M-Audio AXIOM 49 Advanced 49-Key Semi-Weighted USB MIDI Controller

by M-Audio

Product Features

• 49-key velocity-sensitive semi-weighted action keyboard with assignable aftertouch
• 8 MIDI-assignable trigger pads
• Compatible with free Enigma librarian/editor for storing and organizing setups
• Controller Mute function mutes controller output to avoid parameter jumps
• Includes Ableton Live Lite 4 music production softwareso you can make music right away

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 31.9 x 2.6 inches ; 9.9 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 16 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B000EM6TBS
• Item model number: 9900-41412-10
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,980 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments)
  • #69 in Musical Instruments > Recording Equipment > Computer Recording > MIDI Controllers
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

If you need total MIDI control and playability in a compact package, check out the Axiom 49. This advanced 49-key USB mobile MIDI controller delivers semi-weighted action plus assignable aftertouch, along with eight rubberized trigger pads that are perfect for hands-on drum programming and performance. Nine sliders complement eight endless rotary encoder knobs to control just about any software studio parameter you can think of. 15 MIDI-assignable buttons--including six transport controls--and assignable wheels and foot pedals round out total control. The dedicated front-panel keypad and backlit LCD screen provide intuitive setup. There's room for 20 non-volatile memory locations for instant access to setups, plus compatibility with our free Enigma editor/librarian software for managing a virtually infinite library via Mac or PC.

Total MIDI Control and Playability in a Compact Package

Eight rubberized trigger pads let you program with feel or easily trigger samples or visual effects.

Assign the eight rotary encoders to mixer controls like panning and effects sends, or to any synth parameters you want to control.

Large backlit LCD screen for visual feedback.

Six reassignable transport buttons.

Get Into the Action
The Axiom series of mobile USB MIDI controllers has everything it takes to get the most from your MIDI software and hardware. Semi-weighted action complete with aftertouch gives you great feel and expression for both synth parts and pianistic passages. Eight rubberized trigger pads put your drums at your fingertips for programming with feel--or easy fire samples or visual effects.

Total MIDI Control
Assign the eight rotary encoders to mixer controls like panning and effects sends, or to any synth parameters you want to control. Map the nine sliders to software mixer faders or drawbars on your virtual organ. 15 buttons, pitch and mod wheels, and sustain and expression pedal jacks round out a tour de force of MIDI domination. Assigning controllers is simple, yet has the power to let you delve as deep as you want. Each controller can map to just about any applicable parameter in the MIDI spec, including independent channel addressing for each. The possibilities are limited only by your imagination.

Intuitive Front-Panel Programming
M-Audio Axiom MIDI controllers all feature a large backlit LCD screen for visual feedback--and the 61-key and 49-key models also place a 10-key pad right on the front panel for direct, intuitive programming. You'll also find 9 dedicated front-panel function buttons to easily access common operations like preset / program change or MIDI channel +/-, octave +/-, and transpose +/-. Use the Controller Mute button to prevent parameters from jumping when you change them, for example, then press Snapshot to transmit all current settings. 20 non-volatile memory locations instantly save and recall your favorite presets--and you can manage an entire preset library on your computer via SysEx dumps and our free Enigma software editor/librarian for PC and Mac.

Mobile Operation
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.

Axiom 49 Specs

MIDI Data from variable controllers:

• MIDI Controller Number
• RPN/NRPN
• Program, Bank LSB, Bank MSB
• Pitch Bend
• GM/GM2/XG SysEx Messages

MIDI Data from buttons/switches:

• MIDI Controller Number
• Note On
• Note On/Off toggle
• RPN/NRPN
• MIDI CC On/Off toggle
• Program, Bank LSB, Bank MSB presets
• MIDI Machine Control
• GM/GM2/XG SysEx messages

Size: 31.9 x 11.2 x 2.6 inches; 81 x 28.5 x 6.6 (cm)

Weight: 10 lbs.; 4.5 kg

What's in the Box

Axiom 49 Advanced 49-Key Semi-Weighted USB MIDI Controller, User's Manual, Ableton Live Lite Software

Product Description

The M-Audio Axiom 49 is an advanced, semi-weighted USB MIDI Controller. If you need total MIDI control and playability in a compact package, check out the Axiom 49. This advanced 49-key USB mobile MIDI controller delivers semi-weighted action plus assignable aftertouch, along with eight rubberized trigger pads that are perfect for handson drum programming and performance. Nine sliders complement eight endless rotary encoder knobs to control just about any software studio parameter you can think of 15 MIDI-assignable buttons--including six transport controls--and assignable wheels and foot pedals round out total control. The dedicated front-panel keypad and backlit LCD screen provide intuitive setup. There's room for 20 non-volatile memory locations for instant access to setups, plus compatibility with our free Enigma editor/librarian software for managing a virtually infinite library via Mac or PC.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent midi keyboard at the price point., June 23, 2007

By 

Brian M. Rzycki (Austin, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: M-Audio AXIOM 49 Advanced 49-Key Semi-Weighted USB MIDI Controller (Electronics)

First things first, I'm no pianist. I purchased this controller to work with DAWs and soft synths. So far I'm really pleased with the purchase. The faders feel a bit dry but function nicely. The rotary encoders support absolute and relative CCs, keeping parameters from jumping when changing presets. The keyboard keys feel solid and aren't springy like the Keystation line. The blue display is informational and easy to read in light and dark environments. It's also nice the keyboard is powered off the USB bus. No need for a wall-wart adapter.

The reasons I'm giving it a 4 out of 5 instead of a 5 are the following:
1. the keyboard advertises aftertouch. This is not polyphonic aftertouch, but the less expressive channel aftertouch. Say you play a C3 and hold the note, then hit a C5 and add aftertouch only to the C5. Aftertouch is not applied to only C5 but to both C3 and C5. This can be a bit surprising the first time you try it.

2. No printed manual. A paper manual is something I like getting with hardware.

3. Pitch bend only sends coarse adjustments. This makes the pitch bend knob a bit sensitive to expressive play.

4. Customizing the layout of the instrument requires M-Audio's Enigma software. Personally I don't really like it and wish the Axiom's didn't have a black box sysex format. It'd be nice to customize the layout of the keyboard w/o using this clunky app.

I still really like this keyboard. It feels solid, plays well and is a good mid-entry midi keyboard/controller.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best controller I've ever had..., June 14, 2007

By 

B. Ditty - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: M-Audio AXIOM 49 Advanced 49-Key Semi-Weighted USB MIDI Controller (Electronics)

This midi controller is perfect for producing on a budget. It pays for itself within a few projects. The pad triggers are perfect for drums and measure the velocity MUCH better than my old mpd 16 ever did. Has plenty of faders and endless knobs(perfect for vst's). It's easy to map the keys if your NOT running on vista (possible, but not as easy). I'm still waiting on drivers from m-audio, but besides that...it's a damn good controller...

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Blue Screen of Death, August 18, 2010

By 

WickedConscience - See all my reviews

This review is from: M-Audio AXIOM 49 Advanced 49-Key Semi-Weighted USB MIDI Controller (Electronics)

I have owned this product for a little over a year, just long enough to get out of warranty. While it worked it was a decent controller, nothing special but it did it's job. Unfortunately it received what is known as the "blue screen of death." Apparently this is a common problem where the LCD screen lights up a solid blue and the keyboard becomes completely unresponsive. There is no fix as it is a hardware failure. Google it to find out how common.

Do yourself a favor, save up a little more money and go with a better brand than M-Audio. Otherwise you're playing roulette with your money.