CME UF5

Generally very easy to use at a basic level though some understanding of MIDI controller data might be needed.

The keyboard action and velocity settings are fantastic!
Easily the best synth keyboard I have played

The controllers and transport functions are excellent too,
far sturdier than the horrible plastic master keyboards I used before.

The velocity settings are great, just maybe need more than 3.

The main bulk of the keyboard seems pretty damn tough.

The controllers seem pretty rugged too but are plastic so probably
not as tough as the case.

The web forum support is pretty good.

Still no SONAR 6 support for controllers tho.

I bought this secondhand but hardly used for around ??50 less than the retail price but frankly if I had paid more I would still be extremely impressed.

This keyboard had altered the way I play and produce to such a massive degree. I think its a must for any recording or performing musician whos playing music that uses "real" instruments as well as dance heads since there is something here to benefit everybody.

In the words of the bloke I bought it from "Shibby!"

Another caveat re/my review: did I say the UF5 was $400? That would be the UF7. I paid $200 for my UF5 - such a deal! :)

Next time I post a review I promise to have a cup of joe first. :)

The gist of my review is still correct. The depth of the throw on the UF 5, 6 and 7 is phenomenal. (The UF8 is a whole other animal).

The controls are intuitive, and everything is a slider or knob turn away. The manual is too short, no storing of patches, and there is no LCD. But for the price I don't care. (If you want absolute ease of use then you should spend twice as much and get one of the new Novation series).

Fantastic synth action, the best I've played. Excellent aftertouch, which you can turn off for piano, etc. Loads of features, but the action is everything for me. Note: lowest note is A - smart! - so you can play those nice low octaves to your heart's content and only lose the topmost octave, which is less used by most people. Thank you CME.

The synth action is ultra expressive, as is the aftertouch. That's all that matters.

The guy who wrote the previous review gave it a "1" because he complained about broken keys, etc. He also didn't name the price he paid for it. Hmm . . . I bought mine brand new for $400 about a year ago. It came extremely well packaged and in perfect condition, and has stayed that way over time.

Excellent forum. No phone contact, tho. Still, phone contact isn't everything, it depends on the quality of the advice you get. Over the years, I've gotten good and bad. So might as well use the forum.

I have a Mac and the USB driver sucks, use a nice MIDI box instead such as MOTU or M-Audio make. Other than that, it is worth every penny. Like I said, if you want real luxury, buy a Novation. But these CME controllers are great value.

Everything looks easy to use, very simple, manual is good.

Some good features, it has weighted keys which really make playing a lot more easy. You can control all your soft synths with this.

No sounds as its a MIDI keyboard

Its a piece of rubbish. Had to be sent back the next day. 3 keys were dead, power kept turning off, buttons wernt attached, weights of the keys were lose and one of the weights had gone inside the keyboard, scratches and dints all over it. I've changed it for the Edirol PCRM50 now.

Never delt with them.

I've already sent it back, and i will never buy another product from CME. Its a shame becuase its a nice design, if only it worked.

********DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT***********