M-Audio Keystation 61es MIDI Controller User Reviews at zZounds

"almost perfect controller" submitted February 2, 2005

By locopaparone

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Feature: needs more knobs Quality: high quality. dosent feel cheap Value: very low price Manufacturer Support: knowledgable staff The Wow Factor: sleek

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M-Audio Keystation 61es Customer Review submitted March 21, 2005

By a customer from email.airzona.edu

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Musical Background: Active Musician

Music Style: Classical

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Quality: I bought this to practice piano while on a business trip -- I always have my laptop so, all I need is a controller. This was a far better option than any economy keyboard I could have bought for the price. No regrets at all; easily chose it over the Radium 61 even though the Radium has controller knobs, etc, the keystation is lighter and has a decent keyboard action for a pianist. Perfect for me. Still have to check it on the plane, though -- too big to carry on.

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"I love it!" submitted January 24, 2011

By a customer from gmail.com

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Musical Background: hobbyist

Music Style: techno, ambient, IDM

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Sound: It doesn't have any sounds built in, it's a MIDI controller. You need a PC/Mac or external sound device to use it with. Feature: All I wanted was keys, has on board octave buttons and a master slider. That's enough for me. Feels very solid, no complaints about the build quality. Ease of Use: Simply plug and play. Quality: Excellent for the price. It's not as smooth and comfortable as the keybeds found on more expensive controllers and keyboards / synths. But it's 100% playable and the 61 keys are a huge step up for me. This is an excellent item for anyone that's interested in moving up from the average 25 / 49 key controllers and synths out there. Value: Excellent cost to function value. Manufacturer Support: Not needed. The Wow Factor: A black one would have been nice, but I don't tend to buy things based on looks but rather functionality. This does what I need.

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"Lousy action" submitted October 17, 2006

By a customer from projectdarfur.org

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Musical Background: Producer (DnB, Trance), Performer (Piano, Keyboards, Saxophone)

Music Style: DnB, Trance, Jazz, Classical

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Sound: N/A Feature: It's barebones, and it does what it advertises. USB, MIDI, Sustain. Ease of Use: Works out of the box, which is always nice. Powers of USB, which is always nicer. Quality: I don't know what these other people are talking about in terms of key quality. The keys are made out of cheap plastic, feel hollow, and the action is definitely WAY too springy. It makes really loud thudding sounds as you play it, and forget about glisses. It fails at being a reasonable replacement for a piano for my dorm room, as a pianist myself. I probably wouldn't be happy with it even if I wasn't measuring by any higher standards, though. Also, the semi-weightedness of it seems to give it a non-linear response to velocity. I find that most of the time it'll play at about 60-70 velocity, and it's hard to break the 70/75 point without hammering it, at which point you're up in the 120 range. Value: I guess it was a decent value for what you pay, but I would never buy it again. Manufacturer Support: N/A The Wow Factor: It looks pretty slick. The large lettering on the back gives it a very authoritative presence. The M-Audio Axioms look sweeter, though, I think I'm going to switch to those. Overall: The action was the most important factor for me, and it didn't come through, so I might as well give up at this point on being able to do any piano practicing in my dorm, and switch to something more suited for producing/DJing, which would be the Axiom. My roommate has one and the action on the keys is far more sturdy anyway.

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"Decent keyboard with low reliability..." submitted January 17, 2007

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Sound: N/A Feature: The keystation doesn't have a whole lot of features, just the basic ones like octave changes, pitch transitions, etc. But that's what justify its low price. Ease of Use: Fairly easy. The manual explains how to use the various functions. Quality: This is my problem with this keyboard. I was hoping to purchase the cheapest 61-key midi controller around and with M-audio, I was assuming that I'm going for a pretty reputable brand. Dunno if it's just my keyboard but boy I was wrong. I bought this keyboard new and within half a year, some of the keys stopped responding!!! Oh come on, all I want is to play some piano on it and help me write songs. But those keys just does NOT respond! This happens on and off. Sometimes, all the keys are ok, but sometimes, some of them don't work. I've tried connecting through USB, through MIDI, with power supply, etc. The inconsistency still remains. This really puts me off because when I really wanna write some songs, those keys just limit my range and affects my whole work flow. Because of this experience, I personally am NOT going to purchase anything from M-audio. Glad a new cheap 61-key midi controller by Korg just came out. I'm gonna get that instead the next time I move. Value: As others commented, the action is nothing to rave about. But then, I can still get a believable recording of piano with it given the right soft synth. The reliability is what I'm concerned about. Go for it if you can deal with the possibility of having the same problems as I. Manufacturer Support: N/A The Wow Factor: Though made of plastic, it's quite decent looking. Overall: I like the weight, the size, the basic functions. But when some of the keys stop responding, that's when I have to start searching for the same thing from other manufacturers.

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M-Audio Keystation 61es Customer Review submitted August 25, 2007

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Features

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Quality

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Musical Background: Hobbyist

Music Style: r&b, hip hop, house, jazz

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Sound: no sound Feature: its pretty basic in terms of a controller. It just had the standard pitch and mod wheel, a main volume slider, and 2 buttons to change the octave. I also like the feel of the keys, definately does not feel light/plasticy and cheap. Ease of Use: Easy to use Manufacturer Support: I havent called or contacted maudio before so I'm just going to give it a neutral score. The Wow Factor: It looks solid, and feels great. This is great for people that are budget conscious and doesnt want to spend a great deal of money. Overall: I'll probably play this until i break it. I like it very much, and I didnt have to pay a lot for it.

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M-Audio Keystation 61es Customer Review submitted December 25, 2005

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Sound: Its Midi Feature: Love the USB feature NO MIDI CordS!! hah, its very easy to setup and very durable Quality: Good quality very durable and keys feel great Value: Great value for what it is

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M-Audio Keystation 61es 61-Key MIDI Controller

User Ratings

"almost perfect controller" submitted February 2, 2005

M-Audio Keystation 61es Customer Review submitted March 21, 2005

"I love it!" submitted January 24, 2011

"Lousy action" submitted October 17, 2006

"Decent keyboard with low reliability..." submitted January 17, 2007

M-Audio Keystation 61es Customer Review submitted August 25, 2007

M-Audio Keystation 61es Customer Review submitted December 25, 2005