Customer Reviews

USB Music Studio Kit

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I must admit that I was mildly amused by some of the reviews of this product.

First, you ARE NOT purchasing software with this package...you are purchasing the USB-MIDI adapter. The additional software that may be included in this package are bonuses; so do not be surprised that some of them are demo versions. Also, there is no spyware included. An Internet connection absolutely IS NOT required for any of the included software, though you can register the software via an Internet connection if you so choose.

Second, the adapter works just fine in Windows XP and requires NO EXTRA SOFTWARE to work. Plug one end into your MIDI device, plug the other end into a USB port, and the built-in Windows drivers will take care of the rest. The device also works under Windows 98, though not as well (it has difficulty with simultaneous events, so chords from a MIDI keyboard may not register correctly).

As with most inexpensive adapters, there are latency issues with this device. Performing multi-track recordings with this device will be difficult. But as a simple MIDI device, it works quite well.

I thought this was a good purchase though a bit overpriced. Then again, I knew what I was buying.

I bought it because I neded USB to MIDI adapter cable to use my older Windows 2000 laptop with my MIDI keyboard. MIDI worked as soon as I installed the software from CD. The only thing I do not like is the registration with included Voyetra Record Producer software, it forces registration throught Internet to be able to use the software or it goes in 30 days demo mode.

I have finally connected my Yamaha PSR-225GM keyboard to my Toshiba XP laptop and now I am recording music directly from the keyboard into MIDI format. The software takes a while to get used to and there are some places where it might have been more user-friendly, but it is powerful and easy to use once you understand it. I like how you can select and move notes, change the length of the notes, change the musical instrument, and print out music. The music recording captured dynamics.

Getting things to work took a lot of time. I spent a few hours and was about to give up. I am still not sure which of the things I tried made the recording to work. I ended up using the Edirol UM-1SX (purchased separately) instead of the USB MIDI cable that came with the studio kit. I configured the keyboard MIDI settings to channel 1 and made sure the MIDI would be sent out. I uninstalled and reinstalled the application. Then tried recording and voila it worked! Used EDIROL as MIDI input and Microsoft MIDI Mapper as MIDI output.

I'd like to be able to say more about this product but I've
been unable to get the included MIDI cable working with my
Toshiba XP system. I've exchanged about 10 emails with their
support person, but so far still no luck. He insists that they
have tested it successfully with other XP installations, but since they can't tell me why it doesn't work with mine, I'd be concerned that it may not work with yours.

From Turtle Beach Support: "All Voyetra Software has been discontinued and the Registration Servers have been shut down, for Copyright and Royalty reasons, therefor no new licenses may be purchased or issued." -- [...]

The product description should include a similar notice. The cable is worth the price, but this portion: "Turn your PC or laptop into a MIDI Music Recording StudioRecord Producer MIDI Edition software lets you record edit and play music with your MIDI keyboard and you don't have to know how to read music. Record one track at a time from your keyboard to create lush orchestration with different instrument sounds. You can even print sheet music!" does not mention that said software cannot be activated.

The drivers work fine on XP SP2, didn't get the spyware pop-ups some are complaining about. You don't NEED Internet access, as Voyetra also give you the opportunity to register the product via fax. Once registered the trial edition reminders to register go away. The only quirk I've found is that if I want my output to go to my computer instead of the MIDI out connector, I needed to change my MIDI out device to "Microsoft GS wavetable SW Synth" (instead of "Microsoft MIDI mapper") under the "Options->MIDI port setup" drop down dialog.

The package also includes 30 day demo versions of some of Voyetra's other products. The Record Producer MIDI edition does just fine at what I was wanting: a MIDI sequencer suitable for casual dabbling - the software is quite easy to learn and use (if you spend a bit of time reading the PDF manual that is included). I did NOT need to supplement the package contents with other hardware or software before I could achieve my desired outcome. -The package does include hardware and software. Overall: Voyetra can count me in the "happy customer" category!

PROs: Comes with a good USB-to-midi cable and the basic drivers. You can record from you midi instrument (keyboard, etc) and playback through the instrument OK, and you can see and edit the midi info.

CONs: The software is not very intuitive and I frequently find the user interface very frustrating. Although you can generate a score, you can't edit it directly - you can't edit the notation, add lyrics, or make adjustments of any kind.

RECOMMENDATION: Buy the Yamaha UX16 USB-midi cable and one of the basic music notation programs like Finale PrintMusic or Cakewalk MusicCreator.

The software was easy to install under WINXP SP2 Multi Media Ed. 5. I haven't completely explored it yet, but for beginning and intermediate aspiring home studio experimenters, who want to learn something about the way music works, it looks like a powerful enough tool. The degree of control over MIDI parameters and the user interface are impressive. I have it communicating with a basic Yamaha YPT-300 keyboard. Remember, the cost of the supplied MIDI/USB cable is about worth the cost of the package. I am very satisfied.

I basically bouthe the product for the cables which work fine. I have similar software but loaded the Music Studio Kit for grins. Right away I received a Microsoft compatability warning. After playing around a bit I finally got it loaded. You have to know what you're doing for this product to provide satisfaction. I was able to get most of the functions to work although response time was slow. As I said...the cables work fine.

Amazon delivered my product before the expected time of arrival, which freed me up to accomplish other errands I had to take care of. I was very pleased with the service I received, as well as the condition of the item I order. I would recommend to others to used Amazon services for product that are hard to find, and to get the best for their money.