M-Audio AXIOM 61 Advanced 61-Key Semi-Weighted USB MIDI Controller 9900-51413-10

M-Audio AXIOM 61 Advanced 61-Key Semi-Weighted USB MIDI Controller 9900-51413-10 | Excellent contoller for the money

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M-Audio AXIOM 61 A...

	M-Audio AXIOM 61 Advanced 61-Key Semi-Weighted USB MIDI Controller 9900-51413-10 M-Audio M-Audio average customer review:based on 8 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

With the M-Audio Axiom 61, you have advanced MIDI control for creating ideal drum tracks and firing samples. Its 8 rubberized trigger pads, 9 sliders and 8 encoder knobs are ideal for giving you total control of what happens in your studios. Programming is a breeze with the dedicated front controls and backlit LCD screen. 20 memory locations store your setup, and the free Enigma editing and library software lets you manage an unlimited number of sample and tracks on your computer. 4 independent configurable keyboard zones Octave and transpose up/down 15 assignable buttons, including 6 transport buttons Backlit LCD screen 20 non-volatile memory locations Memory dump via SysEx Sustain and expression pedal jacks Fully programmable MIDI controller numbers and channels Snapshot function transmits all current controller settings On/off rocker switch Includes special version of Ableton Live Lite 4 Powered via USB or power supply PC Requirements - Pentium 3 800MHz or higher, 256MB RAM, DirectX9.0b or higher, Windows XP SP1 or higher Mac Requirements - G3 800MHz/G4 733MHz or higher, 256MB RAM, Mac OS X 10.3.9 or up Size - 38.4 x 11.2x 2.6 (97.6 x 28.5 x 6.6 cm) Weight - 11.7 lbs. (5.3 Kg.)

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Axiom 61 just keeps on working

I first had the Axiom 25 and loved it when I used Garageband. When I got ProTools (all of them Mini 2, LE, and M-Powered) I moved up to another brand. When I got Logic Pro and Logic Pro Express I got the Axiom 61 and never looked back. I have a double rack and the Axiom 61 gets used constantly and I think that says it for me.

P.S. I didn't know there was a"lead" issue with the paint on the Axiom, but again I don't play on the paint, or have small children, or dogs or cats, et al.

Excellent contoller for the money

I use this keyboard with and Imac, Garage Band and B4 II. I like the action and generous controls.

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A good MIDI controller with a couple of nitpicks

MIDI controllers are often a subjective choice because not everyone uses them for the same purpose or has the experience of playing on weighted keys such as your normal piano.

I purchased this after having started with a 49 key M-Audio Key Studio which was an entry level controller with plain, non weighted keys and no extra control beyond the standard pitch & mod wheels and octave buttons. I wanted something that would allow comfortable "piano style" two handed play without getting into actual 88 key units. If you are not experienced with actual keyboards/workstations (the ones that have sound and sequencers on-board like the Fantom, Motif, Triton) then you will likely be surprised with the weight of the unit. It is not heavy per se, but if your prior experience is with a small drum pad or controller with non-weighted keys the 11 pounds will be something of a shock.

The key action is exactly what I was looking for. It gives you enough resistance to feel the play style without actually being heavy enough to wear out your hands like a piano can do. The adjustable velocity curves let you pick how hard you want to have to press a key to achieve set input level which is a nice way to customize the board to how strong your fingers and hands are. I found the action to be smooth and not as sloppy as the thin non-weighted keys I was used to.

The sliders feel slightly flimsy, think hollow plastic, but they ride on a slider bed that offers some resistance so they don't flop around. Not a big deal unless you are used to working with metal sliders. The endless rotary knobs have a good feel to them and look to be very useful.

The drum pads have a soft feel to them but they use switches under them that require fairly centered strikes to trigger the pad. I also own a KORG padKontrol that I use for my pad needs and it is a much better unit, with pads that don't require a direct center hit to trigger and also have a surface which is not as prone to letting your fingers slide. The KORG though is a $200 unit that has only pads and is focused around their use. The Axiom 61 has pads as more of an afterthought or convenience, they are not either numerous enough nor of sufficient quality to be a feature for this unit. They are handy to trigger things while playing the keyboard but not as a drum pad, which is what some folks believe they are getting.

The LCD display is very clear and bright making reading it no problem. I'd prefer if they would have inclined the face of it about 10 degrees towards the user though for even better reading ease.

The included software was of no use to me, I use Logic Studio 8. The lack of a printed manual was disappointing considering that you really need to read through it to understand how to use the various functions. It will typically be plug and play for the keyboard, pitch and mod wheels but the sliders, knobs and pads will require some assignment in almost all software.

Overall I am pleased with the Axiom 61. The keys are very nice as long as you understand they are not hammer-action piano keys. Between the sliders, knobs and pads I would say the knobs are the best implemented "accessory" feature with the sliders and pads coming off as usable but not anything to brag about. If you are getting started and want a good all-in-one solution wither this model or the 49 key Axiom will fill the bill nicely. The controls function properly but as mentioned above if you are into drum pads I'd only use these until you can get a stand alone unit.

I can see how someone who is not really sure what they are getting, could give it a 3 for the lack of a manual and the so-so accessory MIDI knobs/sliders/pads. I only wanted the 61 semi-weighted keys so everything else was not a deal breaker for me. If the knobs/sliders/pads had blown me away with their quality and there was a printed manual I'd have given it a 5 but I'm going to stick with a 4. It does what I bought it for very well and the extras work and do not detract from it.

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Not bad unit

New to MIDI and keyboards (just learning piano too) so take this with a grain of salt. Overall a pretty good controller, but i have problems with some of the faders/knobs not working all the time. this is probably an issue with the preset software which i do not know how to use yet.

another bigger issue, is the latency. there is a slight delay ~ 90 milliseconds before the keys/triggers i hit actually respond. this isn't too bad for me to learn how to play the piano, but a little frustrating getting the timing down when using it with Reason. i have used the Axiom 61 on 3 computers so far all with more or less the same results - they are not brand new, but still relatively quick.

i'm not fond of the drum pads, they do not seem to respond the way i had hoped they would - again this could be 1) the latency problem, 2) the fact i have never used a stand alone drum pad trigger.

finally the software, Reason (which it does not come with) is fairly intuitive, Ableton and Enigma are NOT. a month after I bought this, i still have yet to get it to make any sounds with the Axiom in Ableton. Enigma also is pretty counter-intuitive, however, i am not one for manuals and do like to figure it out on my own.

in conclusion, i do like this controller and have quite a bit of fun using it. if everything worked as i think it should, i would like this about 10 times as much. seems like a very solid unit although i do not plan on dropping any time soon. if i had to do again, i would buy a cheaper controller to learn on, then maybe move to something more fancy like this.

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reviews: page 1, 2

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