Also dropped it onto concrete once, with only a tiny scratch as a result. Non- touch sensitive keyboard, although maybe live players don't need too much dynamic range with the crappy sound in most venues.

Pitchbender good, program change buttons work, runs on batteries or wallwart (ac adapter), has one midi out. Runs on a battery adaptor that adapts a few 1.5 volt AA batterys into a 9 volt slot. I've used a 9 volt too, with no problems.

I see the value in this keyboard if you don't like always being hidden from the adience behind keyboards. THis unint could also be put on a keyboard stand and used with a AC adaptor for a midi keyboard for beginners (if found cheap enough) Remember though, it does'nt have any sounds of its own, but you can trigger a soundcards sounds, softsynth or another keyboard (with builtin sounds) All in all, a quirky board that could be used as a "guitar" style controller, or flat on stage or in the studio as a crude (but effective) midi keyboard. Am going to keep mine! I can't play the keyboard very well in the guitar position, but it is a small enough board to be useful as a second keyboard on a double stand onstage, perhaps to trigger a remote module or sampler. Compared to many other keyboards, it is sturdy, light (not to hold though!) and looks weirds even when not used a a guitar board! I suppose my only real critism is it would've been nice to have at least the choice of touch sensitivity. It could've been a little lighter too. After a night with this, it would definately start to feel really heavy! If chaep enough and it fills your needs, buy it.

As much as it pained me to see plank spankers getting all the deals, not to mention the girls, I still enjoyed jamming with them. Sometimes, playin with others is a great way to get inspired, and a friend of mine had a Korg RK-100 for sale for $100, so I bought it, thinking it would be great fun. It was. I really enjoyed walking around the room, playing my casio VZ-1 synth thru piles of distortion and a Morley Wah, bending away with the conveniently placed Mod and Pitch wheels.

The RK-100 was built like a guitar, heavy wood, with a thick lacquer finish, and pleasing aesthetics. It was also the least phallic of all the controllers out there, making me a little less self-conscious when playing live. I also found the Bank and Patch select switches useful.

In about a week of using the RK-100, I was able to play it as well as any other synth keyboard, and I was also ejoying the rush that guitarists must feel when they play power chords and arch their backs.

Still, it was a bit of an ego feeder, not that useful in the studio, so I sold it back to the guy who had sold it to me originally. I rarely use keyboards nowadays, and I kinda find having owned this thing silly, but I guess the whole experience taught me why there are more guitar players than synthesists.

www.davidkristian.com