User reviews: M-Audio Keystation Pro 88

08/25/11

yoTrakkz's review "Ok..."

The M Audio KeyStation Pro 88 is a full midi keyboard with midi out and midi in with all of the octaves of a real piano. But don’t be fooled, this Midi keyboard does not have the feel of a real piano. The keys are weighted and it gives them a good feel, but the feel of it isn’t like a synth and its not like a real full piano. Its kind of like an in between of the two different types of keys. You can also ad sustain pedals to this board as well.

Utilization

The keys feel great and it is a very sturdy keyboard, but I feel like if it left me with the urge of wanting to sit at a real piano. Its not built cheap, but it doesn’t leave you satisfied, so if you are a keyboard/piano player and you are looking for something with a real feel too it don’t go with the M Audio Keystation Pro 88.

Overall Opinion

I used mine for about a month and then took it back and go a different one. You mine as well go with one of the M Audio Axiom midi Keyboards. Their are midi keyboards and are not intended to feel like a real piano. M Audio fell short with this board with trying to make it have a real piano feel to it. So if you are looking for a real piano feeling midi keyboard this will leave you unsatisfied, plus the keys are too heavy to use it for your production if you are into hip hop. You wont be able to do those quick sliding melodies and synth lines with this board because the keys are too heavy. Plus the price is a little high for a midi keyboard like this when there are a ton of others on the market that will suite you better.

Did you find this review helpful?yes no

04/30/09

songboy's review

Characteristics

The characteristics that motivated my choice were the 88 weighted keys and the price. Also, the amount of programable buttons and faders certainly helped me decide on this unit. As for connection types, there is USB, Midi in/out, 2 sustain pedal inputs, and an expression pedal input.

Utilization

The action of the keyboard is OK. I have played better weighted keyboards and this one does a pretty good job, but for the price, its hard to complain. I use this keyboard for the studio as well as performance and it suits all my needs. I do notice, however, that the keys are "sticky" when you first start playing. Now I don't mean sticky like there is gunk in them, I mean there is a little extra resistance when you first hit the key. This happens every time I sit down and play it, but it only happens the first time you strike the key and then it is fine and its not all the keys, but quite a few. As for the configuration and setup, its plug and play with my macbook. Assigning knobs and buttons is generally a thing you do with whatever programs you are using. Of course you can go in and change what the button/fader on the Pro 88 does, but its almost unnecessary. The manual does explain how to do that though. As for channel and patch selection, that is also something you have to assign with a program, at least thats how I did it (I use mainstage, and if you are a mac user, so should you because it rocks!!!) The manual is small and pretty much covers all the things you need to know about this keyboard.

Overall Opinion

I have been using it for about a year now. What I like most is I only paid $370 for it brand new, shipped to my door, thats half the price of a yamaha or a CME keyboard. What I don't like about it is I have noticed some poor craftsmanship. For example, one side of the keyboard has a much larger space between the frame and the keys than the other side, also the faders "buttons" look a little crooked. Also, the some of the keys do that sticky thing as well as some make squeaky noises. All in all though, these things make little difference to me, the unit works great and well...you get what you pay for when it comes to aesthetics. I also have M-audio's Axiom 61 (much better in the way of craftsmanship but doesn't have the weighted keys) and I also used to own a Korg TR 88. The Korg's key action was actually a little lighter which I didn't really like but despite that, the keyboard had a great feel and I could fly on that thing. Now that I am getting use to the Pro 88, I am digging it, but at first I definitely liked the Korg's better overall. My opinion of the value is a good one. For less than $400, it could have been a piece of crap, but, despite its flaws, I really like this keyboard. Yes, I would definitely do it again.

Did you find this review helpful?yes no

03/15/09

Audiofanzine FR's review

Characteristics

(Originally written by Micky201/translated from Audiofanzine FR)

Specs: see manufacturer's website and other reviews.

I wanted an 88-note keyboard that provided a heavier playing feel than a synth.

Utilization

It doesn't provide a piano playing feel. If you're looking for a real piano feel, buy another instrument. The playing feel is heavier than a synth but not too heavy, which means you can reach the highest velocity level (127) without having to hammer on the keys. The several velocity curves provide different feels depending on the sound you're using. But it's always easy to reach the highest velocity.

It's excellent for a keyboard player like me because it allows me to have a more expressive playing than with a classic synth, while at the same time it's easy to play and not tiring at all.

Overall Opinion

I've been using it for one month and I'm quite satisfied with it. The Midi controls are very convenient and easy to use. The only cons are:

- Mine has a key with faulty velocity response. But I bought a demo device and I'm expecting to get a new one.

- In USB mode (for operating power and Midi data transfer) the unit uses Windows drivers. It works but they are not very reliable. The smallest voltage variation (for example when my wife uses the microwave or the blender) causes it to crash and I have to reboot my system. I installed my old USB/Midi card again to solve the problem.

Did you find this review helpful?yes no

02/19/09

moosers's review

Characteristics

The M-Audio Keystation Pro 88 is an 88 key keyboard MIDI controller. It has MIDI in and outputs and also has two outputs for sustain. It also has a USB input so you can use this as a MIDI controller for your virtual instruments, which is what I use this for most of the time. It has programmable wheels - usually for pitch and modulation, and has a ton of other programmable knobs, dials, buttons, and faders that will control different things in different situations.

Utilization

The feel of this keyboard is good overall. It has weighted keys, which makes it feel more like a real piano, and while it has a ton of parameters, I usually don't end up using too many of them as I like to control my virtual instruments within the box. The uses of this MIDI controller are far and wide and you can get exact as you'd like when using this. The manual is thorough and is useful when learning exactly what everything does with this machine.

Overall Opinion

The M-Audio Keystation Pro 88 is one of the best and most complete MIDI controllers on the market. You can control anything you'd like when it comes to using this with a computer. It also works great for controlling rack modules if you want to use this on the go. When I first saw this I thought it would be much more expensive than it is, as it is quite reasonably priced. I have used some of the other, smaller, M-Audio MIDI keyboard controllers, but this one takes the cake by far, as it is the most complete and has a great feeling keyboard. Those looking for a professional MIDI controller to use either in the studio or in a live setting should definitely look at this unit.

Did you find this review helpful?yes no

10/31/08

FP User Reviews's review

Characteristics

I'm a custonmer of the M-Audio/Midiman line and I must say that this controller is the truth. Being able to navigate and control my software on my G5 makes me feel more in control of my creative processes.

Price paid: $250 (Demo)

Utilization

The sliders & knobs are a very nice feature. Works well with Digital Performat 4.6 mixer view for mix downs and works well with Reason 3.

Nice hammer action keys, pretty sturdy built controller. Thought a bitheavy.

Overall Opinion

I love the feel of weighted keys, I love the way the controller feels and performs. The Keystation Pro 88 is the center of my studio as well.

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com

Posted by: Mholla (January 0-, 2005)

Did you find this review helpful?yes no

10/31/08

FP User Reviews's review

Characteristics

This keyboard is amazing for synths and pretty good for organs because of the ungodly amount of knobs and buttons and sliders. It is usb bus powered which is very helpful. The hammer action is fantastic for the price. The biggest problem I have encountered is the velocity sensitivity is a little substandard. It is very difficult to make a soft sound it tends to make things sound harder than you hit it. I have experimented with different built-in velocity curves but the problem persists.

Price paid

500

Utilization

The keyboard is very easy to use but the included enigma editor is a little overwhelming and is still an enigma to me. Get it? I made a pun. The keyboard is also amazingly light when you take into account that the keys are semi-weighted.

The keyboard seems well built.

Overall Opinion

This is a great keyboard for gigging with my electronica band but I was disappointed on its inability to handle subtle levels of velocity.

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com

Posted by: We Are Numbers ( 9-, 2005)

Did you find this review helpful?yes no

10/31/08

FP User Reviews's review

Characteristics

Motorized Sliders. The manual that came with it was pretty sad actually, Not to mention the software that came with my version was corrupt and i never did get to try it.

Price paid

$799 CND

Utilization

Its fairly easy to configure but could seem alot more complicated to a newer user with the poor manual as i said before.

Overall Opinion

No Sounds. Straight Midi Controller. But the usb/midi is nice.

It almost 60lbs. Seems pretty damn solid to me.

Like alot of other users have stated, the combo between this and Propellerheads Reason 3.0 is excellent. A match made in heaven. I highly suggest this as a smart buy for anyone using Reason software.

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com

Posted by: Colorblind ( 8-, 2005)

Did you find this review helpful?yes no

10/31/08

FP User Reviews's review

Characteristics

The features are incredible, you can have total control over everything. all the knobs faders and buttons make this controller out of this world. plus the hammer action keys make it great for those want that bounce back action.

Price paid

$500

Utilization

So easy to use, works excellent with reason 3.0.

its very well built.

Overall Opinion

I love this controller to point it's my center of my studio.

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com

Posted by: mrgibbs ( 8-, 2005)

Did you find this review helpful?yes no

10/31/08

FP User Reviews's review

Characteristics

The features are good. I guess it's missing after touch though, so that is a short coming. But it has pretty much everything else you could want. Excellent hammer-action keys. Lots of knobs and sliders, and templates for lots of popular software. It's really easy to make your own templates too.

Price paid

$500

Utilization

It couldn't be much easier to use. Just plug it in and start hitting keys, pretty much.

I haven't had any problems yet. Feels really heavy for a MIDI controller, so it must be pretty well built.

Overall Opinion

I love it. It's not that great for drums, but it's really great for everything else.

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com

Posted by: SaltyDawg ( 8-, 2005)

Did you find this review helpful?yes no

10/31/08

FP User Reviews's review

Characteristics

Im already luvin the knobs and faders, easy to move and are compatible with any software. I'll give it a 9 since the faders aren't motorized like I hoped.

Price paid

400(off ebay)

Utilization

Usable with almost anything that has MIDI,,, sound modules, software,etc. This Thing IS off Da Hook~!!!!

Worth the price.

Overall Opinion

I love this thing in my studio, i have it set up right in front of my pc, so it is easy to make computer based production. I also use other hardware.

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com

Posted by: qbsfinest ( 7-, 2005)

Did you find this review helpful?yes no

M-Audio Keystation Pro 88

M-Audio Keystation Pro 88 user reviews ( 7/10) - 27 user reviews