Creative Prodikeys DM Value
Punit Lodaya, Mar 22, 2006 1905 hrs IST
Creative Prodikeys DM Value is a dual keyboard with MIDI keys.
Great Features, Cheap Alternative to Music sampler.
Not so soft keys, Quite heavy.
Today, we take a look at one innovative product called the Creative Prodikeys DM Value. Creative has already established itself as a well known brand in computer audio equipments. Creative Prodikeys DM Value is a dual keyboard, which ingeniously integrates MIDI keys with a multimedia PC keyboard. With the help of the included customizable software, the Prodikeys DM can convert itself into a "Sampler". A Sampler is a piece of audio equipment, wherein you can mix multiple sounds together. It is generally used by music directors to make a rough sample of the background score. Samplers are generally very expensive - the good ones cost in lakhs. With its Prodikeys DM, Creative hopes to provide a cheaper alternative for aspiring music directors.
Creative Prodikeys DM is a standard PC keyboard and MIDI keyboard rolled into one device. The MIDI keys are perfectly concealed below the palm rest and only when you remove the palm rest, they become accessible. The keyboard does feel a little bit bulky, but is still compact enough to fit perfectly atop any desktop. You can switch between Standard Keyboard mode and Music Mode by the press of a music button, located on the left side of the keyboard. Just above the music button is a scroll-type volume button. The multimedia keys have been neatly placed above the function keys.
I had my doubts regarding the ergonomics of the keyboard - considering the bulkiness of the product. But to my surprise, the Prodikeys DM is ergonomically designed for working comfortably. The palm rest has been designed very nicely. The keys are not so soft, when compared to products from Microsoft and Logitech. Another thing that surprised me is that the keyboard plugs into a PS2 port, and yet supports so many functions.
You need to install the drivers and the software bundled along with it, in order to work. Also one has to make sure to remove the driver when you switch to another keyboard, or else the latter will refuse to work.
The Creative Prodikeys DM is available in two colors; Black and Biege. We received the Black colored one. The Beige colored version is good for pairing-up with an iMac.
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Since is MIDI,I guess it can sync wt Resolume...Advise..
thehoo | Kul | 08/07/08 06:28 PM | Report abuse Reply
In Pune, I have seen this keyboard in a shop "Vinus". Vinus is on FC road. Someone has said that it's Rs.3000 in Kolkata; well in Pune, it's something more than Rs.4000 (sorry, don't remember the exact price!) I'm curious to know if this keyboard has different sound and rythm settings like what we have in other MIDI compatible synth. If that's so then I will surely buy this one! Currently I play Yamaha PSR 330 synth which is MIDI compatible but no one in Pune (atleast the sources I know) helped me to connect by synth to PC! If not this PC keyboard then please someone let me know which cable do I need to connect my Yamaha PSR 330 synth to my PC?! (manual of synth does not give any clear idea about it.)
Ruturaj | Pune | 07/05/06 09:06 AM | Report abuse Reply
You need a 5pin din to 15pin din midi converter cable if you have a standard joystick port on your soundcard. If you have a slightly expensive card with the breakout box or cable, you can connect the in of your keyboard to the out of the card and vice-versa with a standard 5pin din connector cable. In case of a 15pin convertor the 5pin out connector goes to the in of the keyboard and the in to the out. Hope that helps
DjDxTr | Mumbai | 22/06/06 02:11 PM | Report abuse
I have a yamaha psr 330 midi compatible keyborad, and i do have the midi cable,, but i dont know how to make a link between my imac and my keyboard, i am almost sure that im doing something wrong in my keyboard settings!, someonw knos how to do it right?
Santiago Salaza | Bogot? | 27/11/07 05:33 AM | Report abuse
Friend: I know how to do this? Call me when you are free.
Hari | Hyderabad | 01/02/08 06:50 PM | Report abuse
The best site of Musical Instruments
JONES MAHALIA | Guwahati, Assam | 16/03/07 09:43 PM | Report abuse Reply
Yes, you are right Mr. Jones. Thank you == KENNEDY
KENNEDY MERCHAN | BANGALORE | 25/01/08 12:46 PM | Report abuse
hello buddy i ve parchased this product but im facing prob .....that ive laptop (no ps/2 port) i ve tried USB to ps/2 converter but still not working............ it work on desktop v fine ...........can any body help???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
sunny | bathinda | 14/10/07 07:10 PM | Report abuse Reply
hello buddies .....its good that everybody here is concernd wid music creation through any sequencer (FL studio) ....yaaro plz guide me for my lil home studio setup ive dell laptop wid sigmatel soundcard ,,,,,n how will this product can be connected to it ..........n hav look on this n tell is it available in india??????????????
Sunny | bathinda | 07/10/07 03:01 PM | Report abuse Reply
price, delivery price & features.
Rajesh Tripathi | Bhopal | 07/07/07 12:02 PM | Report abuse Reply
i have the pc-midi model of creative.if u r intersted in buying contact me at navintupur gmail.com
naving | mumbai | 06/08/07 12:02 AM | Report abuse
Its more than a year passed now for this review.....I just wanna know is this product still available??If yes, then can ne1 tellme its approx price in Mumbai??
Sudarshan Kalsu | Thane | 07/05/07 02:43 AM | Report abuse Reply
Dear All, Please find contact no.s to help you locate nearest Creative Store in your City. Ahmedabad: 9377756489, Bangalore: 9342502246, Chandigarh: 9316066426, Chennai: 938008993, Coimbator: 9344614408, Delhi: 9350135182, Hyderabad: 9392484738, Indore: 9329163311, Jaipur: 9351325744, Ludhiana: 93162 16804, Cochin : 9388638937, Kolkata: 033-30959997 / 9339040469, Mumbai: 9322122285, Nagpur: 9370641469, Noida: 9312757711, Pune: 9372228585. Creative
Creative | Mumbai | 23/03/06 10:47 PM | Report abuse Reply
Friend: The Chennai number seems incorrect (only 9 digits). Can you give me the right one?
harisankar | hyderabad | 24/03/07 01:28 PM | Report abuse
Can you please let me know the price of Creative Prodikeys DM Value and the source from where I can buy the same
Mustaqur Rahman | Guwahati | 12/03/07 03:31 PM | Report abuse Reply
Can I know from where to order online a 5 to 15 pin midi cable?
melvyn | ranchi | 01/03/07 12:53 AM | Report abuse Reply
does it have after touch or at least velocity senstivity.
DjDxTr | Mumbai | 22/06/06 02:03 PM | Report abuse Reply
yes it is touch sensitive
zach | blore | 08/02/07 05:41 PM | Report abuse
Just gone mine 'nearly new' from ebay for a fraction of the original cost. This review helped alot, and heavy keys won't be a problem, my other keyboard is a usb so I can have them both :D And yeah, it's not an MP3 player, if you were supposed to carry it you would have got a free carry case \o/
gedye | R'dam, Holland | 17/11/06 05:55 AM | Report abuse Reply
looks like the gadget i need so much. how can i buy it, i live in indonesia.
Yudi | Jakarta, Indonesia | 08/09/06 01:21 AM | Report abuse Reply
very good review , thanks punit
Anonymous | calcutta | 06/09/06 03:57 PM | Report abuse Reply
It is an interesting information for a music buff like me. But you please tell me....I already have a Yamaha PSR-20 Keyboard....can prodikey be a replacement for that....
cstech | NOIDA | 23/03/06 09:34 AM | Report abuse Reply
well , prodikeys does the replacement job of midi interface of standard synth to a great extent . but not fully :( , mainly because of the not so good feel of the reeds or music keys, i would suggest if u r a serious composer , prodikeys is not for u, its just an entry level yet good product . if ur fingers r really that fast on keyboard u will never be satisfied with the performance of prodikeys even if u r using creative audigy 24 bit sound card , i have experienced some sudden irritating note drops inspite of my much higher PC specification and some issues with acid pro :(, in that case i would like to suggest take resort to USB to MIDI interface using ur PSR-20 and a good 24 bit sound card , say audigy etc and atleast 512 MB RAM. but for the beginner as well as amateur, prodikeys along with its nice bundled softwares , is truly an excellent solution.
Anonymous | calcutta | 06/09/06 03:46 PM | Report abuse
can this product support to multimedia software like (fl studio),(nuendo)as a midi keyboard please tell me .
bskumar | chandigarh | 26/06/06 09:22 PM | Report abuse Reply
i just bought this product prodikeys dm value in kolkata @ Rs2600/- including 4% vat here r the negative points 1. it was not compatible with my AMD motherboard (MSI K8MM-V) , I HAVE HAD TO DOWNLOAD A PATCH FROM THEIR SITE , THIS WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THEIR DRIVER CD AND NOT EVEN MENTIONED IN THE MANUAL . 2. SLIGHT LATENCY PROBLEM WITH ONBOARD SOUND SOLUTION 3. KEYS ARE A BIT "HEAVY" TO FEEL 4.ABSENCE OF MODULATION CONTROL BUT APART FROM THIS , I MUST ADMIT THAT IT IS REALLY AN EXCELLENT PRODUCT . YES IT IS FULLY COMPATIBLE WITH FRUITYLOOPS , BAND IN A BOX AND CAKEWALK AND CAN FULLY SUBSTITUTE A MIDI KEYBOARD, GREAT THE BUNDLED SOFTWARE IS JUST TOO GOOD , AND THE SOUND QUALITY WILL BE REALLY GREAT IF U HAVE ATLEAST A SOUND BLASTER LIVE 24 BIT SOUND CARD IN SHORT I LOVE THIS DREAM PRODUCT :)
Anonymous | kolkata | 02/09/06 01:13 AM | Report abuse
It is very obcious you don't have basic knowledge of music. Let us know if the keyboard Tempo and Allegro.
Naveen | Pune | 21/05/06 12:04 PM | Report abuse Reply
Appears fabulous. Where can I order it in Chandigarh
CJ Singh | Chandigarh | 23/03/06 09:55 AM | Report abuse Reply
a shop, of coures. idiot go and find it in the creative website
pratik_me | Bangalore | 23/03/06 02:11 PM | Report abuse
You can contect on 9316066426 to get this product
Sandeep | Chennai | 29/03/06 12:12 PM | Report abuse
It's Cost Approx Rs. 3000/- At Kolkata
Kalyan Pal | Kolkata | 29/03/06 11:20 AM | Report abuse Reply
What is the cost of this product?
Siva | Hyd | 28/03/06 11:33 PM | Report abuse Reply
This product is old, its been out for quite a while, Way to go, thats an early bird review for you guys.....
bagman | Bunglore | 28/03/06 12:41 PM | Report abuse Reply
as techtreee says that it is a heavy piece, no one is going to caryy it dude
pratik_me | Bangalore | 23/03/06 02:08 PM | Report abuse Reply
carry it ?????? is it an MP3 or something to carry ??? which standard r u studying in buddy?
Gaurav | Mumbai | 23/03/06 08:41 PM | Report abuse
hahaha .. very well said gaurav .. this chap seams to be doing timepass on internet .. instead of completing his school homework ... "CARRY IT" hahahaha ... he probably meant carrying it Home fm Shop which of course is bulkier for a school going child.
Shailendra | Pune | 23/03/06 10:19 PM | Report abuse
i purchased this fm lamington at 3400/- .. andddddddddddddd ....... i just love it. cool one.
Gaurav | Mumbai | 23/03/06 08:37 PM | Report abuse Reply
nice product this is ....
Pankaj | Bangalore | 23/03/06 08:32 PM | Report abuse Reply
i believe there was an ad in digit in march issue for this one .. price mentioned is 3500/- approx ... i think m gonna buy it ... cool.
Gaurav | Mumbai | 23/03/06 08:35 PM | Report abuse
nice products ..
Pankaj | Bangalore | 23/03/06 08:31 PM | Report abuse Reply
looks like a gud product ... i belive digit march issue had an ad of this product .... and the price mentioned is around 3500/- ... i think that's quite rational for all these features.
Pankaj | Bangalore | 23/03/06 08:30 PM | Report abuse Reply
Dear All, Please find contact no.s to help you locate nearest Creative Store in your City. Ahmedabad: 9377756489, Bangalore: 9342502246, Chandigarh: 9316066426, Chennai: 938008993, Coimbator: 9344614408, Delhi: 9350135182, Hyderabad: 9392484738, Indore: 9329163311, Jaipur: 9351325744, Ludhiana: 93162 16804, Cochin : 9388638937, Kolkata: 033-30959997 / 9339040469, Mumbai: 9322122285, Nagpur: 9370641469, Noida: 9312757711, Pune: 9372228585. Best Regards.
Saurabh | Bangalore | 23/03/06 01:21 PM | Report abuse Reply
oye, this is not a business doing site
pratik_me | Banbalore | 23/03/06 02:06 PM | Report abuse
hi saurabh, thanks for the info.. this was really useful ... i called on the chennai no. and got the right shop info. to purchase prodikey and inspire 5.1 speakers.
Dimpy | Chennai | 23/03/06 08:13 PM | Report abuse
Looks to be exactly what I am looking for. Does it work with an iBook and Garageband?
Avinash Nair | Bangalore | 23/03/06 01:45 PM | Report abuse Reply
The review of Creative Prodikey is quite balanced and factual. Good work. Thanks.
cstech | NOIDA | 23/03/06 09:43 AM | Report abuse Reply
Maybe in the future, Keyboards will have: 1. Fingerprint security device, 2. Card Reader slots, 3. USB slots, etc. I know some of them are available, but I predict they will become cheaper...
Chandra | Chennai | 22/03/06 10:14 PM | Report abuse Reply
Considering the features, I think it is a steal.
John | Bangalore | 22/03/06 09:03 PM | Report abuse Reply