Product: C-Thru Music AXiS-49
Price Paid: UNKNOWN
Submitted
05/06/2009
at
08:23am
by
K. Lamb
General Features
:
10
The C-Thru Music 49 USB-MIDI keyboard has two 49 note harmonic table keyboards, giving it a total of 98 velocity sensitive, hexagonal keys. It comes with internal class compliant USB drivers, so it's plug-and-play, with no additional software to install.
Aside from the keyboard itself and 2 transpose buttons (one for up, and the other for down), there are no other controls or displays.
The case is made of heavy duty plastic that has zero flex and/or give, making it a very robust little box. Quite seriously, this box can take a severe beating with little consequence.
The 49 is a desktop version of the more expensive AXiS-64 harmonic table MIDI controller, and is aimed at anyone using computer software to make music.
In use, because of the physical key style and arrangement, programming drums on the 49 is a lot more fun and natural than on a piano keyboard. Also, composing with the 49 often takes one in unexpected musical directions.
Additional Controls
:
No Opinion
The 49 has only the harmonic table keyboard and transpose keys.
Connectivity
:
10
The 49 has only USB2 connectivity, and draws its power from the USB bus. While it's convenient to have a single plug-and-play connection for both PC and Mac, one should ensure the USB bus isn't overloaded by units requiring bus power. A powered USB hub might be the best and easiest solution when USB power runs low.
The class compliant driver of the 49 work without issue or drama, making it truly plug-and-play.
Additional features
:
9
The 49 class compliant drivers (PC and Mac), making it a plug-and-play MIDI device that worked perfectly with a MacBook Pro and OSX 10.5.6, otherwise there is no bundled software.
Overall Rating
:
10
The 49 performs exactly as one would hope: no fuss or trouble from the second it was plugged in.
Velocity works well, albeit with a short throw due to key style, but it works (once again) as expected.
While it would be nice if the 49 had a split keyboard, the AXiS-64 might be a better choice for a programmable harmonic table keyboard.
As for playing the harmonic table keyboard, it looks much harder than it is. Press any 3 adjacent keys, and you've got a chord. All major chords have the same shape, as do minor, augmented, and diminished, making key transposition a no-brainer.
Anyone looking to make a departure from the standard piano keyboard would be very hard pressed to find a better alternative.
