M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3 49-key Keyboard Controller
M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3 49-key Keyboard Controller Reviews
With its full-sized, synth-action keys and exciting instrument software bundle, the lightweight and expressive M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3 makes a worthy addition to any studio setup or performance arsenal. This simple USB controller comes equipped with a streamlined control set to quickly unlock the full power of your pianos, synths, loops, and sound machines. Mac/PC Class Compliancy and USB bus powering make the Keystation 49 MK3 the ultimate plug-and-play solution for sound creation on the go. A standard 1/4-inch sustain pedal input and on/off switch grace the back panel.
Great!
My daughter has been playing non stop.
Very basic keyboard.
Which is what I need for practice. Very durable. I've had it for years, where as other keyboards poop out after a while. I also like the basic on/off switch which some boards don't have.
Didn't need bells and whistles
Needed something simple with normal sized keys to unlike Shape in LUNA. Does exactly what I need without breaking the bank
Nice solution for my composition desk....
Needed a simple keyboard for my desk to try out ideas. The Keystation49 fit the bill and the desk! A very cost-effective solution.
Good One here
I used my Keystation 49m3 alot over the last 3 years of ownership. It served me well. But after 3 years it has gone kapute/Bad. I can't even get it to turn on anymore. It is good as a starter keyboard but it doesn't last..
Perfect midi controller keyboard
I got this to replace my 61 key m-audio keyboard which I purchased almost 20 years ago! The original cost $+ and this one cost me $. I'm absolutely delighted with the look and feel of it. I really don't need that extra octave, I only use it to program chords into Cubase and it's perfect for that. Let's hope this one lasts 20 years.
Keyboard good. Owners manual not.
The M-Audio keyboard is fine. The owners manual is not. I know very little about midi. The owners manual along with YouTube tutorials about are not produced with a beginner in mind. In the manual and on the internet, all instructions are made for knowledgeable midi users and not beginners. Hench, I am having difficulty assigning functions to controls like knobs and sliders controls because I cannot understand the terminology being used in the owners manual to set these up.
Awesome keyboard
Upgraded from mid 2000's grey colored M-Audio 49 key and I'm super impressed. The look and feel of this newer model is leaps and bounds above the older model. The newer black textured color visually appealing and the changing color LED's on the transpose buttons is a nice touch. Now it's no fancy weighted keyboard but if you're like me and just mess around the weekends in GarageBand, this is the perfect budget keyboard for you.
Good item according to the price
Good article and good construction of the midi keyboard, very good controller according to the price
Great keyboard for composing
Easy to set up and use. Great value for the price.
Decent keyboard and a good size for me
I needed a keyboard for work with my large VI library. This tucks in nicely between my computer monitors and my computer keyboard. That allows me to keep my eyes and ears in the right spot when doing VI work. No way my 88-key controller would fit there. Decent-enough keyboard synth action. All adjustment of parameters local to the keyboard are done from the keyboard itself. This is a little strange, but it doesn't depend on unsupported apps on my computer (I'm looking at you, Akai). It also offers basic transport control for a DAW, which is a feature I don't need. For the price, it's a fair value.
Perfect for composing music
I use this keyboard to compose music for musical theatre. It's simple, well built, and has great value for such a low-cost keyboard. I love it
Nice MIDI keyboard
This is my first MIDI keyboard, and 49 keys is the perfect size for me. It fits nicely on the table and allows me to play with two hands.
The bundled software was way overkill for me, since I am only using it for ear training and learning tunes. So I am using a free VST host software called Cantabile Lite, along with a couple of plugins, and it works great.
Could be usable for some, but definitely not worth the price.
This controller is cheaply made, and the manufacturer clearly doesn't have decent quality control standards. Light, flimsy and the keys are loud. Worst of all, mine arrived with sinking keys, making playing impossible.
Be aware that while this controller may have M-Audio's branding on it, there are IDENTICAL controllers with other brandings on them. Look up the Alesis Q49 MKII - same controller, for $ cheaper on Sweetwater.
Whoever produces these controllers is delusional to think this quality passes the $ mark. I've played children's keyboards with better action, and the velocity curves are just unnatural. I swear it feels like some keys respond differently.
Nice product.
Keys are nice for what it is. Has an off button. I have no complaints.
Great feel and size
It has a light synth feel, yet still has a diggable resistance to it that makes it fun to play. And it's as small as a four-octave keyboard can be, which is great for those with limited desk space that are sick of smaller two-octave keyboards.
A great addition
It came very quickly and was well packaged. I have used it with both Reaper and Pro Tools and it has been seamless. I like the mod wheels instead of the push button approach on the 32 key. The key action is good, you have to remember that it is a controller and not a piano. The capabilities are endless and with a little learning curve. If you are into making beats you can't go wrong.
Great keyboard
Keys have a great action and are easy to play (my biggest concern pre-purchase) and the cc controls work great in Logic. Excellent value.
Plug 'n Play, Baby!
As the subject line states. That's as concise as I can get it. It took me less than two minutes to get it out of the box, plug it in and be up and running with 49 keys and a spring-back mod wheel in Logic Pro X (there's also a no-detent LFO mod wheel as well, of course). Done dealio. Keys feel great and it affords me two hand playing, which I have been missing with my little AKAI. It just works like it's supposed to!
Great Controller
I just took this thing of the box and plugged it into my Mac...works perfectly in LogicPro and with my other MIDI sound modules...
Welcome to the new old school
I'm a creature of habit, so when I busted out my trusty XP50 and it started having some issues, I opted to start doing the new school soundsets that came with my new Sweeteater StudioLive 32S / Studio One Pro.
My M-Audio Keystation makes it easy for this old dog when it comes to new tricks
M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3 49-key Keyboard Controller
This keyboard can cover your needs. Simple but powerful, works well with major DAWS. I recommend it.
Rockin a MIDI track in about 60 Seconds with IMac GarageBand
Great Controller
For my needs, this is a perfect keyboard controller. It doesn't play terribly well, but I don't need it to, I have a Nord Piano for that. It is however perfectly fine for controlling virtual instruments/programming in Reason and Logic. I owned a previous version of this keyboard for years and it only broke because I dropped it, and if I don't drop this new model, I expect it to last just as long. Also, I've never had any issues connecting this to my computers and/or with Reason/Logic recognizing it, it's just plug-and-play with no annoying drivers or anything to install which is wonderful.
Works Fine
I bought this to use for recording with GarageBand . I know little to nothing about Midi keyboards. I plugged it in and launched GarageBand It recognized the keyboard and I was off and running. Didn't even have to load the software that came with it. It doesn't get any easier than that. Used it to add bass tracks first and it worked great. Can't wait to learn more about how to use it.
M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3
Great Keyboard
It is very simple to connect to my DAW and is a perfect weight to carry around no problem. The customer service by Sweetwater is amazing too!
It does what it is supposed to do
The M-Audio Keyboard this one replaced lasted well over 10 years and still technically works minus a couple of dead keys. This model offers a few more bells and whistles but aside from that is still the dependable midi keyboard I use for recording.
M-audio keystation 49 MK3 49-key keyboard controller
I can say I am really enjoying this keyboard. It is light and is really helping get the job done. As a keyboard/piano player this allows me to still comfortably play with two hands and still get a good feel and quality I'm looking for.
GOOD SYNTH ACTION CONTROLLER
SIMPLE, EASY TO USE CONTOLLER. HAPPY TO HAVE IT AS PART OF MY SETUP.
M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3 Keyboard Controller
The Keystation 49 MK3 is a good choice for a musician who’s not mainly a keyboard player. It is a basic, affordable keyboard controller that does what I wanted from it: accessing and recording the instruments and other patches available in my DAW, Cubase. It comes with software which I haven’t yet installed (actually, I’d forgotten about it, being focused on my interest in exploring Cubase).
Great
Perfect for beginners and professionals alike. Nice synth-action keys and comes with amazing virtual instrument samples!!
Great feel easy to use
I like it a lot. I'm not a keyboard player but use it to plunk out chords for practice and figure out voicings for harmony. The extra octave over my last 37 key keyboard is a huge plus.
M-Audio MK - 49 keyboard
Very nice feel on full size keys. Enough octaves for both hands to use, in the studio or more particularly in my car & backpack when I"m out in nature composing.
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