M-Audio KeyStudio 49i 49-key USB Audio Interface MIDI Controller Music Keyboard Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)There are two kinds of uses for this controller. One is for someone who wants an inexpensive, portable piano to practise or teach with. The other is someone who is an amateur and wants to "fool around" making recordings or compositions.
Both are likely to be disappointed.
This works as a stand-alone digital piano. If you plug in a 9v power supply (not included) and a pair of headphones, you can use this without connecting it to a computer at all. In fact, there are TWO headphone jacks, so a teacher (for example) could listen to a student play without making any noise at all. While the keys are velocity-sensitive (hit the keys harder, and the sound is louder), they are not weighted. You can easily switch the keyboard two octaves up or down, and the quality of the Steinway sampling is quite good. What is disappointing, however, is that the volume from the headphone jacks is low - too low to use in a room that is not quiet. It is relatively easy to connect the outputs on the rear to a stereo for more volume, but that is added complexity and eliminates the dual-headphone feature. Unless you have a stereo with two headphone jacks, of course.
There are 2 RCA inputs, so it's fairly easy to connect a CD or mp3 player. This allows you play along with recordings, as the sound is mixed with whatever you are playing on the keyboard. Since the piano itself isn't very loud, the volume of the music you play along with must be kept accordingly low, unless you use some kind of external amplification.
What you really getting here is not just a piano, but an "audio interface". There are very generous audio input and output options: stereo RCA inputs AND outputs, 1/4" mono input, stereo 1/4" outputs, and a mono XLR input. If you don't know what "RCA" means, it is the jack that you find on the back of your stereo - not a 1/8" jack like you would find on an iPod. What this all means is that you can use your home stereo to provide the amplification by connecting standard cables (not included) to the input and output of your home system. This interface is flexible to allow you to play piano along with a recording, while others simultaneously play a guitar/bass AND sing through an attached microphone. And none of this would involve using a computer. The 1/4" stereo outputs are kind of useless, but you could use them to connect the keyboard to an instrument amp or to M-audio's powered monitor speakers.
This is where the potential for an amateur studio comes in. Don't get excited yet, though. The sample rate of the interface's output is only 16-bit, which is adequate for an amateur but not a professional. And, in order to do digital recording, you will have to connect the Keystudio 49i to your computer. The included recording software is Ableton Live Lite, which is not easy to use. You will probably have to spend a few hours with it before you can do even basic recording. Unless you just want to use the included Steinway grand piano, you will also have to install the included General MIDI (GM) software. GM, if you don't know, consists of 127 "voices" (various instruments) of the sort that you usually find on cheap Casio keyboards. If you want to do something more complex, like synthesizer, Wurlitzer, Hammond organ, etc. then you will have buy additional software. And you will have to configure that software to work with Live Lite, which is an ordeal in itself. The GM module is, I must say, high quality. It has somewhat steep system requirements, though.
Remember, this is an audio interface. All of the sound will go through your keyboard, even if you are connected to a computer. This also means that the system requirements are considerable, including the bus. Add to that the nightmare that M-audio PC drivers have become. If you have a Mac, then you will probably experience no trouble using this interface and keyboard with GarageBand, for example. If you are using Windows, however, expect difficulties. M-audio support has become essentially worthless over the past few years, and you will be expected to spend hours reading through the "Knowledge Base" before anyone will even talk to you - and the phone support is only available during weekday business hours. M-audio will not help you with the Live Lite software, either.
You can have a lot of fun with this, but trying to do anything moderately serious will probably lead to frustration and disappointment.

Click Here to see more reviews about: M-Audio KeyStudio 49i 49-key USB Audio Interface MIDI Controller Music Keyboard

The KeyStudio 49i takes the expectations of a compact and affordable MIDI controller and raise it a few notches by incorporating a built-in audio interface and on-board piano sounds. It delivers everything you need to start making and recording music today. Play a total of 128 sounds and listen to them from the keyboard's audio outputs. The built-in interface even lets you record vocals and instruments as well as listen to your sessions and mixes. Instantly transform your computer into a versatile music studio with KeyStudio 49i. The top panel sports controls that are commonly found on many affordable controllers: Octave +/- buttons assignable to alter Octave, Transpose, Program, Bank LSB, Bank MSB, MIDI Channel, Master Tune, and Pitch and Mod Wheels. Plus, the MIDI is class-compliant, meaning no drivers are needed to access the MIDI functionality. the KeyStudio 49i acts as a 2-in/2-out USB audio interface that also happens to be compatible with Pro Tools M-Powered. Plug into a computer via USB and you're up and running tracking 16-bit/44.1kHz audio straight into the computer through the KeyStudio 49i. Utilize either XLR, 1/4", or RCA jacks as a means to add analog sound sources to your projects and monitor through either a pair of 1/4" stereo line output jacks or headphone jacks. The included Ableton Live Lite software seals the deal by providing an incredibly easy- to-use music production solution. 16-bit, 44.1kHz (CD-quality)XLR microphone, 1/4 instrument and RCA input 1/4 jacks for stereo line output2 front-mounted headphone jacksHardware direct monitoringPro Tools M-Powered compatibleAssignable modulation wheel and piano volume controlPitch bend wheelOctave +/- buttons assignable to alter Octave, Transpose, Program, Bank LSB, Bank MSB, MIDI Channel or Master TuneEdit Mode button for advanced MIDI FunctionalityMIDI Out from USB mode allows the keyboard to be used as a MIDI

Click here for more information about M-Audio KeyStudio 49i 49-key USB Audio Interface MIDI Controller Music Keyboard

Read More...

M-Audio KeyStudio 49i 49-Key Keyboard-based Music Production System Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I didn't buy this keyboard on Amazon, I bought it at a local music store 2 or 3 years ago.
I just went online to check out the price on Amazon and I found those 2 horrible reviews below me from people who have absolutely no idea what this controller is supposed to do!
First of all, this is a MIDI controller. As a BONUS, it comes with headphone jacks and a regular piano sound so you can use still play when you're away from your computer. But this is a CONTROLLER, it's designed to be used with a computer (or MIDI device), in conjunction with good software that will allow you to play different instrument sounds or samples with the keys.
I use this controller with Reason (this is the software, and it's also well worth it!), and right out of the box I got hundreds of professional sounds for choirs, drums & percussion, strings, wind instruments, even digital sounds and samples. THAT is how you use a controller: You couple it with a computer and good software.
If you're playing live, you take your computer, software AND controller, then just send the computer's output signal to the mixer (extra points if you get a really good USB interface to get a good output signal from the computer)
Come on guys, I'm a drummer and I don't know a lot about keyboards or even recording, but even I figured out how a MIDI controller works before buying it!
This is an AWESOME product, I've used it to create film score-styled songs, techie sounding songs, piano bases to do drum solos on, etc.
BOTTOM LINE IS THIS:
-If you buy this alone, you might be disappointed. This isn't your typical child's keyboard with speakers and samples of doggies and birds and cheap string instrument sounds.
-If you buy this controller, AND invest in good software (like Reason) you will LOVE it. You won't believe the quality and depth of sounds you can create by triggering good MIDI sounds at extremely low latency.
------------------------------
COMPATIBILITY: By the way I've used this on 32-bit Windows XP, 32-bit Windows 7 and 64-bit Windows 7 - Just download the latest drivers straight from the M-Audio site, it works every time.
Some REAL con's:
-The default latency is too high in my system, I had to lower it both on the M-Audio Tray Icon, and in the Reason settings (Edit/Preferences/Audio/Control Panel)
-Sometimes 49 keys is just too few... it depends on your use for this. There are buttons that allow you to make the whole keyboard go up or down several octaves though.
-No Expression pedal input - therefore you can't just buy an M-Audio Expression pedal and hook it directly to the controller. You CAN buy a Sustain pedal, though.
Man, I wasn't even planning on writing a review, but this controller is just TOO AWESOME to have 2 negative reviews on Amazon from guys that don't really know what they're talking about. This controller deserves better.
Buy it, enjoy it, make music, and then send the music so I can enjoy THAT! =P

Click Here to see more reviews about: M-Audio KeyStudio 49i 49-Key Keyboard-based Music Production System

The KeyStudio 49i delivers everything you need to start making and recording music today.It's the first USB keyboard controller with a built-in audio interface and premium piano sound.Play the on-board piano as a stand-alone instrutment-then plug the USB cable into your computer to play a total of 128 sounds andlisten to them from the keyboard's audio outputs.the built-in interface even lets you record vocals and instruments as well as listen to your sessions and mixes.The included Ableton Live Lite software seals the deal by providing an incredibly easy-to-use music production solution.The KeyStudio 49i instantly transforms your computerinto a versatile music studio.

Click here for more information about M-Audio KeyStudio 49i 49-Key Keyboard-based Music Production System

Read More...

M-Audio Keyrig 25 25-note Synth-Action Keyboard and Midi Controller Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I had the item for a couple of months and never tried out the program Ableton Live Lite, because I heard the keyboard was the perfect companion for GarageBand. Even though that is true, it will work with just about any music production software, including the Ableton Live, which I started using, and so far it looks really promising. This is so much better than using the keyboard, I have to say. And the size and weight of it make it very convenient to use. You also can't beat the price. Sometime in the future, I hope to get an APC40 to go along with an upgraded version of Live 8 for my music production needs. Hope this helps.

Click Here to see more reviews about: M-Audio Keyrig 25 25-note Synth-Action Keyboard and Midi Controller

The M-Audio KeyRig 25 turns your Mac or PC into a mobile keyboard workstation. Featuring a compact 25-note USB MIDI keyboard and the award-winning Key Rig software for the PC, KeyRig 25 makes it easy to compose and perform computer-based music anywhere you want. Play Key Rig's virtual instrument sounds, or audition loops and compose songs with Pro Tools M-Powered, Ableton Live Lite (included) or other music-creation programs. The keyboard also provides an easy way to harness the power of Apple GarageBand's virtual instrument collection on your Mac. It connects via a single USB cable and works instantly with computers running Windows XP or Mac OS X.

It's All There In Black and White The SP-1 Stage Piano module serves up grand pianos, Wurlitzer, classic electric pianos, FM, clavinet and more. Each preset can hold a combination of two instruments with individual settings for Mix, Octave, Detune, Velocity and Tone. Owing to a dual effects section, each preset also has its own effect settings including delay, chorus, phaser and more.
Brave New Synth The MS-2 Polyphonic Synthesizer delivers a new, easy way to call up and edit great synth sounds. Each preset consists of sub-presets for each major section: filter, amp, mod and FX. Creating new sounds is as simple as combining these sub-presets in different ways and tweaking any associated parameters from there as desired.
Get Organized The MB-3 Tone Wheel Organ authentically emulates the classic Hammond sound complete with rotary speaker. Standard features include nine drawbars that are pre-mapped to M-Audio brand USB MIDI controllers, percussion and variable key click, three chorus and three vibrato settings. Rotary speaker emulation includes tube overdrive, speed and tone controls to yield everything from glassy jazz chords to smoking rock leads.
Bring In The Band The GM-4 General MIDI Module delivers 128 GM instruments plus a great GM drum kit. It instantly plays GM-compatible standard MIDI files from host applications and provides an extremely easy way of sequencing additional backing tracks.
Multiple Effects Key Rig modules each feature their own dual effects processors for delay, chorus, phaser and more.There's also a master effects section that further processes the combined output of all modules.
Flexible Mixing and Assignment You get an internal mixer and assignment controls that allow you configure independent MIDI channels for each module. But that's not all... you can easily create splits and layers for things like left-hand bass with right-hand keys, piano/string layers and any other combination you can think of.
Use It Your Way M-Audio's virtual racks let you use them as stand-alone instruments or with most host sequencers. Lots of people, for example, are just taking their keyboard and laptop to live performances. Compatibility with AU, VST and RTAS also means that you can use it as sound sources for your tracks in Pro Tools, Logic, Cubase, Ableton Live, and, well, pretty much any popular music software.
What's in the Box KeyRig 25 Controller Keyboard, USB Cable, KeyRig Software, Ableton Live Lite Software

Click here for more information about M-Audio Keyrig 25 25-note Synth-Action Keyboard and Midi Controller

Read More...

Infrasonic M49 Advanced 49 Key Midi Controller Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought this controller recently and I think it's the best you can get in this price range. Here's why:
1. The feel of the keys is excellent. Much better than anything M-audio, Novation, etc. has to offer. It's firm yet not springy. There's no annoying clicking or other noise when you play. Not as good as a Roland Fantom or Yamaha Motif but in this price range far superior to any other controller.
2. I love the joystick and X/Y pad. Finally a controller which I can use with my Korg Wavestation VST. Of course, you can use the X/Y pad for any other controller or synth as you wish.
3. There are 8 more knobs which can be configured pretty much any way you please.
4. It's powered through your Computer's USB port. No external power supply needed!
5. It comes with a basic software editor in order to store your presets.
Overall rating: Look no further. Buy it.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Infrasonic M49 Advanced 49 Key Midi Controller

The M49 offers all of the features that are required for creating music in the studio and during live performances with state-of-the-art technology. All functionalities on M49 are easily created and modified by M49 editing software which allows multiple access MIDI driver (Windows only) on the fly, without browsing a tiny little LED screen.The speed sensitive 49 keys have six-velocity curves and the pad is capable of pitch bend and other modifications by simply touching and dragging with your finger. You can freely assign different functions to your software that offers suitable live performance of parameter controls such as EQ, Filter, etc and it can be switched to 4-note drum trigger pad by M49 Editing Software. Independently assign the x and y axis of the vector control joystick. Use it as a USB mouse to navigate through your software for on-the-fly computer access. A full transport panel enables you to take control of your music software (Cubase, Logic and Reason, etc) and track navigation. The M49 also comes with a jog wheel to easy access FF or REW for instant track navigation and the user can easily assign each knob multiple functions provided within the included programs. While using this function, the user may switch between different group assignments. This can conflict with the control signal transmission functionality, so we've added a special feature to our M49 product. Infrasonic's M49 comes with its own software in the packaging. In here, you can modify different options for your controller. Everything is modifiable; i.e. setting the joystick into mouse mode or joystick mode(x-y axis control). Using M49 Editing software, you can edit the parameter settings of your M49 controller through a Windows or Mac OS X computer. These parameter settings can be saved and recalled (loaded) as scene data on the computer, and then transmitted to (or received form) the M49 controller itself.

Click here for more information about Infrasonic M49 Advanced 49 Key Midi Controller

Read More...

M Audio KeyRig 49 49 Key USB Keyboard Controller Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is exactly the keyboard you need if have a computer that does it all. This keyboad is compact, well made, and has all the features you need for simple MIDI entry. I don't recommend it for performance, though - not at all rugged. Great for Apple-based studio (or Wintel).

Click Here to see more reviews about: M Audio KeyRig 49 49 Key USB Keyboard Controller

The M-Audio KeyRig 49 will turn your Mac or PC into a virtual keyboard workstation! The KeyRig 49 package includes award-winning Key Rig software for the PC and tons of virtual instruments to play with. You can audition loops and compose songs with M-Audio's Session, Apple's GarageBand, Ableton's Live Lite (included) or other music-creation programs. Key Rig 49 includes pro features like a pitch and mod wheels, an assignable volume slider, octave +/- buttons and sustain pedal input. It's powered via a single USB cable and works instantly with computers running Mac OS X or Windows XP. The KeyRig 49 has officially replaced the popular Keystation 49e. It's simply It's a better package at the same price! Full Features 49-note, synth-action keyboard for professional feel and response assignable modulation wheel and volume slider pitch bend wheel assignable octave +/- buttons edit mode button sustain pedal input USB 2.0 and USB 1.1 compatible connection and power via a single USB cable instant installation on Mac OS X and Windows XP computers-just plug and play includes award-winning M-Audio Key Rig software (PC only) featuring: four top-quality virtual sound modules: SP-1 Stage Piano, MS-2 Polyphonic Synthesizer, MB-3 Tone Wheel Organ and GM-4 General MIDI use stand-alone or with a sequencer variable velocity and controller settings split and layer modules for performance combinations module and master effects processors compatible with most popular software includes Ableton Live Lite music creation software AmericanMusical.com is an authorized dealer of M Audio products.

Get 35% OFF

Click here for more information about M Audio KeyRig 49 49 Key USB Keyboard Controller

Read More...

M-Audio Keystudio 49-NOTE USB Keyboard Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Okay Look a couple disgruntled customers gave bad reviews about a product that does exactly what it's advertisements claim. 49 keys check, non-weighted keys;check, play 4 octives whithout using octive shift;check, pitch bend;check, modulation;check, assignable midi;check. Plug and Play, no driver installation needed with most every DAW not just Garage Band or Mac Products.Those people don't know what they are talkin about or what kind of equipment they are looking for frankly. I use a Sony Vaio with Windows Vista 64 bit, my DAW is FL Studio. It works fine. No, it doesn't make any sounds unless you have a program that it can communicate with, then there is no sound that is known to man that it want make for you, if only you now how to instruct it. It's not the keyboard's fault if you don't know how to use it. This keyboard is more for people who are into music production and have not progressed far enough or have not decided that they want to invest a couple of grand in a more serious keyboard, it's absolutely worth a [...] bucks. My advise to the lady is that if hubby doesn't know how to make his own melodies and background music, then just get him a toy Casio keyboard he'll love that. The only thing I would complain about is that the keys are not weighted, but I know that when I bought, it's a work around though. You just have to get used to the sensitivity, it would be nice if you could manually adjust the sensitivity setting to your personal touch. Good Keyboard not Great. There are no great keyboards @ [...] bucks!

Click Here to see more reviews about: M-Audio Keystudio 49-NOTE USB Keyboard

Harness the power of your Mac music software with M-Audio's KeyStudio USB keyboard controller. KeyStudio makes it easy to command a library of virtual instruments, audition loops and compose songs in GarageBand, Logic and other Mac-compatible applications. The sleek controller features 49 synth-action keys plus pitch bend and modulation wheels, sustain pedal input and more. Simply connect it to your Mac OS X computer with a single USB cable and start playing.

49-Note, Synth-Action Keyboard The KeyStudio keeps things simple with a 49-note keyboard and basic controls. Use the octave up and down buttons to hit higher and lower notes, and the pitch bend and modulation wheels for added expression.
Get Started Instantly The Keystudio will install instantly on Mac OS X computers--just plug and play. Of course, it works great on Windows machines too.
Powered by the USB port on your computer, the Keystudio makes a perfect controller for GarageBand, Logic or other music applications.
Assignable Functions You can easily set up the KeyStudio to work the way you want. You can assign the modulation wheel and volume slider for convenient control of functions like volume, pan or portamento (for just a few examples).
The assignable octave +/- buttons can be set to adjust octave shift, program change, bank MSB, transpose, Bank LSB, or MIDI channel change settings.
The "edit mode" button allows you to control advanced functions via the keys themselves, changing anything from octave to bank or program info.
Easy Connections Because the Keystudio is powered by your computer's USB bus, all you need for connection and power is the included USB cable.
You can also add a standard sustain pedal for more piano-like expression, using the quarter-inch input on the back of the keyboard.
What's in the Box M-Audio KeyStudio USB keyboard, USB cable, Printed KeyStudio Quick Start Guide

Get 28% OFF

Click here for more information about M-Audio Keystudio 49-NOTE USB Keyboard

Read More...

M-Audio Keystation 61es 61-Key Keyboard Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I was surprised at the low price of this keyboard considering it has 61 semi-weighted keys. I thought maybe it wouldn't be such great quality but I was pleasantly surprised.
I thought at first that the keys were a little bit "springy", but I soon got used to them. So much so that when I went back to my old Yamaha keyboard (not weighted), the Yamaha felt terrible. This M-Audio lets you play nice and subtle.
There's not much to this keyboard, just a couple of very smooth acting wheels (pitch and modulation), a volume slider and a couple of function buttons. It all seems well-made and the keyboard is heavier than I expected.
I was pleased to find that when I took it out of its box, plugged in the USB cable and opened GarageBand, everything worked perfectly, immediately. No messing about.
It works well with GarageBand (not tried it with anything else), and being powered by the USB cable means it's dead easy to plug in and start playing.
At this price, I can't see how you can go wrong.

Click Here to see more reviews about: M-Audio Keystation 61es 61-Key Keyboard

The Keystation 61e is a 61-note USB keyboard with velocity-sensitive, semi-weighted keys that is designed to easily integrate in any computer music environment. Class compliancy with Mac OS X and Windows XP delivers true plug and play setup. The KeyStation 61e is also compatible with many music education and music creation software titles, making it ideal for classrooms and studios alike.More advanced users can control software synths, external sound devices, and more with the assignable slider and pitch and mod wheels.This sleek, compact keyboard is USB bus-powered and requires no external power supply.

Get 25% OFF

Click here for more information about M-Audio Keystation 61es 61-Key Keyboard

Read More...