It's NOT all there 
by jfm from Poughkeepsie, NY USA, June 2008

WARNING: NO POWER SUPPLY INCLUDED

WARNING: NO PRINTED MANUAL INCLUDED

The assumption is you're going to hook it to a computer, so it'll be powered via USB (and the manual says it's NOT compatible with USB hubs) and you can read the PDF manual on the computer, or print it out. (I'm printing out all 40-some pages as I type, and I do NOT know where my stapler is, since I haven't had a NEED for it in quite a while.)

So, if you're buying this with the intention of using it with a multi-timbre bit of MIDI hardware, simply buying this won't work. You have to spring for a power supply. And the manual isn't very specific about the power supply used -- no indication of what connector size.

And you NEED a paper manual. This is not a simple thing to set up. Yes, right out of the box, with USB from a computer powering it, I was able to plug the MIDI cable to a bit of E-mu hardware and play it in a vanilla sort of setup. But a big selling point of this keyboard is you can send different parts of the controller over different MIDI channels and with different assignments. That's the sort of thing a paper manual plus a set of post-its for bookmarks beats a PDF on your screen any day.

So, this is an initial impression, rather than a full review. The device feels solid, the key action is very good and the mod wheels are nicely done. I'll learn more as I learn more. This is the sort of gizmo where it takes a lot of time to fully appreciate.

  Good but not the best 
by KHAOS from Fort Wayne, IN, April 2008
Music Background:  Artist for 21yrs, Producer for 8yrs, Student for life

Ok I have had this midi controller for the better part of a year now and I must admit that it is everything I need for making music in Reason, Live, FL Studio, etc but there are some things that could have really made this the midi controller of all midi contollers.

My issues with this controller start with M-Audios way of thinking and anybody that buys their product has a good knowledge of midi in general and so even after going through the manual I still don't understand what a lot of the programs buttons do and how they can be used to help me make better music. But outside of that I have no quirks about this bad boy as laying down drum tracks is a cakewalk using the pads and mixing in Reason, Live, FL Studio has gotten a lot easier using the 8 sliders and the buttons under them for muting certain sounds the like. I have yet to learn how to switch banks of faders and knobs but that goes back to the manual and its lack of clarity but build quality is top notch and the keys feel great and very responsive! My favorite feat has to be the pads but more of them would so much better as well especially for Reasons ReDrum or the FPC in FL Studio.

Like I said it's good but not the best out there and right now I can only think of one other controller pushing the line on this and that's the AKAI MPK49.

Either way you can't go wrong with this!

  AWESOME CONTROLLER, a few livable quirks though. 
by Chris Rarick from GA, December 2007
Music Background:  Guitarist, DnB

I've had my Axiom for almost 6 months now, so it's been long enough to find something I dislike about it, but first the good stuff.
-this thing is very versatile, EVERYTHING except for the menu/keypad buttons is assignable. The drum pads are VERY responsive (although they could be a little more so, and that's being picky). Lot's of space for presets. Transport controls. This thing is Really great with Ableton Live, (which it comes with a light version, 4 clips x 4 channels only, but still workable). Now...

The rotary encoders click, they're not smooth sweeping, it's like their notched, I don't really care for that, you can't "feel" filter sweeps and the like. The rotary encoders also don't transmit smoothly, you have to mess with different velocity curves to get it right, and if you move them too quick, the parameter you're adjusting will jump (not the jumping rotaries the tutorials talk about). Rotary response can be choppy, I noticed with predator that the sliders give smooth adjustments, while the rotaries jump to different fractions of the parameter ( like 1/8,1/4,1/2, ect...) Other than those few quirks, the rotaries do work with a lot of things very smoothly, and the sliders always do, it's just a problem if you want to set the sliders for levels, or an ADSR envelope, otherwise, this thing is great.

Another note, while it's cheap, and if you don't need the extra keys, I'd spend the extra 150 on a ReMOTE SL 25 if you have the $$.

  Axiom 49 with Logic Pro 7 
by Matt Hadahway from Floridia, November 2007
Music Background:  Producer, pro musician

I bought this because the keyboard and drum pads felt good. I thought It'd be great finally having a controller with faders, transport controls, pots, etc. Unfortunately, even after going through m-audio's tutorial for use with logic, this thing is still won't intergrate properly. Not to mention, I've wasted about 6 hours worth of time I could have been making music. Wouldn't recomend if you use Logic, maybe it works with other DAW's. Although I couldn't get the presets it came with to work with the Minimonsta or Oddity either. Good Luck!!

  It's ALL THERE!!! 
by Tyler Chance from Keller, Texas, October 2006
Music Background:  Recording Engineer, Musician

This board ROCKS! I've had three other midi keyboards, and I've played all the rest at guitarcenter...the M-Audio Axiom is by far the best. The key action feels great, the drum pads are very responsive and expressive! It looks great and it's built to last. I love the faders and the pan pots!!! It's pretty much everything you need for midi. If you're looking for a keyboard controller, this is the one!

  Sick MIDI Control for you money! 
by Chris Montano from Hialeah, FL, July 2006
Music Background:  InvisibleHandStudios Proprietor

Amazing little machine. Way better than i expected. For the price I was honestly expecting the same casing as my keystation 49 but with knobs. This thing is built like a rock! Nice semi-weighted keys make for better-than-expected action. Menu and number pad made switching control changes and channels a breeze. And the Enigma software was an unexpected surprise. I don't use the pads too much because i use a PadKontrol but they are just as responsive and fully routable. All in all, mucho bang for your buck.

  Buy this if you buy nothing else this year! 
by Shane Hendricks from Hattiesburg, MS, July 2006
Music Background:  Musician/composer since 1986

I was extremely impressed with this controller's construction and features. It's quite heavy...much heavier than I expected. All of the pots, sliders, keys, buttons, and controls feel very solid. Semi-weighted action is nice, and the trigger pads work great. The blue backlight on the LCD is good eye candy; I've been so accustomed to looking at green backlighting, so that's a nice change. As far as doing the job, it rocks. Very solid on my AGP G4 dual 1.2 GHz (old). And the Enigma software works great too; you can have UNLIMITED setups, and it comes preconfigured for many software packages. Get this! Use it. Live it. Love it. Sorry, I don't have any CONS to report yet. I hope I don't find any!

Kick *** Midi Controller! Awesome! 
by Dan Mitchell , May 2006

10 everything! Built like a tank, looks like a Triton (Extreme) with Akai MPC Pads and feels like heaven! M-Audio have truly outdone themselves. Best controller I have EVER purchased.

P.S. If your going MIDI instead of USB make sure you buy the 12vDC 1000ma Power Supply.

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