All user reviews for the M-Audio Keystation 61es

Choice of equipment to replace an old emergency 49-key MIDI keyboard Keytek died after many years of service and many glasses of beer passed through her womb.
Have opted for the M-Audio Keystation 61es (so 61 keys):
-Price (+ / - 150 euros 5 years ago)
-Keys with aftertouch, touch piano-style (light), Midi Out and USB connectivity, keyboard transposed, congestion, connection for sustain pedal, pitch bend and modulation Dials.
Accessory: volume control.
At the time little keyboard has buttons for control of sequencers and plug-in (fader, transport, etc. ...). Keyboards with these characteristics were a higher price, and personally, OTC.
It is possible to connect the keyboard or via USB or via MIDI. This type of connection I was advised by the vendor. On some series notes were sent by the evil Midi connection (see forum, it seems to me that this problem was addressed).
Tip: when you plug the USB keyboard, it is possible to use the port as a MIDI interface: can connect an expander or other machines that can receive the South and, from the sequencer, using the Midi port Out of 61e as a midi interface port .... An additional port is never enough!

UTILIZATION

The touch is nice. I'm not a regular "grand pianos" so am not in the ability to compare with a Steinway or another.
I have a little regret about the pitch bend wheel: the return to the central point is extremely sensible.Difficile manage Pitchbend accurately around the center detent. Moreover, it is unfortunate that we can disable the automatic return of the knob pitchbend towards the central point, how has the Modulation Wheel.

The keyboard layout is not complicated, as with anything: a ride in the manual will teach you more than hours of tinkering without convincing results.

OVERALL OPINION

I use this keyboard for 5 years.
No other model was tested ... also say that I was tempted by any other model.
Except for the Pitch Bend wheel (see above), I have no negative comment was issued on this keyboard.

Currently: Having affordable products on the market and use more massive plugins I would advise any buyer has to move towards offering a keyboard, in addition, control functions such as transport, faders, assignable buttons etc..

On a purely personal opinion, I think this type of keyboard is exceeded by the current products, however it remains a regrettable purchase.
5 years since the 61es serves me, no problems, no default. All buttons are functional, as are the knobs and connectors: the M-Audio 61es is strong!

This keyboard does not really have MIDI controllers apart from a volume fader, pitch bend and modulation. Use only the USB is very convenient.

UTILIZATION

The keyboard has a good feel, a little hard to play instruments like piano and sensitive enough for good function gammes.La advanced feature is not bad but you need to print the control panel because it is not on the keyboard ( it is in the manual) for my part I cut and pasted download on the keyboard. The manual is well detailed.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 2 years and this is my first MIDI keyboard that I always live on garageband and ableton live. I said that I was involved a few USB garageband bug: sometimes there is nothing you must disconnect and reconnect the keyboard, or who sustain pedal stops. Personally if I had the choice again I'll buy another one with fewer keys and + controllers.

Keyboard 61 keys with semi-weighted keyboard dynamics.

UTILIZATION

I already had a Roland XP-10 to hit dynamic but unsatisfactory because it was too "toy" and an upright piano, but too noisy.
So I was looking for a keyboard 61 key study (space saving) to the "piano keys" semi-weighted (the heavier being affected too much in these dimensions).

OVERALL OPINION

The Keystation is certainly compact, but virtually useless for studying piano because of the sensitivity / dynamic keys that has a totally erratic refund!
Thus, on one hit and sometimes you get a loud sound, sometimes a weak sound. Touchdowns on a little light, it often gets no sound at all.
The range of sensitivity to touch seems to have been carved with an ax (3, maybe 4 levels), with no finesse!

I wanted something relatively basic at an affordable price that can be plugged into my USB drive from VST and triffouiller way more inspiring than the mouse ...

UTILIZATION

Semi-weighted keys, one feels that it is not just simple plastic and the c ** It's nice!

Now if we look for an instrument that can approximate a piano for the study (as seen in a review below) is sure that is not true!

The configuration could not be easier! One branch, at worst specifies the sequencer (in my case) that is the keyboard that is used and basta!

Channels, patches etc. I do have never served! Maybe one of these 4 as I lean gently on these options the ...

I put 10, but I specified that it is in relation to my use!

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for several years, I am not a pro in the electronic music! Being more into rock and assimilated my goal was simply to run my various synths, pianos and other organs ... And what the role is perfect!

I had one previously, in the same price range but a few years earlier, and it is clear that there is no picture! This one is really good, both visually's use!

It is a product that I think is good in its value for money, just enough! Having said that I buy in Germany, less than 150th displayed here, and that price I might be thinking about something else!

Now it is true that I started to watch more keyboards with knobs to go further, and with this one I am stuck, I'll have réinvestissse!

But to use that I have, at the risk of repeating myself, it's just perfect!

I chose this keyboard master because it simply connects via USB.
It also has 61 keys, I do not want less.
He also hit a semi heavy, what I really wanted too.

UTILIZATION

The touchdown is pretty good for a keyboard at this price but do not expect a real piano touch ...
The manual? never used!
Simple configuration so as to just plug in USB, what your software does the rest.


OVERALL OPINION

I use for over a year and I agree for the moment.
Excellent value for money, it was time to touch the keyboard heavy semi least expensive on the market!
Now if I had to change I will choose something more finished and complete, but to start on the heavy semi I recommend it.

This is a review of the M-Audio Keystation 61es. I was watching a video on YouTube of a young producer using a MIDI keyboard. When I started producing 2 years ago, I needed something like that, because, I as well am a young producer. I wanted my first keyboard to be easy. I was ignorant, but out of luck, I picked a great MIDI keyboard, the M-Audio Keystation 61es. The USB port influenced my choice because I didn't know a thing about MIDI, or any type of connection. I was only familiar with USB, so I took the first big leap when it came to producing and purchased this keyboard for $150 off of eBay. I was extremely excited for it to come because it was a promising piece of equipment. There are a couple options, but keeping it simple. One of them was the ability for a sustain pedal, like a real piano. This is one of the couple essential features on this board.

UTILIZATION

When it arrived, I was happy because I had gotten just the correct amount of keys. It's no studio piano with 76 or 88 keys, but it's not a compact board with 25 or 49 keys. This was nice because it was a happy medium between the two. I was happy that it fit nicely on my desk. The keys itself are pretty solid. They don't seem thin, and they're semi-weighted, giving the action of a real piano. The setup itself was a breeze. In retrospect, I don't even think I had to install anything. I think that the simple USB connectivity made drivers unnecessary. There isn't much of "channel selection" because it's such a simple keyboard, but the octave up and down buttons were useful, as well as the solid pitch bend and modulation wheels. In terms of the manual, I never had to look at it.

OVERALL OPINION

I have been using it for around a year and a half. The thing I like most was the ease of connectivity and compatibility. It was a breeze to install, and works in almost every DAW. I didn't try any other models before I bought it because really, I didn't need to. A con of this board was the lack of faders or knobs. However, if you are just doing some simple keyboard/melody work into your DAW, faders and knobs are just a luxury, not something that is essential. The price was fantastic, as I had gotten it $50 off. I recommend this MIDI Controller to anybody who really needs to get started with a simple, efficient, and easy-to-use MIDI keyboard.

For this price, you can't expect many features.. pitch wheel, 61 semi weighted keys, transpose buttons, that can be programmed to multiple uses as i.e. transposition, program changes, etc. as is the module wheel and the volume slider.. i don't need extra knobs or such, that i use my mp-7 for, so for the basics this is sufficient

UTILIZATION

Powered via usb or (optional) power supply.. easy to set up (if you need to set up the buttons at all) and easy to use..

so far i haven't had any problems.. the device (as most other controller in this price range) is plastic, but as long as you don't drop it, it should be all fine

OVERALL OPINION

It's sufficient for a 61 keys midi controller..

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: baggysound ( 9-, 2005)