M-Audio 25-Key MIDI Keyboards

I BOUGHT IT AT A LOCAL STORE. I OWN A AUDIOPHILE USB AND IT IS AWESOME. I LIKE EVERTHING THE KEYS ARE SENSITIVE EASY TO PRESS (NOT HARD TO PRESS DOWN LIKE THE OTHER WIMP HOW PUT THROUGH A REVIEW) LOTS OF PERAMETERS TO CHANGE FOR THE KNOBS. SOME PEOPLE ON THE NET SAY IT IS TO HARD TO CHANGE THE SITTINGS, IF IT IS HARD TO CHANGE THE SETTINGS HOW WERE THEY ABLE TO WRITE THE REVIEW, U HAD TO BE COMPLETELY BRAIN DEAD TO SAY IT IS HARD TO CHANGE THE SETTINGS I DONT LIKE THE FACT I DID NOT BUY IT EARLIER STRONG, RELIABLE, LIGHT AND EASY TO CARY AROUND WITH A LAP TOP THIS IS A MUST BUY IF U ARE LOOKING FOR A MIDI KEYBOARD CONTROLLER This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

The M Audio Axiom 25 is a great midi keyboard that will work with virtually any computer music software. I am pretty sure at their website they also have updates just in case that for some reason it doesn't work with your DAW or Sequencing program. You can connect using midi cords or usb. I used usb just because for my mobile set up it was a lot easier to use and just plug in. UTILIZATION Its actually really easy to get set up, just plug and play. You may need to update the drivers though but no need to worry they come with the Axiom when you purchase it. Or if you buy it used or lose the disk you can always do it from their website without any problems. M Audio is usually really good with handling their customers and they will do what they can to keep you up and running. As far as the manual goes, I did have to use it several times because of all the menu options and buttons on the board. It was a little overwhelming to have all of those options on just a midi keyboard. Not to mention and midi keyboard with its own viewing screen. Now the screen isn't too big though its really small but it will do the job. OVERALL OPINION For the price, which is pretty high. But its worth the buy! There are a lot of midi keyboards on the market today and to me a lot of them basically have the same options but this one actually has a good weight to it. Its not built cheap. Even though its just a 25, they make them all the way up to 88. I have used the 88 before an it felt like I was going through progressions on a real piano. But the keys aren't too heavy so you can still get those quick synth and leads in. I am a happy M audio customer and will continue to be for years to come. I recommend this midi controller.

First off, I never used the software that came with this keyboard, but I use the keyboard often, so this is really a review of just that. I have been using this keyboard for 6 months. There are a few great things about this keyboard. First off, its very small and there fore very portable. I take my Macbook and this keyboard just about everywhere I go when I am able. This is a great performing tool but due to the limited amount of keys I really only use it for pads and some synths that I don't need a lot of keyspace for. Now, where this thing really shines is for the on the go composer. Its a great tool for writing on the road or even just sitting at home in the studio in front of my monitor. It has a lot of assignable buttons and knobs to sync up with your DAW and has a decent synth action, not great, but good enough for working through ideas and laying pads and synths and drum grooves. Its not so great for actual piano patches, mainly because of the 25 key limit and the action, but again, still good for plugging ideas in. What I don't like about the keyboard is its lack of an expression pedal input and the poor button replacement for the pitch wheel. Not having an expression pedal seriously limits any keyboard, especially one that, in my opinion, shines as a pad/synth controller. I noticed that M-audio didn't include expression inputs on there oxygen series, tsk tsk. Pretty lame, but it doesn't completely ruin this keyboard. As for the "pitch wheel" button, its pretty much useless for subtle actions. Well, I got mine used for $60, which for a portable keyboard to help me compose on the road, I am very happy about. But, I probably wouldn't spend any more than that on a keyboard without an expression insert. Overall, if I were to do it again and had to buy it brand new, I would fork over the extra money and buy the m audio Axiom 25 key version. Its a way superior keyboard.

(Originally written by fabamarie/translated from Audiofanzine FR) Wireless Midi or USB master keyboard with battery or PSU operation. Provided with an USB box allowing wireless operation. The unit also has configurable controls for your DAW. UTILIZATION The playing feel is a bit hard but I'm not a pianist and I'm used to playing light synths. I find the key action too deep and not convenient at all to trigger a drum kit for example. I had problems with a key that didn't "bounce" back after releasing it, but I had it repaired for free since it happened after one and a half years of use and the unit had a two year warranty. I never configured anything: I installed the driver and connected the USB. The keyboard was immediately detected and worked perfectly. I never read the user's manual. The keyboard has two octave shift buttons (up/down). The controls allow me to set volume parameters or zoom functions in Cubase or Logic. it's a nice feature even if I don't use it very often because I own a Nano Control BCN44. The difference is that Midair sends the DAW exact information and more precisely. OVERALL OPINION I've been using it for nearly two years and I've only had the problem with the stuck key which has already been repaired. I installed it on a PC and a Mac without problems. The wireless operation is great: I can keep the keyboard over a cabinet or in a drawer. I take it back when I need it, I power it on and it immediately works (great when you don't have too much space . It can be operated with 5 or 6 AA/R06 batteries and there's a PSU included (convenient since rechargeable batteries discharge very quickly, which can be very annoying when it happens in the middle of a project). I've never used it live. It's perfect for me. Yes I would buy it again if I had the money (it's a small luxury).

It's got Knobs, faders, and keys. Not bad for a 25 key portable keyboard. However, M-Audio controllers with more keys and the same amount of knobs and faders cost less money. The keys are half-action, which means that the keys dont depress (go down) as much as a regular keyboard. This is really a hate it or love it thing. I like it cuz it let's you play the keyboard faster, but at the same time it doesn't have as great a range of velocity levels. Price paid: $199.95 UTILIZATION It's a midi keyboard controller. It's VERY easy to use. OVERALL OPINION It's quality is the best you can really get for that price. It feels a little cheap and plasticy, but it's not so bad that it takes away from playing it. I like it. It's not necessarily the best midi controller, but it's M-Audio's best portable keyboard. Originally posted on FutureProducers.com Posted by: Bigg Mac ( 6-, 2005)