All user reviews of 5/5 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 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.

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?

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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