All user reviews for the M-Audio Keystation 61es

I chose for the number of keys because I used to make melodies than to control groundwater, samples, etc ...
The price also motivated me in my choice.
There is a USB socket (if used with a computer keyboard is USB powered), taking "midi-out", a jack for a pedal, a 9V power supply socket when using wireless USB .

UTILIZATION

Touch is not bad for the price. It is light, but hey we made it.
The manual is simple (the keyboard is simple).
There is a "pitch bend", a "modulation" wheel, a slide volume, two buttons to raise and lower octave, and "advanced functions" button knob that must be used to change the midi signals from certain keys but I have not tried yet.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 3 years, I have not tried other models before except electric piano Yamaha.
I love the simplicity, lightness and the number of piano keys.
He clearly lacks some buttons to assign actions, it is a shame. The plastic is not very costal, attention to shocks.
The value for money is not bad, how all the M-audio gear that I bought.
If I had to buy one, I'll take one with more buttons to assign, even put € 50 more.

What characteristics have motivated your choice?
There was not much to the era!

UTILIZATION

The touch keyboard is it nice? Is it for your use?
Yes but over time ....

The selection of MIDI channels, patches is easy
Yes

OVERALL OPINION

How long have you use it?
7 years

Have you tried many other models before buying it?
No

How would you rate the quality / price?
It's going to age

With experience, you do again this choice? ...

No it's not a good series Viellie it very badly, pitch bend unmanageable, never returns to zero, the same modulation and the keys dirty very quickly and must be cleaned up for a bomb dry air it has quite good backpacking too! but now it is stored in a box in the closet!

- 49-note velocity keyboard
- Pitch bend and modulation
- Volume slider / control
- Advanced function button for programming
- Sustain pedal input
- Buttons for octave + / - to select the size of the keyboard
- Separate MIDI out jack routes MIDI signals from your computer to control external devices
- Powered by USB or 9V DC power supply (not supplied)
- Is also a standalone USB MIDI interface
- Feature "plug and play" with native support for Windows XP and Mac OS X
- Drivers included for Mac OS 9.1 (or higher) and Windows 95/98/ME/2000

UTILIZATION

The touch keyboard is very nice. It is ideal for use in home studio.
no problem installing xp. It is recconu automatically when it is turned.
cd comes with two: 1 for the drivers (useful on Windows 98 or other) and another that contains some software.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it since yesterday and I am very happy. Aesthetics, it is beautiful.
I would do this choice without any hesitation.
I was surprised to see such a good keyboard (very robust and more) for a low price (€ 158 bought new)
M-Audio has also released his little brother, the Keystation 49e that has the same features except that it only has 49 keys and a touch "synth".

I searched for several hours a keyboard to touch-type piano and five octaves (61 keys) for less than 1200 Francs. Finding nothing I started searching on occasions when I came across the Keystation 61es at a small site amricain.

I read the price several times and have a simultaneous command to see the bill before believing it. It is the only keyboard with many buttons and a touch too INTERESTED under 200. These are the reasons for my choice.

It comes with a manual, a USB cable I think a little short (1 m 50) and two CDs: a driver CD (for older Windows) and a CD with software dmonstration. Many VSTI, so you have possder Cubasis or equivalent if you want to enjoy it.

UTILIZATION

Touch surprised me when I dballe the keyboard. I t's. It seemed like a synth elastic and less flexible.
But playing again I t surprised we almost feel like a piano under your fingers! The piano-style pomp above a certain typing speed, it's magic. We should not be an ide the Keystation 61es gently pressing the keys. You have to play.

I think it's a "phnomne" semi CHARACTERISTICS touch heavy. The keys are weighted by a spring and a weight.
A trs low speed, you do not feel that the spring, it is elastic like a synth (with a higher hardness, however).
In game situation, the inertia of the weight is felt like a real heavy mcanique piano is struck more quickly and is hard, and then bounces lgrement. The feeling is stirring.

Setup is super simple. I connected the keyboard, Windows XP install the drivers alone, and 10 seconds later I was playing the piano.

What I regret most is the tiquettage keys. On the hull, above the keys, there are "C1, D1, ..., C6" to crit. Frankly, a pianist is supposed to know the key names ...

A single digit above each OD would it not enough to indicate the octave key 11 and following?
This would free the site and M-Audio and p would write the function keys. Yep, custom settings are MIDIs rglent with the keyboard. To do this, it is reported rgler something you want by pressing the "Advanced Functions" Keystation left, and the rest goes with the keys.

For example, the key of F # octave 4 is used to enter the mode "select the instrument." Then, says the program (Instrument) by calling its desire numro keys: the floor of the octave 3 is the number 0, the next key is the number 1, etc., until the SI of the octave 4 (figure 9).

In short, I would have found more convenient than the number and function of each key is described instead of his name, which is defined connatre. The choice of M-Audio requires us to have the manual before the eyes rgler custom settings for MIDI.

As for the manual, it is clear trs, anything.

OVERALL OPINION

This keyboard is clearly exceptional. Command July 1, I p receive the 18 August, as the reason M-Audio underwent a total out of stock. All Kestations 61es made taient pow 1 month APRS its release.

It's been three days that I have, I immediately find, he rode.
There's a little trick that I Chargin is that some white keys are harder than others. TRS bit! But feels. Well, I quibble.
I disassemble the keyboard to see just a o, and the weights are all identical (25 grams, key included, if my balance is right). It is therefore the springs the guilty.
But I quibble. J'enlve when even 1 point for a. The 2nd point is to tiquettage keys.

I test a Yamaha keyboard with a "80" in the name, CP-80 I think. I also test the real pianos.
It is obvious that for 175, the touch is less and less enjoyable raliste that more expensive keyboards. But for this price, this touch has never seen t, and it is all fawn trs good! O In a report qualitprix I would say exceptional.

I highly recommend this keyboard to those, like me, are not rich and are seeking a touch close to the piano. To my knowledge there is no better than 300.

Machine very consistent and very simple: most is (pitch bend, modulation, volume knob, sustain pedal, midi out). it lacks a screen of essential functions (transpose, MIDI channel ...) but there is room to tinker with his crafted.

UTILIZATION

CAM use, plug and play with Mac OS X (panther).

The touch is not so bad, it's not "grade hammer", but it is not his niche. is the "in between" and especially a little heavier than the touch synth classic. No effect hammer but it still offers good sensastions in its range.

the manual is sufficient for the features offered.

OVERALL OPINION

No problem - last month I have - with this great keyboard.

quality / great price (160 nine euros!).

CHARACTERISTICS motivating, 61 keys.
Type hammer piano (apparently) long throw ...

UTILIZATION

Touch is enjoyable, the more we pressed the feelings appear more
I like the configuration is simple (Mac OS X), Manual ample
since the keyboard is highly simplified.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for several months without any problem, I was looking for a
simple keyboard with little button, I just prfre rgl on my mac
not fun live ... not just tweak a great pianist ... lol
I would do this choice, although the keyboard two days have had commencbr APRS /> shit ... but can happen ...

I wanted a master keyboard to control my home or vsti scne. For me the feel was more important than the number of controllers. But when you look at the m-audio products in matters of keyboards we still a lot of things between the Keystation, the evolution, ozone, oxygen, radium etc. etc ...
My choice fell on this one, not comfort the good reviews it and l.
The principle of feeding me well motivated USB also: emcombrement less, especially on stage.
I still enjoyed at least one controller in addition to the modulation wheel and sustain pedals. Anyway .... whether at m-audio or elsewhere, is the best compromise number of touch-controllers-power USB I've seen.

UTILIZATION

So I ordered the bte internet (too lazy to move) without having esssay.
And well I never do it again ...
I'm pretty dcu.

Installation: nothing to say is simple: you plug and shoo! even with no driver install XP.

The USB and stability: the ben y 'problems sometimes, be careful not put out any time, it made me crash my Cubase several times because I had turns off (and no branch. It is also comes with a USB cable ridiculously short.

Touch: Semi-Weighted .... yeah, frankly I do not like me, c always better than a basic keyboard but it's even far from satisfactory. The worst are the wheels and above the bend, it is horrible, very soft, it is trs bad, it really makes playschool.

The worst: I plug my pedals Sustain: the polarity is reversed while supposedly in the manual, the keyboard automatically recognizes it. Even when they explain that if the polarity is not good, just aluminum keyboard while still pressing the pedals except that if it shuts down and the bazaar that is thrown or cubase chain ( or else I guess) the software sometimes crashes or can not find the connection noon or so everything works but the polarity and still no good.

Manual: nothing spcial wrong, it is rather clear

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for three weeks, not on stage but I hate selling it already ...
It's really not a good product even for 200 euros.

<p class="bbcode-cite"> Quote: <span>- What technical specifications motivated your choice?</span>
Touch, which is semi-weighted. And 61 keys.

<p class="bbcode-cite"> Quote: <span>- What connections (MIDI pedals ...)?...</span>
The keyboard can be connected via MIDI or USB, as Controller.

As for the electric power of that keyboard, it can be done directly through the USB port or else by an AC adapter sold separately.

UTILIZATION

<p class="bbcode-cite"> Quote: <span>- The touch keyboard is it enjoyable? Should you use?</span>
Touch is excellent! It suits me perfectly since I used to play all kinds of virtual instruments, the piano the guitar through the violin.

<p class="bbcode-cite"> Quote: <span>- The configuration gnrale is it simple?</span>
Nothing simpler. You plug is automatically recognized by Windows XP and USB sources APRS you play.

<p class="bbcode-cite"> Quote: <span>- The select MIDI channels, patches is easy?</span>
It selects the Controller in hte squenceur or software, as usual.

<p class="bbcode-cite"> Quote: <span>- The manual is clear and sufficient? ...</span>
I do not regard the manual. It is fair to advance CONTRL which I do not ever used.

OVERALL OPINION

<p class="bbcode-cite"> Quote: <span>- How long have you use it?</span>
For just 2 months now.

<p class="bbcode-cite"> Quote: <span>- What is the particular feature you like best and least?</span>
I especially like the touch, finally it's just a normal Controller.

<p class="bbcode-cite"> Quote: <span>- Have you tried many other models before acqurir?</span>
No, I did that essay l.

<p class="bbcode-cite"> Quote: <span>- How do you report qualitprix?</span>
I think this keyboard is that plutt 149 169. But the report is correct.

<p class="bbcode-cite"> Quote: <span>- With the exprience, you do again this choice? ...</span>
I do not know, because I have not test others Controller. But it suits me fine for now.

I was looking for a simple master keyboard and not necessarily size piano to learn piano and put into practice my famous music theory lessons of my childhood (or at least more seriously than before).

The key aspect of "piano" heavy semi attracted me.

For connectivity, the USB is actually more that I kept my SB Live Midi connection with the above for my little keyboard effects.

UTILIZATION

Before buying, I went to test this by comparing the keyboard touch of synths and piano: Ben is not necessarily a miracle, I think a touch more enjoyable synth (even faster in the game) and necessarily less than a real piano with the mechanics behind.

For the config, nothing wrong, you plug and it works. also a little advice for the test without running Cubase or another big furnace, using Midi-OX (soft handy who can stay in the systray)

For the selection of MIDI channels, well as there are few buttons, you must get used to. after pressing the button "advance", each key is a key function: octave shift, transpose, bank ...
But the use is quite handy (of course must know by heart function), but such use does not bother me given my use.

The manual is clear.

OVERALL OPINION

It'll be three weeks that I use and it works flawlessly, no problems with Cubase (I never managed to make it crash into the keyboard éteingnant! See the notice before)

Features: No, it suits me as a beginner. Power over USB is great (and it does not heat)
I like the recognition of the polarity of the pedal: I had the remains of old synth: 2 pedal polarity and different bin after restarting the keyboard, it recognizes the reverse pedal and sustain.

the least: to tickle a little, qq keys (1 or 2) are slightly higher (only 1mm)

The price / quality ratio is excellent and - € 200 is impeccable

and I would do well to buy the experience but it is useless I already have one !!!!!!!
Edict of 19 October 2005: qq good after months of use, he asked me any points. I always advise

It is the ratio of touch quality / price attracted me. I'm talking about the report, if your used to the grand piano of your Voison you will find touching trs bad ... on the other hand, if you could test dja few keyboards in this price range you will find trs really good touch.

I think it is important to emphasize that we must sit down and play to evaluate the touch, not a vague press a few keys standing looking at the walls ... The Keystation 61es is a touch harder than the other keyboards and this is very apprciable.

Personal I bought it to play on a PC, and there's the USB port that feeds provided. The rest (midi output, power sector) I do not use. There's also an input for sustain pedals, always nice acqrir by APRS (about 30).

UTILIZATION

The feel is really between a keyboard of his price range and a keyboard range suprieure or better. It really starts to feel to have something under your fingers.

Speaking of buttons, I want to say that they are not aligned nickel, so sit in front of the keyboard or on the range top of a cabinet can be seen and it has less beautiful than a real piano, or the keys are perfectly aligned, in harmony ... By no means against Adrangi qd to play I say is not aligned to 1 / 2 millimtre prt.

Installation is simple in XP that contains dja good drivers, and although the gre usb Manir gnrale. Against by certain features of the keyboard are not intuitive. For example, to change the sound from the keyboard, you must press advanced and then an F #, and then + / -. A force we know by heart but without instructions c not found.

The manual is clear enough but I like devices where you can do without it looking a little

OVERALL OPINION

I am using this keyboard since June 2005.

To be complete I think I have to say that the first I had a manufacturing defect, I had more dynamic touch of a button after 4 months, in fact it was who it was from a rubber chir and magnet keep still (the principle of operation of the keyboard is the m than a joypad or a remote, unless you have two keys that magnets do not touch the printed circuit in m time when pressed, making it possible to assess typing speed and yes indeed bte c all ...)

Instead of providing a rubber spare my store, M-Audio has done an exchange prfr standard (20 for shipping my store took over). I rest when even one month and a half without a keyboard ... That's why I put that 6 because of after sales service that allows M-Audio DSIR.

I put 9 or 10 m if not, as the keyboard is good, the feel is good (for 180), the keyboard still has the same if we can geule Chipotte on the alignment of key ...

Brief 5 octaves, 2 wheels mumuse to distort the sound (c not my thing but sometimes funny c 5 minutes on same!), I recommend this keyboard to anyone who wants to get into the world of music to learn to play or call (There's really three tons of stuff to do with all software that exist, and there are virtual instruments trs really good (The Grand ,...), but do not want invest too much initially to test their motivation.

This is an excellent first keyboard.

Like many others who chose this keyboard, I was looking for a midi keyboard not too expensive, but with a touch okay and more than two octaves
At that time the M-audio silent the best ones I could touch.
Used on a PC, the power from the USB port is convenient, walk the buttons, so good. A good basic.

UTILIZATION

The touch keyboard is correct ... This is not a piano, not even electric. As a guitarist, I was going, but the pianists are quite the thing in front of husbands.
The configuration could not be simpler su Win XP: one branch and it works.
The thing that m'ennerve is starting to think the soft APRS turning on the keyboard ... I do not understand why or Reason or Cubase are able to understand they have just connect the keyboard along the way ...
And then there's a lot of functions that can be achieved by the combination of keys on the keyboard ... I tried it once ... I just drgl without any repre mmoriser for what I did ... galre ... This is a freelance this stuff, and is not used much.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for a year, and its simplicity j'apprcie (forgetting these combinations sotriques): it is to play notes in sequence, period. And it trs well as a.

Looking back, I tell myself that I would have been useful to the ten assignable knob for the effects ... C'tait more expensive, but t would be useful.

Simplicity, no control and a small emcombrement!
I just have a sustain pedal, if connected via USB, be happy

UTILIZATION

I'm not a real keyboard, so I just search a touch nicer than the synth, I find this one very well despite a slight disappointment, I thought the touch "semi heavy" a bit more "heavy" precisely: p

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for a month now.
It is true that the feel is more pleasant than the Edirol PCR-30, moreover, went from a 32-note has a 61 notes, even without a real keyboard is much more comfortable.
The fact that there is no control may seem a small defect in my case ... it was a selection criterion.
The value for money is good, more than I bought it at Milonga (near me) that is aligned Blayback!
I think for a configuration with a control surface, and for someone who is not keyboard is the ideal choice, then yes I would do this choice!

The big plus:
Touched a keyboard heavy, semi 61 notes for less than 200 € ... A miracle

In addition, a volume knob on the keyboard, MIDI controller and buttons transpositons octave ...
Happiness

UTILIZATION

The touch keyboard is really nice ... it is again: it's not a piano, it's still a synth but it's not a hit "plastok". It feels to play, it's really close to the piano ...
Configuration, ok ... is a master keyboard ...
Channel Selection noon impeccable, if only one is taking the time to read the manual ... otherwise it is clear that not just guess the keyboard shortcuts ... lol
Manual clear and light ... good as any manual c not super intriguing reading but essential if we want to do shit ... kind of computer connections, the credentials and USB Midi ... It avoids a lot of problems if you take the fourth time needed to read the manual.

OVERALL OPINION

Honestly, quality / price ratio, I do not voi ... more For now, I could not find fault ...
I hit a 49-key synth to date, well it has nothing to do ... is approached very much a play piano ...
I advise all the world ...

This keyboard is perfect for my use: Use any computer, including phone, without needing to install any drivers, so Linux compatibility ...
Furthermore, it has a keyboard to play virtually any size with a very acceptable and very little cost ... I am using only the USB connector, which has the good taste to power the keyboard, and I have not bought sustain pedal (not very useful for the use I have).

UTILIZATION

Touch is a good compromise. For reasons of weight, price, etc.. It is very difficult to replicate the feel of a real piano (especially all the pianos have not, and far from it, the same touch), or even that of a mid-range digital piano. This keyboard can also play the organ (I did not experience a good keyboard organ), synthesizer, various virtual instruments ... What counts in this range is that the keyboard sends a good feedback, it allows a fast game and comfortable, and it is. The dynamic control is a bit poor, however.
If one has taken the time to read the manual, the general pattern is evident, especially since it is not necessary to install any driver (except for archaic OS).
The main drawback comes from the label above the keys that can not easily remember some functions, and forces them to keep the manual (very suitable) at your fingertips. Of course we can put ourselves labels according to what is used, but it's a shame!

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for four months. I like the ease of use: you plug, you play. MIDI key controls are well placed. The labeling of the keys is to review, and it would take some additional LED control, but these flaws are minor.
I dabbled with other keyboards before buying (I dismissed the Keystation 49, more compact, the keyboard is synth-type), but the best touches are much more expensive and too cumbersome. Anyway, I did not expect to compete with the touch of a digital piano, I have also ...
The features of this keyboard give it an excellent quality / price, and I would do without hesitation that choice.

- CHARACTERISTICS What motivated your choice?
Price, weight, small footprint.

- What connection?
1 USB (USB powered)
1 Midi Out (useless Ordi)
1 9 volt transformer not supplied, if not to connect your computer thinking of buying a transformer.
1 Sustain pedal input (pedals not included), a little more if you buy a sustain pedals M-Audio, you take any of the two models they fit any keyboard, any brand (reversing polarity.

UTILIZATION

- The touch keyboard is it enjoyable? Should you use?
Or good ... touch of synth is what they announced the semi ballast must not say when a same, a basic rest of spring!
To get the batteries in midi, play ground and agreements has been nikel.
I feel heavy for a Roland RD500.

- The configuration gnrale Is it easy?
Plug and play simplicity of an extreme, even not need pilot, part, it works.

- The select MIDI channels, patches is easy?
M-Audio makes us simple products simple appearance, it is felt that the purpose and the image M-Audio wants.
So for some machine does, for it is too small keyboard dpouill buttons.
Offers one button to activate all the features MIDI, each key on the keyboard REPRESENTATIVES function, transpose, use the patch, ect ... CHANNELS
In other words, without the doc under the eyes requires a memory for all of lphant mmoriser.
I put a tape in it and I have every console Write, I found this solution which is a little Bontempi ...
There are two buttons to change octave, it's great, I added a button transposes a lack svrement, have to go through the button VTR functions to advance as the rest, ca is ch ...
But good for the price eh, finally it's for him but I had that a 4 / 10 the top ...

- The manual is clear and sufficient?
Ms. too much, for once our friends tell us about M-Audio as if silent noodles, at least as of no rsique not understand

OVERALL OPINION

- How long have you use it?
10 days

- What is the particular feature you like best and least?
+ The look
+ The weight
+ The small footprint
The power supply + USB
+ The price!
- Failure to transpose button.
- The absence of important buttons for direct ACCS important functions.
- Absence of a display that reminds what mode you are or what is active as a function.

- Have you tried many other models before acqurir?
No, I admit, I then right back to bitching about some dtails
In fact I needed cheap and effective immediately.

- How do you report qualitprix?
Bah the recess saying anything, one connects, it works, it's lightweight, cheap, a good look.

- With the exprience, you do again this choice?
I think so, I would look just be some other models to find a display and a transpose button, but I quibble.
At that price I think I would do this choice is left empty.

Size and weight for a very practical touch keyboard "semi heavy"
usb, midi out, sustain pedal, power supply between 9V

UTILIZATION

For a pianist, is a bit lightweight. but for the price and weight, it is a compromise
correct.
Setup is simple and clear guide

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for two years.
I like its simplicity and its cot practice.
Reserved I respect my decision on the quality price.
In fact, I just noticed that one wear caoutchoux
are below the keys, disrupting the dynamics.
Yet for the time sav m-audio refuses to change or sell the caoutchoux
in question proposes to change the entire motherboard (and therefore almost all
the lctronique) which makes no sense and is expensive because the user does not warranty
longer plays.

Purchased for its unbeatable price, its very small weight and size, ease of use, and feel that is not heavy but that is about illusion ... and I'm not disappointed!

UTILIZATION

Touch is nice, but atention this is not a touch heavy but semi-weighted, there is no ballast, it's spring, but it's largely an illusion for home studio, no problem. In addition to the shape of the keys is that of a piano (full key), and casually psychologically it counts
Setup is extremely simple, the manual is useless because hungry, at least for those who do not require additional controllers.
There is here a living wage, and that's exactly what I wanted: pitch, octave + / - (still very useful), modulation, volume, and an advanced button with the keyboard, useless for me because I have a 25 keys with lots of buttons ...

OVERALL OPINION

I tried many other equivalent models in the store front, all prices, have come and retraced on AudioFanzine forums, and I found exactly what I wanted, plus it's one of the cheapest, to complete my casio px-110 privia it is a true piano touch.
Unbeatable value for money.

Simply empty and convenient exit buttons everywhere finally DMods and often overlapping with rglages obtained by the software Zique prfr!
Or the effective connectivity requires a rponse perfect.

UTILIZATION

The keyboard is one that is expected ... better! by the size and feel of the keys
the semi lest.C 'is very well thought and what is not useful to compare with a piano as it is not a keyboard hammer.
Config simple and great!
The manual is no spelling mistakes! Proves the srieux!

OVERALL OPINION

6 months of use.
It's particularity is to be Aesthetics, both simple and beautiful and of course reliable and ergonomic!
I tried 4 or 5 but the appearance MODELS knock me brakes (Lumire gadget etc. ....)
Report qualitprix anything.
I do it again this choice without hsiter!