E-Mu Xboard 49 Review Manual

REVIEWS E-MU XBOARD 49
E-mu Xboard 49
Has E-mu's new controller got what it takes to get off the
ground? Byron Delgrande gives it a whirl...
DETAILS
£110
PRICE
CONTACT
Tel: 0800 901 2168
Web: www.emu.com
TECH SPEC
Keys: 49 velocity sensitive,
semi-weighted with
aftertouch
Controllers: 16 rotary
controls, 1 slider, pitch
bend wheel, modulation
wheel
Display: 3 digit blue LED
Power: USB, DC adapter
(not included), batteries (3 x
AA size)
System Requirements:
Mac running OS X 10.2 or
greater, native USB port
PC running Windows 2000
(SP4) or XP (SP1) or
greater, native USB port
Software: E-mu Xboard
Control, Proteus X LE
Desktop Sound Module
(Windows only), Ableton
Live 4 Lite for E-mu
(Windows only)
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FutureMusic
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FMU167.rev_emu 46 FMU167.rev_emu 46
T HE XBOARD 49 is the
larger of two new
keyboards from E-mu, and
represents the company's
fi rst foray into the MIDI controller
market. The unit's spec sheet reads
well with performance-orientated
functionality, 16 assignable
controllers and posh keys.
While the keyboard's girl-next-
door looks don't really set the heart
racing, neither are they offensive.
The rigid plastic chassis feels slightly
less resilient than examples from
other manufacturers, and I would
think twice before dropping it and
hoping not to see any damage.
The juice
Power for the keyboard can be
provided via USB, a DC adapter (not
included) or three AA size batteries.
Alongside the connections for these
are the MIDI Out, footswitch input
and a power switch.
The 49 velocity sensitive keys
aren't the fl imsy unweighted variety
that you'd expect to fi nd on a
controller priced at a little over £100.
Instead they're semi-weighted with a
synth action and play beautifully –
suitable for tinkling virtual ivories and
light-fi ngered synth licks alike.
They also have aftertouch and
eight different velocity curves, which
can be edited using the buttons on
the keyboard or via the E-mu Control
editing software. This application
enables the user to assign controller
values to controls and store set-ups
in one of the 16 preset locations.
A snapshot function makes for
quick preset creation, while the
software's controller matrix enables
program change/bank select
messages to be sent on multiple
channels at the touch of a button.
All of the Xboard's features can
also be accessed and programmed
using the less than convincing
wobbly buttons surrounding the LED
display and the lower octave keys.
Parameter values can be adjusted
quickly using the slider, and
programming the controller manually
causes no headaches.
Fade in
Most other controller keyboards offer
an equal number of rotary controls
and faders, but the Xboard 49 has a
bank of 16 rotary controls and just a
single fader.
The controls themselves have a
tactile rubbery fi nish and operate
smoothly with a positive feel. I think
that a few millimetres extra space
between them would have made
them more useable, though.
If your music-making involves
triggering loops live, then latch mode
is for you. This allows a user-defi ned
range of keys to be used as triggers
– one press for on and one for off.
You might also fi nd 16 Channel
Control mode useful. With this all of
the 16 pots will control, say, volume,
for each of the 16 MIDI channels,
enabling a quick set-up of mixes,
pan positions, and so on.
As an added bonus, Proteus X
LE, a lite version of E-mu's acclaimed
sound module, is included in the
box. You also get Ableton Live 4 Lite,
but both are Windows-only versions.
The E-mu Xboard 49 is very
much a performance-orientated
controller, and a good choice for
playing live electronic music. The
playability and quality of the keys go
a good way towards redeeming an
otherwise mediocre build quality –
as does the inclusion of the handy
latch feature.
At £110 the keyboard represents
good value and sports a feature-set
beyond that of the competition – a
sensible buy for the budget-
FM
conscious performing musician.
VERDICT E-MU XBOARD 49
BUILD QUALITY
VALUE FOR MONEY
EASE OF USE
VERSATILITY
QUALITY OF RESULTS
2 4 6 8 10
Great keys and performance-
orientated features, but
mediocre build quality.
31/8/05 12:09:03 pm 31/8/05 12:09:03 pm