MIDI Equipment > CME MIDI Equipment

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. ...
...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, but it certainly does not compare to a real piano's hammer mechanism. So this keyboard is something in-between ... Read review

Advantages: Very low cost for a device like this, quality design, functions as midi interface
Disadvantages: Noisy faders, programming is a little unintuitive

Generally a worthwhile piece of hardware for your home studio. For a motorized fader DAW interface, this is unbelievably cheap, with similar models usually twice the price or more. However due to this you won't get all the features of a £1000 DAW - I've found the faders to be a bit on the noisy side, they aren't touch sensitive (only really needed if you want to modify a pre-programmed pattern - they still record your movements fine, and the display ... Read review

Advantages: well made and easy to use
Disadvantages: positioning of front and back ports can get cluttered

Amongst audio interfaces this is unique for having both audio/midi ports as well as the light-up top knob and buttons. These can be asisgned to functions in a wide range of audio DAWs from Apple's Garageband to Logic and Cubase. The unit is simple to install and use although I did have to download the latest drivers for it to be recognised on a USB port. With two audio inputs, guitar and a microphone or other instruments can be quickly setup. The ...
...the connectivity. Once connected it immediately offers high-end audio clarity and 3ms latency which ensures you hear straightaway the music you're playing. Although this unit is now a few years old, its sturdy construction and versatility make it a better option than the newer Guitar Rig Sessions 3 XE device. ... Read review

Advantages: Big pads easy to hit with a excellent solid build ,bright lcd ,note velocities
Disadvantages: its a midi pad controller so you will need a pc or laptop

The akai mpd 24 is a great machine ,its a perfect subsitute for its older cousins the mpc series which are used by the likes of hip hop pioneering producer dr dre. This machine has no internal memory as a mpc but once hooked up to your pc or laptop it effectively becomes one with ease . The pads are from the mpc 2500 series and i recommend working it with FL studio or reason programs ,this midi pad controller gives you the ability to give your ...
...the drivers supplied on the akai cd! General specifications : Mpc series style drum pad controller Usb or midi connection 16 velocity & pressure sensitive pads 4 selectable pad banks for a total of 64 pads 6 assignable faders for transmitting midi control change data 8 assignable 360 degree knobs 5 dedicated transport controls (play stop rewind fast fwd & record) Detailed bright lcd display Usb output Midi output Included editor librarian ... Read review

Advantages: User friendly, portable, light
Disadvantages: Not long enough for some compositions/ limiting

I first used this product at college and i got on with it so I decided to buy one. Great piece of kit, durable, light, easy to transport and has a range of different switches, knobs, buttons and wheels to play with to get desired sounds and effects. All the buttons, switches etc. are all midi-mappable which is great for using with Logic/ Reason and the like. The only downside is that it is small, but for a small device it is fantastic! When I ... Read review