M-Audio Keystation 88 Pro

All those knob controls will make you very happy. Programming a setup never was so easy.

USB, MIDI OUT & IN. They forget about THRU?

No Aftertouch

Great support on M-Audio site with upgrades, software and infos.

Only 47 lbs, but it could fight against the heavy weight around and beat them.

Used with Sonar seq. Comes with a nice batch of freebie software.

Could you use a second standard midi out in addition to the USB. Tons of knobs and features. Most of which all probably never use ( but who knows). The thing is big, but lighter than it looks.

I'm a sax player, not a pianist. But I can play a bit. All I can say about the action is that it is much much better than the "semi-weight" kb's I've had and experienced. As many have noted, probably the best feel in it's ( inexpensive) price range.

I have not noticed any of the velocity and key height problems noted by others. Everythings seems to respond reasonably ( as opposed to "magnificiently" ). Perhaps there was a bad batch of these and the newer ones are better ( as suggested )

It's new and it stays in my studio. So far, so good.

haven't need any.

Good controller for the money. Actually one of the best for the money.

No presets internaly. (strictly a controller) Editing patches is somewhat difficult as I have very little MIDI experience. That will change.(Hehe) The manual(s) are more geared for techee's and miss the step-by-step instructions for us newbee's!

Tonnes & tonnes of faders, knobs and buttons to play with. Great! The action is somewhat uneven as you play up and down the keybed. My own experience as a piano player(43 years semi-pro) and also a certified pianotuner/technician tells me it does not perform like a real piano. The action is a little heavy and sluggish and the keydip on the blacks seems lower and they don't sit as high as a real piano. You have to play it a while to get used to it just like any piano or keyboard. There are no two alike. No aftertouch, Hmm...Maybe there will be with there newer model.

N/A

So far, so good! Built solid.

Just emailed them. Waiting for a reply. (Cross yer fingers)

Compared to my old YAMAHA CP80 I used to cart around years ago, this unit is much more portable but my CP80 had a real grand piano action in it which is very hard to beat! All in all for the money mine's been good to me and I still have a lot of learning to do (MIDI wise). I use my Pro88 to control my Korg TRINITY. Its a great combo setup for me! Would I replace it if it were lost or stolen? Only with an upgraded action and aftertouch,YES!!!

IF you are relatively familiar with what MIDI is and does, you shouldn't have a problem setting up the Keystation within minutes. The 10 factory presets are good, (especially the ones for Native Instruments' B4) and the Enigma Editor (free to download from M-Audio) adds 100s more. The amount of knobs and sliders help you control all virtual instruments you can imagine and with the zone function (with controllers assignable to zones) up to 4 midi instruments are available at the touch of a button. As a MIDI controller designed primarily for the computer user it deserves a 10.

Lots of features, would have appreciated though a MIDI through, and maybe another pair of MIDI in/out. The screen is big and very clear (especially when gigging) and the knobs/sliders quite accurate for a digital instrument.

There have been many reviews rating the keyboard action as bad and faulty. Starting with the second comment, my first Keystation had a problem with one note, but it was exchanged immediately from the retailer with the one I have now, which has been working seemlessly for the last 2 months (under heavy every-day and gigging use). I keep my fingers crossed for that.
Commenting on expressiveness, which seems to have been the problem with many reviewers, I couldn't discover neither the velocity problems nor the "very" low black keys. It might be that M-audio updated their product within the last year. Overall, keeping in mind the price (I paid less than #300) and the competition up to twice the money, I find the keyboard very good. It IS NOT A PIANO, definitely, but with 9 velocity curves and DECENT hammer action (I ve had 2 weighted keyboards in the past and I 've played more than 20) you will be able to produce great sounds, provided you have a good sound module/software synth. I think that most of the reviewers here were dissapointed, since they expected a 100% piano "feel" , which they could get if they bought the Yamaha P250 for 4 times the money.

As said before, first one was faulty, but this one so far so good. But 2 months is not enough to comment on that.

Phoned in for a couple of questions, technician was very friendly and helpfull.

If it was stolen I would buy it again. It is a cheap and easy solution for gigging and home production, works great as midi contooller with my software/hardware and does have a decent "feel". Also, it wouldn't be the end of the world if it was lost or stolen, since you can now get second hand ones on e-bay for less than #250. Overall, it's strongest point is value for money, and for that it gets an overall 9.

I would say that this controller is in the midrange of difficulty of use. If you don't know much about MIDI, then you won't really know how to take advantage of the capabilities of this controller. I use Logic Pro 7, and for quick parameter assignments this can't be beat. The Enigma software which is included seems fairly straight-forward; but once again, you need to know what the heck you are doing in regards to MIDI. However, good luck using this as a control surface for your DAW. I really think if you want a control surface, look for one that is dedicated solely to that purpose.

This is a controller, and does just that. There is no aftertouch, which is surprising. As far as the number of available controllers, I don't think any keyboard can come close, especially for the money.

As others have mentioned, there seems to be a consistent problem with the black keys not being equally matched in velocity response to the white keys; or in other words, the white keys are "heavier" than the black keys. There also seem to be a few keys on mine that velocity sensor problems - they consistently output higher velocity values than other keys when using the same amount of force.

Overall, I think that the feel is quite heavy and inconsistent. The included velocity curves (there are 9 of them) don't really work for me. The linear curve (C0) is not linear at all. Even the soft touches will output velocity values greater than 100. The only usable ones I have found are C8 and C9, though they both have quite a jump to the higher velocities when you get up there.

In short, this controller feels very unnatural and makes playing piano patches (I use Synthogy Ivory) a frustrating experience. There are many 88-key controllers out there that have a superior action. The expressiveness required for realistic piano playing is just not there.

No problems yet - I only use it in my home studio. However, it did ship with the highest note (C8) sticking. In a live setting, I would definitely treat this controller with as much TLC as you would any other rig you were using.

I've not dealt with them much, but they seemed to be fairly quick to answer my call and help me with my questions. But they didn't help me much.

I am going to try to send it back to the company I bought it from and exchange it for a StudioLogic controller. I have heard much better comments about the hammer-action on those keyboards. For me, it has too much in the way of controller power. I am getting a Baby HUI for controlling my program, and I want to just have a controller that sounds good. I will miss connecting straight to the USB bus though and not having to worry about power and MIDI cables.

Pretty straighforward interface.Just read the manual.

Even when you adjust the velocity curves this keyboard doesn't have enough dynamic range.This totally turns me off because I love to play acaustic piano but with this piano you cant even pretend to hit the key hard or else they'll play the loudest sample.Maybe to some people this isn't a big issue but I need a controller that can let me play with a little force.

Apparentely this is a big problem for a lot of these new controllers.I talked to a sales lady who said a lot of people have this coplaint.So be careful which controller you buy.Some people have a light touch on the piano and I could imagine that they could get along nicely with it.

Sure it's dependable.But...

When I told M-audio my problem they offered to examine my unit.A nice jesture but I declined

I wouldn't dare buy this thing again.That's just me of course.

I am using a KP88 bought from Guitar Center about 6 months ago. As a point-of-reference, I am using it live to hook up to control a Yamaha Motif Rack.

There are no presets. Editing is a bear, but it is that way with all MIDI controllers. I didn't expect editing to be easy. But, the information on their site makes it as clear as it could be. The manual is very sparse and isn't going to help you much.

Here is where the real disappointment comes in. I, like others that have reviewed this instrument, REALLY wanted to like it. I just don't. The keyboard action is mushy and not responsive. The spacing on the keyboard is not correct (the black keys are lowered to a point that they are almost unplayable). Finally, the keyboard action is not realiable - I have already had to contact tech support (more on this later) to report that the A below middle C is sticking. This is unacceptable; I owned a Yamaha S80 for two years, and NEVER ONCE had an issue with the keyboard. What was that, you say, never once? Nay, never. Yet I have this KP88 for 6 months and I already have problems with it.

I bought it, probably like others, because it looked like the perfect way to escape paying a load of money for the more expensive options from Roland, Yamaha, and others. I have now realized exactly why those other companies' products are so expensive - THEY WORK.

As mentioned before, the keyboard action is poor, and the realiability factor is even worse.

However, since it has no sounds (it is a MIDI controller, after all) I guess I can't knock it too bad in this catagory.

It simply is not realiable. I am what you would call a "weekend warrior." I gig locally, don't tour, and I front a small jazz trio. THIS KEYBOARD SHOULD NOT FAIL, yet it does, and often.

I contacted technical support, and they did respond and told me that it would need to be sent to them for repair. I sent them my address, and have not heard back from them. Am I to assume that they are going to ship me a new one? Or ship me a box? What am I supposed to do with my music life while my KP88 is in their care? Complete crap, I tell you.

DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME. Take it from me - I want an instrument that at least works. We can argue all day long about the realism of such-and-such piano patch, quality of rhodes samples, leslie simulations, etc. But when it comes down to it, all keyboards should AT LEAST turn on and respond when you press a key. Oh, and it would be nice if it didn't feel like crap in the process. Unfortunately, this keyboard ain't it.

Please, please listen to me - don't go the cheap route just because you think you can save money. Buy something else. What about me? I'm saving for a Yamaha S90ES. I guarantee that it will work for me, at least the keys will.

no sounds. expressivenes, the keyboard action is complete and total crap!!!!! what are you trying to pull m-audio. I have been playing
professional piano either in new york city or on tour for 15 years
. when i went to guitar center (money in my pocket)the knobs and sliders had me sold until i tried to play it. what a piece if junk!!
why are the black keys so low to the white keys?Me and my money walked out the door. a real pianist can't use this. by the way does it even have after touch? for some reason most manufacturers of controllers think we don't need after touch. M-audio ,next time build the entire controller correctly. don't cut corners on the feel of the keys. a complete turn off!!!!!!!

no sounds. expressivenes, the keyboard action is complete and total crap!!!!! what are you trying to pull m-audio. I have been playing
professional piano either in new york city or on tour for 15 years
. when i went to guitar center (money in my pocket)the knobs and sliders had me sold until i tried to play it. what a piece if junk!!
why are the black keys so low to the white keys?Me and my money walked out the door. a real pianist can't use this. by the way does it even have after touch? for some reason most manufacturers of controllers think we don't need after touch. M-audio ,next time build the entire controller correctly. don't cut corners on the feel of the keys. a complete turn off!!!!!!!

Yeah, the manual is OK but at least not as good as it should be. But if you say "This Master-Keyboard is just for exp. users and so the person who plays it has to know the basic functions of this thing" you may be right.

If you plug it it works (wether with softwear synths but also with f.i. my s80 from yamaha)

The action (The way the keys go in and how the return)
OK ... let's say....It's just not a piano...it's not nearly a piano and it should not be used as a piano...don't even think of it....it's got weighted keys yes right, but there's a difference between all the kinds of weight...you got f.i graded hammer (in my s80) or balanced hammer (in the motif synth) and thats actually the problem.

People who buy a motif to play chopin are on the wrong way...that's what i think...And it's the same thing with this Master Keyboard. You can't really play piano with it...but for all the other things it works.

So if you want keys for a module with good piano sounds to play piano...don't buy it...but if you want a good master keyboard with lots of "easy to use" computer utilities...than it's ok...

KEYS: 5
MIDI: 9
EASY: 7

NO SOUNDS ON BOARD:::::MASTER KEYS::::::: don't relay sounds to that thing...if the sounds are bad don't blame it on the master keys...


you can't blame the mirror if you look stupid

I think it was built to resist studio dangers...but not stage problems...so use it as a controller on stage (i actually didn't wanted to cause my EX 5 is way better but it's ok to sum up a few keyboards to a setup and to control it via MIDI)

FRIENDLY BUT they said play it as a piano.....and they lied ;)

As I said buy it if you don't need it as a Piano (trust me) it really works as everything else...but not as a Piano :)

Other products I can suggest to you pretty highly are:

Kurzweil...but they are way to expensive to me
Yamaha KX 88 ... but trie to get one and if you are succesfull tell me
doepfer...the best thing...maybe as a pinao too...but also a bit to expensive ... but invest if you want something really good (Or buy a P90 for 999 Euro ;))

Very powerful tool when it comes to controlling the soft synths, however they need to develop more presets for popular programs like SONAR

Loaded with features: 88 hammer-action keys... 24 knobs... 9 slider... CRAAAZY

I gotta tell the previous poster to chillax. If somebody develops a hammer-action keboard, there is no doubt they are trying to emulate a PIANO. This is where they spoiled their brillian product. I bought this unit expecting decent hammer-action but there were many problems:
1. the white keys were heavier than the black keys
2. the black keys were way more expressive than the white keys
3. the hammer-action was sort of like in between semi-weighted action and hammer-action
4. the way the keys came back up was gross
5. Oh, and the black keys were waaaaay down there just a little above the white ones

So, I came to the conclusion that if this unit would have SIMPLY been synth-action loaded, then I wouldn't have returned it. Like many others have said, "I REALLY REALLY" tried to like it. So, we gotta admit that M-Audio messed up trying to make a hammer-action keyboard... yeah, it was crappy.

BTW, I'm not even a piano player, I just compose music on the keyboard, and I gotta say that It doesn't take YEARS of professional piano playing to be able to tell what's good and what's not... unless you're a little stupid

Leaving out the crappy action, it never did anything weird like turn off by itself or flash some funky lights. Good.

eh, just returned it with no problem -- Props to the guitar center

There are two main features on this component: MIDI controls (sliders and knobs) and 88 hammer-hammer action keys.

Based on one of these being absolutely flawless (the midi controls) and the other one being completely worthless (the hammer action) I'll have to do the following 5 + 0 = 5. NARF!