M-Audio Keystudio 49-key USB MIDI Controller Keyboard

by M-Audio

Product Features

• 49-note, synth-action keyboard (This product has been reclassified as KeyRig49 by M-Audio.)
• Connection and power via a single USB cable
• Instant installation on Mac OS X. Drivers for Windows are available from M-Audio, but no playback or editing software is provided.
• Sustain pedal input
• Assignable modulation wheel and volume slider

Product Details

• Item Weight: 8.2 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 8.2 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00125OD9Q
• Item model number: 99005236410
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,029 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments)
  • #20 in Musical Instruments > Keyboards > Electronic Keyboards > Portable Keyboards
• Date first available at Amazon.com: January 2, 2008

Product Description

Amazon.com

Harness the power of your Mac music software with M-Audio's KeyStudio USB keyboard controller. KeyStudio makes it easy to command a library of virtual instruments, audition loops and compose songs in GarageBand, Logic and other Mac-compatible applications. The sleek controller features 49 synth-action keys plus pitch bend and modulation wheels, sustain pedal input and more. Simply connect it to your Mac OS X computer with a single USB cable and start playing.

Harness the power of your music software. Click to enlarge.

Assignable volume slider and edit mode for accessing advanced functions.

Pitch and assignable modulation wheel.

49-Note, Synth-Action Keyboard
The KeyStudio keeps things simple with a 49-note keyboard and basic controls. Use the octave up and down buttons to hit higher and lower notes, and the pitch bend and modulation wheels for added expression.

Get Started Instantly
The Keystudio will install instantly on Mac OS X computers--just plug and play. Of course, it works great on Windows machines too.

Powered by the USB port on your computer, the Keystudio makes a perfect controller for GarageBand, Logic or other music applications.

Assignable Functions
You can easily set up the KeyStudio to work the way you want. You can assign the modulation wheel and volume slider for convenient control of functions like volume, pan or portamento (for just a few examples).

The assignable octave +/- buttons can be set to adjust octave shift, program change, bank MSB, transpose, Bank LSB, or MIDI channel change settings.

The "edit mode" button allows you to control advanced functions via the keys themselves, changing anything from octave to bank or program info.

Easy Connections
Because the Keystudio is powered by your computer's USB bus, all you need for connection and power is the included USB cable.

You can also add a standard sustain pedal for more piano-like expression, using the quarter-inch input on the back of the keyboard.

What's in the Box
M-Audio KeyStudio USB keyboard, USB cable, Printed KeyStudio Quick Start Guide

Product Description

KeyStudio 49-Note USB Keyboard Controller for Mac Music Software - Harness the power of your Mac music software with M-Audio s KeyStudio USB keyboard controller. KeyStudio makes it easy to command a library of virtual instruments audition loops and compose songs in GarageBand Logic and other Mac-compatible applications. The sleek controller features 49 synth-action keys plus pitch bend and modulation wheels sustain pedal input and more. Simply connect it to your Mac OS X computer with a single USB cable and start playing.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

85 of 88 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Not Great!! April 6, 2010

By D. Allen

Amazon Verified Purchase

Okay Look a couple disgruntled customers gave bad reviews about a product that does exactly what it's advertisements claim. 49 keys check, non-weighted keys;check, play 4 octives whithout using octive shift;check, pitch bend;check, modulation;check, assignable midi;check. Plug and Play, no driver installation needed with most every DAW not just Garage Band or Mac Products.Those people don't know what they are talkin about or what kind of equipment they are looking for frankly. I use a Sony Vaio with Windows Vista 64 bit, my DAW is FL Studio. It works fine. No, it doesn't make any sounds unless you have a program that it can communicate with, then there is no sound that is known to man that it want make for you, if only you now how to instruct it. It's not the keyboard's fault if you don't know how to use it. This keyboard is more for people who are into music production and have not progressed far enough or have not decided that they want to invest a couple of grand in a more serious keyboard, it's absolutely worth a [...] bucks. My advise to the lady is that if hubby doesn't know how to make his own melodies and background music, then just get him a toy Casio keyboard he'll love that. The only thing I would complain about is that the keys are not weighted, but I know that when I bought, it's a work around though. You just have to get used to the sensitivity, it would be nice if you could manually adjust the sensitivity setting to your personal touch. Good Keyboard not Great. There are no great keyboards @ [...] bucks!

47 of 47 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars What a value! January 10, 2010

By Bogus Exception

For $100, this is a really solid MIDI controller. The pitch and vibrato are a nice rubber and move smoothly. The pitch bend even returns to 0 smoothly when released.

This isn't a $1000 controller, but the keys are full size and are velocity sensitive. They lack weight, which may put some off that are looking for a nice weighty bounce from the keys.

It works with Sony Acid Pro out of the box-no driver install! There is a nifty 1/8" to USB adapter for using a mic and headphones on your PC/laptop at the same time from one USB. This device requires a driver installed, and the SW is either with the unit or dl from the net (what I did). I haven't opened the CDs yet, as I really don't need them. I think one has a DAW on it, just in case you don't have one. Now that I think about it, if the one misguided reviewer had had her husband install the DAW, he could have made all the sounds he wanted.

The one thing I really like is the 'edit mode', which I didn't think I'd need. It lets you reassign the controls to send different signals to your DAW. You can use the octave up/down to change programs, for example, or use the keys to select one by number. You can even re-assign the volume control to do things like reverb!

Pluses have to also include that it is 100% USB-powered. No extra power supply hanging around.

pat
:)

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars so easy to hook up with Mac and great product for a beginner November 6, 2010

By Apple

Just got it for my 12-year-old boy who has asked for a keyboard to use with his MacBook, and the one at Apple Store has too few keys(25) with higher price tag. He's very happy with this one because it doesn't come with all the other complicated control buttons on the top, and he's not complaining about the light-weight keys even though he's played "real" piano for five years. The best part is how easy for him to hook this up with his MacBook..........just connect the UBS, that's all. No power cord or batteries to deal with, and no installation CD needed at all. It worked immediately.

I am happy with the price. It really meets both my boy's and my expectations.

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Very useful. August 26, 2009

By Stephen Saucier

This is a few-frills keyboard, but it feels good to play and does exactly what it's supposed to very well.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Solid performer for simple tasks January 4, 2011

By Petross

Amazon Verified Purchase

My need was simple: I needed a midi-enabled keyboard to serve as an input device for music sequencing software. I had no need for complex features within the keyboard itself; all of that functionality takes place within the software. I had no need for 88 keys--just enough to be practical and not have to constantly be adjusting octaves. I wanted to plug it in and use it immediately on my Mac.

The M-Audio Keystudio is exactly all of those things. Its functionality is perfectly simple. It has 49 notes--just about right for entering a one line or instrument at a time. Its keys are pressure-sensative (though they are quite light and not at all like a piano). I plugged it in, and it worked.

It won't win any awards for its solid construction or keyboard dynamics--but for simple MIDI inputting it is great. I recommend it for exactly that.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Quality vs. Price March 20, 2012

By notontheradio

As you all know, the more you spend, the better of a product you (usually) receive. I recently purchased the m audio 49 USB midi controller for around 100 bucks, and have been disappointed all around. Yes, it works with reason (my preferred DAW) flawlessly, and does what it is intended to do, BUT it has some serious drawbacks. For your viewing pleasure, I have created a short list of pros and cons, with a recommendation at the end of the review. One thing that I will not list as a con, but I didn't take into account is that having only 49 keys can be pretty limiting; I suggest that if you have the space going with at least a 61 key midi controller.

-PROS-
-lightweight
-compact, easily transported
-Plug and play with windows 7 or OSX

-CONS-
-Keys not weighted, or even semi-weighted
-keys are physically smaller than on a standard piano/keyboard/controller
-Feels cheaply made (volume slider, keys)
-Pitch wheel has a small bump instead of the traditional dip (nitpicking, i know)

Now, if you are a serious musician, piano student, or just seek quality products at a good price, I suggest bumping up to the m audio 61es. I just picked this baby up from guitar center (price matched amazon for a total of $129.99 + $27 "pro coverage" which covers accidental damage), and it is an absolute delight. The 61es has, of course, 61 keys, a dip in the pitch wheel, sturdier construction, and semi weighted keys, which I think make it easier for me to tell when the "hammer" has hit the virtual string, so I can anticipate the sound. I suggest the 61es easily over the 49....

For a cheap-ish studio setup at home, I suggest:

-Cubase/Protools
-Reason 6 (1-5 are nice, but 6 has some new features that are great if you are producing dubstep)
-Akai MPD 26
-M audio keystation 61es
-Decent monitor speakers
-Decent headphones
-USB audio interface with phantom power (I like tascam)
-Mics of your choice (Shure are the "Standard")

Assemble the studio as you are able, and when you are done, you will be able to create awesome music from the comfort of your own home. Thanks for reading my review!

2 1/2 stars Read more ›