M-Audio Axiom 61 - USB MIDI Controller (Version 2)

Comments about M-Audio Axiom 61 - USB MIDI Controller (Version 2):

This controller was exactly what I needed to get started adding midi-based tracks to my songs. I'd highly recommend 61 keys; the price isn't too different. I use it with Massive and a bunch of other synthesizers/plugins in ProTools 8 LE. Just plug it into the USB port on your computer, add the track, select your plugin, and you're good to go. The knobs and levers automatically map to a few basic functions and it's really easy to create a new mapping in ProTools; just select the parameter you'd like to map, click the train option, and move/press the slider/knob/button on the controller.

The construction seems perfectly acceptable and solid. The semi-weighted keys feel good to me. Definitely different from a real piano or fully-weighted keys, but much better than weightless. It feels good to me.

I bought the M-Audio sustain pedal with it and it's great. I'd recommend that as well.

I'm a professional musician recording music in a home studio for the past ten years or so.

Comments about M-Audio Axiom 61 - USB MIDI Controller (Version 2):

I bought the M-Audio Axiom 61 after doing online research of midi controllers.

I use it in my home studio with Reason and Logic.
Although I am still learning to fully utilize its features, the DirectLink Mode is an excellent feature; it has allowed me to program and control D.A.W parameters that I normally did with a mouse.

I am very satisfied with its overall built quality and performance thus far.
The one aspect that I am not impressed about is the response of the keys. However, given the price value and feature-depth of this product I am well pleased.

Comments about M-Audio Axiom 61 - USB MIDI Controller (Version 2):

i worried about the sync with SONAR 8.5 but there is a video about how to synchronize axiom and sonar.

even though its semi-weighted, still good touch feeling.
drum pad is also working well than i thought

IT IS GREAT for midi and producing.

Comments about M-Audio Axiom 61 - USB MIDI Controller (Version 2):

I'm not a keyboard guy, this is my introduction to it. Wanted the weighted keys, but for the price and software flexibility, digital pianos didnt offer up. I wanted something with a good feel to learn on. Read alot of reviews and what I heard was right. The action is not weighted but it is not cheap feeling either. Nice action, touch sensitivity works great, don't know how to use half of it yet, but it seems like a good investment. Works wonderfully with Ableton. I'd recommend changing to the ASIO driver if you're having delay and using a midi cable instead of the usb for midi in. I've owned two m audio recording cards and an m audio 49 keystation. The only thing I had problems with was the keystation which had some iffy drivers. Not the issue here, and it even has built in support with Ableton which is included with this keyboard. Using win 7 64bit.

Comments about M-Audio Axiom 61 - USB MIDI Controller (Version 2):

I am using the Axiom 61 with Apple Logic Pro and Mainstage 2. Primarily I am using it with Mainstage for live performances. I have been programming a bunch of patches and the Axiom 61 v2 works like a charm.

Great Stuff: solid keyboard, great action and keys feel real nice. sliders and pots work great and the drum pad is nice too.

Not so Great: The documentation. This is the one area that I struggled with, trying to get it to work the way I wanted was not at all straight-foward, especially not with Mainstage on the Mac. It took quite a bit of trial and error and reading and re-reading the manual over and over before it all made sense. Definitely not easy for a novice. Plus (as far as I can tell) there is no way to edit and store patches on the computer via the USB cable. Maybe this is coming, but there was no way to do it easily at this time.

I am overall very satisfied, just wished I hadn't wasted so much time getting it set up for my needs.

Comments about M-Audio Axiom 61 - USB MIDI Controller (Version 2):

I bought this to replace an old Evolution MK-449C, 4 octave controller (which my son now uses for piano learning software). The old Evolution's lightweight keys were causing problems with key bounces triggering soft ghost notes when sequencing, causing me to spend a lot of time cleaning those up.

The Axiom 61's keys are somewhere between the lightweight keys of the MK-449C and the heavier piano-feel keys of my Kurzweil K2500XS. I haven't used it a whole lot yet, but the Axiom doesn't have the key bounce and ghost notes problems. Timing seems to be pretty good with the USB drivers, even when connected through a USB hub with long USB cables to reach the desk in my studio (computer is in an isolated gear closet).

Some of the knobs, faders, and controllers felt a little stiff at first, but loosened up and smoothed out fairly quickly with a little use.

The 8 drum pads are a nice addition, but the feel on them is very stiff, and the response is not even between the pads (you have to hit some of them much harder to get the same velocity levels).

The included drivers/software integrate the keyboard very nicely with a few different DAW programs. Very easy to set up and works fine with Cubase 5.5. You can control transport and faders/pans without having to set anything once you add the Axiom as a device in Cubase. At first, the record button on the Axiom was double-triggering when I hit it so Cubase wouldn't stay in record, but after a few more tries it seemed to work itself out.

Basically, I needed something a bit bigger and better quality than my old MK-449C, and this fit the bill nicely, for not too much money. I wasn't expecting the performance of the better Pro series, nor did I need all that automapping software for DAW control since I use this on a stand right next to me when I'm in front of my console, and have my mouse and computer keyboard right there as well.

Comments about M-Audio Axiom 61 - USB MIDI Controller (Version 2):

This midi controller allows my band to do live effects processing. It is quite amazing. The manuals and documentation on it are wonderful and insightful. This Generation 2 61 key midi controller from Axiom has a very sleek look and quality feel. If i had the chance, i would buy this product all over again. I use it in conjunction with FL Studio and they work seamlessly together.