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4:2 mins |
Winter NAMM 2013 - CME XKey
CME have been quiet of late, but thanks to a tip off from MIDIFan, our Chinese friend we went to take a look at something special they'd just announced.
CME Ceo Zhao Yitian gave us a look at their new class compliant portable, slimline USB keyboard which has unique full-size, poly pressure enabled velocity sensitive switch style keys. Housed in an Apple keyboard like aluminium case, its got a very small footprint and will work with any class compliant device including iPad.
Available soon, priced at $99.
More From: CME
Is this the first poly aftertouch keyboard since one of the really old E-MU samplers????
26-Jan-13 09:51 PM
Ensoniq samplers had poly-aftertouch, I don't remember Emu samplers having that feature.
26-Jan-13 11:16 PM
Wow, the only issue I can see is that the key travel must be really low. But I mean, for $99, don't even use it as a "keyboard", but rather a bunch of pressure sensitive buttons!
27-Jan-13 12:24 AM
What's the point? Polyphonic pressure is for adding a new dimension to performance - but there's no possibility of 'performing' in the first place here. This is a bunch of buttons for non-performing musicians.
CME - you need to implement this in a proper full key sized controller
27-Jan-13 05:03 AM
At last,analog is back and the best evolution since the wheels, polyphonic after touch. Now where is Yamaha 125 years and no new CS80 to celebrate. Keybs
27-Jan-13 06:24 AM
At last,analog is back and the best evolution since the wheels, polyphonic after touch. Now where is Yamaha 125 years and no new CS80 to celebrate. Keybs
27-Jan-13 06:25 AM
Looks like a lot of fun for all the synths on iOS now, surely better for playing on than a touch screen keyboard, no?
The form factor might be great for a notation program like Finale or Sibelius.
27-Jan-13 08:47 AM
Qunexus looks a lot better
29-Jan-13 04:18 AM
I agree with Synth_Fan - I own and use a DX1, Prophet T8 and CS80 all with polyphonic aftertouch and its stunning on these instruments. I hardly see the point on this item (but take the other points on board for sure).
More importantly - CME have now set the genie free - they have verified that building a reliable polyphonic aftertouch controller is cheap and essentially no more expensive than one without it.
There can be no more excuses by other keyboard companies and I hope they react positively. The trend is, unfortunately, for cheaper keyboards (even like the KingKorg and VR-09) to leave even channel aftertouch off.
Well done CME for paving the way in showing that reliable polyphonic aftertouch is completely do-able reliably - and incredibly cheaply.
(VAX-77 take note!!).
29-Jan-13 03:03 PM
I actually like the product, as im already cme big fan, i like cme products, they are at least same or better quality of its price class.
31-Jan-13 05:23 PM
After having a VX boat anchor, and no support from CME, No forums, no contact from CME distributor, I can firmly say O H!!! NO to any CME product. They suck.
20-Apr-13 04:53 PM