Customer Reviews

MAudio Radium 61-Key USB Controller

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

 

 

The M-Audio Radium61 is an OK starter controller. If you are used to 80's keyboards with no weighted or semi-weighted action, this controller, though a bit "springy", will feel fimiliar. The "springy-ness" doesn't lend it's self to subtle, delicate playing - at all. I bought the Raduim61 at the same time I bought Propellerheads Reason, and cost was a slight factor in that decision. I was looking at this and the more expensive Navation ReMOTE 61 (semi-weighted, 64 user & 50 factory presets [many of which are specificaly for Reason] - not 16 like this model) In Reason I was using the Rhodes, Hammond and Wurlitzer models. The Radium61 just wasn't cutting it. After a month I went back and bought the Navation. For synth pop and pads this would be a good unit, but for just about anything else, get a weighted or semi-weighted controller like the M-Audio Keystation 61 (cheaper than the Radium61 and without the knobs and sliders) or the Navation ReMOTE 61 (which I highly recommend).

Solidly built keyboard at a good price, ($150 new) but I was unable to get Windows XP to recognize it, even after much effort, and so took it back to store for refund.
I did get it working on my Mac, but there, only after installation of rather quirky driver software.
I agree that the keys are "springy" and it might be hard to play this keyboard with much delicacy.
Got hardly any response from M-Audo when I e-mailed them for help.

I use this keyboard exclusively to input music into music engraving programs. It works remarkably well on a Mac for this purpose. I wouldn't recommend it, however, to play music or to practice; it is best used as a midi interface.

For the beginning to intermetiate musician wishing to tap into the full benifits of Propellerhead's Reason., the Radium 61 keyboard is a good companion for the money. It is easily recognized by Reason 3.0's "Remote" feature and is a snap to set up. The generous number of faders and knobs also give great tactile control of today's music production software like Reason, Logic, Digital Performer, etc. However I'm giving only 3 stars because of the quality of the keys. They feel muddy making it a bit of a task when playing soft, delecate, musical passages. Also I had to return my Radium because two of the keys had bad contacts. Thus quality may be an issue. In a nut shell Reason freaks looking to get better control, this controler will do the job very nicely. But for seasoned professionals that play music with both loud and soft passages like jazz or classical and need a high quality controler, steping up to a hammer action keyboard like the M-Audio Keystation Pro 88 would be a better bet.