CME UF80 88-Key Hammer-Action Controller

Built-in wireless MIDI interface. World’s first master keyboard with multi-function expansion board.

Overall User Ratings (based on 8 ratings)
  • Overall:
    2.5 out of 5 stars
  • Sound:
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Features:
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Ease of Use:
    3.5 out of 5 stars
  • Quality:
    2.5 out of 5 stars
  • Value:
    3.5 out of 5 stars
  • Manufacturer Support:
    2 out of 5 stars
  • The Wow Factor:
    3 out of 5 stars
Overall: 2.5 out of 5 stars
(8) (see rating details)
Submitted April 15, 2013 by Russ J in Seattle, WA

"Best Piano Touch for a MIDI Controller"

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
If you are looking for a great hammer action MIDI controller look no further than the UF80 Classic. I have tried all the other 88 note actions and nothing comes close. Saw Jordan Ruddess of Dream Theater play one at the NAMM show, so I tested it and now I know why he was playing it - nothing comes close to this.

Musical Background:

Professional

Musical Style:

Jazz, Rock, Classical
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Submitted January 4, 2008 by a customer from juno.com

"This keyboard is a crapshoot (maybe works maybe doesn't). Don't buy it if you want to use an expression pedal."

Overall: 1.5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
I may have to resign this piece of gear to paperweight status and spend a grand to get something that actually does what I was told this product does but doesn't. Maybe I can dump it on Ebay and at least recoup some of my cost.
Sound
Action is ok. However, one of the big reasons I bought it was for the expression pedal and aftertouch. The aftertouch works fine but the expression pedal input is a joke. Most pedals won't work (I bought the Korg EP2 pedal) and the ones that do don't work well with the board. Check the CME forum if this is a function you want and you will see the comments regarding this issue. CME customer service is basically non existant as well so just know that when buying this keyboard.
Features
Some cool features...like the wireless USB feature (comes with the keyboard). However, again the lack of ability to use the expression pedals leaves me with an awfully big paper weight. I bought the Garritan Stradivarious Violin program which is awesome but needs both aftertouch and expression pedal. I'm not exactly sure what I'm going to do at this point. Also be forewarned as I've surfed the CME forum that there are lots of problems with this keyboard that are posted on that forum. Nothing is consistant. One keyboard will have one devastating problem while another will have something else. However the universal problem is the expression pedal.
Ease of Use
Again, the wireless USB is cool. You just plug in the thumb drive type of thing and all software is installed without you having to crack so much as a CD open to install. I haven't checked all the functions out...almost afraid to at this point as I can't return it (should have bought it at ZZ sounds but have to learn from my mistakes). Regardless I believe return shipping is something that a customer would have to cover regardless of where it's purchased. That's a bit off of the subject...anyways, the low down is I don't know what else doesn't work that is supposed to...just be forewarned.
Quality
The keyboard looks great...but I have to come back to the fact that it does not do what CME says it will do. I can't rate it well when they've hood winked me claiming it would do something that it won't. It's sturdy but weighs a ton (I think it's 70 pounds). If you've got a strong back then you may be ok with it.
Value
I have to once again go to the fact this keyboard does not work with most expression pedals and the ones it does it works poorly. Anyway I'll let you be the judge.
Manufacturer Support
Support? Umm...forget it. I wrote them almost a week ago about this problem and haven't heard so much as a peep from CME. I've read in their forums about firmware updates that people have downloaded only to have there keyboard completely go dead on them and have had it rendered completely unusable. No word is mentioned on the download portion of the CME website and there's no help if something does screw up due to CME's poor directions and/or software.
The Wow Factor
Looks fine...not incredible but it is attractive.

Musical Background:

Professional musician, own recording studio, producer and engineer.

Musical Style:

All types. Presently in a country band and writing country songs
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Submitted March 12, 2009 by a customer from yahoo.com

"midi sync issues right out of the box for a 800 dollar keyboard"

Overall: 1 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
I should of thought twice about buying something made in China. midi sync issues right out of the box. Firmware update just came out, maybe I'll post again if that changes anything. The only good thing about this keyboard is that it really feels like a piano. But also I had problems with a simple damper/sustain pedal: it works intermittently... I'm gonna have to take this one in the pants , I think I would have had better luck with even an middle priced Casio

Musical Background:

musician

Musical Style:

piano
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