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The Axiom 61 is an advanced 61-key USB mobile MIDI controller with semi-weighted action and assignable aftertouch. Eight rubberized trigger pads are ideal for creating drum tracks and firing samples. Nine sliders and eight endless rotary encoder knobs put you in total control of your software studio. There are also 15 MIDI-assignable buttons--including six transport controls--assignable wheels, foot pedals and more. Programming is a breeze with dedicated front-panel keypad and backlit LCD screen. 20 memory locations store your setups and the free Enigma editor/librarian software lets you manage an unlimited number on your computer.
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Technical Details
- 61-key velocity-sensitive semiweighted action keyboard with assignable aftertouch- 8 MIDI-assignable trigger pads
- 15 assignable buttons, including 6 transport buttons
- Compatible with free Enigma librarian/editor for storing and organizing setups
- Includes Ableton Live Lite 4 music production softwareso you can make music right away
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By ShoppingSmart
Review of the M-Audio Axiom 61 (non-Pro model) keyboard after 1 month of use:
** See warning at end of this review **
1-star for semi-weighted velocity-sensitive keys.
1-star for having LOTS of controls to use.
1-star for having standard 5-pin MIDI in/out ports in addition to USB, sustain, and expression ports.
1/2-star (not possible with Amazon reviews) for pricing under 2-and-a-half bills with free super-saver shipping.
I would have given this a 4th star if the keys didn't stick. Yep, the reports are true! My particular keyboard has a China manufacture date of "JAN 13" printed right on the box. I don't know the year it was made but I think it's safe to assume that this unit was made in 2009, 11 months before I bought it new. ALL of the keys stick even after just a few minutes of non-use. The stickiness is more pronounced the longer the keyboard sits unused.
So, right before you start playing/recording you'll want to depress all of the keys to un-stick them. Go to YouTube and search "M-Audio Axiom 61 cheesy sticky keys" to see and hear an example of this problem.
I would have given this a 5th star if the 8 rotating knobs didn't have click stops and didn't rotate endlessly. I would rather use freely rotating knobs - without click stops - with a start and end point in the knob rotation. After all, every software DAW, sequencer, and instrument interface has rotatable knobs displayed with distinct start/end positions and no click stops. IMHO, it is necessary for hardware and software controls to have consistency between them.
This is my first MIDI keyboard and I did a lot of research before choosing the Axiom (non-Pro edition). I'm glad I bought this one as it looks like it should last for years in my home studio. No real regrets, just nitpicks on QC and knob design. Oh, and if you're debating between getting a 49-key or 61-key keyboard, get the 61. Trust me. Even with 61 keys I still find the need to transpose up/down on occasion. The Axiom's "transpose octave" control handles this very well, and I wouldn't buy a sub-88 key keyboard without it.
Oh, and get a sustain pedal. You'll definitely need one. I chose the M-Audio SP-1 US65000, which works just fine for me:[...]
WARNING:
The Axiom 25/49/61 contains lead (paint?). Same with the Axiom Pro. This is a fact noted in the downloadable user manual; "WARNING: This product contains chemicals, including lead, known to the State of California to cause cancer, and birth defects and other reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling."
Go to M-Audio's web site and search "Axiom User Guide" to get the PDF file for download. Anyone can download the manual.
Play it safe and educate yourself on the known health issues surrounding products that contain lead.
By clint
M-Audio's name is popular for a reason.
That being said, my only complaints are: ;)
1. A couple of the plastic keys stick (slightly) after a few minuets of rest. This is no big deal. If I wanted fully weighted keys I would get 'em.
2. The knobs don't terminate. They don't have a start or stop point. They just rotate 360 and keep going and they click into place with each turn rather than rotate smoothly. I now only use the sliders. I'd say I only need 30% of this controller (61 semi-weighted keys and some knobs and sliders).
My biggest complaint is my ignorance. I thought I needed to upgrade my PC's sound card to include MIDI connectivity. I then thought that I would need a USB to MIDI converter... Although programing can be fun I'd prefer making music.
I only needed a USB port.
I don't need the display. I don't need the any of the funky buttons under the display. I don't need the numeric keypad that is to the left of the display or the ability of the controller to save anything. I only needed 61 keys, a pitch bend and mod wheel and a few sliders and knobs. The software I use takes care of everything else.
Granted, clicking and dragging a mouse on stage is no fun when playing live so all of the features that the M-Audio Axiom 61 offers would be more than enough for the professional musician who sees no need in spending $2k+ on a dedicated/ limited/ physical workstation.
My set up is this:
An HP laptop with 3 Gigs o' ram, Windows 7, FL Studio 9 and now an Axiom 61. This is more than enough for the student/hobbyist/studio/musician.
I would not recommend the Axiom to myself.
My next USB DAW slave keyboard will be a 61 key stick with 8 knobs, 8 sliders and an on off switch. I know their out there.
I purchased this thing out of ignorance.
I give it *****5 stars for the learning experience.
By dave (USA)
I bought this so I could use it for controlling midi in a sequencer, which I have never done before getting this, and also for learning to play the keyboard. It works as advertised with ableton live lite 7, it is pretty easy to figure out how to setup the controls. The velocity sensitive keys work good, the sliders that people say feel cheap do in fact feel cheap but it doesnt really affect their performance, they work just fine. The knobs work well for controlling the pan of the channel, and the drum pads work for controlling drums, although I dont find them to be necessary as this can also be done using the velocity sensitive keys. Overall the keyboard feels pretty solid, I am glad I went with this one instead of a cheaper one.
By Dan Taylor (Seattle WA)
I currently use Apple's garageband to make music. I wanted to get an axiom to control alot of garageband's features. Unfortunaly garageband doesn't have many advanced features and I can only use the keys, pitch and modulation wheels, drumpad, 1 slider, 1 knob, and the transport controls on the axiom for garageband. This isn't m-audios fault garageband just sucks. Other than that I have loved it ever since. The keys feel great although not entirely weighted, and it is very easy and fun to play.
By B. L. Bird (Helena, MT)
I really like this keyboard. It's picked up natively in Live and windows. My only complaint is that it has some very complex features and comes with software that I'll never use. The enigma software didn't seem to have any use since my software worked with the keyboard automatically.
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Buy M-Audio AXIOM 61 Advanced 61-Key Semi-Weighted USB MIDI Controller 9900-51413-10 Now
The Axiom series is extremely compact and lightweight and all models are powered directly from your computer’s USB bus. Choose the size that’s best for your needs, then take your music anywhere you want to go.
