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Yamaha KX49 (No Longer Available)

49-key MIDI Controller Keyboard with Synth Action Keys, 4 Assignable Rotary Encoders, Preset Control Templates, Arpeggio Patterns, and Included Cubase AI4 Software

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Item ID: KX49

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Sorry, the Yamaha KX49 is no longer available. We've left this page up for reference only. Check out the great alternatives on this page or call toll-free (800) 222-4700 to speak with a Sweetwater Sales Engineer about similar products.

Take Command of your Virtual Instruments with this Compact Controller!

The Yamaha KX49 49-key MIDI controller keyboard gives you incredible control over your virtual instruments at a great value. In addition to its 49-note Synth action keyboard and four assignable rotary encoders, the KX49 provides preset control templates for dozens of major instruments, an arpeggio "phrase factory" with over 340 patterns, transport and track mute and solo controls, and programmable velocity curve control. Cubase Ai4 and editor software is included, so you can get started with the KX49 right away!

Yamaha KX49 49-key MIDI Controller at a Glance:
  • Great keyboard feel
  • More than just a controller
  • Music production right out of the box

Great keyboard feel
Yamaha is well known for making its own keyboard actions. The KX series derives its superior feel from a long lineage of Yamaha pianos and keyboards with its own high-quality Yamaha keyboard action. With the addition of four assignable control knobs, dedicated performance controls, and DAW integration controls for soft synths and sequencers functions, the KX Series is a complete USB MIDI Studio that is as comfortable on stage as it is in the studio.

More than just a controller
The KX Series enables easy song creation with its built-in arpeggio function. Inspired by the Motif ARP phrases, these arpeggios can be played back by the included HALion One softsynth using sound content from the Yamaha Motif or the VST Mega Pack Bundle featuring exclusive content from IK Multimedia, BFD, and Arturia. A dedicated control section on the KX enables complete control of sounds and content.

Music production right out of the box
The KX includes Cubase AI, a special "Advanced Integration" version of Steinberg's legendary music production software. Cubase AI is conveniently controlled via a dedicated control section on the KX, turning it into a complete music production solution.

Yamaha KX49 49-key MIDI Controller Keyboard Features:
  • 49-note Synth action
  • USB bus-powered MIDI keyboard controller
  • Four assignable rotary encoder knobs
  • Preset control templates for 30 major VSTi's
  • Transport and track mute and solo controls
  • Programmable velocity curve control
  • Powerful arpeggio "phrase factory" feature with over 340 "bread and butter" patterns with (editable) guitar, bass and drum types
  • Cubase AI4 and editor software included
  • Advanced integration functions including VSTi operations

The Yamaha KX49 puts you in control of your virtual instruments!

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Reviews
based on 1 customer review

KX = Kool and Xciting...!

by Sammy James from Boston, MA
March 21, 2008
Music Background: I'm a full-time idiot who happens to be a producer and engineer...
KX 49 review -- by Sammy James

The first thing that you notice is the weight -- which is to say that it weighs next to nothing. At 6.6 pounds, it feels like a computer keyboard, not like a ... read more [+]synthesizer.

The second thing is that the knobs, buttons, and wheels are all quality-made. I got a nice, crisp feel by pressing every front panel button. The mod and pitch wheels are loads of fun to play as well -- no "wheel misalignment" problems.

The final and most important physical attribute is the keyboard itself; the 49 keys are all delightfully springy, and yet sink properly to their pedal positions. This is good for players who are used to grand-style pianos, although the synth action of the KX is preferable for doing fast, up-and-down scalar runs.

If Yamaha had been trying to create the perfect keyboard, they clearly missed. But I suspect that they were trying for a "good enough" keyboard, and if this is the case, then they have a real winner. Good enough means that you can get stuff done with this piece. Good enough also means that you won't break the bank (or your back) picking one of these up, figuratively or literally.

I recommend this keyboard (or any of the other KX line) for anyone who owns Cubase or who plans to use the included Cubase AI product. All of the front-panel buttons map seamlessly to Cubase functions, including the transport. You can even set up keyboard commands to open any Cubase window, or to send commands like Quantize or Undo. But the real power is in the KX editor.

The editing program (which you download from Yamaha's web site, www.yamahasynth.com) is a joy to work with. What I discovered, much to my surprise, was what happened when I changed a parameter to one of the quick controls. I was using the G-Force Oddity program and I needed to change the Portamento time for a patch that I had created. By selecting the parameter in the editor and changing it to "Portamento" (yes, it is named fully in the editor window) the KX immediately picked it up and saved it to the KX's internal memory. Yes, I am aware that this is how it SHOULD work -- but tell that to the myriad of other companies whose products require that you transmit and receive data every time you make a single edit. Kudos to Steinberg and Yamaha for this level of automation.

Look -- it isn't perfect, as I said. Missing is aftertouch, and missing is a control pedal input. Too, there could be more assignable buttons (why give us only four? Buttons are cheap -- and most of us would love to be able to throw out the shift+alt+ctrl+whatever+wow-I-can't-remember-what-that-stupid-function-was button presses). The only other thing that I wish that had been included here was something that will, from what I hear, be appearing on a future Steinberg product. I'm referring to a product whose name is yet to be released, but which will feature a knob that can control any VSTi parameter in conjunction with your mouse.

This is a solid keyboard with strong features at a good price. With all of the other products out there, this is the first that I have ever owned that lets me pretty much get back to doing the one thing that I care about most -- recording and playing music. close [-]

Yamaha KX49

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