View other reviews for this product:
soccerplayer25
Published on 03/26/08 at 15:16
The M-Audio Oxygen 8 is a 2 octave MIDI controller with a volume lever, pitch and modulation wheels, octave up and down buttons and programmable knobs for control of plug-ins and virtual instruments. It has both MIDI inputs and outputs as well as a USB input which powers it if you don't have the power supply (which I don't).
UTILIZATION
The feel of the keyboard seems normal to me. The keys are easy to press down and the action is very friendly. Overall set up was pretty easy for the keyboard, but it really depends what software you are running it with. I use it with Reason 3.0 and have had a few problems setting it up with that. On my PC, unless you install the keyboard right when you are installing Reason, you must go back and reinstall Reason so that the keyboard is programed with it correctly. The patch selection is simple enough, as I just toggle on my computer. I had no manual with it because I bought it used, but I can definitely see it coming in handy.
OVERALL OPINION
I've had the Oxygen 8 for about 3 or 4 years and while its nice to have a small portable keyboard for playing lead lines, its tough to really play full keys with this. I do love how easy it is to use and the feel of it, but I wouldn't mind upgrading to a fuller sized keyboard. I used to have an M-Audio Keystation 49e and I wish I still had it. Although it didn't have all of the programmable options that the Oxygen 8 does, I prefer having the full size keyboard, but of course it all depends what you are using it for. I do wish it was a bit cheaper, which is the reason I had to buy it used. While this is a good controller for what it is, I think somewhere down the line I will look into something with more keys.
UTILIZATION
The feel of the keyboard seems normal to me. The keys are easy to press down and the action is very friendly. Overall set up was pretty easy for the keyboard, but it really depends what software you are running it with. I use it with Reason 3.0 and have had a few problems setting it up with that. On my PC, unless you install the keyboard right when you are installing Reason, you must go back and reinstall Reason so that the keyboard is programed with it correctly. The patch selection is simple enough, as I just toggle on my computer. I had no manual with it because I bought it used, but I can definitely see it coming in handy.
OVERALL OPINION
I've had the Oxygen 8 for about 3 or 4 years and while its nice to have a small portable keyboard for playing lead lines, its tough to really play full keys with this. I do love how easy it is to use and the feel of it, but I wouldn't mind upgrading to a fuller sized keyboard. I used to have an M-Audio Keystation 49e and I wish I still had it. Although it didn't have all of the programmable options that the Oxygen 8 does, I prefer having the full size keyboard, but of course it all depends what you are using it for. I do wish it was a bit cheaper, which is the reason I had to buy it used. While this is a good controller for what it is, I think somewhere down the line I will look into something with more keys.