M-Audio Keystation 61es Review by Matthew Bachstein
| My Overall Rating: |  |
Available on Amazon for $142,77 here.
One of the most popular MIDI keyboard controllers by M-Audio is shipped as a “61 Semi-Weighted Key, Velocity Sensitive Self-powered USB MIDI Keyboard Controller.”
What does that mean?
61 keys means no constant hitting of an octave switch, an annoyance with smaller controllers. The semi-weighted action gives you a piano feel, and since it’s velocity sensitive, your dynamic playing is accurately sent as data. But that’s of course not all. It has a built-in MIDI Interface, which let’s it easily interface with most MIDI software. The standard MIDI “out” jack routes MIDI signals from the keyboard or computer to your external devices. Another great feature is the Advanced Function button for programming. Just press it and the keyboard goes into “Edit Mode.” Now the black keys are used for selecting functions, while the white keys are used for data entry and channel selection.
Guess what. You don’t need any external power supply! This USB keyboard connects without problems to any computer music setup you may run. Its plug-and-play setup comforts both, Mac OS X as well as Windows. Everything runs through the USB. The Keystation 61es is also compatible with many music education and music creation software, so if you are a school teacher looking for a good device to improve your lessons, the 61es is your choice. Users, who are more advanced can control synths, samplers, etc. with the pitch bend and the modulation wheels.
The M-Audio Keystation 61es is available on Amazon at the moment for 25% off, through this link.
The M-Audio Keyboard is great for:
But not only school teacher and advanced user will have their joy with the Keystation 61e.
Beginner should read now carefully, because this Keyboard is perfect to start with.
The really cool feature of this product is the software it’s bringing.
It is shipped with the Ableton Live Lite music production software, so everybody, who does not own a Mac with its integrated Garageband, can start making music right out the box. This is actually my favorite feature. Just start making music right away.
Let’s give you an overview of the 61es’ features:
- 61-note velocity-sensitive, semi-weighted action
- Pitch bend and modulation wheels. Ideal for controlling synths, samplers, etc.
- Volume/assignable control slider to different parameters of sound modules or software, for further control over your sound.
- Advanced function button for programming
- Sustain pedal input (pedal sold separately)
Add a sustain pedal, such as the M-Audio SP-1, for piano-like pedal control of your notes’ duration. - Built-in USB MIDI interface
- USB Powered
- Mac OS X and Windows XP class compliant
Not enough? Amazon offers a great $50 save at the moment.
Let’s finally see what experience other people made with the M-Audio 61es:
(all quotes are shortened because of space issues)
AuTra says:
Any starting producer would love this. It’s simple, semi-weighted and cheap.
Read the original here
Steve J. says:
I’m trying to learn piano and this keyboard pretty much meets the need. For an entry level keyboard, I think that it is outstanding.
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Louise says:
-This keyboard is great for electronic music. once you figure out how to assign all its “bell and whistles” to different commands, it opens up a huge array of ways to make midi instruments the way you want them create very interesting music.[...]I hope this review helps some fellow musicians in their pursuit of an adequate instrument (such as the described above).
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McD says:
First let me say I’m not much of a musician. I bought this for keyboard input for Garage Band and Logic. It works as expected. There was no setup necessary, just plug it in, turn it on and go. Both programs recognize it automatically.
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Nickie says:
The great thing about this keyboard is, that you can start playing the minute you take it out of the box. Plug it in to your usb port and voila!
Read the original here