Product Description

The Keystation 61e is a 61-note USB keyboard with velocity-sensitive, semi-weighted keys that is designed to easily integrate in any computer music environment. Class compliancy with Mac OS X and Windows XP delivers true plug and play setup. The KeyStation 61e is also compatible with many music education and music creation software titles, making it ideal for classrooms and studios alike. More advanced users can control software synths, external sound devices, and more with the assignable slider and pitch and mod wheels. This sleek, compact keyboard is USB bus-powered and requires no external power supply.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #540 in Musical Instruments
• Brand: M-Audio
• Model: US71010
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: .0" h x .0" w x .0" l, 14.90 pounds

Features

• Programming Options include: Octave Shift, Transpose, Program Change, Bank LSB, Bank MSB, MIDI Channel MIDI out for USB.
• 61 note full-size velocity sensitive, semi-weighted keyboard.
• MIDI Out socket. USB to MIDI OUT interface. DC power input for stand-alone use (adaptor not included)
• Function button for programming. Assignable data up/down buttons.
• Powered by USB.
• Programming Options also includes reset all controllers, Wheel assign, Slider Assign.

From the Manufacturer
The Keystation 61es is a 61-note USB keyboard with velocity-sensitive, semi-weighted keys that is designed to easily integrate in any computer music environment. Class-compliancy with Mac OS X, Windows XP, and Vista (32 bit) delivers true plug-and-play setup. The Keystation 61es is also compatible with many music education and music creation software titles, making it ideal for classrooms and studios alike. More advanced users can control software synths, external sound devices, and more with the assignable slider, and pitch and mod wheels. This sleek, compact keyboard is USB bus-powered and requires no external power supply.

88-Key Semi-Weighted USB MIDI Controller

Pitch bend and modulation wheels are ideal for controlling synths, samplers, etc.

Easily assign the control slider to different parameters of sound modules or software.

61-note velocity-sensitive, semi-weighted action
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.

Pitch bend and modulation wheels
These are ideal for controlling synths, samplers, etc.

Volume/assignable control slider
Easily assign the control slider to different parameters of sound modules or software, for further control over your sound.

Advanced function button for programming
When the Advanced Functions button is pressed, the keyboard goes into "Edit Mode." In Edit Mode, the keys on the keyboard are used for selecting functions and entering data. Black keys are used for selecting functions, while the white keys are used for data entry and channel selection.

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
Easily interface with most MIDI software using the built-in USB MIDI interface. The standard MIDI "out" jack routes MIDI signals from the keyboard or computer to your external devices.

USB Powered
The 61es grabs power from the USB port on your computer. You can also purchase a 9VDC power adapter.

Mac OS X and Windows XP class compliant
Enjoy plug-and-play operation with both Mac OS X and Windows XP. Ableton Live Lite music production software is included, so you can make music right away on either platform.

What's in the Box
M-Audio Keystation 61es USB Keyboard, USB Cable, User's Manual, Ableton Live Lite Software

Customer Reviews

Good value 'semi-weighted' keyboard
I was surprised at the low price of this keyboard considering it has 61 semi-weighted keys. I thought maybe it wouldn't be such great quality but I was pleasantly surprised.
I thought at first that the keys were a little bit "springy", but I soon got used to them. So much so that when I went back to my old Yamaha keyboard (not weighted), the Yamaha felt terrible. This M-Audio lets you play nice and subtle.
There's not much to this keyboard, just a couple of very smooth acting wheels (pitch and modulation), a volume slider and a couple of function buttons. It all seems well-made and the keyboard is heavier than I expected.
I was pleased to find that when I took it out of its box, plugged in the USB cable and opened GarageBand, everything worked perfectly, immediately. No messing about.
It works well with GarageBand (not tried it with anything else), and being powered by the USB cable means it's dead easy to plug in and start playing.
At this price, I can't see how you can go wrong.

Music on a Budget
While 170 bucks might not sound "budget priced", for the quality of this keyboard, you're definitely getting what you pay for. The affordable Keystation 61es can hold a candle to keyboards twice its price. The "plug and play" feature works exactly as advertised. Plugged in to the 'ol iBook, and GarageBand worked just fine. On a more professional note, the keyboard also works well with Reason 3 (although the lack of extra control surfaces, i.e. programmable knobs and sliders, was a bit annoying). And for a more do-it-yourself approach, the Keystation is also equipped with a MIDI out port. All in all, I was very impressed with M-Audio on this one. Whether you're a musician who needs a keyboard lying around, a student working with music and audio, or just an everyday joe who wants to mess around with music and synthesis, you could opt for the cheaper 41 key version, but I highly recommend you spend the few extra dollars and get the 61es. You definitely won't regret spending a little more money for a lot more quality.

very nice keyboard for GarageBand
I use this keyboard with GarageBand for which it is well suited. Setup was dead easy, and the keys are very comfortable.