All user reviews for the M-Audio Keystation Pro 88

Everything has already been said, I think, I wanted a master keyboard "touch hammer" for a made affordable ..

UTILIZATION

I have this piano for 2 years, bought for 200 euro model expo .. he made me happy a little time (only thanks to its hit me that changed my synths)
In hindsight, I'm still very disappointed about a lot of points ..
Hit the +-plastic models of all that I tried ..
notes begin to s'acarter from left to right ..
My key "C3" me loose for over a year, I have to mistreat it makes a sound! (The horror). I am the same F4 key path: (
I realize that a lot of buttons start to have problems with the Velocity.
The manual? antipedagogism frankly ..!
I use it with cubase is a galley for MIDI assignments .. amazing! (I'm not one tenth of what I wanted!)

finally .. it would have served a little time but I bit my fingers for not having put a little more expensive for the (best) quality.



OVERALL OPINION

For how long have you been using it?
-2 Years

Did you try many other models before getting this one?
Yes models as "cheap"

What thing do you like most/least about it?
+ Usb, light blue ...:/
- Touch, quality manufacturing, plastics, the difficulty of programming the keys merdent ..

What is your opinion about the value for the price?
Frankly it's cheap! but I understood why

Knowing what you know now, would you make the same choice? ...
No!

Everything has already been said ...

UTILIZATION

The touch keyboard, a big sore spot about this keyboard, dissenting opinions ... misery to locate themselves in all this ...

I also have an upright piano from 1910 Klein brand, and compared with respect to this one.

There have several defects listed below the more uncomfortable the more futile:

- Sinking of the white keys for the Keystation 13mm, 10 mm cons the cons klein ...
- The effort to exert pressure on the button:
-Klein constant until the exhaust is just before the stop button
- Keystation: Big trouble at this level, inability to play pianissimo, let me explain ... The keys "stick" to their rest position, as they are not played for a long time, and when they are played, it can stick a less but still stick! So basically the pressure is: Strong at first then very lightly until it stops, or the power given to a note! What is very disturbing to put the expression in his game ..
- The keys back too fast, as fast as a touch of synth, stuffing it, they bang on every ride!
My solutions:

I removed all my stuff and found out why and how and I saw a very clear ...

Some things I do not understand:

Hammers although any metal, which is a good indicator breakages on various other models, not based on anything in the off position, so they continuously support the key with their own weight, which that the key "sticks" after a while ...
The hammers are also smaller for the black keys, why, I wonder, what an idea ... on a piano hammers are smaller for the black keys ... In short, I did not understand the logic of the manufacturer!
Well what I did:

I removed the spring return button (only for white, black being low enough to rise due to the low weight of the hammers) to get a softer rebound and put a damper on that annoying noise that the with you! It works niquel, although the repetition is very fast as possible but hey, what a piano

Regarding the height of the hammers and keys that stick, I'll test it (just the white) the application of a stop button, and a stop hammer that goes with the aid of door seal sold at 3 meters from the DIY store, it could walk, see ...
Manual:

Not bad, I peeled too, with Reason all buttons / faders / pots are definable in (learn) from this side it works nickel, in contrast to Cubase, I have not found happiness, and downloads on Presset the site are not convincing for Cubase 5!

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for two weeks

I have not tried many styles but I just wanted a cheap midi keyboard versatile, and can have a piano moved.
What I like most ... Versatility!
What I like least .... His touch that out of the box is really "CHEAP"
Value for money more than enough considering the price of the occasion, and then, after all, I might be doing a good digital piano with enough patches

The characteristics that motivated my choice were the 88 weighted keys and the price. Also, the amount of programable buttons and faders certainly helped me decide on this unit. As for connection types, there is USB, Midi in/out, 2 sustain pedal inputs, and an expression pedal input.

UTILIZATION

The action of the keyboard is OK. I have played better weighted keyboards and this one does a pretty good job, but for the price, its hard to complain. I use this keyboard for the studio as well as performance and it suits all my needs. I do notice, however, that the keys are "sticky" when you first start playing. Now I don't mean sticky like there is gunk in them, I mean there is a little extra resistance when you first hit the key. This happens every time I sit down and play it, but it only happens the first time you strike the key and then it is fine and its not all the keys, but quite a few. As for the configuration and setup, its plug and play with my macbook. Assigning knobs and buttons is generally a thing you do with whatever programs you are using. Of course you can go in and change what the button/fader on the Pro 88 does, but its almost unnecessary. The manual does explain how to do that though. As for channel and patch selection, that is also something you have to assign with a program, at least thats how I did it (I use mainstage, and if you are a mac user, so should you because it rocks!!!) The manual is small and pretty much covers all the things you need to know about this keyboard.

OVERALL OPINION

I have been using it for about a year now. What I like most is I only paid $370 for it brand new, shipped to my door, thats half the price of a yamaha or a CME keyboard. What I don't like about it is I have noticed some poor craftsmanship. For example, one side of the keyboard has a much larger space between the frame and the keys than the other side, also the faders "buttons" look a little crooked. Also, the some of the keys do that sticky thing as well as some make squeaky noises. All in all though, these things make little difference to me, the unit works great and well...you get what you pay for when it comes to aesthetics. I also have M-audio's Axiom 61 (much better in the way of craftsmanship but doesn't have the weighted keys) and I also used to own a Korg TR 88. The Korg's key action was actually a little lighter which I didn't really like but despite that, the keyboard had a great feel and I could fly on that thing. Now that I am getting use to the Pro 88, I am digging it, but at first I definitely liked the Korg's better overall. My opinion of the value is a good one. For less than $400, it could have been a piece of crap, but, despite its flaws, I really like this keyboard. Yes, I would definitely do it again.

(Originally written by Micky201/translated from Audiofanzine FR)
Specs: see manufacturer's website and other reviews.

I wanted an 88-note keyboard that provided a heavier playing feel than a synth.

UTILIZATION

It doesn't provide a piano playing feel. If you're looking for a real piano feel, buy another instrument. The playing feel is heavier than a synth but not too heavy, which means you can reach the highest velocity level (127) without having to hammer on the keys. The several velocity curves provide different feels depending on the sound you're using. But it's always easy to reach the highest velocity.

It's excellent for a keyboard player like me because it allows me to have a more expressive playing than with a classic synth, while at the same time it's easy to play and not tiring at all.

OVERALL OPINION

I've been using it for one month and I'm quite satisfied with it. The Midi controls are very convenient and easy to use. The only cons are:

- Mine has a key with faulty velocity response. But I bought a demo device and I'm expecting to get a new one.

- In USB mode (for operating power and Midi data transfer) the unit uses Windows drivers. It works but they are not very reliable. The smallest voltage variation (for example when my wife uses the microwave or the blender) causes it to crash and I have to reboot my system. I installed my old USB/Midi card again to solve the problem.

The M-Audio Keystation Pro 88 is an 88 key keyboard MIDI controller. It has MIDI in and outputs and also has two outputs for sustain. It also has a USB input so you can use this as a MIDI controller for your virtual instruments, which is what I use this for most of the time. It has programmable wheels - usually for pitch and modulation, and has a ton of other programmable knobs, dials, buttons, and faders that will control different things in different situations.

UTILIZATION

The feel of this keyboard is good overall. It has weighted keys, which makes it feel more like a real piano, and while it has a ton of parameters, I usually don't end up using too many of them as I like to control my virtual instruments within the box. The uses of this MIDI controller are far and wide and you can get exact as you'd like when using this. The manual is thorough and is useful when learning exactly what everything does with this machine.

OVERALL OPINION

The M-Audio Keystation Pro 88 is one of the best and most complete MIDI controllers on the market. You can control anything you'd like when it comes to using this with a computer. It also works great for controlling rack modules if you want to use this on the go. When I first saw this I thought it would be much more expensive than it is, as it is quite reasonably priced. I have used some of the other, smaller, M-Audio MIDI keyboard controllers, but this one takes the cake by far, as it is the most complete and has a great feeling keyboard. Those looking for a professional MIDI controller to use either in the studio or in a live setting should definitely look at this unit.

I love this thing. Tons of knobs, sliders and buttons. I turned my Pro-52 into a hands on synth and it really came alive. The board feels great. I know it doesn't play like a Piano. Did you really think you were going to get that piano feel, all those knobs and the Enigma editor for $500.00? You really must consider that. When you do, its a steal.

Price paid

$499.00 USD

UTILIZATION

Plugin it works. Manual could be better.

Built like a tank

OVERALL OPINION

I love this thing its turned Reason and my softsynth it hand on machine. Realtime control of all my synth is a dream come true

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: bizarreboy ( 7-, 2005)

The features are good. I guess it's missing after touch though, so that is a short coming. But it has pretty much everything else you could want. Excellent hammer-action keys. Lots of knobs and sliders, and templates for lots of popular software. It's really easy to make your own templates too.

Price paid

$500

UTILIZATION

It couldn't be much easier to use. Just plug it in and start hitting keys, pretty much.

I haven't had any problems yet. Feels really heavy for a MIDI controller, so it must be pretty well built.

OVERALL OPINION

I love it. It's not that great for drums, but it's really great for everything else.

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: SaltyDawg ( 8-, 2005)

The features are incredible, you can have total control over everything. all the knobs faders and buttons make this controller out of this world. plus the hammer action keys make it great for those want that bounce back action.

Price paid

$500

UTILIZATION

So easy to use, works excellent with reason 3.0.

its very well built.

OVERALL OPINION

I love this controller to point it's my center of my studio.

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: mrgibbs ( 8-, 2005)

Motorized Sliders. The manual that came with it was pretty sad actually, Not to mention the software that came with my version was corrupt and i never did get to try it.

Price paid

$799 CND

UTILIZATION

Its fairly easy to configure but could seem alot more complicated to a newer user with the poor manual as i said before.

OVERALL OPINION

No Sounds. Straight Midi Controller. But the usb/midi is nice.

It almost 60lbs. Seems pretty damn solid to me.

Like alot of other users have stated, the combo between this and Propellerheads Reason 3.0 is excellent. A match made in heaven. I highly suggest this as a smart buy for anyone using Reason software.

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: Colorblind ( 8-, 2005)

This keyboard is amazing for synths and pretty good for organs because of the ungodly amount of knobs and buttons and sliders. It is usb bus powered which is very helpful. The hammer action is fantastic for the price. The biggest problem I have encountered is the velocity sensitivity is a little substandard. It is very difficult to make a soft sound it tends to make things sound harder than you hit it. I have experimented with different built-in velocity curves but the problem persists.

Price paid

500

UTILIZATION

The keyboard is very easy to use but the included enigma editor is a little overwhelming and is still an enigma to me. Get it? I made a pun. The keyboard is also amazingly light when you take into account that the keys are semi-weighted.

The keyboard seems well built.

OVERALL OPINION

This is a great keyboard for gigging with my electronica band but I was disappointed on its inability to handle subtle levels of velocity.

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: We Are Numbers ( 9-, 2005)

I'm a custonmer of the M-Audio/Midiman line and I must say that this controller is the truth. Being able to navigate and control my software on my G5 makes me feel more in control of my creative processes.

Price paid: $250 (Demo)

UTILIZATION

The sliders & knobs are a very nice feature. Works well with Digital Performat 4.6 mixer view for mix downs and works well with Reason 3.

Nice hammer action keys, pretty sturdy built controller. Thought a bitheavy.

OVERALL OPINION

I love the feel of weighted keys, I love the way the controller feels and performs. The Keystation Pro 88 is the center of my studio as well.

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: Mholla (January 0-, 2005)

I got this thing a couple years ago because I wanted another MIDI controller for my little synth station. I mostly got it because of the cheap price for the amount of features it has. As for connections, you have a standard MIDI connection and also a power cable. There aren't any sound banks on this so you aren't going to have any audio inputs or outputs. The other nice thing about this is that you can use it to control parameters on software using the faders, buttons, and panpots on this thing. It also has a digital LCD display to make it easier to navigate your selections.

UTILIZATION

The action on this keyboard is very mediocre. It definitely doesn't really feel like a piano, but the keys are weighted so it's slightly more realistic to play than your average keyboard. This works a little bit to its disadvantage though, because in my opinion they over-weighted, and it becomes difficult to play something light and soft and have the velocity values that it outputs properly represent the performance. It is very easy to set up - just get it going into your USB port on your computer and install the drivers if you need to. The channel/patch selection is very easy - there are plenty of buttons other than the piano keys to handle all of that. The manual goes over everything in a little detail, so it's sufficient to get a good working knowledge of the keyboard.

OVERALL OPINION

I've had this for a couple years. I mostly like the fact that it's a full 88 keys - I hate having to use octave scrollers. Obviously the price was a great benefit, and the extra software controllers are nice. It also has worked in good condition and nothing has broken on it. The thing that mainly disappoints me is the action on the keys, they are okay, but definitely feel kind of clunky and cheap. It's a very good value for the price, though. I would get it again.