Feature:
no sequencing through the midi out. this means you can't sequence other synths with it. no recycle support in my eyes very unuseful concept of sounds and patterns (i expected to be able to choose from a big sequence library and switch them for every sound on the fly - not possible.. for every variation you have to copy ALL sequences (pattern) and program your variations. you can copy quite a lot but it gets cluttered very quick and it keeps you from building up a nice pattern library.

Quality:
the product seems very solid, knobs run smooth and feel good, no plastic feel at all, buttons and knobs nice aligned and no edges. looks quite solid. however i am pretty sure a dropped beer would kill it.

Value:
the product is quite expensive but the controller is very well made, the software works (be careful with snow leopard) and it comes with 5 gig samples

Desirability:
great concept. if they get the problems sorted this is a really cool rpoduct which got me into producing again.

Sound:
the sound of course depends on the samples you load into it. to be fair i think that the library is very well chosen with a lot of useful sounds (unlike most of the sample cd's out there). the sound of the filters is very basic and nothing special. dont expect great sound design with it

Ease of Use:
once you know how it works it works very well and you can play around without the need to use the keyboard or the mouse which in my eyes is the best thing about the product. nevertheless in terms of live or jamming the concept is a bit too hmm clumsy, cluttered and not as smooth and flexible as you know it from ableton live (imagine live not being able to copy clips for variations but just complete scenes)

Support:
ni is promising an update since quite a while. there is a beta version but nor for the normal user.

Overall:
without the necessary features (which are promised with the update) not useable for standalone musicproduction or live performance and more a kind of toy to play around.

Feature:
For the money ($599) this joint is serious!

Quality:
Its put together and engineered very well!

Value:
for $599!!!!

Desirability:
its coming!

Sound:
I played with this joint at NAMM and its off the chain! I have been looking for something that brings the Computer and an MPC like MIDI Controller together nicely and this is it! I got an MPC 5000 and I am still copping this joint! Ordered it yesterday from zzounds.com!

Support:
NI support is not the best, but not the worst either!

Overall:
When I was at NAMM, I thought no big deal until I played with it! It is awesome and so easy to get around on! It is really a nice piece of kit!