Akai SYNTHSTATION25 25-Key Keyboard Controller For Iphone And Ipod Touch Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I had been eyeballing this thing for a while, but I didn't have an iphone. I recently got an ipod touch 4g for an unrelated reason, and within a few hours of that purchase it occurred to me that I should get this thing too. I'm glad I did.
The controller is well built for a powerless piece of plastic (i say powerless because it is not a pre-amp or anything, it does require batteries). I own the LPK25 and the LPD8, and the SS25 is pretty similar in design with the exception of the pitch and mod wheels (drum pads are controlled via the touch screen). There is no on board speaker, and keys played don't play through the ipod's speaker, so you NEED headphones or to use the line out. Get an RCA to 1/8" adapter and you are set. I really like this because I make the noise in my band and it is difficult to do what I do without a computer. This essentially puts Garage Band in my pocket and I've spent many a night on the couch completely oblivious to my wife and kids while I amuse myself and actually get some work done at the same time; the portability is just awesome.
Software:
AKAI SS25 Software: 1/5 stars. It turns on when the ipod is plugged into controller unless another app is running which I find completely annoying. Also. I have yet to figure out how to record a freaking song with this software. UI just plain sucks and is not at all intuitive. If this were the only software available for the controller nothing could have redeemed it and i would have given the keyboard a 1/5 also. BUT luckily...
Nano Studio: 4/5 This software has everything the SS25 app lacks: friendly interface, decent library of sounds, and modeled after your typical track by track software. My only complaint is the drum and synth selectors on the keyboard behave a little strangely and don't necessarily correspond to tracks in an obvious way. Still, after a week I've produced some very pretty sounding tracks that are unique from one another. The best part of NS for me is that it can connect directly to and upload to Soundcloud.com, which I was already using for my regular band. You can also connect via Nanosync and transfer wirelessly to a computer. VERY HANDY.
Music Studio (full version): 4/5. Essentially the same as Nano Studio, but with more of a Garage Band sort of quality to it. The sound library is decent and expandable and laying track by track is easy. Exporting is also simple with MS, you can connect to a computer via your phones IP address and transfer files to a computer. I like Nano Studio just a tad more than MS, but only because I had been using NS for a day or so before getting MS and I'm a brand loyalist. However, I AM actively using both NS and MS apps.
Long story short: Get the controller, don't waste 99 cents on the Akai app, DO invest $15 in Nano or Music Studio, and go to town.

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Akai EWI USB USB Wind Instrument with Garritan Aria Player Software Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I played clarinet in elementary, middle and high school, but this is my first experience with a MIDI wind controller. The price on this is very good, although the feature set is scaled down accordingly.
One of the striking things you notice is that it doesn't feel like a traditional instrument. I'll use an example of a clarinet, since it's what is familiar to me. When you play a real instrument, it vibrates. This does not, which in a way detaches you from the experience. I'd like to have some tactile feeback.
You can't hold this like a traditional instrument, at least not like a clarinet which rests on your right thumb. This must be suspended by a neck strap like a sax. But the neck strap is terrible. The hook is open, so I am nervous that the instrument will fall off if I move wrong. Also, with the strap adjusted to the right height, it barely fits over my head, and I am average sized. Heavy people might have issues. Since the instrument works by capacitance, you must keep your thumbs touching the ground plates and your fingers must hover over the keys unless you intend to press them. On traditional woodwinds, you can rest your fingers on the keys or rings until you push them down. But if you brush these with an errant finger, it will activate that tone.
On the upside, this is much easier to learn than a traditional instrument. This device doesn't support Clarinet fingerings, but it's just as well. A clarinet has two registers and a particular fingering produces a different note depending on which register you are in. With this instrument, you can use the EWI fingerings wich produce the same tones in the same place. So three fingers and a thumb on a clarinet gives you a C in a lower register and a G in the upper register. With this instrument, three fingers on the left hand (you use the left thumb only for octave shifts) always gives you a G.
Embouchure (the way you shape your facial muscles and your lips) isn't as critical as it is with a standard wind instrument. I find I can play this instrument longer with less fatigue.
The amount of breath pressure is too much, in my opinion. You can actually breath freely through a clarinet, but this instrument is like blowing through pudding. I'll get used to it, and I assume this is to enable longer musical phrases.
The mouthpiece is removable, but you need a screwdriver. They should make it easily removable. I find it gurgles after a while as spit builds up. You can't swab it like a traditional woodwind so there's no way to clear this out. I'd also like alternate mouth pieces. This is a bit like an oboe. I'd prefer a clarinet or sax shaped tip. I'm having difficulty learning to articulate on this instrument. I'm sure brass players might like a brass mouthpiece.
There should be a manual written for an amateur like me who hasn't played his clarinet for decade. I'd like advice as to how to adjust. What techniques do I used in holding it, in articulating, etc. I'd also love lesson software. I realize they sell this as a professional instrument, but the price point is going to draw people like myself who miss playing their instrument, but may have forgotten a few things and need a refresher.
Overall, I'd say this is fun, but best suited to pros.

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