Why it's best: Hypercontrol is M-Audio's proprietary technology, built into all "Pro" models of its uber-successful Axiom series. It offers superior DAW control, and shows how they've been ahead of the curve when it comes to controller keyboards. It maps parameters from your DAW to knobs and faders in real-time, making set up a breeze. The feel of the board is fairly good, with semi-weighted keys, and transport control is as good as it gets. If you're looking for the best in MIDI keyboard controllers, look no further than the M-Audio Axiom Pro 61.... Read Full Review
Why it's a best pick: If you liked the MOTIF series of keyboard synths from Yamaha, you'll be pleased as punch with their new addition, the MOX6. It combines some of the best sounds from the MOTIF series, as well as integrated computer DAW control that many other keyboard controllers boast. Thousands of arpeggiator patterns and voices mean that you can take advantage of the built-in musical ideas to inform your creative output on the computer screen, giving you a leg-up on your compositional competition.... Read Full Review
Why it's a best pick: Although it doesn't incorporate Hypercontrol technology, there's still a lot to like about the Axiom 61. For one, it has a great feel to the MPC-style drum pads, as well as a bevy of sliders, rotary encoders, and of course the transport control. You get all of this, making the Pro model seem less important if you don't need to map parameters of your DAW to your keyboard. For value, this board might be the best around, and should be at the top of the budget-conscious MIDI keyboard consumer today.
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Why it's a best pick: The Novation 61 SL might not have such a great feel to the weight of the keys, and might not offer the most intuitive layout to its knobs and faders, but it's still a solid choice for the discerning MIDI keyboard consumer. The included Automap 3 PRO technology is a little glitchy, but works on the most commonly used functions. DJs might appreciate this board more than others, as it's more illuminated than some other boards. Then again, when have you ever seen s a DJ use a 61-key board on a gig?
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Why it's a best pick: For value, the USB-powered Cakewalk A-800 PRO is a fairly decent board, and comes with some attractive value-adds. For one, you get three virtual instruments, as well as 45 programmable controls, 8 drum pads, and three wishes from a genie in a bottle...OK, there's no genie, but if you work hard on your music you might get your wish and come up with a hit song. The keys are pretty flimsy, but as long as you don't intend to use it for complex keyboard material, you should be OK.
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Amazon.com$399.00
m-audio products are worthless i had one of their midi conectors and could not get it to work with my computer i would go first act before i go m-audio.
Hi, thanks for your comment. I haven't heard of the company "first act," but I feel I must defend the honor of M-Audio! While the reputation of the brand has historically been a bit spotty, in recent years they've been surging ahead of rivals in sales, across various product categories. This is due to great value for quality, which has been recognized in such products as the Profire 2626. This audio interface is fast becoming the top choice for both project studios, as well as the mobile rigs of the world's top producers. Being the owner of several M-Audio products, including an 88-key MIDI keyboard, I can tell you that they are far from worthless, as they operate at the heart of my successful composing/producing business!
BTW, I'm not an employee of or representative for M-Audio. It's too bad you've had a bad experience with their products, hopefully you'll give them another try one of these days.