M-Audio’s new MidAir wireless USB MIDI system
November 15, 2006
M-Audio have announced their MidAir wireless USB MIDI system. This wireless MIDI transmitter and receiver system allows users to wirelessly transmit data from any device that outputs MIDI. The battery-powered transmitter is plugged into a MIDI Out port and then the receiver to the MIDI In port of the device they want to control. The receiver also includes a USB port to allow it to be used as a 1×1 PC MIDI interface.
It has a 30ft range and works on the popular 2.4GHz frequency band.
The MidAir wireless MIDI system is now shipping with an MSRP of $149.95 USD.
M-Audio Prokeys 88sx: lighter touch digital stage piano
February 25, 2006
M-Audio released their ProKeys 88 digital stage piano last year. Now its little brother has arrived:
The Prokeys 88sx digital stage piano is a semi-weighted 88-note keyboard offering 7 instrument sounds.
It offers much of the functionality of its heavier relative.
See full details of the ProKeys 88sx and ProKeys 88.
M-Audio Oxygen line of portable MIDI controller keyboards
February 13, 2006
For the travelling synth musician/composer, the M-Audio range of Oxygen keyboards provide a versatile range of MIDI control options, good looks and portability, in value for money packages.
They’ve just redesigned the baby of the range - the 25-key Oxygen 8 version 2, which features a 2-octave full-size velocity (not aftertouch) sensitive synth-action keyboard, 8 fully-MIDI assignable controller knobs, 6 transport buttons, LCD display, 5 dedicated function buttons, and two fully assignable data wheels set top-left of the machine. It can be powered directly from an active USB port, and weighs in at only 4 pounds.
Full specification is available here.
The 4-octave Oxygen 49 builds on the compact 8, providing 8 input knobs, 9 sliders, 15 assignable buttons, 2 data wheels, and a sustain pedal input. The data wheels have been moved to the left-hand side of the keyboard.
Full specification is available here.
The top-of-range 5-octave Oxygen 61 is virtually identical to the Oxygen 49, simply sporting an additional octave.
Full specification is available here.
All three keyboards come with a free copy of Ableton Live Lite 4 and will connect to PC and Mac without problems.
None feature direct keyboard aftertouch response, but for this price you wouldn’t expect them to. The compactness of the Oxygen 8 will be useful as a trigger keyboard and a very compact sequencer-buddy. Musicians needing more creative control of their synths and software will probably appreciate the additional controls, particularly the sliders and the sustain pedal input, on the upper models.
M-Audio Prokeys 88: an affordable quality digital piano workstation
February 12, 2006
M-Audio revealed their ProKeys 88 Hammer Action “Premium Stage Piano” at this year’s NAMM show.
It features 88 graded weight hammer-action keys, and three velocity curves plus fixed velocity for synth work.
It boasts a large 64MB sound bank in which its 14 sounds are stored. The 3-layer stereo grand piano samples alone take almost half of this space.
The acoustic sample is taken from the classic Yamaha C7 concert grand.
Its 14 patches are:
- Stereo Grand Piano (Yamaha C7)
- Bright Grand Piano
- Fender Rhodes
- Wurlitzer E.P.
- Bright Yamaha DX7 FM Classic E.P
- Warm Yamaha DX7 FM Classic E.P
- Hohner Clavinet D6
- Vibes (with hybrid mallets)
- Hammond B3 Percussion Organ
- Hammond B3 Rock Organ
- Acoustic Upright Bass
- Fingered Electric Bass (including harmonics)
- String Ensemble
- Warm, Lush Synth Pad
It has a massive 126 note polyphony, essential for sustained piano playing, sustain, sostenuto and expression pedal inputs, pitch and modulation wheels, 3 reverbs, chorus and tremolo, 2-stage equalizer, 12-key data entry pad with 3-digit LED screen, dedicated volume faders for master, layer and split parts, built-in USB and MIDI interfaces.
The ProKyes 88 appears to be a well-constructed, class instrument which has focussed on being a good all-round keyboard and basic MIDI controller for the travelling / gigging musician. Great care has been taken on achieving high-quality samples and playing experience, housed in a sleek, uncomplicated case weighing in at 48 pounds (21 kgs).
It’s definitely one of the most affordable professional digital pianos around, and could prove popular.
- Full specifications, product description, and audio demos, on the official product page.
- Keyboard Magazine review (July 2005)
