M-AUDIO Keystation 49 MK3 - Synth Action 49 Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller with Assignable Controls, Pitch and Mod Wheels, and Software Included

My husband absolutely loves this piano! It is easy to set up and connect to other programs. I thought this piano made noise but later found out it was blank! LOL. Lucky me, my husband loved it and uses it to record music with various instruments using this piano!! Sounds great, the touch is soft and easy to carry around and setting up.

Really nice keyboard. This was an upgrade from my Yahmaha PSS-780 which I had for over 35 years. The 88 full size keys are great. It says seni-weighted but the feel is light, The velocity is ok, I mainly play this with the Grandeur Grand Piano. Sometimes I get an errant note far and few between, Keyboard, My playing, software, PC? I don't know but its not been a problem. Really good keyboard for the price. Fun to play. Easy hookup using either USB or Midi cabling. One distraction is the amount of flashing on the white keys.

I wanted a midi controller to get what I played into my DAW as midi notes. This was easy plug and play into my iPad 9, worked with garageband, free synths from the App store and AUM. Its one of the more popular midi controllers at its price point. I got it when it was on sale, so it was good value for me. (No real "must have features" to get if I bought a similarly priced competing brand). After using it for awhile, I am not bothered by the click sound of key press that some reviewers say, but I do not like the "semi weighted" keys. I prefer the full weighted keys of an acoustic piano, or the non weighted keys of cheaper synths. The semi weighted feels just "tight" enough to bother me when I push down, but different enough from acoustic pianos that I notice. That's a "me thing." It might be perfect if you want less than the weight of an acoustic piano but still some resistance\feedback. Functions perfeclty for me and how it is described. And if I ever visit a friend's home studio, there's a good chance this same brand is at that producer's desk too.

First of all, I must say this is a good quality instrument. It’s built well, it’s tough, and it doesn’t require external power. The only reason it looses a star for me is because I’ve had a lot of trouble getting a good dynamic range out of this . It’s “ok”, and I’ve tried so many adjustments in DAWs to get it to a more suitable place. That does help! But… it doesn’t seem that it can be fixed 100%. I think it might be due to being semi weighted, though I cannot say that for certain. I do really enjoy this keyboard otherwise and I love how slim and lightweight it is. I have a very small room and I would have never imagined I could have 88 keys at my disposal in this space. For the value , this is pretty good.

Excellent keyboard, soy compact and light, amazing condition. So M-Audio is allways great!!

Was looking for a keyboard to work with my piano software - Playground Sessions. I'd ran out of notes with my old M-Audio keyboard in the songs I wanted to play. Looked at all the great electronic brands - Roland, Yamaha, etc. Wanted to make sure the keyboard was responsive to how hard I played. Just couldn't justify the high prices. Even the M-Audio Hammer was above my budget. Saw this 88 MK keyboard and felt like it would fit my niche especially since I already knew it worked with the software. Haven't looked back on the purchase. Am very happy with the keyboard's performance. Probably the hardest thing is figuring out where to use it since there isn't a stand. There are a lot of good stands out there and in the beginning, it goes great on a long table. Remember there is no audio built in - it is midi only. Will need to connect to a computer or other device with USB. USB powers it so no reason to plugin to a wall outlet. Also, there are sustain pedals available, but they are not included.

This is an early review, so no comment on durability over time. Perspective: I'm old-guy, a hobbyist home recorder and I play any style other than "electronic music". I was looking for a MIDI keyboard controller that featured: * SMALLER FOOTPRINT- so I don't have to clear up much room on my desk, * LIGHT WEIGHT - so I can move on/off my desk with one hand, * KEY FEEL - I had no preconceived notions; I'd know it when I felt it I was prepared to trade off the pads and controls and faders, because I don't play electronic music or gig live and I'd rarely/never use those features. The M-Audio Keystation 61 is perfect for my needs/wants. It features an notably small footprint for full-sized keys, and it's relatively light-weight. I was pleastantly surprised by the key-feel. It's faster than a piano-action, which is useful for certain VSTs, while preserving a meaningful amount of the touch-sensitivity of a piano-action. The 61-key controller is much better suited to my needs than the 49-key. With 49 keys, not only was I running out of real estate on my playing, but some of my VST controls became too cumbersome (Native Instruments sets certain controls at the outer ranges of an 88-key board). Over the past 8 years, I've bought some used M-Audio gear and there's always been durability issues and low resale prices. Having played this for just a week, it's too early to judge those points.

Outstanding keyboard has perfectly weighted keys and truly plays like a real piano. Must be used with a DAW, but comes with terrific sound files.