Emu Xboard 49 49-Key MIDI Controller User Reviews at zZounds

"Best-in-class keys with aftertouch, enormous sample/loop software library make it a great overall value." submitted December 13, 2008

By a customer from kc.rr.com

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Musical Background: Hobbyist

Music Style: Rock, Alternative

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SPOTLIGHT REVIEW

VERIFIED BUYER

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Sound: This is a MIDI controller, so it doesn't make any sound by itself. But included in the box are all of the software and libraries you'll need to make an insanely wide array of very impressive sounds. With the included Ableton Live Lite and Proteus X2, you've got the tools to put the enormous libraries of sounds to use right out of the box. The bundled version of Ableton Live Lite leaves much to be desired as a multitrack app, and Proteus X2 has a few shortcomings as well. Don't let that deter you though. There's no deal-breakers in this box. Feature: Oh this thing has features, all right. The "key" features (pardon the pun) are the keys themselves. The XBoard's semi-weighted, synth-action, velocity-sensitive keys with aftertouch seem to be regarded as best-in-class. When I was researching before I bought this unit, the quality of the keys' feel and response was frequently cited as the best in this price range, beating out M-Audio and Alesis. The rest of the chassis is pretty lightweight plastic and doesn't feel like it could take much abuse. Then let's talk accessories. The amount of sounds that this MIDI controller comes with is staggering. You get: - Protean Drums (a couple hundred acoustic and electronic drum kits) - Studio Grand (a couple hundred pianos and synths) - Mo' Phatt (a bunch of urban/dance/hip-hop sounds) - Beat Shop One (a bunch of urban/dance/hop-hop loops) - Planet Earth X (tons of world music instrumentS) - X Producer (odds and ends like sound effects and additional drum kits, synths, and loops) - Proteus X2/Proteus XLE (a VSTi plugin and standalone host ) - XPerience (more odds and ends loops, grooves) How's that for features and accessories?!?! Ease of Use: This was my first MIDI controller so my learning curve included not just this unit, but the concepts of MIDI and VSTi altogether. I have to hand it to EMU, they put together a decent owner's manual. Although, I still can't figure out how to create a custom drum kit! Quality: This is a tough category to rate for the XBoard. The keys are great, the variety of extras is awesome and so is the quality of the samples. But the unit itself is a little lightweight so I've got to knock off a couple of points there. I wouldn't tote this around to gigs or parties or anything like that. I simply wouldn't expect it to hold up. Value: Value is where this unit shines! It's priced better than the competing M-audio units yet has better keys. It's not much more expensive than the competing Alesis units but it comes with so much more stuff. Manufacturer Support: I haven't had to make any contact with EMU customer support yet. That in and of itself merits at least something. The Wow Factor: Nothing too striking or visually appealing about this unit. It's pretty plain-Jane. But beauty is way more than skin-deep when it comes to the XBoard line of MIDI controllers. Overall: I think that this is the best deal going for a MIDI controller in its price range.

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Emu Xboard 49 Controller Customer Review submitted August 27, 2007

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Musical Background: New Musician

Music Style: Progressive

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Sound: Gave a 9 rather than a ten because of the annoying latency. I dont have ASIO or anything so it's probably just my computer. This is the only keyboard I've owned so I have nothing to compare it to, but the feel of everything - knobs, wheels, slider, keys - only one word: incredible. Feature: Has the same features as any other midi controller I guess (more knobs and such then the M-Audio), and for the price you just can NOT beat it. Ease of Use: I haven't used the bundled software yet. I've been using my other VSTs and it works perfectly fine with them (other than the latency issues I mentioned earlier but that's probably my computer hardware). Knowing nothing of midi controllers, I was able to get this thing working in around 5 minutes effortlessly. Quality: I'm pretty new to midi controllers and keyboards in general, but the build seems pretty stable. The keys have a much better feel to them than the crappy Casio that I practiced on before. Not grand piano, but I still love it. I did have some beef with this though. When I got it, there were some slight discoloration spots on it, especially under the Xboard logo. You cant really tell from far away but it still bugs me that it was like it when I bought it. Value: I really dont know what makes a keyboard good, but my ~170 dollars when a long way this time, I can tell that already. This deal is just too freakin good to pass up. If you're looking for a midi keyboard for around 100-200 dollars, look no further. Manufacturer Support: Dunno, haven't had to call them yet, but that booklet that it came with has a lot of general information in there. It'd probably help you before any call to tech support. The Wow Factor: Putting the discoloration spots aside, it looks pretty cool. If you're sitting in a crowd and watching someone play one of these, you wont really think it's "sexy" haha cuz all you'll see is those open sockets. Overall: I really hope I dont have to replace this board any time soon, mainly because I dont have much money. But also because it's an amazing board. The others have said that it's made CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP but maybe they're spoiled by $1000+ boards? Cuz I cant tell. I was first going to buy one of the M-Audio boards because I was low on money but then I realized that I wont be able to make any cool Mars Volta-ish effects without some knobs and stuff, so I got this (what I consider to definately be an upgrade). Looking back, I would've deeply regretted buying the M-Audio.

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"One of the best keyboard ever made!" submitted July 30, 2006

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Sound: This is a Midi Controller there are no onboard sounds Feature: A programmable joystick for the picth + mood would be nice but its fine the way it is. The aftertouch is really nice. Most controllers costing more dont have aftertouch on the keyboards. Depending on the type of music created some wont need aftertoych, but it is such a wonderful feature and the fact that it has it means this product is a great deal. E-MU is very solid. Ease of Use: I havent figured the XController and ProteusX LE software yet but the keyboard mods-like changing the velocity and aftertouch are really easy. Quality: Oh my GOODNESS! The buttons on this thing are so CHEAP!!! IF you blow on them they move!! The other reviewer was right, when you press the keys the buttons rattle a little. The plastic housing is ok but is built very well for the price. The keys and the mod + pitch wheel are built SOLID!! The keys are semi-weighted and have aftertouch which is a high plus and they are also built SOLID! It has fast synthc action and aftertouch BIG PLUSES!! This product has a battery compartment and USB so it is very road worthy. I had an Edirol PCR-50, the knobs sliders and buttons were built much better than this but the xBoard blows it away in the features and keyboard. I know E-MU has always made great long lasting products and for the price this is a run out and buy! Value: Compared to other items worth more, it is worth the selling price. The M-Audio Axiom is comparable but is priced much higher. The negatives are so minor, things like cheap buttons and compact row of knobs. This is a run out and buy product, most to all creators that I know love this product and many professionals are using it! Manufacturer Support: Havent had a reason to call them...Thats a good thing! The Wow Factor: Aesthics are ok, Plastic used is cheap but built well. Very simple paint job done. You can see where they went cheap but its not that apparent. The two row of knobs could have been a single row, there's enough space to do that but whatever. It has a very simple, clean look with simple metalic gray and dark gray. The buttons and knobs feel loose but they are solid and work. The data entry slider is the CHEAPEST, the top part for the slider comes right off but it goes back on just as easy. However what it offers completely surpasses what it looks like. Where are you going to find a solid product like this with aftertouch for this price? Overall: I will not replace this until its past its warranty and its totaly unreparable! I have an Edirol PCR-50 which was built solid but had an increment problem also the keys went out fast. This product is built very solidly and from what I heard has lasted quite some time. NO ONE I know has problems with the keys going out!

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"Lots of potential for home based studio. I don't recommend for regular gigging due to build and power problems." submitted November 30, 2006

By a customer from yahoo.com

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Musical Background: Active Musician

Music Style: 70's 80's Cover/party

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Ease of Use: Haven't used much of the programmability as I play live and am 'midi/synth challenged' Was able to quickly figure how to turn off aftertouch etc. Quality: Cheap plastic, but what do I expect for $150? Within the first 8 months, gigging every weekend, the board will no longer accept external power supplies. I have to use batteries. Problems happen with stuck notes to my Triton Pro X anytime the batteries even think they are low. I put new batteries in every second gig and turn off the unit between sets and between songs where i know I am not going to use the board! Haven't used it in a home studio environment, but that is where it is going to be relegated. I will be looking for a replacement board soon. Value: For the money, and a home studio, could be a good thing. I don't recommend for frequent outside gigging. Overall: Haven't used it in a home studio environment, but that is where it is going to be relegated. I will be looking for a replacement board soon.

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"its good" submitted April 12, 2006

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Musical Background: casual player

Music Style: techno, rap, classical

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Sound: it doesnt really make any sound... Feature: i dont use any of the packaged software (just the drivers). all i really needed was a set of keys. its got alot more features than that, but i dont really use them. Ease of Use: fairly straight forward. i havent used many of the features Quality: the build quality is fairly low. the keys are very nice, but the knobs and buttons feel cheap, but they havent broken and they continue to work well. for this pricerange i would say it is well built. most of the design went into giving it a good quality keyboard. Value: i bought mine used. its holding up nicely and i get alot of great use out of it for the price i paid. Manufacturer Support: E-mu supplies up to date drivers on their website, which is nice. The Wow Factor: im glad i got it. its got nice blue lights and display. its silver/grey finish is fairly plain. Overall: i like it. i may replace it sometime in the future, but probably not. im a college student on a budget.

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"Good value - great for home use" submitted August 14, 2009

By a customer from overtracks.com

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Musical Background: hobbyist

Music Style: pop - rock

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Sound: This is a midi controller and makes no sound. But I was completely blown away by the sounds on the 8 included Proteus-X CDs. For my purposes, substantially better than Cakewalk Dimension Pro, for which I paid $250 or $300. (The only downside to this is that it gives me yet another excuse to delay the process of weaning myself from windows.) Feature: For the price I don't think you can beat the features. Someone elsewhere complained that program change is slow and tedious. Agreed - that function is not usable in a live environment. Dedicated octave up/down buttons are provided (crucial with only 49 keys), and I find I actually use the velocity curves. The 16 knobs are the real reason I chose this model over others, and I've been pleased with them. (To be honest, I think I could get by with eight.) Overall I thought Emu did an excellent job balancing features and cost. Ease of Use: Your view on this will be day or night depending on how you use it. I use it for home recording, sitting right next to a PC. I can play a melody or bass line with one hand, twiddling knobs with the other and hearing the effects in real time. Then I switch tracks or whatever on the PC and am ready to record another segment. Very easy! But for gigs, I'd think you would have to have a dedicated knob (with detents) to change patches. Quality: I've had the unit about 4 months and nothing has broken. It gets played quite a bit, but doesn't go outside in the UV, or get dropped or spilled on or put in the bottom of a stack. The case itself is lightweight plastic. I shudder to think what would happen if it were dropped. But I'm puzzled at the negative comments about the knobs and buttons. I'd rate their feel as good or very good. I wonder - could Emu have changed them since the earlier reviews? Seems unlikely at this price point... I'm still not really sure what semi-weighted keys are. There certainly is not much weight to these keys. But the springs and the overall feel is superb. With default settings, you really have to beat on the keys just to get to velocity of 127. In fact, for a while I had re-calibrated for full velocity at less pressure because I was not getting the full range of sound out of some of the Proteus "samples." (Later on I decided I liked really whacking on the keys and changed the setting back to default.) The pitch and mod wheels feel solid. Value: Excellent value Manufacturer Support: Have not dealt with support The Wow Factor: I can't say this unit has a tremendous amount of sex appeal. The area where the extra buttons would be on an X-board 61 has an unfinished look to it somehow. Kudos to Emu for using blue LEDs rather than red behind the buttons, though. Overall: This unit is an excellent value but it _is_ definitely a compromise. It would be nice to have more dedicated displays (or even a graphical one), more dedicated buttons and knobs, detents for the knobs, heavier construction... The unit does absolutely everything I bought it for, and I won't be outgrowing it for at least a year - probably longer. If it were stolen tomorrow, most likely I'd replace it with the same thing. When selecting rating numbers, I considered the competition to be "compact midi controllers at any price". Had I considered the competition be be "midi controllers below xx dollars", the numbers would have been higher.

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