Emu Xboard 25 25-Key MIDI Controller User Reviews at zZounds

"Well worth the money." submitted August 4, 2008

By a customer from ericschreiber.com

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Musical Background: Hobbyist

Music Style: Folk & Electronic

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Sound: As it's not a sound module, this question isn't really relevant. However, the keyboard does control sounds, and to me seems quite responsive in terms of velocity and after touch. Feature: The fundamental feature - the keyboard - works well indeed, and feels better (stiffer, springier) than I expected in this price range. I've only just begun using the knobs as controllers for virtual instruments, but it works quite well for that. The only extra that I might have wished for would have been some pads to use as drum controllers. I am a bit disappointed in the bundled Proteus X LE software, which I have not been able to get working. However, I didn't buy the XBoard for the software, so this is a minor issue. Ease of Use: Hook it up and go. Configuring the controller knobs can be a touch complex. Quality: For the price, it seems a very solid unit. Manufacturer Support: I have not needed support, so I can't answer that question.

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"GRRRRREEAT I recommend everyone to Buy this" submitted July 27, 2005

By a customer from aol.com

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Musical Background: Hobbyist-Beat Maker

Music Style: HIphop,R&B,Rap

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Sound: Its a midi controller with no sounds although it comes with the Proetus X LE desktop module...but im sure if it had sounds they would be hot Feature: I cant even use all these features on this product, and looking at the manual they all come in handy, the more I use it the more I find out. Quality: This thing is built wonderful, the keys are like so professional, the knobs are solid as a rock the only flimsy things on it are the buttons, but I treat all of my belonging with TLC, so none of them are gonna ever break with me. Value: This product is worth every penny I spent on it and it makes producing fun and easier than ever. Manufacturer Support: I emailed them regarding Proteus X LE drivers and how it doesnt work with my software and they confirmed that they recieved my email but I'll say they need to speed up the process. The Wow Factor: It looks great, thats what first caught my eye, its better than that oxygen 8 because it comes wit hmore and it's just built way better in my opinion. Overall: Even though the Proetus X LE sounds let me down because the VST isnt working with my sequencing software, I cant hold that against the midi controller itself, this controller is top of the line.

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"Quality product for great price." submitted February 14, 2008

By a customer from hotmail.com

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Musical Background: Producer/rapper

Music Style: All excluding country music

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Feature: I wish it had keys that felt real, but for this price, you can't expect that. Everything else it perfect. Especially for FL Studio. You can tweak knobs and set them, and they work great in FL studio. It's a nice piece of equipment to have especially if you're just a producer and you don't need to play large sequences, but just need to find a key or scale, or play a small lead. Ease of Use: just hook it up to your USB and it will even send midi signals through USB. works great, no problems here. Quality: Only drawback like i said before was the fact that it only has 25 keys and they keys aren't weighted. If those two things don't bother you, then you should be perfectly fine with this, especially at this price. I bought mine for $200 from a local store a year ago. Manufacturer Support: E-MU always answers my emails, and they don't like when their products don't work in a certain environment so they try to fix your problem fast. Overall: i might keep it as my only one until it breaks, but i don't see myself only having 25 keys in my studio, so an upgrade is eminent.

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"Little controller delivers" submitted January 12, 2008

By a customer from hotmail.com

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Musical Background: part time DJ

Music Style: Electronica, live shows via patterns and fills

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Sound: well it's a controller so it doesn't have a "sound" per se. However the key action is good, enough so that I can lay down drum tracks and trigger 16th and 32nd notes by hand. I don't think there's another keyboard in this price range with after touch. Feature: For the price, no other controller has the features that matter to me. which was plenty of rotary knobs, the action on them is just fine, athough they offer more resistance than I would like. I have a feeling they'll wear in a bit and they've showed no signs of breaking. Ease of Use: I can't speak to the ease of use of the included software, nor have I tried using the onboard patches. I strictly use it as a midi controller for Reason and Cubase. I should note that windows detected it immediately along with reason and cubase with out even installing drivers. Very plug and play. Quality: The main volume fader seems a tad flimsy. However, nothing has failed on me, including all my failed attempts to spin fixed rotaries to get to volume 11. I'm not sure how well it would fair in a drop but the plastic and knobs seem sturdy enough for day to day use. Value: For the price you won't find a better controller. The plug n play worked like a charm and the ability to power it of USB, batteries, or a wall plug (not included) means you're good to go in any situation. 16 pots on a 25 key controller is a good deal at this price Manufacturer Support: haven't contacted the company for anything, some of the software didn't work in windows xp64 but frankly I wasn't that suprised as it's a very rare OS with bad driver support. The drivers themselves worked fine, and frankly I don't think I'll be missing much without their included synth sounds. The Wow Factor: I needed a small keyboard for live shows and to fit on my limited desk space and it hasn't failed me. If you want a solid controller at an extremely good price you can't go wrong here. I don't think there is another keyboard in this price range that offers velocity sensitive keys with after touch. Overall: Overall you really can't go wrong with this controller if 25 keys is what you need. There really isn't anything that offers more features until you double the price.

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"Nice key touch on the keyboard" submitted May 5, 2007

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Sound: This is a MIDI controller and does not produce sound on its own. This is only an input device that I used with Reason 3.0. Feature: Using it interfaced to a computer has the USB port. For me the biggest limitation was only 2 octaves. I was not playing 2 hand piano pieces, but 2 octaves is just plain constraining. However, I knew this was the case buying it. However, 2 octaves is easy to carry around. Ease of Use: I had to read the manual only to find out that Reason just detects it and I don't have to worry about the stand alone functionality, which I didn't need anyway. Quality: The feel to the keyboard is very nice and didn't break down. It doesn't feel like piano keys. There is a little more friction, which gives it a nice cushiony feel. None of the knobs or buttons failed on me or got dirty. Value: It didn't break at all after about a year. Price was OK. Manufacturer Support: Didn't need to contact support. Manual was OK. Only had to read it once or so. The Wow Factor: Just a basic, reliable MIDI controller with a solid feel on the keyboard that will fit in a compact space. Overall: For me the main limitation is 2 octaves, but I knew that buying it. Knobs worked with Reason. I am completely satisfied with the key action.

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"Dont but this pile of cra..." submitted March 11, 2008

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Sound: cheap had two both messed up dont buy Ease of Use: plug-in install disk and you ready to use Quality: i bought one it broke had a warrenty got a new one and that broke . Value: dont buy get something else or the m-auido key rig 25 Manufacturer Support: got a new one right away nut it still broke.

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