All user reviews for the M-Audio Keystation 88es

What motivated my choice:
- It is simply not a lot of button.
- It is lighter than 88 VKM
- A two-out midi input
- Great Works well with the iPad (for after the Studiologic videos)
- There are two input for PDAL



USE

The touch keyboard is nice but noisy. It agree with my use but sometimes the noise scares because it feels that a key will break if you attack a keyboard can strong.

The manual is in French, so you have to understand with the pictures but it is easy to use.

Setup is simple, you have to make several attempts before they understand well but it is easy to understand. Can splliter into 4 zones on a different channel. There are 50 user memories for recall presets.

on the other hand there is a big problem for fair market with the iPad and that 's really boring.

NOTICE GLOBAL

I have this keyboard for 4 months.

I have not tried many other keyboard, but the feel is more than a touch of the Clavinova pianos and others I've tried in stores. After I'm not a pianist but I like his touch.

What I wish is that it works well with the iPad but that is not the case, however, they make a commercial with the iPad. The update has not changed on that side. I exchanged a lot of mail with importers, Studiologic but for now no improvement.

The report quallité price and wrong since their thing is that it works with the iPad but that is not the case.

If I had the choice again I would take a keyboard VKM 88.

All I hope is that it will work with the iPad nikel, for the time I noticed the trick in the forum.

I chose this product because of its color black grey and white it matched the color theme of my Macbookpro and my audio interface Steinberg UR44.

This unit is very simple. It has 88 semi-weighted keys, which will give you more like playing an acoustic piano and it has a midi ins/out similar to other controller but i use the USB connection because the cable is much more cheaper

I use the m-audio sustain (sp1) and its compatible


UTILIZATION

Setting this up was very simple, just plug in play.

i use macbook pro ( mid 2012) 4 gig ram 2.66 quad-core running at osx 10.9.4 and it works very smoothly. my audio recording software that I use is Cubase 7 and theres no compatibility issues

I didnt have time to read the manual because of its thickness. but the unit itself is a plug and play so everything will just work fine

OVERALL OPINION

The Cheap plastic feel of its casing irritates me. sometimes i hear crackles when i move it to one place to another. this unit might crack if you fell it accidentally. you must place it to a flat and solid flat-form for the plastic not to squick

I tried Casio keyboard before but my heart is in the m-audio because of its simplicity and support and integration

Pros
- Natural feel of keys
-cheap
- for home studio use

Cons
- cheap plastic feel
- it doesn't feel sturdy
-some keys squeaks

A 88-key, semi-weighted, no surprise, we know what to expect.

UTILIZATION

Semi heavy touch. This is not the Fatar (I have one), but it is handy when doing a lot of scene.

MIDI setup ok.

A surfer, probably pressed to exist on the internet wrote "damage for MIDI OUT". Well no, just power the keyboard with a USB transformer, and has all the functions of the MIDI OUT to the sequencer (Cubase VST Ardour 3, etc..).

OVERALL OPINION

Used for a year. Convenient to carry when many concerts, compared to 88 Fatar keys (which remains much higher quality, for sure, and that I use in the studio).

Super value for money (I paid mine 70 euros) is to be carried and played in all situations.

Of course I would do this choice!

I bought this keyboard the last year in order to cope easily without having to press a button to go up and down an octave and also because it is very convenient with the orchestral banks to power "switcher" between different joints
to summarize I used to compose and control only a few expanders have the opportunity ...

UTILIZATION

Very nice touch semi heavy to me (I'm not "classical" pianist) since my youngest age I almost always has a touch keyboard "light" on my various synths
Otherwise all is quite well made and is not "cheap" the pitch and modulation appear "tough" (I often used)
no problems running on my mac pro or in pro tools is transparent

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for a year and I do not intend to part with it, unless you want a full model of knobs and other assignable buttons for those who want a no frills 88 keys is perfect in my opinion, there is just a plug and play / compose

88 keys, USB and understated design ... nice to work with some sound banks (Kontakt ...). on the other hand is a bit cumbersome.

UTILIZATION

Very easy to use across the keyboard. The affected semi-weighted: as its name suggests it is better than a half synth hit "plastic" and it is half good as a real heavy hit ... Nothing new under the sun, what!

OVERALL OPINION

I used it for a few months and then resold for my needs and my config had changed. So, I regret a little ... I think that the ideal is to have a static 88 notes at home and a 49 nomad (I'm not a keyboardist for info ...). The strong point of this keyboard, for me, is its price / quality ratio ...

What characteristics have motivated your choice?
88-key semi-weighted and touched

What connection (MIDI pedals ...)? ...
usb power supply (optional when connected usb), midi, sustain pedal, volume pedal

UTILIZATION

The touch keyboard is it enjoyable?
I'm not a pianist, but I did not want to touch a soft synth. This one suits me but may be able to divert a pianist

Is it your use?
I use Linux, it is recognized without problem.

The general configuration is it simple?
yes, in my case nothing to do

The selection of MIDI channels, patches is easy?
I do not use these features

The manual is clear and sufficient?
Has not been read ...

OVERALL OPINION

How long have you use it?
6 months
What is the particular feature you like best and least?
most 88 keys, price, simplicity

Have you tried many other models before buying it?
This is my first master keyboard

How would you rate the quality / price?
Very good

With experience, you do again this choice? ...
Yes unless you have a bigger budget to take a close heavy touch of a real piano

I was looking for a keyboard master more than 64 keys, the keys are 76 more expensive than 88, so I took a 88 keys. What motivated my choice for this are semi-weighted and simple keys without dozens of buttons and knobs, a light footprint and approved.

The Connections:

- 1 9V power input
- 1 USB port
- 1 Midi Out
- 1 input for sustain pedal
- 1 input for an expression pedal (volume, vibrato, reverb depth).

UTILIZATION

The semi-weighted keys are very pleasant to the touch, they respond well to stress.

-The manual clearly explains the use of the facility, to troubleshooting in case of problems through advanced functions.

-The general configuration is simple enough (that's what I was looking for), so the selection of MIDI channels and patches are a bit laborious it is necessary to know the progress of each key function, that being said they are very well explained in the manual.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for a month, I was a master of the same brand 49-key keyboard that I sold to buy the 88 keys.

- I do not find it special that I dislike, but if I wanted something more programmable, I probably took a more elaborate model.

- 88 keys for 155 €, the quality is unbeatable price level, I would say that the quality is far exceeds the sale price, I would do this choice without any problem!

I bought the M-Audio Keystation 88es this summer because I needed a new, conservative, and good feeling Midi keyboard to play on. That is exactly what I got, and at an AWESOME price! I absolutely love this thing. It's a full 88 key model, with very little frills, a pitch and modulation wheel and a couple buttons for program selection. The entire thing is powered via USB so no need to plug it into the wall! It's great on stage or in the studio, and it doesn't take up much space. It only weighs about 20 pounds so it's real easy to take places.

UTILIZATION

Setting it up is as easy as plugging it in and letting it load it's drivers. No dvds or anything or extra programs to run. Very easy to use! I do everything from using Kontakt to practice piano to all of my midi sequencing in Ableton Live. The Semi-Weighted keys feel so good under your fingers. While it still can't quite compare to the real thing, this is pretty darn good. Especially considering the measly price of only 220 bucks! I use a M-Audio SP-2 Sustain Pedal along with. The board feels really good, I've had no problems with sticky keys or bad action. I am not a professional piano player, so this is more than sufficient for my needs.

OVERALL OPINION

Overall, I really like this keyboard. It is cheap, functional and ergonomic. It feels good and works great. It's perfect for voicing chords and recording midi sequences. With MIDI you literally have thousands of instruments right there at your fingertips, and this is an awesome way to utilize them. I do think it would be nice if it had included some transport controls(Play, Stop, Pause, Beginning, End, Record etc) but for the price it's more than worth the cash. While I wouldn't recommend it to a professional pianist or someone gigging a lot, it's great in the studio and at one time gigs. But personally, I really like this keyboard, and use it almost every day.

I was looking for a keyboard 88 keys for a very reasonable price.

UTILIZATION

The semi-weighted touch is perfect for me because I'm not a pianist at the base and I was looking for a versatile keyboard that also allows to do anything other than the piano. good is not a heavy touch but very suitable for synths and even the piano is playable.

OVERALL OPINION

I've had three weeks.
It was also a Clavinova at home that has a touch heavy piano, obviously this is not the same but in the living clavinova not within reach of the home studio.
I appreciated the drivers for the Keystation 88es windows 7 64bit no pb has not been reported. Highly regarded keyboard switch which can leave the USB plugged and permanently switch to activate at the keyboard at the request, think about doing it before running cubase ... otherwise it will not be recognized as all devices noon (Akai MPD etc ...) also steinberg should do something to recognize the Peripherals midi 'hot' as it is a bit annoying to have to close and reopen if cubase we did not think to turn his Peripherals noon before launching Cubase.
Returning to the Keystation 88es, a truly unbeatable value for money! and finally able to have the 88 keys to control banks of sounds with orchestral keyswitch all directly accessible, and undeniable comfort this little keyboard I love him already!
Attention to the size of the keyboard may seem surprising at first that it is very long (1.30 m) when you have used me as a 5-octave keyboard for decades

conclusion: the feel is average, but frankly quite enough for a synthesist like me, guitarist at the base, and who just wants to compose for a pianist must see keyboards more sophisticated (DOEPFER LM2 or LM4 +, Kurzweil PCK, Fatar or other Nano or Acuna) but also much more expensive! and largest in volume level (counts!), so it would have to repeat this time I do it again this choice until we have a more suitable room and opt for a DOEPFER but that it will be in my dreams more later ...

I was looking for a master keyboard to control the sounds of ProTool, pianist being so I opted for a 88-key, then I do not think there was difference of the 49.
M Audio is a brand that pleases me well, or that choice.
The buttons are simple: A change octave (+ / -), a button to drive the sfonctions using the key, but I do not use, and two wheels (pitch bend and modulation)
USB connector or socket, which is useful if you want to plug in expander.

UTILIZATION

touch is not what is pleasant, but is passable.
For the use I make, no-brainer.

OVERALL OPINION

I would have expected a better quality in terms of velocity, especially for recording drums, and especially the lack of aftertouch which is felt, and that's why you can not really play piano with this keyboard, but the pads, percussion, ..
I recommend this keyboard, but not to play the piano, and thus the size smaller if it is to do the beatmaking!
Its weight is a +!
If you want to see what I do with:
www.youtube.com / Thomasssskill

The M Audio Keystation 88es comes with the very basic features that you expect from a decent midi controller keyboard, including MIDI ins and outs, USB, a DC in port (but no included wall wart, which is no loss since the unit can be powered by the USB cable), an input for a damper pedal and one other footswitch. Otherwise, it's a fairly sparse, no-frills controller with only pitch bend and modulation, a volume slider and a pair of buttons that implement the octave up/down function in case you have a Bosendorfer sample or some other reason to expand beyond 88 keys. That's in stark contrast to the Pro 88, which has yards of knobs and faders that should let you control everything from your VST instrument to your DAW mixer to the small appliances in your kitchen. This is not the only significant difference, though. I played the fully weighted keys of the Pro 88 at a local retailer, and it is more pleasant than the semi-weighted keys of the 88es, which feel stiff and decidedly plastic and synth-like, more so even than my old synths, like the M1 and Juno 60.


UTILIZATION

The keyboard only transmits a fixed release velocity. That in itself isn't unusual--most of them do--but it unfortunately transmits a value of 0 (instead of a more common 64). If you have presets that respond to release velocity, you may find them acting peculiarly.

OVERALL OPINION


Overall, this is a good 88-key controller for under $200. There has been some criticism about this product because the keys do not have "piano action", but it is more responsive and has a better feel to me than my FantomX. If you are looking for an 88-key controller and don't need the frills of some of the pricier full-sized boards, you can't go wrong with this one!

Advantage Weight!
It takes up space but need to know what you want (c 1m34 not nothing anyway!)

The connection is perfect, a USB (hop is supplied)
I said that it can be fed via a transformer but not m-audio foun us that his device is low power, it does not seem useful to put a

There is also a MIDI port (or plug expander for I guess ...) but I only use the USB to control Reason

UTILIZATION

To touch, I'm not a pianist but I had this one before an Edirol PCR 30 and although he was very much there's nothing comparable
I have here a full keyboard with keys that seems very nice
So I use it for piano sounds (yes ...) and especially for the violin / fx / bass finally everything I do not normally play

No driver to install xp, Reason in forced recognition (it has not in its list and does not detect it automatically, you have to press a button after selecting the mark; nothing too serious)

Level controllers, very simple,
- A volume fader almost always recognized my modules and automatically assigned
- Pitch
- Mod
- Octave + / -
- Advanced controls (I do not know what this one was used)

I read that part of the manual install ("no driver") and then I closed it seems to me sufficient

OVERALL OPINION

I received today, ordered from Thomann for 229 euros, very, very best online shop and perfect on time, delivery and especially the packing list (third order with them)

I bought a fact to learn the piano so I particularly liked the price and the opportunity to play with two hands

Quality / price ratio perfect for me is an advantage to have a control pad that without sound, will choose its intrusion Fx and more realistic over time

I did that for now but I am fully satisfied

It should be noted that he has the pace and showed rare restraint in the category of controllers ... a testing stage to see its strength but I think all insurance

Buy! And in www.thomann.de (it rhymes!)

05/08/2005

What motivated me was the weight. the ability to control a sound module with no worries. is functional, sustain a volume pedal, usb or midi.pas making head.

UTILIZATION

The keyboard is pleasant. get used. befits the scene because it is primarily why I bought it. completed the 25 kg m terminator RD500 ... ...

everything is basique.il must organize patches in the expander, to be organized and it is moving.

the manual is clear, basic.

updated 24/02/06

impec.attention still works out the rest on the stand and do not hesitate to trap or because it is super light ... one wrong move can happen quickly.

few problems in touch with a ghost. I have to adjust the curve of the piano to be comfortable .... it convenient to repeat on the other hand on stage, qd there is no piano available ... I hesitate I get out the RD500 and qd is even another trip ..

touch is nice but you have to adapt. for my home studio .. then no worries. I program all without worries .. just the piano with many layers I have a problem ..

OVERALL OPINION

I bought it today. I like the weight and simplicity.

I made a uf7 is nice to toy with pots of reverb, etc. .. but the "curves" did not allow me to properly use the sounds of piano and rhodes. Can not set correctly. ca flashes, but it's nice not to drive a sound with layers of samples ... it's for electronic music. this will come I'm not settle Ale, I may be unable to do so ... well .. I'd be surprised ... I tried the keyboard m_audio and heavy ... it's heavy. . .. no rebound tons of buttons that would not have served ... I tried the Fatar kmv88 5 kg .. .. I also have taken this one .. simple .. you die just a strange wheel above the keyboard .. chopping practice ...

quality / price excellent for the m audio. Cheap ..

The simplicity the possibility of having 88-note velocity; design "all in one handy for the studio man."

UTILIZATION

A little Drout by touch at the keyboard dpart but trs good use. Designed with many opportunities in the advanced functions trs useful.
missing is the possibility of the sensitivity of rgler VLOC.

OVERALL OPINION

I have recently.
I had a DX7, but not like not the same use.
the "box" is a bit lightweight, j'espre the solid will to go ...

good buy, but hsiter.
excellent quality price.

88-note velocity is the top for me who wants to learn piano

UTILIZATION

The installation against a t a bit complicated for me, the keyboard seemed well in the Device Manager (Windows XP) into the USB port as a "composite", but not in the software provided I t have to load the driver "MA_CMIDI_WDM_4.2.03v2" on the site of M-AUDIO (warning the driver not to appear to block the installation of beginners and little hard e 5 minutes but do not worry it works).
j'espre that some information will be useful.
By consequant I find the manual a bit too simplistic for the installation and the included CD should contain all the drivers for dclinaisons people without internet

OVERALL OPINION

Apart from the problem of installation it is still a good value trs / Price
made and offer good software for Christmas ......

Bought yesterday (12.18.06) and rev happy.
I have a CME UF8 untransportable but given the weight = So I bought an M-Audio K88es.
Why: 1. not expensive at all / 2. lightweight as any / 3. simplicity of use / 4. Key Semi-lestbr />
It connects directly via USB without any installation complmentaire (condition to work with XP)
If singing it connects directly to noon on the synth without any problem (I tried.

UTILIZATION

I have a real piano (Pleyel mcanique = old), I'm not a virtuoso, but I think I can just compare. My Key88 is just above the CME and just below a synth (yamaha CS1x) = I can compare instantannment touches ... well, I must say that I am having the same tonn made good "piano" touch of Key88 (although this n'tait not my goal!).
My goal to have a silent "big" keyboard (88 keys) and especially something lightweight!

The manual is clear. As against the MIDI functions could be indicated throughout the keyboard instead of seeing the ratings amricaines notes (A, B, C. ..). It is true that the connate may soon be in the heart but I can not say.

There is no memory

OVERALL OPINION

He tonn positively. I did not use it in the studio (due to my CME) but has yet dj its place and will be used in a studio shot sr (not just live as I thought initially)

Dtail A: Note the "C4" vibrates a bit and a touch more "plastoche" as other notes?

Report = excellent quality-price (200 euros you can still find a 88-key) ... and again, I stress the fact that touch is really enjoyable.
As for the VLOC I have nothing wrong. In this regard, I cross every keyboard Ragit of Manir diffrent so you have to adjust but in the case of Key88 there is nothing particular to say.

Anyway, I Rasht no problem

I bought it for:

- Its 88 keys
- Weight
- Simplicity
- And especially the quality of his touch

Missing:

- Aftertouch I think ...

UTILIZATION

Having a big K2500X a VK8 and wanting to go all soft with just one keyboard, I have a compromised key hammer / touch lege.
This is the case. I plugged my expanders and I got used to it right away, and found an accuracy of touch synth sounds that I had lost touch with the heavy. It is felt that my note with my Triton rack, I find the sensibilté very good between the two, which is perhaps not the case in light of other opinions.
Setup is extremely simple, I principal, two buttons octave + / - that allow me to change programs. As for controllers, I have my Kore.
Manuel clear, and at the same time, there's not much to do. Once configured, it can not touch anything.

OVERALL OPINION

There is not much on the market in 88 key keypad, single, light touch. He looks a bit cheap not hide a keyboard really nice, simple, and ultimately serious design. USB power or external option. I admit I had fallen in love with the store that touched off months ago qq. I bought it last week. Lightness, simplicity, minimum size and professionalism, makes this keyboard super attractive to people like me who do not want to blow up the back with a big beast of 30kg. I wanted to buy a keyboard key hammer home + another Keystation 88es and keep it for rehearsals, I may not keep one, it's so light!

- What technical specifications motivated your choice?

its 88 keys
its simplicity of use (it plugs into the PC and its progress ottoman)
weight (less than 15 hg)
its price (150th in aprfait OCCAZ of State)
- What connector (MIDI pedals ...)?...

1 MIDI / USB
Between 1 to sustain
Between an expression pedal
1 MIDI output

UTILIZATION

- The touch keyboard is it enjoyable? Should you use?
the only weak point is his, I was told a very close touch the piano, not bin,
we have a synth with just a touch more durea push buttons.
there is also the problem of curve Veloci very insensitive but hey it's on my pc queja must manage a. ..

- The configuration gnrale Is it easy?

incredible! I plug my keyboard, I started Fruity Loops, I indicate which perif to use his walk and ottoman!
just after setting latency masi nothing!

- The select MIDI channels, patches is easy?
I do not know I made from Fruity Loops

- The manual is clear and sufficient? ...
I do not look at the manual, and it was my first MIDI device, so to say it was easy!

OVERALL OPINION

- How long have you use it?
a short week

- What is the particular feature you like best and least?
+ The simplicity of use, the price of the 88 keys

- The touch and velocity curves

- How do you report qualitprix?
a new and 200th of 150 OCCAZ it really has nothing to say

- With the exprience, you do again this choice? ...

pffff I do not know,
I have no one that the dosh is easy women to own
2 not at all like his touch

I pence I would choose a piano keyboard touch ave

right after a concert I can tell you what to expect in a live condition:
So as usual connected to my pc in fruity: A very yucky but hey its the keyboard has nothing to do, just a random image sensitivity even after adjustment. some notes did not come out while others went out too hard.
I had used on the Beatles yesterday, tight enough to make the entire piece, my focus was primarily on the target sensitivity of the game, not the music itself ...
if not a little weird thing I noticed, I feel like a game mechanic too, as if the track was divided able to re-divide it even thirty-second notes, and notes must stall in and not really playing stack when I play myself.

basically a good keyboard for the studio to the stage I would prefer a real piano touch for the piano parts, or parts or the game must be fast.
except for parts of synth why not ...

Edit: I recently engaged in a t the group Children of Bodom solo piano so fast enough, the race really galre the keys is quite large which is rather vague on the amounts and down it quickly becomes chaotic.
the game has no fluidity. speed mixture prevents the race to have a homogeneous feel we end up very quickly with notes piano or fortissimo which saturate fruity.
therefore for a quick game as keyboard really limits

I bought this keyboard because I had a Roland GR20 guitar for me, and I did not need a master keyboard ...

USB (very convenient to connect on computer) MIDI (also very practical to connect the GR20)

There's also the input for external pedals, but I control everything from the gr20 so I do not use them.

UTILIZATION

So I trained pianist ... and touch is trs trs Different. It's better than a synth, but difficult to compare a piano, even bad. Especially since the keys have a strong tendency "hang" a little bit. Trs is minimal and does not impede the game, but a disturbing ...
I biensur AIM better feel, but that price, I knew what to expose myself.

The configuration is fairly simple. There There's just two or three things to learn if we can push a little the config (channel selection, ect ...) but still simple. It just needs a little guts to say what we do.
The manual is clear trs, the only thing I still do not understand is the use of the keyboard as "adaption usb / midi", which I would trs useful since I have patched the GR20.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for several months. I like his point, its ease of use ...
I tried a lot of MODEL in fact, none of this range, so to compare, it is quite difficult.
Report quality price, quite excellent ...

While some tips ...
As for the GR20 (PDAL Originally Designed for electric guitar, playing the synth with the guitar, especially in my case, a godin XTSA) and of the use of KS88es with is simple (it works right away) and then they can just walk in CONTRL ... and it was the quality of its high-end Roland, so that happiness ... And bonus, it can control two or three things from the guitar (like volume, the sample set chosen ect).
Comfort and sound quality ... gnial absolutely. What's more, possibility to connect the usb at the same time, and therefore use the banks of the computer, or software that modulate or craient images based on a MIDI instrument. ..

Real stuff after all ...

USB keyboard and MIDI matre 88 key semi-weighted.
Two knobs and pitch bend modulation.
A volume fader (MIDI Controller)
Two buttons to grate the octaves.
Gray plastic body.
Connectivity: USB, MIDI in / out, sustain, portamento
No diet book, it is powered by USB.

UTILIZATION

The feel of this keyboard is a bit Drout. These are semi-Leste: so do not expect a piano key, said key hammer. The keyboards are also proposing that much more massive (8 count 10 kg).
Configuration a breeze. You plug, you play (I'm working on a PC running WinXP).
Manual useless.
I have not used under conditions together. However, the absence of external power supply must ask book with a problem given time ...

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for a year just prs.
I am glad trs, its silent prdcesseur a fool quality. However, I have not tried many keyboards matre before I DCID: the portfolio adcid for me.
Yes: a 88-key that the price there is to it (time or j'cris).
So with the small sub I have, I do it again this choice without my wallet hsite.

I wanted to take a MIDI controller not too expensive
it's really for the control of the South

UTILIZATION

Touch is really good with touches semi heavy
it's like almost on a much more expensive synthetic

config impeccable I plugged in USB and presto it works in two seconds, direct recognition

I use it with pianotek it's great, we are very comfortable, I had this synth for the price but I am amazed congratulations m-audio.

OVERALL OPINION

it's been one week and a half that I use
what I love is that it's simple MIDI controller that handles this function
that have not have all the sounds of the planet through it and VST instruments and software that makes it crazy.

for the price I think it's right up there for cheap equips you of something central to his home where his studio pro.

I really recommend it, if I had to do it again it would not hesitate
reminder there is no built-in sound is that of control vst but the top not to miss.