M-Audio Keyboards: Popularly known for making midi controllers and professional recording equipment, M-Audio controllers are quite popular worldwide for computer-based music creation. M-Audio controllers are available in various sizes (you even get 88 weighted keys) and with various features. Here’s a closer look at the various keyboard instruments from this brand. You may skip to the best M-Audio keyboard controller here on Amazon.
About M-Audio
M-Audio (formerly Midima, now taken over by Avid) is a leading provider of digital audio and MIDI solutions for electronic musicians and audio professionals. The company makes a range of audio production equipment such as:
- Audio / MIDI Interfaces
- Keyboards / controllers
- Monitors
- Microphones / Preamps
- Recording Software
- DJ gear
- Music creation software/hardware
M-Audio has a long history of manufacturing controllers and makes some of the most advanced midi controllers and studio products in the industry that are used by music producers all over. M-Audio also released a few digital pianos in the past, but the company seems to be more serious about controllers.
A controller and an audio interface, along with your pc, is what forms the major chunk of most home studio setups. An M-Audio midi controller easily hooks into a DAW software to provide advanced VST control, and also comes with several useful performance features. These controllers combine production power and performance features you need to get the most from your music software and MIDI gear. Midi controllers are also perfect for live musicians who want to control their laptops.
A basic midi controller does not have any sounds onboard; you will need software, virtual instruments on your computer to produce all the sounds. Midi controllers are available in 25, 49 keys, and also in 61 keys, and 88 keys. You have choices of velocity-sensitive, semi-weighted, and hammer-action keys.
If have a computer that has all the software you need for your sound-related needs, then an M-audio midi controller is what you need – compact and has all the features you need for simple MIDI entry.
Musicians looking for a keyboard controller for performance should opt for the 88-key hammer action m-audio controller keyboards, instead of the velocity-sensitive ones.
Various categories/series of keyboards made by M-Audio:
- M-Audio Keystation: Basic midi controllers (available in various sizes)
- M-Audio Oxygen: Keyboards with controls, pads (available in various sizes)
- M-Audio Code: Feature-rich controllers
- M-Audio Hammer: 88-key, hammer-action controllers
M-Audio MIDI Controllers are perfect for live musicians and for studio use.
Best M-Audio 88-Key Controllers
M-Audio Hammer 88 | 88-Hammer Action USB MIDI Controller
M-Audio Hammer features 88 fully-weighted, hammer-action keys. USB-MIDI connection (USB-powered), Pitch bend, modulation, volume and octave controls. Inputs for Sustain, Expression and Soft pedals. Easy plug-and-play connectivity to your Mac or PC. iOS compatibility using the Apple iPad Camera Connection Kit (sold separately).
M-Audio Keystation 88 MK3
88-Key semi-weighted USB piano midi Controller with semi-weighted keys. Features 88 full-size, velocity-sensitive keys. Octave-range buttons; pitch-bend and modulation wheels; transport and directional controls. 1/4″ sustain-pedal input to connect external control pedal.
You also get Ableton Live Lite production software.Advanced function button for programming. Sustain and expression pedal inputs. Assignable data up/down buttons. Built-in USB MIDI interface, MIDI out jack. Perfect for controlling your favorite virtual piano software. Use the Keystation 88 as your one-stop MIDI control powerhouse for studio and stage.
M-Audio MIDI Keyboard Controllers
Axiom AIR Premier USB MIDI Keyboard and Pad Controllers with Ergonomic Design and HyperControl Technology.
Axiom AIR Mini 32-Key
32-key Premium Keyboard and Pad Controller. Shatter barriers with the Axiom AIR Mini 32 from M-Audio. Read more…
Axiom Pro Advanced USB MIDI Keyboard and Pad Controllers with TruTouch Action and HyperControl Technology
Axiom Advanced Semi-Weighted Action USB MIDI Keyboard Controllers with Rotary Encoders and Trigger Pads
Oxygen USB MIDI Keyboard Controllers with Assignable MIDI Controls
Oxygen 25
25-Key USB MIDI Controller. The Oxygen 25 USB MIDI controller delivers next-generation functionality from M-Audio(R), the leading innovator in mobile music production technology. Read more…
Oxygen 49
49-Key USB MIDI Controller. The Oxygen 49 USB MIDI controller delivers next-generation functionality from M-Audio(r), the leading innovator in mobile music production technology. Read more…
Oxygen 61
61-Key USB MIDI Controller with Ignite Software, 8 assignable knobs, 9 assignable sliders – control DAW and virtual instrument parameters, DirectLink mode – instant controller mapping to DAW functions, Sedicated transport and track slected buttons. Read more…
Keystation Professional Weighted and Semi-Weighted Action MIDI Keyboard Controllers
Keystation Mini 32
32-Note Ultra-Portable Keyboard Controller, small enough to fit in a backpack, Works with iPAD (iPad Camera Connection Kit required), 4 assignable controls-three buttons and a knob-provide real-time control of your DAW and virtual instrutments. Read more…
Keystation 49es
49-Key Synth-Action USB Controller. The M-Audio Keystation 49es MKII USB controller is equipped with a responsive 49-key synth-action keyboard. Read more…
Keystation 61es
61-Key Semi-Weighted USB MIDI Controller. The Keystation 61es is a 61-note USB keyboard with velocity-sensitive, semi-weighted keys that is designed to easily integrate in any computer music environment. Read more…
Best M-Audio 88-Key Digital Piano
If you want an 88-key keyboard for recording, editing and mixing tracks, something that can be used as a controller, you can consider M-Audio 88-key keyboards. Besides being reasonably priced, these keyboards come with weighted keys and interface well with a computer.
M-Audio Accent 88-key digital piano with Hammer Action
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The M-Audio Accent is a recently launched digital piano with proper piano like keys, available for a reasonable price – suitable for piano students, stage and studio use, schools, theaters, and houses of worship.
M-Audio turned to industry professionals AIR technology to provide a range of realistic and expressive presets on this piano that features an authentic hammer-action weighted keybed.
Key features:
- 20 built-in piano voices
- Ability to split the keyboard or layer three voices simultaneously
- 50 piano accompaniment styles (Slow Rock, Vienna Waltz, Jazz Pub, etc.), you can play solor or play in various styles – classical to jazz to hip-hop to religious.
- Includes Steinway piano samples from AIR Music Technology
- Professional XLR outputs ensure a noise-free connection (excellent audio quality)
- USB-MIDI port allows Accent to be easilyconnected to computer (for learning or for recording)
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M-Audio Accessories
SP-Triple Triple Keyboard Foot Pedal
The SP-Triple pedal from M-Audio performs all the standard soft, sostenuto, and damping functions that your performance demands. These can be used with any keyboard that has sustain and/or foot controller 1/4″ input jacks. The pedal is assignable to keyboard functions such as patch advance, sequencer stop/start and modulation effects.
M-Audio SP-2 Piano Pedal
The M-Audio SP-2 is a popular single piano-style pedal. This is a universal sustain pedal with piano style action suitable for a range of electronic keyboards and digital pianos. Read more.
Accent stage piano stand
The Accent stage piano stand is the perfect accompaniment for the Accent Piano keyboards, the Stand adds 3-pedal functionality—Soft, sostenudo, and sustain.
M-Audio Keyboards: Buying Guide
If you understand the electronic music space well, then you would definitely know about M-Audio’s midi controllers; the most popular ones being the Oxygen, Axiom, and Key-station MIDI Controllers.
They produce recording hardware & software that can turn your computer into a powerful music workstation. The keyboard controllers, in particular, can be easily used to control your DAW software using the efficient mapping technology.
You can read more on midi controllers here.
M-Audio also makes synthesizer keyboards (analog synths) and digital pianos. Though they may not have a wide range of these products, the ones that they have are good quality keyboards. They also produce a range of music accessories such as Cables & Microphone Accessories, Universal Footswitches and Pedals.
Digital Pianos
M-audio had launched a few digital pianos in the past, but their moderate success made them go back to midi controllers (the product they’re are known for). Their earlier piano models included: DCP series upright digital pianos and the M-Audio Prokeys stage pianos. They do have one/two compact piano in their product line-up.
Comparison with Leading Brands
M-Audio faces competition from brands lime Akai, Alesis, Novation, Nektar, midiplus, and others. You can check out the best midi controller keyboards here (includes other brands as well).
Closing Thoughts
M-audio is one of the most popular manufacturers of midi keyboard controllers (and also audio interfaces). Their MIDI Controllers are perfect for live musicians and for studio use. M-audio also makes decent digital pianos (limited choices though)
Website: m-audio.com
KeytarHQ editorial team includes musicians who write and review products for pianists, keyboardists, guitarists & other musicians. KeytarHQ is the best online resource for information on keyboards, pianos, synths, keytars, guitars and music gear for musicians of all abilities, ages and interests.
M Audio DCP Digital Pianos
Available mostly in the US, the DCP piano range contains a decent line of console pianos that offer good computer compatibility (strength of M-audio) and includes several creative technologies.
It contains a variety of models, and the price range is within means for enthusiasts into recreational playing, music education, worship and even recording.
So what are your experiences of the DCP-200 & DCP-300 home pianos?
User Comments…
Keyboard Touch Not Good
by: Pyro
Those who already can play usually prefer the more popular piano brands, and that usually doesn’t include M-audio pianos, for studio use, may be their products are more suitable. Though you can get good sounds from their pianos, if you are a performance piano player, you may not find the keyboard action up to the mark or rather disappoint you. If you are a musician who’s more into creating tracks, mixing, and editing, then probably it doesn’t matter much what you own.
M-Audio DCP Digital Piano User Reviews
by: Suresh
I think there’s a use of every kind of keyboard that is made. As you probably said it right, they are more for those into music creation and recording. But then their pianos can be used for learning to play the piano, and also for most intermediate level players. Probably, that is the segment they are targeting. And that is why M-Audio has kept the actions on the piano as it is. Roland, Yamaha, Kawai are good but most of their products are about the $1500 mark.
Replacement Board for M-Audio DCP-200
by: Trevon Chichester (Mahaicony, Guyana)
I bought this M-Audio DCP200 a few years back, it played great. After a year or so I found the sound quality was diminishing, but improved after I did a factory reset. Anyhow one day I turned it off and tried to turn it on back a few minutes later and I got nothing from it. I had a technician check it out and he said there’s electricity flowing through but the LCD is not coming on and there’s no sound, though however tests proved that there was nothing wrong with the sound board. I cannot find a replacement board and don’t want to part with my DCP, anyone has any advice?