All user reviews for the M-Audio Key Rig 49

I make soundtracks for videogames and after more than enough time writing all the lines for my midi instruments in Logic’s piano roll I decided to buy a controler to make the whole production process faster and more musical. The chosen one was this M-Audio KeyRig 49.
It has four octaves of velocity sensitive keys (but no aftertouch!), a modulation wheel, a pitch bend wheel, a volume fader, octave up/down buttons, an ‘edit’ button (more on that later), sustain pedal input, on/off switch, finally the usb port to connect it to your computer (no ac needed), and absolutely nothing else.

Construction is pretty good, but feels like it would get damaged if you drop it from a not so short height. No worries if you're always leaving it in the studio, just keep the box in case you need to move it somewhere else. Overall I really like the clean no-knobs look of it and its silver color.

UTILIZATION

On a Mac you simply plug it, Logic recognizes the new midi in and you can start playing right away. If you're a piano player you probably won't like the weight and overall feel of the keys, they're plastic-y and very light. I (not a piano player at all) also prefer heavier keys, but these ones will do the job just fine.

The only time I've ever read the manual was when I wanted to learn how to send the midi data to a channel different than one, and this is how you do it: press the 'edit' button once, the red light above it starts blinking, then you press one of the keyboards white keys for the desired channel (from D1 up), so: D1 for channel 1, E1 ch2, F1 ch3 and etc. I find it a clever way to reach a function like the midi channel select with only one button and the controller keys, very usefull if you like to have many instruments in the same instance of Kontakt, for example. The Keyrig probably has another couple nice things hidden in the manual, but seriously, I've never really bothered reading it past the channel select thing, never felt the need to.

For a long time I didn't feel like I was being less productive for not having knobs or faders or pads on the controller. Even if I record an automation with that I always end up polishing it later in the mix, inside Logic. If you also do it, you probably won't miss the knobs too.





OVERALL OPINION

I've tested many other controllers and keyboards from friends before buying the KeyRig 49, and think I've made a really good choice. For me and for my job, a midi controller is a tool that helps you have ideas faster: it's way more musical and productive to play around with a few keys to find a melody for a theme than to write it all on the piano roll or score editor and hit play on the DAW to hear how it sounds like every time you change a couple notes. The KeyRig does that without the extra clutter (and price) of a lot of knobs and pads.

One thing that would be cool though is the aftertouch, its a nice and visually clean way to control a parameter in many virtual instruments that I miss here.

Being a 49 keys controller I wouldn't call it exactly portable, but its also not huge and, compared to my LPK25, the two extra octaves are indeed quite useful to hear how a bass line sounds against a melody, to quickly make and visualize really open chord structures or the full note range of an instrument (or at least most of it). The LPK25 obviously wins on portability - and I have one because out of the studio two octaves are still better than none -, but I think that the KeyRig has a good bit of both things: its big enough to give you possibilites, but small enough to be carried around with not much hassle.

So if you really don't need all the bells and whistles of a full-featured midi controller, get a keyrig, you won't regret it.

I bought new in store, I liked at first its simplicity and price for the number of keys.
Before buying it I was torn between taking a simple model like this one or go on something more sophisticated (Oxigen, Behringer) I finally took without much thought, to prevent regrets given the price, and The gamble paid off as much satisfies me.

This is simply a master keyboard, so it has 49 keys, which manages the velocity rather well, you get used to some nuances.
As to the touch, I'm not keyboardist, so I can not judge accurately, but I can say that it bothers me absolutely not, on the other hand obviously it's not a piano, any so people who want a master keyboard or a synth with a touch tapper rather know that it takes in brands such as Roland, and in more expensive models (at least triple or quadruple that ...).
To pitch bend little regret because it is difficult to use because of its shape but not very comfortable to strength and we get out of the modulation is not bad, nothing more.
The volume fader is, it does its job, on the other hand the "Edit Mode", I do not know what it is and my software can not use it for the reconnaire, so too bad, anyway I 'm doing very well without!

Aesthetic level it is no more, the plastic is not too too cheap, strength level I'm afraid it is fragile (although AC is unfounded) because it is light weight level, he never travels and I am particularly careful with no problem for now. The seller told me 2 years warranty info.

GNU / Linux is Plug and Play, I really appreciate this if you know what I mean I use it with Hydrogen (and jack of course), two three and this is synth niquel.

Its characteristic that I like most, he has no great fault, he does his job in general so automatically it's a delight to use.
Its characteristic that I like least, pitch bend not too handy, but not much!

I find the price / quality ratio Hon (89 € in store), as it does the minimum of a master keyboard well, know that the KeyStation is the old version of KeyRig, and we can not say that it changes a lot, so if you find a KeyStation, it's interesting to take it because it is cheaper (about € 50), and the quality / price ratio becomes great because we have a product with a certain quality at a very affordable.

I advise beginners in computer music or those looking for a keyboard frills.
If I had to make a choice, with the experience I have now I think I would have from the beginning Tappe high (300-400 € perhaps more), but in this range we do not really better, So I would say a big yes!

I use it since 2009.

I had some on hand but that the keyboard was my first, the time it's my favorite ... the axioms are nice, but ultimately the weighted keys tire me: p

Very well made, my 4 year old son is in very much fun but the machine does not move.

We do not expect much from a device like the exception for which it was bought, and what level he filled his office, no surprise:

I recommend it to anyone looking for a simple keyboard and studio budget, without controlling.

Separate control them and the keyboard gives more flexibility, and allows to go to gig without the keyboard (which is used to dial), and its controlers have to play live on the sound and loops prepared.

M Audio Key Rig 49 is a midi controller that can be used in almost any software that is on the market. I think it’s a good handy little midi controller even though I got rid of it because I wanted more octaves so I when with a 61 midi keyboard in the end. But the M Audio Key Rig will get the job done especially if you aren’t really a pianist and don’t need that many octaves.

The keys are pretty light and plastic like, they really don’t have any weight to them but to most people that is fine but if you every messed with a real piano or a good digital piano then you will know the difference and it will feel like a toy. But its not designed to be like a digital piano, even though there are midi keyboards on the market that do have weighted keys this isn’t one of them.

Setting it up is really easy just go into your midi options, and with this board you can use USB it doesn’t have to be used with midi. If you don’t have a preset for it available in your software just use a generic controller that will be fine. Trying to use the touch sensitive option wont work though because the keys arent weighted so its point this to try to get tension and release with the keys.

Overall, it’s a pretty basic controller there are a lot on the market just like it. There are no programmable knobs or sliders that you can automate on this board. Check into some of the other M Audio boards if you need more options that are available the Key Rig 49 is just a standard midi keyboard that will get the job done. Its also very portable and extremely light, and takes up hardly any space at all. Great for use with a laptop.

I came across the M Audio Key Rig 49 because, I was looking for a larger controller to use with Reason, and came across this one for a great price. I was hesitant to buy it since I was afraid it was too cheaply made to hold up to regular use, but it has done well. My old controller was an M-Audio Ozone that only had 25 keys, but also had a lot more bells and whistles that were never used. The Ozone was also a pain to setup in Reason and frequently needed to be tweaked. In my case I only needed a keyboard controller since I have better firewire interfaces for everything else.

This one could not be more simple. 49 full size paddle style keys, Pitch Bend and Modulation Wheels, Octave Up/Down buttons and an on board volume. The back panel is even more simple with a USB socket, Sustain pedal input, and an on/off switch.

Power is through the USB connection, and it was immediately recognized by Reason. I've been through hundreds of patches now and can say I am thrilled by its performance.

The Key Rig software is also great. I have had a lot of fun tweaking sounds to make them work the way I need them too. It actually took more time for me to setup the Keyrig software for this controller than it did setting it up with Reason 4 which surprised me. I have a lot more sounds to play with, and a lot more control over tonal parameters, in Reason 4, but Keyrig is really great standalone software too. If you just need great classic keyboard and piano sounds then the Keyrig software may be all you need to record or perform with.

This is a great keyboard controller for a home studio style setup. You basically open your software and start playing. No delays are present on my dinosaur PC setup so it should be great on anything P4 or above.

What motivated my choice: need a master keyboard and it is sold with the KeyRig No because I have no expendeur (one stone)
the connection is very simple
namely that the log must kreyrig ASIO compatible sound card to play in standalone mode

UTILIZATION

The keyboard is well suited to my use and n is not unpleasant to touch considering the price it is plug and play so we left branch and c
The downside is that there are no pots nya so everything is done with the keys and c is a blow to
config log n KeyRig sound is not so simple but also with several hours of manipulation there are no problems too and the sounds are terrible

OVERALL OPINION

I used the last two weeks on a PC with a sound card delta in 2496 and I am pleasantly surprised that
c for me the most is the four sound modules
less can be the small number of pots on the keyboard
No I have not had the opportunity to try another keyboard so no comparisons can be personal but I find this one of an EXCELLENT value for money and for 100 euros I think I would do this choice

- How long have you use it?
more than a year, but seriously for 2 months.

- What is so special that you like most and least?
Nice touch.
Simple USB connectivity.
Featherweight
And editing capabilities on a very nice product that does not look.

- Have you tried many other models before buying it?
I had a MIDI keyboard before this one and I did not like what I got.

- How would you rate the quality / price?
The best market in my opinion.

- With experience, you do again this choice? ...
Yes, I am a guitarist so it's enough for me, I use it for home recording and repeat sessions / live! It meets all the requested features.
I certainly would have liked some small pads and more control for the edit ... but hey

UTILIZATION

N / A

OVERALL OPINION

N / A

- How long have you use it?

5 months.

-What is the particular feature you like best and least?

The best: easy and simple to use, plug and walk away.
The least: only a keyboard, no buttons ...

- Have you tried many other models before acqurir?

Synths as normal without usb, before crossing the mao.

- How do you report qualitprix?

Exellent, for what that is we do not do better. Ideal for beginners and low budget.

- With the exprience, you do again this choice?

Without hsiter.

UTILIZATION

N / A

OVERALL OPINION

N / A

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M-Audio Keyrig 49: MIDI Keyboard Controller ( http://www.m-audio.fr/products/fr_fr/KeyRig49.html ) ( http://www.m-audio.fr/products/fr_fr/KeyRig49.html )

Connectivity: USB, very convenient, is connected, it works (no drivers needed on Mac)

Characteristics: pitch bend and modulation and a volume slider. (It also has an input for sustain pedal)
Touch is a bit soft but the velocity is very responsive

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UTILIZATION

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Configuration very simple: see a little higher: one branch and it works

No manual and it seems to me that such an instrument as simple does not require

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OVERALL OPINION

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I use it for a week now and I am very satisfied. As a nanoKEY for a while before I really appreciate the arrival of this keyboard ^ ^

I do it again without hesitation that choice it seems to me that level for money is a very good deal plus it is perfect for beginners because computer music simple.

Feature I like <span style="text-decoration: underline;">most:</span> the feel of the pitch bend and modulation (very nice: p)
<span style="text-decoration: underline;">The least:</span> touch a bit surprising at first but we made ​​it very quickly and so there was not too used to playing on real piano no worries <img class="smiley" src="/images/audiofanzine/interface/smileys/icon_lol.gif" alt="" />

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USB connection, a pitch bend wheel, a modulation wheel, volume, input for a sustain pedal, the basic.
a real MIDI connection had been significant ..

UTILIZATION

nothing more simple, it's plug n play.

OVERALL OPINION

tried several models, I have chosen for its price and size for my home studio. Octave for quite a small price so perfect. good on the other hand I would not recommend to those who want to play Mozart in midi, it was not a crazy speed, but it is handy to have it below the elbow.
value for money very very honest.
I do not do it again this election becaufe finally too great for use as I have. but other than that nickel.