In this article we take a look at M-Audio’s popular Ableton Live capable Oxygen controller keyboards, currently available in seven models, three regular and four “pro” versions.
Overview
All feature high quality keyboards and a range of control pads, knobs, buttons and sliders, in varying numbers. Only the Pro Mini has small keys while the rest are full size. The basic models have synth style velocity sensitive keys while the full size pro keyboards have semi-weighted action with velocity and aftertouch capability. They all have pitch bend and modulation wheels, and at least one method of connecting to computer or possibly some other MIDI-enabled devices.
The Pro keyboards feature a PrecisionTouch key bed combining professional semi-weighted action with advanced high-speed key bed scanning technology for an ultra-expressive playing experience. The aftertouch is channel-based.
All of them have “official” Ableton Live Integration, which means they should work seamlessly out of the box with any version of the DAW. However, they will also work with many other DAWs, though they may need to be mapped depending on which software and what requirements the musician has. They do claim to have auto-mapping but it’s worth bearing in mind that this may not always set up the way you want it, for non-Ableton Live software.
Only the pro versions have LED backlighting for the velocity sensitive pads, with the regular versions having simple backlighting.
Gallery
Specifications
Here is a run down of the main specifications for the seven models for comparison:
|
|
Oxygen 61 (MKV) |
Oxygen 49 (MKV) |
Oxygen 25 (MKV) |
Oxygen Pro 61 |
Oxygen Pro 49 |
Oxygen Pro 25 |
Oxygen Pro Mini |
|
Keys |
61 |
49 |
25 |
61 |
49 |
25 |
32 |
|
Key Size |
Full |
Full |
Full |
Full |
Full |
Full |
Mini |
|
Key Weight |
Synth |
Synth |
Synth |
Semi-weighted |
Semi-weighted |
Semi-weighted |
Semi-weighted |
|
Velocity |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
|
Aftertouch |
N |
N |
N |
Y |
Y |
Y |
N |
|
Assignable Zones |
N |
N |
N |
Y |
Y |
Y |
N |
|
Smart Chord |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
|
Smart Scale |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
|
Arpeggiator |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
|
Trigger Pads |
2×8 bank |
2×8 bank |
2×8 bank |
16 |
16 |
16 |
8 |
|
LED illumination |
N |
N |
N |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
|
Knobs |
8 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
4 |
|
Faders |
9 |
9 |
1 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
4 |
|
Assignable Buttons |
N |
N |
N |
8 |
8 |
8 |
4 |
|
Transport Buttons |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
N |
|
Display |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
|
Pitch Bend |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
|
Modulation |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
|
Sustain Pedal Input |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
|
Auto Mapping |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
|
Octave/Transpose |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
|
Software |
Melodics, Skoove, Ableton Live Lite |
Ableton Live Lite |
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|
Virtual Instruments |
Hybrid 3.0, AIR Mini Grand |
Hybrid 3.0, AIR MPC Beats, AIR Velvet, AIR Mini Grand, AIR TubeSynth, AIR Electric, AIR Bassline |
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|
Expansion Packs |
MPC Beats Producer Kits, F9 Beats Edition Instruments Collection, Laniakea Sounds, HipHop Drums, Produycer Collection LoFi Kits |
– |
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|
Dimensions |
8.5″ x 9.6″ x 3.7″ 977 mm x 243 mm x 94 mm |
32″ x 9.6″ x 3.7″ 814 mm x 243 mm x 94 mm |
19.3″ x 9.6″ x 3.7″ 492 mm x 243 mm x 94 mm |
10.4” x 38.0” x 3.3” 264.2 x 965.2 x 83.8 mm |
10.4” x 31.5” x 3.3” 264.2 x 800.1 x 83.8 mm |
10.4” x 19.3” x 3.3” 264.1 x 490.2 x 83.3 mm |
15.8” x 7.52” x 2.56” 401 mm x 190 mm x 60 mm |
|
Weight |
7.5lbs/3.4kg |
6.4lbs/2.9kg |
4lbs/1.8kg |
10.6lbs/4.8kg |
9.3lbs/4.2kg |
5.4lbs/2.46kg |
2.65lbs/1.2kg |
