Product: Alesis Photon 25
Price Paid: USD 139.99
Submitted
08/14/2006
at
09:48pm
by
Walter Alias
Ease of Use
:
9
Very easy to use. This is one of the reasons I selected this keyboard, as I wanted something that was simple and straightforward; something that I could have as part of a live keyboard setup without having to "think" about using. Editing programs is simple, from the keyboard. The software and drivers are not usable though. Might try going to the manufacturer's website for updates for the drivers. Again, this is a good MIDI keyboard, not a good USB MIDI keyboard.
Features
:
8
I give an 8 here not for the number of features, but for the layout of these features. It only has a handful of the basic features you would expect from a MIDI controller keyboard, but the layout on the face of the keyboard is great and straight-forward; very quick to use in a live setting.
Expressiveness/Sounds
:
No Opinion
Reliability
:
4
The MIDI jacks on these things are terrible. MIDI signal was cutting out badly, and was completely unusable. The internal contacts are very loose, for any MIDI cable. I went through TWO of these before I finally opened one up to take a peak inside. I used a thick sewing needle to bend the internal contacts of the cheap MIDI port inward. This definitely fixed the problem, and I haven't had any problems with it since then. But, this is definitely not something that should have to be done, so in spite of every other feature working fine, I give "Reliability" a "4".
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
Overall Rating
:
6
If you are looking for a 25-note MIDI controller keyboard, you should probably look elsewhere. The MIDI jacks on these were definitely the deal-breaker (see "Reliability") on my rating this a "6" instead of a "9". If you are willing to void the manufacturer's warranty by bending the internal MIDI jack contacts, then this is a good little keyboard that will stand up to going on the road.
