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Unnecessary annoyances
I needed a simple keyboard to connect either to a computer, a MIDI instrument or a modular synth. This one has all the connections needed, this a a pro. The keys seem to be good quality (I'm not a 'real' keyboard player, so I can't tell).
The cons, yet, are quite a few :
- If you want to change the control voltage setting, or any setting, you need to sign in to their website, download a software, generate a file, save it to an USB drive, go offline, plug your keyboard into your computer, upload the generated file, etc. I'm not sure if I'm accurate enough, this is so complicated I'm not sure I understood everything. And of course, there's no Linux version. Why not an open source software ? The thing is only a micro-controller with a few keys and knobs, not a jet fighter !
- When you change the octave setting, the button flashes bright white.
This is distracting and can't be changed, even with their software center thing. Users complain, but the company does nothing.
- The firmware hasn't been updated for three years. While it only leaves you with a few annoyances like the flashing buttons, it's a clue that they're in no hurry to provide customer service.
The cons, yet, are quite a few :
- If you want to change the control voltage setting, or any setting, you need to sign in to their website, download a software, generate a file, save it to an USB drive, go offline, plug your keyboard into your computer, upload the generated file, etc. I'm not sure if I'm accurate enough, this is so complicated I'm not sure I understood everything. And of course, there's no Linux version. Why not an open source software ? The thing is only a micro-controller with a few keys and knobs, not a jet fighter !
- When you change the octave setting, the button flashes bright white.
This is distracting and can't be changed, even with their software center thing. Users complain, but the company does nothing.
- The firmware hasn't been updated for three years. While it only leaves you with a few annoyances like the flashing buttons, it's a clue that they're in no hurry to provide customer service.
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You get what you pay for
My hopes for this keyboard were high, because on paper it all looks very nice. The first thing that I didn't like was that the keys are of uneven height. The mod and pitch strips are extremely sensitive and just a slight touch will get them going, so be careful. The unit froze a few times when I used it via USB with iPad3 and Windows PC.
But I can tolerate these minor nuisances.
What is a bit more difficult to accept is that Arturia doesn't seem to care about user input when it comes to firmware updates, thus we are still stuck with a feature that most of us could live without - globally defined transpose key. This means, that no matter what was the first key of your stored sequence, next time you'll recall it and want to transpose it via keyboard, the root note of your sequence will always be the predefined (in the editor) transpose note. If your transpose note is set to C, then even if you have recorded your sequence in D, when you play D it will actually play E, because your global transpose center note is set to C. This is really annoying and despite numerous user requests Arturia hasn't implemented a more normal way of dealing with transposition of sequences in the latest firmware.
Thus, keep this in mind before buying.
Other than this, the keyboard is very usable, but don't expect any real ease of programming sequences. It can be awkward. Still, if you're on a budget and want to control some analogue CV/Gate gear, this is quite hard to beat at this price.
But I can tolerate these minor nuisances.
What is a bit more difficult to accept is that Arturia doesn't seem to care about user input when it comes to firmware updates, thus we are still stuck with a feature that most of us could live without - globally defined transpose key. This means, that no matter what was the first key of your stored sequence, next time you'll recall it and want to transpose it via keyboard, the root note of your sequence will always be the predefined (in the editor) transpose note. If your transpose note is set to C, then even if you have recorded your sequence in D, when you play D it will actually play E, because your global transpose center note is set to C. This is really annoying and despite numerous user requests Arturia hasn't implemented a more normal way of dealing with transposition of sequences in the latest firmware.
Thus, keep this in mind before buying.
Other than this, the keyboard is very usable, but don't expect any real ease of programming sequences. It can be awkward. Still, if you're on a budget and want to control some analogue CV/Gate gear, this is quite hard to beat at this price.
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A
Good as a basic keyboard, unintuitive when using arp/seq with synths.
I cannot get the arpeggiator working with my moog mother 32, and the sequencer is just unintuitive. The build quality is fine, and I like the touchpad mod wheels. Keys feel good, and aftertouch is very nice, but I have noticed some key presses can get stuck on software synths.
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