Expertkeys EK-58 free programmable 58 key USB keypad/keyboard

It’s my pleasure to be the first to review the Expertkeys EK-58. I bought it to control key commands in Cubase 9.5. I took a chance as I couldn’t find much info on using it to control a DAW but noticed that Cubase was listed as compatible in their advert. Your PC recognises the EK-58 as a standard qwerty keyboard so there is no need to have to set it up as a midi controller within your DAW. Using the software provided, it’s so simple to set up all the shortcuts you require, well, up to 58 on the first layer and 58 on the second layer. The keycaps flip open so you are able to print out your own icons/labels so you can see them clearly and don’t have to try to memorise them or stick adhesive labels on keys. I now have a shortcut for EVERY important feature in Cubase. It’s a game changer. Combined with 2 Griffin Powermates to control scrolling through tracks, track volumes and scrub, my set up is perfect for me and I cannot imagine needing to change anything in the future. My workflow is faster than its ever been and is a joy. Expertkeys EK-58 gets 5 stars from me. The build quality is superb too. Has some weight to it. Also, contacted their customer support about buying extra keycaps and they replied same day and posted them from Germany for €1 each. Doesn’t get any better than that. Wish I had bought an EK-58 years ago for Cubase.

On the plus side, when this works, it's a wonderful time-saver. Sadly, it doesn't alway do what it's supposed to. Frequently - in fact, USUALLY, combination keys don't work. Or they may work for a while then fail. In Cubase Alt-N usually (but not always) comes out as N. And there are many others. Had it not been for the fact that it SOMETIMES worked, I would have assumed an error on my part. UPDATE: reduced to one star. Key combinations still frequently (though not always) fail. Now the thing is frequently (thoough not always) not recognised by any of my computers. It's a paper-weight. In all honestly, were it not for the fact that I've had this a while (and disposed of the packaging) I think I would have sent it back. I had spent ages setting up a system that should have worked for me, only to find that the device so often failed.