From bruce@ashbysolutions.com Sun Feb 02 08:34:31 2003
Subject:Re: new (cheap) midi controller keyboard for B4 and others

Hi Deke,

>Just to alert everyone, Studiologic has a new controller out called the CMK-161. It doesn't have any controller knobs, and has synth type keys, but it has an elongated back end (for a computer keyboard and mouse I guess). The reason this is cool is that if you want a double manual setup for a clone rig this will probably hold your clone on top of it, or your upper manual controller (for us B4 geeks). This means you don't have to have a two tier keyboard stand for a double manual rig.
>
>

I hate to rain on your parade, but I own the CMS-161, the forerunner of the CMK-161. I bought it for exactly the same reasons -- as a second keyboard for my CX-3. It fit well, and was reasonably cheap. It seemed to fit the bill perfectly ...

Well, to make a long story short: It's a TERRIBLE keyboard, quality-wise. The ends of the keys had sharp edges, which caused me to cut myself on a palm gliss. I had to add stiffening bars to allow it to sit on a keyboard stand without getting a mushy feel in the middle octaves. After 6 months of gigging, I had to open it because one of the black keys stopped working. Guess what? 11 of the 12 standoffs that hold the keybed in place were cracked or broken off! I retired it at that point, and intend to only use it as a "parts car" for future needs. And this was on a $200+ Studiologic keyboard. I can't wait to see what corners they might have cut to get it down to $100.

Regards,

-BW

--
Bruce Wahler
Ashby Solutions™ http://music.ashbysolutions.com
978.386.7389 voice/fax
bruce@ashbysolutions.com