The clicking of the keys is most pleasant.

Doesn't come with an AC adapter, so if you're not planning on using the USB, you'll have to either go for batteries or buy the adapter. That said... this is it. Mousing your Reason s$$ks. The knobs are plenty. The keys feel awesome. This is the controller you've been waiting for if the offerings so far have felt, well, cheap.

10 because I'd been waiting for something solid. This one made me happy.

If you don't have something to let you touch what's in your computer other than your mouse, the musician to techie ratio is whack. This keyboard pulls it together much better than the nearest competitor.

This is a MIDI controller... it doesn't produce sound, just MIDI control information for synths and soft synths.

This is control paradise - read it and weep! 16 knobs, 8 sliders, 24 buttons + 5 transport control buttons, 4 function buttons, a mod/pitch joystick, an innovative X-Y touchpad controller, and last but by no means least, a 25-key semi-weighted keyboard. Very niiiiice! Apart from all the controllers onboard, it is a nice plug-and-play unit able to pipe all these signals over a single USB 2.0 port. The other benefit of the USB port is that it provides power directly to the ReMote 25. A real plus if you want to plug into a laptop; imagine no addition power packs, or oodles of rechargeable batteries to lug around. But if you're still partial to your MIDI ports there are also two MIDI outs, a MIDI in and a thru port. The addition of cardboard templates for each of the main three banks of sliders/knobs was a nice touch. Even though the unit is made from injection moulded plastic, it is surprisingly beefy and solid. A good thing, if like me you are given to hammering the keyboard a little harder than necessary at an inspired moment. It's not the ultimate portable controller weight-wise, but I'm more than sure Novation didn't have this in mind for this unit. Perhaps we might see a battle-hardened LITE version in years to come. My only real gripe with the unit was that a couple of the control knobs were poorly installed, and subsequently the pots did not move freely. I'll mark them down a point on the quality of finish on this one - but I must admit I had one of the first off the production line if the serial number was anything to go by. Still the warranty was worth its weight in gold here.

See my other notes. My unit was only in the tens on the serial number run, and it had a few rough edges. I think if I'm going to spend the equivalent of a couple of weeks wages I want a finished product - not one that's 90% of the way there. A few more warranty claims might see them send off a Production Manager or two from their factory to learn Japanese production techniques.

Phenominal value for money! Puts other midi controllers to same. If they can iron out the production crinkles, they're onto a winner.

A big fat thanks to everyone who helped me over the teething problems - I finally got what I thought I was getting when I handed over my hard-earned cash. Better late than never I suppose.

If you want to roll up a variety of contollers: eg. keyboard, knobs, sliders, midi interface... then this is the one. The fact there are numerous programmable banks, and presets for common soft synths is another plus for the user who wants to get up and running in an instant.

All Electronic styles