M-Audio Axiom 49 MKII

Characteristics that motivated my choice was it's great price and 49-key velocity-sensitive semi-weighted-action keyboard with assignable aftertouch, DirectLink mode automatically maps faders, buttons, and encoder knobs to common DAW and virtual instrument parameters,9 assignable faders,
Intuitive custom LCD display, centered on keyboard for optimum visibility and many other cool features like 8 assignable trigger pads, Assignable pitch bend and modulation wheels, etc.
It has a midi connection and also 2 assignable pedal inputs.



UTILIZATION

The general configuration of the program it's very simple , it has a printed quick start guide, also a PDF Guide.
The manual it's well structured, it builds a great understanding of the controller, and it's build-in features, like 8 assignable trigger pads, 8 assignable rotary encoder knobs, 9 assignable faders, and other features.

The channel selection is quite simple, however you should really get into the details from manual so that you can use it more freely and getting faster and better results.

General setup is quite fast, the great benefit of M-audio Axiom 49 2nd generation is the DirectLink feature.

OVERALL OPINION

What I like most about are the 49 piano-style, semi-weighted keys, that provide a great feel, I like the knobs, the drum pads,assignable pitch bend and modulation wheels,the LCD display centered on keyboard for optimum visibility that makes the creative flow to happen much more faster.
It's compatible with Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Mac OS X.
I really like that it's usb powered but you can use also an external source.

Quality and precision of the sounds is beyond good, I really feel like I'm playing a real piano, how the keys feel, the sound that they provide, it works for me and the price it's great also.

There are several type of midi controllers, however if you're willing to give more less 300$ you should try this controller, it's really handy and Pro.

I went to the scene at 49 keys, to no longer waste time octave changes, and I also wanted to be able to easily control the settings for my Virus Snow (after selling my Virus C, I missed a few knobs).
Usual features (USB / MIDI / footswitch) for a master keyboard.
He has also taken place in my home studio using the Direct Link.

UTILIZATION

I like the touch, much nicer than the Oxygen series for example.
To play synths, this is perfect (aftertouch knobs nice, etc ...).
This is for sure a classical pianist or jazz, it is better to enter into a real heavy touch.
Very simple to use, who has some basic MIDI.
In 10 minutes, I set all the knobs and faders to control the settings I wanted my Virus Snow. Split by area is very simple, the ability to assign buttons for program change also changes ...
Anyway, good MIDI implementation, easy to remember and logical enough.

I also discovered the Direct Link Cubase 7, super convenient and made me take this keyboard in front of my screen. It opens the VST one click, all the knobs are assigned either by instrument or for console mix. In short, a great control surface plus a keyboard stage.
And I put my BCF2000 in closet elsewhere ... (Too bad for the motorized faders).

OVERALL OPINION

I month and I am very satisfied!

I have an Oxygen 8V2 of the same brand (a toy side), Evolution MK-149 (which has aged very badly), and others that I have not to this day, I have forgotten names and some synth keyboard (Korg R3, etc ...) and a Technics digital piano.
In short, this is the best keyboard I had Master's hands.
For 215 euros, I say bravo (compared to direct competitor in Akai example, MK49, I tested a few days).

The +:
Ease MIDI assignments
Direct Link
The 8 pads of good quality
Touch the knobs and I find it very enjoyable
Aesthetics

The -:
Knobs a little cheap (at least not super nice) and infinite
Faders a little too basic

I wanted a keyboard not too bulky so the 49 keys to put on my desk because I have a keyboard 88 touches.Je have selected for integration with Pro Tools.J 'had hesitated between it and the 'I believe that axiom pro
of or should have stopped to be marketed.
The Axiom Pro is more complete for those who made the programming but the axiom
second generation is more recent and DirectLink functions work perfectly in Pro Tools as well as transport and mixer functions for virtuels.Si instruments you are working or considering working with the axiom 2 Pro tools really worth the cost because much less expensive than the pro version.
For other sequencers is to verify, but I saw that on the M-Audio website
Everything was planned.

UTILIZATION

Touch is very nice and I'm used to a heavy touch.
As I said above this is a perfect integration with a sequencer.
The manual is quite general and simple configuration clair.La but demand
a little more understanding for MIDI.
I do not use it for now for the selection of patches MIDI I activates
since my sequencer to use the sounds of my cvp303.
on the other hand I use it for virtual instruments for transport
and selections of tracks and mixers.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for ten days.
This is my first master keyboard.
What I like most is the integration with Prot Tools.
For 10 years I dreamed of such a configuration after
try multiple sequencers and general public as many people
keyboard and souris.Quel time saver!
The price at which I got is very good and much cheaper than its big brother.
I remake that choice without hesitation.