Keybag KB43 49 Note Keyboard Bag

Advantages: Great budget synth.
Disadvantages: Tricky to program.

...Excellent budget version of the infamous Yamaha DX range of synths. It may only have minikeys, and a limited range of sound compared to it's bigger relations, but you get still get some incredible sounds from this little DX-100. Warm rounded basses, thin string pads and nice smooth solo sounds are all here. Where it really comes into it's own is when you want those harsh sounds to cut through the music like a chainsaw. You have to have a DX in any synth studio, so why not hunt around for one of these. Believe me, you'l thank me when you start to play it! A little difficult to program, but worth the results. Polyphony - 8 notes Oscillators - Compact Digital 4-operator FM synthesizer Keyboard - 49 minikeys Memory - 192 presets, 24 user Cheers, BigHairyKev :)... Read review

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Advantages: A viable alternative for those who have no choice
Disadvantages: Not a real Piano

...keeping the large unit's weight to 22Kg. Using a full size keyboard, while necessary, does pose limitations. This solution was the cheapest and most portable to incorporate a graded hammer keyboard (low notes heavier than the higher ones), built in monitor speakers and a foot pedal that allows for half-pedalling. The keyboard (GH2) is excellent for its price, and is a standard component for all expensive Yamaha keyboards, including all but the most expensive Clavinova. It has a good resistance, is sensitive and while not as good as the real thing, is very playable. Sound wise, it is a mixed bag. The sounds produced are very lifelike, expecially the grand piano 1 and the beautiful harpsichord. Though the quality is not up to my standards - it seems a bit fuzzy and I can sometimes clearly hear metallic overtones. I was so miffed... Read review

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Advantages: Very convenient and well-planned
Disadvantages: Company not well-established (support?)

...Why bother buying a CME keyboard when there are plenty others, with more established names: Edirol, M-Audio, Korg, Novation - to name but a few? Well, there are a couple of reasons: 1) It is very compact and easily portable. Not an inch of space is wasted. It is probably the narrowest 49-key keyboard, as well as one of the slimmest. You can easily carry it with you, put it on your desk and even keep it on your lap! 2) Key action is quite good. Obviously, this is a matter of preference, but for me it is better than the Edirols, Yamahas and quite a few other keyboards and MIDI-controllers I have tried. The action is quite firm, but not hard. I usually do not fancy so called "weighed" keyboards. I don't know why, but they do not have the same action as a real grand piano. Sure, there is some "hammer-like" effect in these expensive keyboards... Read review

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