Customer Reviews

M-AUDIO Keystation 88 Full Size 88-Note Keyboard ( Windows PC / Mac )

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

this is the best 88 key controller I've used for all-around features in the sub$1000USD market. they keys aren't wobbly or cheap as another reviewer suggests, they feel like just about any other weighted synthesizer keyboard. velocity control can be tweaked to use different velocity curves, and the knobs, buttons, sliders, etc can all be assigned to custom midi messages. the editor software is not simple to use for a beginner, but allows alot of flexibility. I cannot comment on it's usb functionality as I have it connected to a midi timepiece.

I use this as my main controller in my "Budget" 20k studio. works great for just about everything that it's intended to do.

I've had this controller for a couple of years now. The action was a little stiff for the first month but after that "break in" period it plays well. My only gripe is that it's doesn't snap back quite as quickly as a real piano. But unless your playing a lot of Chopin or Liszt on a regular basis it plays fine.

I've used for both recording and live use and it does quite well with both. It's construction is a both good and bad for live situations. It's quite sturdy but it's a bit heavy to lug around.

I've found it's interface excellent for recording. It's faders cab fairly easily routed to be used as a mixer in programs like Cubase. Have transport controls on the keyboard make it much easy to record takes on your own.

Overall, I'd recommend this keyboard.

"Full size, 88-note velocity sensitive keyboard provides an authentic playing experience, with hammer action fine-tuned to satisfy the most demanding players"

The only part of this that I think is true is the first part. This does not provide an authentic playing experience of a real piano, unless you want an authentic playing experience of a cheap plastic wobbly keyboard. It does not satisfy even slightly demanding pianists, and is bound to disappoint anyone looking for a realistic piano keyboard. Make sure you try it in real-life before you but it.

We have this keyboard for about 18 months and one of the keys is non-responsive. Just learned from M-Audio's support line that they will not offer repair - only parts. Assuming we can repair the product ourselves, I find this a bit disconcerting. Hate to sound old and cynical, but there used to be a time when manufacturers actually stood by their products.

This pile of junk isn't worth $50. DO NOT BUY!

1. The feel is TERRIBLE. It is nowhere close to a piano feel, and I can't believe they have the nerve to call these weighted keys. They feel like springy little plastic pieces of junk. Just terrible all around.

2. In typical M-Audio style, the functionality is terrible as well. I'm not alone when I complain about the double-midi problem with this thing. That's right, try recording or playing something. You'll hear the typical phased sound of doubled midi events. And if you record, you'll find that you have two sets of notes instead of just one. This is terrible. I've verified that it does this with both the USB MIDI and standard MIDI. And many others online have the same complaint.

All in all, I'd give this 0 stars!

I got this to use as a controller in my studio. It's nice to have a full 88 keys for sequencing and practicing without setting up any other gear let alone all the knobs, buttons and sliders, oh my!

The action has a good weight to it, but is rather "clunky" when trying to play legato or in the pp-ppp range. For playing in sequences, it's great.

I've taken it out on a few gigs as a controller for my Roland VK8m organ module and it's great to use the drawbars on the VK8m for upper manual, and the sliders on the Pro 88 for lower manual, (you can reverse the "polarity" of the slider with drawbar mode) with an upper/lower keyboard split on middle C.

Another nice feature for live performance if the 4 "Zones" which makes layering sounds with individual splits, MIDI channels or other controls easy to use!

Where this baby shines is the controls! This thing has so many knobs, buttons and sliders that you can set this keybaord up to control almost every virtual knob on software synths. The Enigma editor, (download from M-Audio's site) gives you full editing ability of the keyboard, but for software synths, I just have the synths "learn" from the keyboard.

I took me about 1 minute to setup NI's "MiniMoog V" software synth to respond to whichever knob I wanted to use. I have also set up the keyboard to play Native Instruments B4II as an upper/lower manual split, using the sliders and bottom row of knobs as drawbars for both manuals. I also set the buttons to control every single function (percussion, vibrato/chorus, rotory speed, etc).

One drag with the Enigma software is that for the changes you make on the PC to take effect on the keyboard, you have to send it to the controller (sysex), then recal the current patch on the Pro88 for it to notice the change.

This is not a user friendly board and if you have never tried programming a controller from looking at a MIDI implemetation sheet you might get frustrated. Once you get the learning curve, its quite easy.

My review breaks down like this....
Action B-
Controls A+ (especially for the price!)
Sturdiness B
Good for live playing? No for classical and some jazz, but yes for rock, blues, R&B, techno, etc.
Display B (nice and easy to read, but a more graphic like interface would make programming without Enigma easier)
User Friendly? Only if you are not a noob to MIDI gear and setting up controls on keygboards.
Would I buy it again if I had to? Yes! (Even though I bought it used from a friend for very little, I would still pay full price for it).

While it's true that this keyboard does not have an action equaling a fine piano, I've never the less been using it live for several years, and no one has a problem with my playing. I like the heavy action, and I fell into playing it quickly and easily. Firstly the amount of midi control that this has is almost overwhelming. Complex splits can be managed with ease, and with 17 buttons, 24 knobs, and 9 faders, you can control just about anything. The buttons are in a straight line right above the keyboard for easy access, I can bring loops in and out without missing a beat. All of the controls, including the transport controls, are thoughtfully placed with the performer in mind. The bottomline is, if it broke, (knock on wood), I'd get another one. I love my pro 88.

Oh. And the price. The price.

I purchased one of these over three years ago and it still works great with daily use. I've spent most of my life playing on pianos and haven't had any issues with the action, feel, velocity, etc. of the Keystation 88. If you're looking for keys that feel like a Bosendorfer Imperial Grand, keep looking (and good luck). But, if you're in the market for a high performance full-sized keyboard loaded with lots of midi control capabilities (for a great price), I highly recommend this controller. It's hard to beat in terms of value, functionality, and durability. You won't be disappointed!

(I'll be taking it with me on tour this fall, it's that reliable)

Attention: this is ONLY for Professional Musicians, and ONLY for serious music creation.

It have more feature and function than you need. Many of the feature can only be seen in Hollywood studios.

Seriously.