CME VX5 49-Key USB MIDI Keyboard

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zZounds Gear Experts Say...
Intelligent keyboard with built-in USB Audio and MIDI, multi-function expansion.

CME has just released their brand new intelligent keyboard controller -- VX series. It's the first keyboard in the world with motorized faders and a multi-function expansion slot. As the first keyboard with 'PadStyle' intelligent MIDI songs and styles in the world, it is available to update via USB. It's also the first keyboard with unique Game mode, Multi-scale and U-CTRL functions in the world.

Not only a MIDI keyboard controller, VX also supplies many unique functions to meet the need of 21 century musicians. Firstly, VX supplies both USB MIDI and USB audio functions. Users do not need an extra audio interface when they're using VX with music software. VX also includes many MIDI songs and accompaniment in different styles, including loop variation and chord change, which are elaborately made by professional musicians and can be triggered by VX's unique 'PadStyle'. All MIDI songs and styles can be downloaded from the Internet and transferred into VX via USB. VX supplies a brand new Game mode, users can use this function and music books with VX to test their skill of performance, and students can learn many tips in this mode. The VX is the first keyboard in the world to offer built-in multi-ethnic scales and it will surprise you, no matter if you play Arabian music or Asian music. U-CTRL is a brand new concept by CME, it provides the easiest way to communicate between controller and music software. You do not need to load templates or presets, just press the U-CTRL button and read more all the controllers for software you may use will be ready. VX's multi-function expansion slot gives you many option for expanding your VX, including a sound module with sampling functions, analog synthesizer module, FireWire audio interface module, digital mixing console module, etc... with these expansion cards, VX will bring you an all-in-one music production platform.

Just like the UF series controller, VX uses CME's famous and long-tested professional graded hammer action weighted keyboard (VX8) and semi-weighted keyboard (VX5/6/7) with initial and after touch. These keyboards were broadly used by many famous professional synthesizers and digital pianos in the past few years. VX supplies up to 64 controllers in different types, including motorized faders, encoders for data entry, knobs, trigger pads, ribbon controllers, buttons, pitch bend and modulation wheels, SEQ transport buttons, pedals, breath controller and all these controllers are programmable.

Although VX supplies many incredible functions, it will still keep CME's competitive price. VX will be the new standard of keyboard controller.
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Built-in 32-bit CPU

Intelligent keyboard built-in USB Audio and MIDI, multi-function expansion

Graded hammer action weighted keyboard (VX8) and semi-weighted keyboard (VX5/6/7), initial and after touch, velocity sensitive

'PadStyle' MIDI songs and styles help you to play live music easily

Interactant mode to improve skill of your performance

Multi-scale of the key to fit more kinds of ethnic music

U-CTRL function makes you work with music software perfectly

12 x programmable trigger pads, velocity sensitive

8 x knob controllers (potentiometer)

9 x knob controllers (endless encoder)

9 x 60mm motor fader controllers

1 x ribbon controller

1 x pitch bend and modulation wheel

27 x function and number buttons

6 x SEQ transport buttons

All controllers are programmable

1 x endless encoder for data entry

Music software control templates with user bank memories

2 x 16 characters LCD display

Firmware upgradeable via USB

Multi-function expansion slot

4 x MIDI OUT, 1 x MIDI IN to supply real master keyboard function

2 x universal pedal connectors, full compatible with switch and expression pedal

1 x breath controller connector, full compatible with YAMAHA BC3

2 x Mic/Line input with gain knob, 1/4 in. phone jack

2 x Line output, 1/4 in. phone jack

2 x headphone outputs with volume knob, 1/4 in. phone jack

USB Audio and MIDI, class-compliant with Windows XP and Mac OS X

USB Hub, USB bus-powered

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Email: support@cme-pro.com
Web: https://www.cme-pro.com/support/

Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars. (5 ratings)
Submitted July 7, 2011 by a customer from hotmail.com

"Great controller, once you get it set up"

Overall: 4 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
I would replace this product if it broke, but as long as it works, I'll keep using it happily. I don't know if I would replace it with another VX5 or something else -- depends on what would be available at that time.

Sound
N/A

Features
Has enough controls to operate a recording setup or a live performance setup. Works equally well with Logic and Sonar. My live vst host programs (Ableton Live, Cantabile) can be easily programmed to accept control from the keyboard. Has velocity sensitive keys and has aftertouch, and more knobs and buttons than I have use for. Motorized faders are a nice touch, and when the right option is selected in the DAW, can be used on the fly.

Ease of Use
Needed to upgrade the firmware to 2.1 before the machine was fully functional. Manual is not very helpful.

Quality
The thing is built like a tank. I think it will likely last a long time, judging from the build.

Value
For what I paid, I could not get another midi control device that has half the features. As long as it keeps working, it'll continue to be a bargain.

Manufacturer Support
Support is by wading through the website only. I sent an email asking a question about the upgrade several months ago, and have yet to hear back from them. Because of the discount price I bought the machine for, I feel that if read more the machine ever breaks, I'll be on my own.

The Wow Factor
I wanted a decent 3 or 4 octave midi controller for my plugin based synths, and was kinda turned off by the red color. But the price and features won me over, and I ended up with a machine that does so much more than I expected at first. And others think the red color is cool, so that's a plus, I guess.

Musical Background:
active musician

Musical Style:
rock, metal, techno, ambient
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