The keys to a better tomorrow 
by Gene from Philadelphia, April 2008
Music Background:  Composer/Sound Designer

This is a GREAT controller. The keys feel wonderful, the after-touch is sensitive, and the faders are smooth. I really like the fact that rotary encoders are 360 endless. An interesting addition to this is the 8 drum pads. They are big and responsive. On top of that you have assignable transport controls and assignable buttons. M-Audio thought of just about everything and they put it into a light weight and sturdy machine with incredible programming and implementation options. I've had mine for a couple years now and it just keeps on going despite use and hours of hard playing. If you want control of your midi, look no further! M-Audio's got your back on this one.

  A great controller for the price 
by P Gibson from Chehalis, WA USA, December 2007
Music Background:  Drums, guitar, keys, songwriting, computer based recording.

When you want to get away from that plastic feel of a cheaper controller, but don't want to spend a large sum of money, the Axiom 61 should fit the bill nicely for you.

If your a pianist who wants that full weighted feel, then you might be best to try another controller. But for the hobbyist or for the player where the keyboard is a second instrument, the Axiom should work great.

I use it with Logic Pro to control my software and find the feel and response of the keyboard is good. The velocity settings may have to be adjusted to your particular playing preference, but other then that, it's a great value for a controller.

  love it!!!!!!!!!! 
by Dj Manuel from Detroit, MI, March 2007
Music Background:  recording engineer, beat maker

great quality well built, awesome features i just love it!!!

  Well-built, great action 
by Thomas Parker from Gulfport, MS USA, October 2006
Music Background:  Songwriter, project studio enthusiast.

I was very impressed with the Axiom 61's construction. Very light, but very sturdy. I was very pleased with the keyboard's action. Comparable to a piano, but not quite the weight. And they don't feel like you're playing on plastic.

The drum pads are very sensitive and work well within Cubase SX. All the knobs, faders and transport controls were easily configured to work in Cubase. So far, the only thing I don't like are the knobs... they click when you rotate them but they rotate infinitely. I would have rather they were smooth action instead of clicking like they do when you turn them.

Overall - great piece of gear at a great price.

  Solid, well-designed construction 
by Jim P. from Missouri, USA, July 2006
Music Background:  Keyboardist (semi-pro)

I've used a couple of StudioLogic controllers, and I owned an Edirol PCR-M80. The keys felt pretty good on the Studiologics, but not a lot of computer integration. The Edirol and the M-Audio seemed similar in most respects - same sliders and knobs, 61 keys on each, and each could be powered through the USB cable.

Now for the differences. The Edirol had a solid construction and light weight and the keys felt good, but the Axiom 61 does the best job I've seen yet at controlling complicated programs like Reason and Live. It comes with Reason presets that allow you to trigger ReDrum samples from the sample pads, while controlling the mixer (from the sliders) and any of the synth/sampling modules (from the keys and knobs) at the same time. Also, my personal preference is to have a separate mod wheel and pitch bend wheel, instead of the Roland/Korg style stick controller for both. The Axiom has the separate wheels, and the Edirol has the stick.

Other differences I've noticed - the Edirol has slightly quieter mechanical noise from the keys, but the M-Audio has assignable aftertouch. Also, while the M-Audio is a bit heavier, it also seems to be more solidly built. You'll usually pay a bit more for the M-Audio, but it was worth it to me.

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