Yamaha KX49 49-Key Keyboard MIDI Controller

Feature:
I give it a 9 only because it doesn't have aftertouch. But I'm not much of a keyboard player, so no aftertouch doesn't bother me. This is actually a plus for me, since it prevents me from setting off the aftertouch accidentally. There is a mod wheel, same thing as far as I'm concerned. One thing I like about this keyboard is that all of the buttons are layed out on top of the keyboard, clearly marked. You don't have to go digging into some digital nether region to find what you need. On the other hand, this keyboard comes with a complete computer-based recording studio. Of course, it is in the form of gimped software that you will have to upgrade, which will cost you hundreds of dollars. But it's better than a sharp stick in the eye. The big advantage that this keyboard has is the DAW controls, which work splendidly with Cubase 4. The keyboard has built-in settings for Sonar, LogicPro, and Digital Performer, so I am assuming that it works just as well with them. But I can't testify to it. One last thing I want to mention is the variable

Quality:
It's plastic, but its hard plastic. It's very light. But it is very solid. The keys, wheels, buttons and knobs are all very solid, there is no play, and the connection with the computer is accurate and immediate.

Value:
I bought this keyboard strictly for the keyboard, and I am satisfied. The software meant little to me (I now have TWO gimped versions of Cubase4 which I haven't opened because I own Cubase4). But to someone just starting out with a computer-based studio the software could be very valuable. They have a code you can enter where you are supposed to be able to upgrade ALL of the software at once. I didn't use it so I don't know how much it is, but it's probably worth it. Analog Factory 2 is a rockin' little VST with big fat old analog patches. Worth the price of admission.

Desirability:
I shopped hard for this. It was the best fit for my situation. But Yamaha is not a "sexy" company. It is the tried and true, reliable company.

Sound:
Obviously, this midi controller doesn't have a sound, so I based my score on latency. If you get yourself a good computer and make sure your software is set up properly this keyboard has less than 2 MS of latency, which feels like no latency to me.

Ease of Use:
This would have been a 10, but the manual failed to mention that before you can power the keyboard using USB you have to set the midi out setting to USB. I spent at leat an hour screaming at this thing before I accidentally found the setting and changed it. On the other hand, once you get the drivers installed KX windows start popping up in all of your menus. They really went out of their way to make this compatible with 3rd party software.

Support:
The website for the IK Multimedia software offer doesn't even exist, so you can't download the "Free Sounds" that are offered with the DVD. I found the Yamaha website (like everything else about this keyboard) to be a little dated and slow, like the slow, steady, reliable company that Yamaha is. Maybe I should call them conservative.

Overall:
I expect to use this keyboard for a long time.