UMA25s

[ianjm]

Does anyone have any views on the Behringer uma25s.  I am thinking of getting one to put some keys on my projects to try and further myself a little.  I dont want anything too fancy just something to muck about with, and in this price range.

Also is the daw included with it any good for basics, (nothing too complicated)

Cheers

[ianjm]

Just seen another one the M audio keyrig25
Is this any good?

[cuthbert]

I have its poorer cousin, the UMX25.

For a basic keyboard/controller, I found it OK but the keys are a bit uncomfortable to play and there was no display to guide you regarding settings - just a bunch of knob/switch combos for different parameters. The software it came with was on warped discs that couldn't be read, but I didn't care enough to contact Behringer because I already had a DAW I liked.

Looks like the UMA solves the display issue; hopefully, they've improved the keyboard action and their quality control for discs.

Does anyone have any views on the Behringer uma25s.  I am thinking of getting one to put some keys on my projects to try and further myself a little.  I dont want anything too fancy just something to muck about with, and in this price range.

Also is the daw included with it any good for basics, (nothing too complicated)

[flyon90]

I have the UMX49, it's okay for use as a simple midi keyboard although I could never figure out how to get it work for vista

[nathanclarke]

If its just for mucking about on, it may be worth checking out the AKAI LPK25. I bought one and its been the best move i made. So easy to use wherever you are.

http://www.akaipro.com/lpk25

Cheap too.

[FedericoC]

I have one.
It can be a nice gear since it doubles as an external audio usb interface, but personally I dislike the keys themselves: they're full size but with very very short action, which makes them – for me – quite unpleasant
to use and quite difficult to get a good velocity control on.
Personally I prefer full-action mini-key (I bought both microKorg and Korg Microstation and I love them), but I know some people (with bigger fingers than mine I suppose) find them irritatingly small. So... your mileage may vary!  

-- Federico

[FedericoC]

I've just discovered you can use an UMA25S both as a midi/usb and an audio/usb device for your iPad at the same time (but only if it's powered by PSU, not batteries).
That feature alone could make it an interesting device, if you need this sort of setup.

-- Federico