M-Audio Keystation 88ES Midi Controller | List Price: $249.99
Discount Price: Too low to display
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Brand: M-Audio
Binding: Electronics
Features: - 88-note velocity-sensitive, semi-weighted action
- Pitch bend and modulation wheels
- Volume/assignable control slider
- Advanced function button for programming
- Sustain and Expression pedal inputs (pedals sold separately)
DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT [Posted on 2008-03-31]
This came with a warning sticker stating that this product contains chemicals, including lead, which can lead to cancer and other diseases/defects. I personally find this sickening that Amazon would sell a product that requires such a warning. I am returning it immediately. The only reason I gave it even one star was because Amazon would not let me post this review without at least one. Please be careful!
Disappointed [Posted on 2008-04-28]
I didn't expect to come to a software so confusing, so I haven't been able to upload sounds on to the machine. Now, that I have already opened the software, I may have to sell this and drop the price, because it says that it can be installed onto only one machine. It does look nice and feel nice and it was a good price when I purchased it, so I just hope that someone will buy it and can make it work.
Great with Garage Band [Posted on 2008-09-15]
Great to have a velocity sensitive keyboard controller with full 88 keys at this price! I purchased based on the other reviews here which helped me understand what to expect.
The keyboard is completely plug and play with OS X and works well with Garage Band.
The velocity sensitivity is not the greatest. Even adjusting the sensitivity in Garage Band preferences, I cannot be anywhere near as expressive in my dynamic range as I can be on a real piano. But, I discovered that some aspect of this is in the digital instrument that the keyboard is controlling, and not the keyboard itself.
I purchased the GarageBand Symphony Orchestra Jam Pack after using the keyboard for a couple of days. Apple Garageband Jam Pack: Symphony Orchestra The Steinway grand in this Jam Pack not only sounds better, but has better sensitivity response than the standard piano. I still lack as much dynamic range as I would have on a piano - some notes not playing and others not being loud enough if I use the same relative force. But, I'm happy with the value for the price, and with all of the other fun stuff one can do in Garage Band.
I purchased the M-Audio sustain pedal at the same time as the keyboard M-Audio SP-2 US65010 Sustain Pedal Piano Style Sustain Pedal for Keyboards and recommend that for anyone for whom simulating a piano is a prime consideration. Here, too, the standard Garage Band piano vs the Jam Pack Steinway perform differently, the sustain sounding more like a real instrument with the Jam Pack Steinway. (But, it does only sustain the depressed keys with Garage Band - it does not result in induced harmonics from the other released strings, lest I get anyone too excited. Again - this keyboard is merely a controller. With other software, other results are possible.)
Re: the posts about lead. See the other posts - there is no more lead in this than any other electronic component.
Re: USB socket on left and short cord. This keyboard can be plugged into a USB hub without problem - I'm using one of the plugs on my Apple keyboard - but you can also use a USB extension cable (or replace the included cable with a longer one) without problem, as this is a low data rate device. So, not a big deal.
:( [Posted on 2008-10-28]
it probably would have been great but I didn't have a compadibal system for it. :(
Keyboard [Posted on 2008-11-12]
I bought this piano keyboard and I'm satisfied with it. It's easy to play and thanks to the softwares, we have many possibilities to create. So good choice :)
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