Great, but definitely synth-action keys 
by Scott Gibbons from Chicago, IL USA, June 2009
Music Background:  Professional

This is an awesome controller, but the keyboard action is not at all piano-like. The semi-weighted keys are much better than competitors like the KeyRig and Oxygen, but this controller plays like a synth, not like a piano. It feels like a nice synth, it's definitely a pleasure to play. And, obviously, 25 semi-weighted keys could never be fair compensation for a real piano. But so many reviewers have written about the "amazing piano action" that is "just like a real piano" that I felt duty-bound to post a rebuttal.

Having said that, the unit is lightweight but solid. It's too big to fit in the average computer bag (which I would have hoped), but still small enough to be carry-on baggage.

  more 4 "todays" builder 
by Planet JT from south bend, indiana, the states, January 2009
Music Background:  midi compozer and sound shaper

I set out to buy the alesis control pad but I bought this after watchin videos on youtube. it looked simple on video but once I got the unit n saw the software I had to lern I dint want to dive into it. it seems todays soft midi is more to deal with than yesterdays hard midi. I dint want to spend time lerning how to work software, I wanted to make music! maybe if the software had setups for more instruments already it would have been a better buy for me but I dont use any of the software/hardware that it had presets for and I would have had to program everything from scratch. I'd rather spend time programming new sounds than programming knobs, keys, and pads wut to do first. this unit is prolly better for those into loops and soft synths... those just starting out using midi. but for those who use hardware... stick with the real hardware! I find it much easier that way. I did return it and am getting the alesis pads instead which I shud have just dun in the first place. so for myself I dint find a need for the ax but others may find it to b a great unit... if u have the time to lern all there is to lern and are more a software "musician"... go for it!(patience required too!)

  Good, But Not Quite There Yet 
by Matthew from In my own little world, December 2008
Music Background:  Recording Student, Violinist

While I was impressed by the hardware (the key response is great, and as a whole, it is very well built) getting it working with Logic and Live was obscenely difficult. This is not a plug and play controller and if you're not completely comfortable with MIDI, don't expect to use some of the more powerful functionality. The instructions manual is poorly written and doesn't provide much assistance, even though it's almost 500 pages. If it broke (which might require throwing it off a cliff into the ocean) I would definitely buy it again.

  wonderful 
by J.L from Pittsburgh Pa, September 2008
Music Background:  artist/producer

saved me from spending alot of money on a workstation

  Axiom 25 
by Dave Soderquist from Grand Rapids MI, May 2007
Music Background:  Hobbyist

This product works really well for me. I t took a while for me to figure it totaly out but it works great. I had a problem with dropout right off the bat however, this was easily fixed with an addition of a power supply. Now it works fantastic. The only problem is that M-AUDIO's support team seems to be non-existant. But, all in all this works great with pro tools/Strike/Hybrid/Xpand etc.........

  The Axiom 25 
by Bobbe Brown from Key Largo, April 2007
Music Background:  Pro Musician

Totaly amazing is the only way to describe this unit! With the help of the .PDF manual, progamming is a breeze. Right out of the box the Axiom 25 works with Sonar Producer 5 like peanut butter and jelly. Even the USB power supply bus is solid. Highly recommended to anyone who needs an extremely portable USB/midi keyboard for working on the move or in the studio!!!

  Axiom 25 = Awsome MIDI Controller!!! 
by Kevyn from Fort Wayne, Indiana, January 2007
Music Background:  Artist, Producer

I don't know a whole lot about MIDI in general so I needed something that would work right out the box the software I use (FL Studio, Reason 3.0, Acid) and this keyboard does that and then some! I did months of research on different brands before deciding to buy the Axiom 25 and I am very happy with this MIDI Controller.

I use this more so now with Reason than any other program that I have and I can now say that I'm really getting the full use out of Reason because of this controller. The build quality is great, very solid yet, lightweight so traveling with it is a snap even without a case or bag as it fits right up under my arm. The drum pads are very MPC like and are great for triggering samples and whatnot. My only gripe is that they should have put 10 pads on here to truly utilize the ReDrum in Reason. I don't use the knobs as much but like I said I'm new to MIDI and so I'm taking it one step at a time.

The keys feel very good and all the buttons have a rubber texture that feels nice as well. M-Audio really outdid themselves with this line of MIDI Controllers and I'm seriously thinking about upgrading to the Axiom 61 here in the near future!

Thanks M-Audio for making my transition to the world of MIDI a good one and a extra special thanks to Sweetwater for the excellent service. I won't go anywhere else for my studio equipment.

  An Excellent Little Midi Keyboard with a very Authentic Feel!!! 
by Chris Mac from Europe, July 2006
Music Background:  20 Years

I bought this little beast after using my 61 note synths and disliking the flimsy keys. I tried out the Axiom 25 and fell in love with feel of the keys...just like a Piano. I figured 25 keys was a better choice for me as i already own a couple of 61 note synth keyboards. The drum pads are awesome, they feel very MPC like. The transport feature works flawless with Logic Pro...hit stop, play or record. I really love this little thing, i get things done alot quicker, and its on my lap all the time for laying down my musical ideas...very simple.

SIMPLY AMAZING!!! 
by bigwillywill from Washington, DC USA, April 2006

Pros:
Feature rich, yet affordable! What can be better than drum pads on a portable MIDI controller? Plenty of programmable knobs. Seamless integration with all the top software programs.

Cons:
None really... well just this small thing: It is USB powered so if you connect it through a hub, it must be a POWERED hub otherwise it doesn't function.

Comments:
I love it! I was just about to go get the M-Audio Triggerfinger so I could use the drum pads to tap out the percussion for my beats and then I saw that M-Audio put 8 of the same pads on the new Axiom 25. I bought one and it is sooooo friggin awesome! The build quality is TOP NOTCH. The pads and keys are all pressure and velocity sensitive (have aftertouch), and it is super light weight! I would have gladly paid $250-300 for this keyboard.

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