDI versus USB functionality specific to the UF-series of CME keyboards comes with the templates which are specifically designed to allow the Stop, Play, Record, Rewind, Fast Forward and RTZ keys with your favourite sequencer (esp. Cubase, I understand, which is another reason I prefer using USB connectivity despite the problems inherent in that!).

For some reason, the MIDI port will not facilitate these, I understand. See the review here:

(snip)
@ STEVE:
Have you tried assigning the real midiports through midiox, with the usb unplugged, then after starting the desired app, plugging in the usb, and testing the template buttons to see if they function?

steveecrane · Post by **steveecrane** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 6:40 pm

Glokraw,

No, I haven't ... in fact, I don't even use MIDIox (though it seems to be cropping up a in a lot of the posts I'm reading).

However, even if I can get these function keys working over MIDI, instead of via the USB port, it won't help much when I'm using my laptop (as opposed to my DAW) as my MIDI interface is of the parallel port variety (which it doesn't have), so I tend to favour USB, not only for consistency but actual connectivity!

Thanks anyway .. I will take a look tonight and let the forum know how I get on!

BERFAB · Post by **BERFAB** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 10:33 pm

Steve and KK-
thans much for the above info. Sounds like I would probably still stick with MIDI when I get to that point. But it's nice to know that there's a cost-effective 88key option (with aftertouch) out there.

cheers
-B

Kalamata Kid · Post by **Kalamata Kid** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 11:33 pm

Steve, I am reposting this post and hope I will get a response of a few items still bugging me.

To resolve the UF8 disappearing act issue is this what you do?
1. Turn off application
2. turn off and then back on the UF8
3. Restart the application

Not sure what you mean by "I try to remember to turn the UF8 on first or at least plug the USB cable in after it's turned on (when I can be bothered)." more specifically "or at least plug the USB cable in after it's turned on"?

My question can a USB connection damage a mobo? If yes then using a powered USB hub may help prevent damage as you pointed out. I have had major issues with powered USB hubs and wireless USB keyboards and mice, and because of this I try not to use them, though the one in use now on another computer works flawlessly.

Is it possible that using a powered USb hub will prevent Cubase from loosing the UF8 as an input?

Meanwhile Berfab I hope all this has been helpful. I paid $395 for mine earlier this year. Amazing low price for some thing I may have willingly bought for twice the price.

Recommend Your 88 Keyboards