Customer Reviews

M-Audio AXIOM 61 Advanced 61-Key Semi-Weighted USB MIDI Controller 9900-51413-10

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

MIDI controllers are often a subjective choice because not everyone uses them for the same purpose or has the experience of playing on weighted keys such as your normal piano.

I purchased this after having started with a 49 key M-Audio Key Studio which was an entry level controller with plain, non weighted keys and no extra control beyond the standard pitch & mod wheels and octave buttons. I wanted something that would allow comfortable "piano style" two handed play without getting into actual 88 key units. If you are not experienced with actual keyboards/workstations (the ones that have sound and sequencers on-board like the Fantom, Motif, Triton) then you will likely be surprised with the weight of the unit. It is not heavy per se, but if your prior experience is with a small drum pad or controller with non-weighted keys the 11 pounds will be something of a shock.

The key action is exactly what I was looking for. It gives you enough resistance to feel the play style without actually being heavy enough to wear out your hands like a piano can do. The adjustable velocity curves let you pick how hard you want to have to press a key to achieve set input level which is a nice way to customize the board to how strong your fingers and hands are. I found the action to be smooth and not as sloppy as the thin non-weighted keys I was used to.

The sliders feel slightly flimsy, think hollow plastic, but they ride on a slider bed that offers some resistance so they don't flop around. Not a big deal unless you are used to working with metal sliders. The endless rotary knobs have a good feel to them and look to be very useful.

The drum pads have a soft feel to them but they use switches under them that require fairly centered strikes to trigger the pad. I also own a KORG padKontrol that I use for my pad needs and it is a much better unit, with pads that don't require a direct center hit to trigger and also have a surface which is not as prone to letting your fingers slide. The KORG though is a $200 unit that has only pads and is focused around their use. The Axiom 61 has pads as more of an afterthought or convenience, they are not either numerous enough nor of sufficient quality to be a feature for this unit. They are handy to trigger things while playing the keyboard but not as a drum pad, which is what some folks believe they are getting.

The LCD display is very clear and bright making reading it no problem. I'd prefer if they would have inclined the face of it about 10 degrees towards the user though for even better reading ease.

The included software was of no use to me, I use Logic Studio 8. The lack of a printed manual was disappointing considering that you really need to read through it to understand how to use the various functions. It will typically be plug and play for the keyboard, pitch and mod wheels but the sliders, knobs and pads will require some assignment in almost all software.

Overall I am pleased with the Axiom 61. The keys are very nice as long as you understand they are not hammer-action piano keys. Between the sliders, knobs and pads I would say the knobs are the best implemented "accessory" feature with the sliders and pads coming off as usable but not anything to brag about. If you are getting started and want a good all-in-one solution wither this model or the 49 key Axiom will fill the bill nicely. The controls function properly but as mentioned above if you are into drum pads I'd only use these until you can get a stand alone unit.

I can see how someone who is not really sure what they are getting, could give it a 3 for the lack of a manual and the so-so accessory MIDI knobs/sliders/pads. I only wanted the 61 semi-weighted keys so everything else was not a deal breaker for me. If the knobs/sliders/pads had blown me away with their quality and there was a printed manual I'd have given it a 5 but I'm going to stick with a 4. It does what I bought it for very well and the extras work and do not detract from it.

The Axiom line is the only M-Audio line with aftertouch - which is required for a serious MIDI controller. Another bonus over the Oxygen line is the display - which is actually usable in this model.

The transpose and octave shift buttons are well-placed and are easily accessible in real-time performances.

Key action on this controller is very nice. It is reasonably firm without being tough, and the aftertouch is readily available without tripping it accidentally too much. If you're doing a lot of piano recordings; I would recommend a fully-weighted action keyboard (with 88 keys) - but for everything else, this works very well.

The programmable sliders are highly useful for working with complicated sample sets. After a bit of experimentation, I have them set to control vibrato rate, note effects, breath noise, attack variation, panning, and volume levels. Once you get them set where you want them - just start recording, push the SnapShot, and all of your settings will get recorded in your MIDI file. (same for rotary controllers)

The only real problem I have is the lack of a printed manual.

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18 month update. Well, my first Axiom 61 is now broken after months and months of use. It was never moved, just sat on the desk... yesterday, 41 of the keys stopped working.

I ordered a new one.

Just wanted to let you and everyone reading these know that the Axiom series is not actually the only aftertouch-capable m-audio keyboard, but I will also add that the other cheaper m-audio controllers, such as the keystation (not pro)and ozone series, have a very poor aftertouch, sometimes not even responding consistently (!). Bottomline is I wouldn't expect to get a decent controller under $200 in my experience; the Axioms feel great to me and would recommend them to anyone looking for a capable controller on a budget.

I first had the Axiom 25 and loved it when I used Garageband. When I got ProTools (all of them Mini 2, LE, and M-Powered) I moved up to another brand. When I got Logic Pro and Logic Pro Express I got the Axiom 61 and never looked back. I have a double rack and the Axiom 61 gets used constantly and I think that says it for me.

P.S. I didn't know there was a"lead" issue with the paint on the Axiom, but again I don't play on the paint, or have small children, or dogs or cats, et al.

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.

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Update Sunday September 12 2010:

Just got the Blue Screen Of Death. I Googled/ Youtubed this and... Yep... This thing is a brick.

Oh well, I rarely had use for it. Have fun at the local land fill.

I use this keyboard with and Imac, Garage Band and B4 II. I like the action and generous controls.

The M-Audio Axiom 61-key was a really great Keyboard!

This Amazon seller sells really neat stuff!! I like how it was easy to install on my computer, and fun and easy to find the drivers and software for.

Thanks!

:D

I got mine and used it about twenty minutes after getting it. Stuck it in the closet while I set up my studio. . . Couple months later pull it out to work on some piano stuff for a covers gig and, lo and behold, the magic blue screen.

In the midst of trying to get support on it and it appears to be working. Stinks having to pay UPS to send it to NJ, but that's cheaper than getting another controller...

I don't know how widespread it is, but I've seen cases across the Axiom line. Seems like Avid is doing repairs though.

So, other than not working at all, this is a great controller. I'll follow up once I get to use it for more than Mary Had a Little Lamb on my laptop.

Beware

The Keys on this keyboard feel great. Ive dropped it on the ground and slammed on the keys for 7 or 8 months straight and they all work perfect. Key velocity or sensitivity is awesome. Pads are not to good. They work and are fairly sensitive but not in a good position and not enough pads. M-audio has impressed me with this product and many others (mobilepre)

While that doesn't sound exactly stellar, at this point I've played the unit every day for more than a year. The fact of the matter is it covers a lot of territory in an attractive surprisingly robust package. From a keyboard POV, the action has held up well. It's hardly buttery, but this is a synth action keyboard even if the style of the keys is piano like. The wheels and channel aftertouch make for a lot of expressive options combined with the sustain and expression pedal inputs. I've worn out the membranes on several other keyboards, but this one is still going strong.

As a control surface, it's 8 rotary encoders do not suffer from parm jump, unlike the 9 analog faders. The faders are decent quality for a plastic static type. They're smooth and consistent. I haven't snapped any, but I could see where that might happen. Parameters are easily assigned and accessed. The MMC transport keys and trigger pads make the unit a complete controller.

It's totally reasonable to base a midi production suite or keyboard stack on these. Mine is a real workhorse.