****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
I was unsure hw this would turn out, I had heard some bad things about Samson, but newer reviews for this were all good and it tocked pretty much all the boxes for a sub-$200 keyboard: Semi weighted full size keys, USB b/a connection and alternate AC power and MIDI out if you’re using a hardware synth, etc. (Though short of pro studios I’m not sure who would), plus assignable knobs, faders, drum pads and an LCD w/ programmable functions, memory, etc. Literally just working with this list at this price is pretty good, IMO. But it’s not just good enough all around.- I love the keys. Great feel, not too heavy, not too much resistance, but like the whole board they feel solid and enjoyable to play. By far the best aspect, and having 49 means you have decent coverage. You can also assign zones, best probably for live performances, so that you can have 4 VSTs corresponding to the 4 sections on the board (Or 2, or even 3 I think)- Faders and knobs feel pretty solid, mapping them isn’t too difficult- LCD is useful to note things like channel etc., adjust your VST via knobs and see the changes there without loading the gui, stuff like that- I like the pitch and mod wheels, solid and satisfying- Plenty of other programmable buttons- 3 GB of sounds and VSTs.. haven’t tried them and I assume they aren’t amazing but free is free. I also haven’t really used the faders, and if you don’t touch them they don’t change your project settings at all, so no worry that they’re not mechanized. I kinda don’t see people using them much except for, again, live performances where fading in/out different tracks in loop mode for example could be useful (or I suppose just a live recording to either something like audacity or an external recorder)In terms of what I don’t love:- The drum pads aren’t really as sensitive as I’d like, you really have to smash them which makes any sort of velocity sensing hard. I don’t plan on using them anyway though and they do work, so can’t say they’re awful. You can also turn off velocity sensing for the keys and pads I believe, so that’s useful.- Minor, and standard, but the USB B - A cable is really short, maybe 3-4’? Unless your comp is right there, like a laptop right above, you’ll need an extender or longer cable.- On that, even though USB provides power, since there is a DC in, there should be a power cord.. I don’t want to worty about finding the right voltage, etc.., Granted, most people will never use the MIDI alone, probably me included, but why not include a power cord if you’re gonna have the outlet.Not much else comes to mind, at least so far. I like the after touch and the adjustability, and in general it’s a pretty versatile and capable keyboard. Priced for beginners but pros could get equal use out of it. I’m glad I got this rather than paying more for something like the Akai MPK. I’d be harsher if it were similarly priced or more, but at this price, it’s really quite good.
