M-Audio Oxygen 61 (Blue)

There are 61 velocity sensitive keys on the M-Audio Oxygen 61. It has 9 sliders, transport controls and it is compatible with just about any DAW you can name. It is very affordable and well built. I have been using this MIDI controller since 2010 and I used it for about 6 months and don’t have a complaint about it. I chose to go with this MIDI controller because it had some sliders that I could assign to different options in my DAW and it was well built. At the time I wanted more than my 49 key controller so I started looking at 61 key Controllers and came across this one. It was affordable and made by M-Audio so I knew it would be well built.


UTILIZATION

It does come with a manual but there really isn’t a need for it unless you are having compatibility problems with a program or your computer. I used it on my Windows 7 desktop and a Windows Vista computer and it has not caused a problem. Actually on my Windows 7 machine I didn’t even have to install anything I just plugged it in and it worked automatically.


OVERALL OPINION

If you use the Oxygen 61 with Pro Tools then you will notice that it has some instant controls over it. Some of the sliders are pre mapped to options in Pro Tools automatically you don’t even have to do anything. You can go in and re assign things the way you want them later or if you don’t like the way they are when you get it. Also notes this with Reason, it was pre mapped to control certain aspects of Reason which I ended up mapping it the way that I wanted later down the road.

The keys on the Oxygen 61 really don’t have much weight to them, but I figured that it wouldn’t since it only cost less than 200 dollars. The keys do feel like plastic and cheap but that’s what you get for this price range. If you are really into playing the keys and need weight and a good feel to the keys then do not get the Oxygen 61 you will feel helpless and it will affect your playing.

The M Audio Oxygen 61 is a very affordable and capable 61 key MIDI controller. It has 9 faders, 8 knobs, transport controls, pitch bend and modulation wheels, and a bunch of programmable presets for different DAWS.

The M Audio Oxygen 61 also feels very solid, and I would not feel afraid to hit a misbehaving friend on the head with one of these (would not feel afraid for my keyboard, that is).

The Oxygen 61 is very sparse on the connections in the back; there is no dedicated MIDI out, so forget using the Oxygen 61 to do any work with outboard MIDI gear. It only has a USB connector, and a power switch. It is some kind of wonder that M Audio decided to give the Oxygen a sustain pedal input at all.

While the Oxygen 61 has plenty of controls, its selection of connections is quite painfully sparse.

UTILIZATION

Everything with the Oxygen seems to work perfectly, and it is an enjoyable MIDI controller to use for the most part. The simple fact that one feels faders and knobs in his or her hand instead of dragging a mouse across a table is already reason enough to buy the Oxygen.

The problem in it lies in the keys. Unfortunately, M Audio has decided that all controllers in the lines below the Axiom line of controllers must resign themselves to a fate of having springy keys.

That, I could get used to, if it weren't for the fact that this generation of the Oxygen controllers happens to register a keystroke in the wrong place. Most pianos and controllers make sound when the key is about half depressed, but the key has to be pressed almost all the way down with these keyboards. It's very upsetting to be going through an intimate string section (because we all strike keys gingerly when playing strings on a keyboard) and having them just not sound.

OVERALL OPINION

The Oxygen is, don't get me wrong, a joy to have, but it certainly is not one of those products that you can own and evangelize to everyone else. It's not perfect by a long shot, and anyone who really wants a comprehensive MIDI controller ought to look a bit deeper into the sea of MIDI controllers to find one good enough.

For me, however, the Oxygen simply acts as a control surface and occasional replacement for my piano.

I am totally beginner in computer music, this is my first midi keyboard, so beginners opinion.
Connectivity: USB only, and can connect a sustain pedal. That's all, and that's enough.
I chose this keyboard because it has enough buttons, knobs (8) and fader (9) to no longer use the mouse. And also for its 5 octaves. I'm not a pianist, but I needed a minimum anyway. We can obviously go up or down from one to three octaves easily.

UTILIZATION

Touch is clearly not a piano touch, but once again, I'm not a pianist, so it suits me. Velocity management is very good.

I have not even care if there was a manual or not. I went two or three times on the M-Audio website, for minor issues. Otherwise, no need for separate manual functions more complicated, but I'm not there yet.

Ultra simple configuration software compatible. I use Reason 5 and Ableton Live 8. It goes into assigning keys, you click on what you want to monitor from the keyboard, you press a button or move a fader / knob and finished. Same for all the rest. After longer need the mouse, one passes easily from one track to another for the keyboard and rule whatever you want (almost) from the keyboard. The faders and knobs may lack precision, but it does not bother me so far.

There's things more complicated than I have not explored yet because I did not need.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 6 months, rather occasionally, especially when I want to make me delirious noise / ambient. But I will surely be brought to me to use a lot more soon and explore what remains to be explored.

This is my first keyboard and I have tried no other.
Feature that I like most: easy to use for all the basic functions.

I bought this keyboard € 150 Used, but like new. I was not a great thing because I do not know if I was going to use it much. But I did not a keyboard that gives me no pleasure. I wanted to enjoy a minimum. And € 150, you win! For my current use (small delusions from time to time), it's perfect and I remake this choice. I have against me by much use now, and very versatile. I will publish this notice function.

Having a keyboard controller and being dropped me at work I had to run in to leave shop within minutes with a new keyboard.
I had gone on a 49 but no luck, in an intermediate category in terms of quality, it was only the Oxygen 61. So it is with the keyboard under the arm I went back to finish my registration.
Simple installation (Pro Tools + Logic), connect the USB device and designate it as it rolls in and ProTools.

UTILIZATION

Not really heavy touch, if you are looking for a piano touch, go your way.
Velocity classic, nothing more nor less, + / - 3 octaves, some assignable faders (not very accurate compared to a controller such as the Mackie MCU Pro, for example), so no use to me.
Transport panel which can be handy when you do not have a controller and finally a pitch bend wheel that is more classic.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 2 years now, I've made it helped me out and now provides well for compos studio. I recommend if budget or first steps in the home studio so if you are pressed ultra due to failure of another keypad (like me).
I tried dozens of other keyboards before this, I had much worse and for the same price.
It is fairly robust, but touching piano may miss at times ...

In short, a very good quality / price ratio I recommend this purchase for a home studio, the characteristics become insufficient for further use or for use in intensive studio.