M-Audio Keystation 88ES Midi Controller

by M-Audio

Product Features

• 88 velocity-sensitive, semi-weighted keysPitch bend and modulation wheels
• Advanced function button for programming
• Sustain and expression pedal inputs
• Assignable data up/down buttons
• Built-in USB MIDI interfaceMIDI out jack routes MIDI signals from keyboard or computer to external devices
• Powered via USB or 9V DC adapter (sold separately)Mac OS X and Windows XP class compliant

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 53 x 4 x 9.5 inches ; 24.8 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 28.7 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.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B0006676A0
• Item model number: 9900-40832-00
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (63 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #461 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments)
  • #9 in Musical Instruments > Recording Equipment > Computer Recording > MIDI Controllers

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

If you appreciate the full range of a piano keyboard in a lightweight package, the 88-note Keystation 88es is for you. You get great-feeling, semi-weighted action that's velocity-sensitive, to convey all the nuances of your playing to your computer and most popular music education and studio software. The pitch and modulation wheels plus slider and buttons make it a great controller for playing and programming synths, samplers, drum sounds and more. At just 22 lbs., the Keystation 88es is equally at home on stage and in the studio. Class compliancy with Windows XP, Vista (32 bit), and Mac OS X ensures easy plug-and-play setup. It's even bus-powered, so one simple USB cable is the only connection you need.

88-Key Semi-Weighted USB MIDI Controller

Pitch bend and modulation wheels are ideal for controlling synths, samplers, etc.

Easily assign the control slider to different parameters of sound modules or software.

88-note velocity-sensitive, semi-weighted action
88 keys means no constant hitting of an octave switch, an annoyance with smaller controllers. The semi-weighted action gives you a piano feel, and since it's velocity sensitive, your dynamic playing is accurately sent as data.

Pitch bend and modulation wheels
These are ideal for controlling synths, samplers, etc.

Volume/assignable control slider
Easily assign the control slider to different parameters of sound modules or software, for further control over your sound.

Advanced function button for programming
When the Advanced Functions button is pressed, the keyboard goes into "Edit Mode." In Edit Mode, the keys on the keyboard are used for selecting functions and entering data. Black keys are used for selecting functions, while the white keys are used for data entry and channel selection.

Sustain pedal input (pedal sold separately)
Add a sustain pedal, such as the M-Audio SP-1, for piano-like pedal control of your notes' duration.

Built-in USB MIDI interface
Easily interface with most MIDI software using the built-in USB MIDI interface. The standard MIDI "out" jack routes MIDI signals from the keyboard or computer to your external devices.

USB Powered
The 88es grabs power from the USB port on your computer. You can also purchase a 9VDC power adapter.

Mac OS X and Windows XP class compliant
Enjoy plug-and-play operation with both Mac OS X and Windows XP. Ableton Live Lite music production software is included, so you can make music right away on either platform.

What's in the Box
M-Audio Keystation 88es USB Keyboard, USB Cable, User's Manual

Product Description

If you appreciate the full range of a piano keyboard in a lightweight package, the 88-note Keystation 88es is for you. You get great-feeling, semi-weighted action that's velocity-sensitive, to convey all the nuances of your playing to your computer and most popular music education and studio software. The pitch and modulation wheels plus slider and buttons make it a great controller for playing and programming synths, samplers, drum sounds and more. At just 22 lbs., the Keystation 88es is equally at home on stage and in the studio. Class compliancy with Windows XP, Vista (32 bit), and Mac OS X ensures easy plug-and-play setup. It's even bus-powered, so one simple USB cable is the only connection you need.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

95 of 97 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The keyboard I always wanted, September 28, 2006

By 

Wacharaboy - See all my reviews

This review is from: M-Audio Keystation 88ES Midi Controller (Electronics)

I'm an amateur musician, and I always wanted a big keyboard, something close enough to a piano, but the big keyboards were always so expensive. In top of that, they always come with lots of knobs and features that I never wanted to learn or try. I just wanted a piano-like keyboard to play.

When I saw this keyboard for first time, I loved its 'minimalistic' style: no knobs, no screens, no buttons. Just the 88 keys and the minimum necessary controllers (3 buttons, 2 wheels and 1 slider), all in a beautiful and solid silver case. When I checked its price, I suspected maybe its quality was poor, but I had good references for the M-audio brand. So I decided to give it a chance and I'm still very proud of my purchase: just plugged it into the usb port of my PC and it was inmediately recognized. I was using FL Studio, but right now I'm trying Sonar and it works flawlessly. The keys offer some resistance to pressure, so it almost feel like piano keys.

If you're interested on this keyboard, I strongly recommend it. But if you don't to know that much of keyboards (and you don't want to, anyway), you have to know this keyboard is not a exactly a toy, nor is the kind that comes with lots of sounds and rythms. It is a controller, which means you have to use some kind of software or synth device for it to produce any sound. If you know exactly what you're buying, I don't think you will ever regret of buying this keyboard. It's great!

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great with Garage Band, September 15, 2008

By 

Karl (Bozeman, MT USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: M-Audio Keystation 88ES Midi Controller (Electronics)

Great to have a velocity sensitive keyboard controller with full 88 keys at this price! I purchased based on the other reviews here which helped me understand what to expect.

The keyboard is completely plug and play with OS X and works well with Garage Band.

The velocity sensitivity is not the greatest. Even adjusting the sensitivity in Garage Band preferences, I cannot be anywhere near as expressive in my dynamic range as I can be on a real piano. But, I discovered that some aspect of this is in the digital instrument that the keyboard is controlling, and not the keyboard itself.

I purchased the GarageBand Symphony Orchestra Jam Pack after using the keyboard for a couple of days. Apple Garageband Jam Pack: Symphony Orchestra The Steinway grand in this Jam Pack not only sounds better, but has better sensitivity response than the standard piano. I still lack as much dynamic range as I would have on a piano - some notes not playing and others not being loud enough if I use the same relative force. But, I'm happy with the value for the price, and with all of the other fun stuff one can do in Garage Band.

I purchased the M-Audio sustain pedal at the same time as the keyboard M-Audio SP-2 US65010 Sustain Pedal Piano Style Sustain Pedal for Keyboards and recommend that for anyone for whom simulating a piano is a prime consideration. Here, too, the standard Garage Band piano vs the Jam Pack Steinway perform differently, the sustain sounding more like a real instrument with the Jam Pack Steinway. (But, it does only sustain the depressed keys with Garage Band - it does not result in induced harmonics from the other released strings, lest I get anyone too excited. Again - this keyboard is merely a controller. With other software, other results are possible.)

Re: the posts about lead. See the other posts - there is no more lead in this than any other electronic component.

Re: USB socket on left and short cord. This keyboard can be plugged into a USB hub without problem - I'm using one of the plugs on my Apple keyboard - but you can also use a USB extension cable (or replace the included cable with a longer one) without problem, as this is a low data rate device. So, not a big deal.

28 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow !, January 7, 2007

By 

Eddie Landsberg "My 10th year as a reviewer !... (Tokyo, Japan) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: M-Audio Keystation 88ES Midi Controller (Electronics)

A full and affordable lightweight 88 key MIDI controller... what more could one ask for...

How about semi-weighted key ??? Done deal !

Here's the catch - - mutch to my delight, the action is almost exactly like that of a Hammond Organ - - my main organ and coincidentally I use it with the Native B4.... The feel is so B-3 like I actually prefer the action to any of the other Hammond Clones I owned.

Of course, most people aren't going to be buying it for that purpose, but I can tell you... the feel is really nice...

If you grew up in the era the affordable MIDI keybaords = junk era, this little baby will change your mind.

Good enough for a pro... affordable enough for the serious student who needs all 88 keys.

My only issue (and its a minor one) is that the USB connection is on the far left hand of the keyboard... logical if you're going to be setting it up in front of the computer... but I don't think I Macintosh G5 and 88 key controller are going to fit on most desks... as a result I got a keyboard stand to set it up to my left, however, since the connection is where it is the cable doesn't reach. Nevertheless, not the end of the world... All in all this is one fine blessing from the Gods of Computer Music !