M-Audio Axiom A.I.R. Mini 32

32-key master keyboard with 8 pads.
I hesitated getting an AKAI MPK mini, but the keys are really small for my big fingers.
The M-audio seemed better fitted and it turns out it is.

Connections: USB

UTILIZATION

I'm not a pianist and, to me, the keyboard is very good.
I have fat fingers and it's OK. I wouldn't say it's great, but it's all right.

Concerning the pads, they fell kinda strange. I'll explain myself: Since you don't press anything (it's a sensor), it's hard to gauge the force. But you end up getting it with practice.

The setup is not a problem, however, the transport keys aren't necessarily recognized (I use it with Ableton Live 9), but I still haven't looked into why is that...

OVERALL OPINION

I've had it for 6 months, more or less. I bought for the World Music Day to trigger some drum phrases. But I plan to use it more intensively as soon as I have more time.

You can take it anywhere to write songs, it's great. Besides, the IGNITE software that comes with it is simply incredible... And everything fits inside a laptop bag.

The reason I chose it:
- The 32 keys (it's more than 27)
- The promise of a smooth integration with GarageBand and Logic under Mac (that's what the shop assistant told me)
- The cursor movement keys and the transport bar.
- It isn't too big.
All in all, attractive features.

UTILIZATION

The velocity is preset by default.
The keyboard itself is not unpleasant, but nothing exceptional, obviously.
The (online) manual is pretty clear.
I wonder why not all actions of all keys were specified (in case you use it in edit mode): Surely, to allow the user to make mistakes ... hahaha
The overall setup is a nightmare because the famous "HyperControl" or "DirectLink" technologies, aren't supported by this keyboard with the DAWs I use (GarageBand 11, Logic 9)
It's hard to get any clear and unambiguous information.

OVERALL OPINION

I've been using it for a week.
I have spent several hours trying to find a solution. I tried with GarageRemote from 2008, HyperControl/DirectLink 1.0.6, manual configuration in Logic (although I couldn't understand a thing).
I asked in the M-Audio community forums... and got no reply.
To cut it short, I lost a lot of time and I can't return it anymore (the 7-day return period is up).
It doesn't hold its promise of an easy configuration.
So, right now, its value for money is pretty bad. I wouldn't buy it again, nor would I trust the shop assistant who sold it to me.

I like the fact that it's portable and the hyper control integration pledge, but...

UTILIZATION

Cheap keyboard, but it's OK, considering the format

OVERALL OPINION

To this day, axiom hasn't released the hyper control drivers for ableton, cubase nor logic. Which makes the DAW integration promises completely false. The situation has been the same for 3 months and M Audio seems not to care about the unhappy users that express themselves in the forums.

But that's not all: The key to switch octaves (on ableton 9, anyway) makes you go semitone per semitone, which makes it perfectly useless.

It's way of handling MIDI is also a bit strange. Even if you don't change a single parameter it seems to keep sending MIDI, which makes it useless with ableton live, since the latter thinks that you are trying to change a recorded automation, so it deactivates automation reading.

I had my doubts concerning M Audio and I bought this product because the mpk mini wasn't in stock anymore. It goes without saying that I will never trust this brand again.

The M Audio AIR Mini 32 is very portable, it is only 32 keys but if you need something that can go anywhere with you that is about all of the keys you will need. There are also 8 knobs and 8 pads that you can assign to whatever functions you choose them to be assigned to in your DAW. There are also dedicated transport controls and it comes with Ableton Live Lite (just in case you need a DAW and are new). I use it with Cubase, and I use it on the go. I can easily throw this into my bag and take it with me wherever my laptop goes, it is very light and you will not even notice that you have it with you.

UTILIZATION

I have used this on my PC computer and Macbook, either way it works great once you load up the drivers. The drivers are very stable and have not been updated yet. The keys are touch sensitive and you can really jam on them, with their only being 32 keys you will have to play your melodies separate from your bass notes because there just isn’t enough room/keys. But it is not that bad, unless you are a seasoned keyboard player and in that case you mine as well go with a full 88 key board but it will not be portable.

OVERALL OPINION

With this portable control being less than 100 dollars it only makes sense that it is the best choice to go with, it is the perfect size to take with you anywhere and it works great. I was also surprised that it has dedicated transport controls and gives you 8 knobs and 8 pads. I basically have my full studio with me wherever it is that I go. The keys are “mini” though, that could take some getting used to. But after you get use to using them it will not be an issue anymore.