As well as the new version of their stalwart Oxygens series, M-Audio also debuted an

exciting new range of USB MIDI controller keyboards, with much more emphasis on control, in the

form of pads, rotaries and transport buttons. Welcome to the Axiom...

M-Audio have been strong pack leaders in the ever crowded world of USB MIDI controller keyboards and control surfaces over the past few years, only recently being challenged by quality products from the likes of Edirol. Novation and CME. Not willing to rest on their laurels and in response to the growing competition within this end of the market, the bods at M-Audio have really refined their box of tricks and pulled a rabbit out of the hat with their brand new Axiom series of keyboards. Ranging from the portable 25-key variant, ideal for quick sketches and working on the move, through to a 49-key and 61 -key performance full range version, the Axiom series offers something for all musicians.

The smallest of things...

Don't let the compact size of the Axiom 25 fool you. This advanced 25-key USB mobile MIDI controller features both semi-weighted action and assignable aftertouch, plus eight rubberised trigger pads that put drum programming and performance at your fingertips. Eight endless rotary encoder knobs let you get your hands on synth parameters, virtual mixer controls and more.

Six transport controls can be used to assign control to other MIDI parameters. Virtually everything is freely MIDI?and the backlit LCD screen makes programming easy and intuitive. You get 20 memory locations for on-board storage, plus the usual free Enigma editor/ librarian software to manage an unlimited number of setups via your computer screen, making it much easier to quickly produce templates for your favourite software setups - something that has always been a little too fiddly than it needed to be.

Get Into the Action

The Axiom also has everything you might expect in order to get the most from your MIDI software and hardware. Semi-weighted action complete with after-touch gives you great feel and expression for synth parts. Eight rubberised trigger pads put your drums at your fingertips for programming with feel'or easy fire samples or visual effects

White not quite up to MPC standard, these are a welcome addition for those that miss the tactile control of percussion or sampte trigger pads. Total MIDI Control Assign the eight rotary encoders to mixer controls like panning and effects sends, or to any synth parameters you want to control. Map the nine sliders to software mixer faders or drawbars on your virtual organ 6 buttons, pitch and mod wheels, and sustain and expression pedal jacks round out a tour de force of MIDI domination. Assigning controllers is simple, yet has the power to let you delve as deep as you want.

Each controller can map to just about any applicable parameter in the MIDI spec, including independent channel addressing for each. The possibilities are indeed limited only by your imagination.

Intuitive Front-Panel Programming

All of the new Axiom series controllers feature a large backlit LCD screen for visual feedback? and the 61 -key and 49-key models also place a 10-key pad right on the front panel for direct, intuitive programming. You'll also find 9 dedicated front-panel function buttons to easily access common operations like preset / program change or MIDI channel /-. octave /-. and transpose /-. Use the Controller Mute button to prevent parameters from jumping when you change them, for example, then press Snapshot to transmit all current settings 20 non-volatile memory locations

We took a look at the handy 25-key version and were mightily impressed with the improvements to build quality and general level of control with the endless rotaries, faders and welcome addition of the drum pads and transport controls.

instantly save and recall your favourite presets?and you can manage an entire preset library on your computer via SysEx dumps and your free Enigma software edrtor/libranan for PC and Mac.

Mobile Operation

Even the larger variants of the Axiom are extremely compact and lightweight and all models are powered directly from your computer's USB bus. Choose the size that's best for your needs, then take your music anywhere you want to go.

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