M-AUDIO Keystation 61 MK3 USB MIDI Controller

Only had this a week. I have the 66 key version, wanted something small and portable to use on the train (with earphones), when away with work etc. It is quite small (so keys small), but just what I need for a quick practice (saves setting up the bigger keyboard). Plugs into my phone via bandlab. Or into my PC with the free software provided (which is worth the price on its own, it is hard to find good free piano VSTs). Thoroughly recommended as a quick access / practice / learning keyboard. Small enough that my kids enjoy playing it too. Takes up no room. Wish I had got one of these earlier as it makes me want to practice more (as it only takes 30 seconds to set up as opposed to 5 mins for the bigger keyboard). When you are time / energy strapped these little things make a difference.

No complaints. Worked straight out of the box connected to my M1 Mac Mini running GarageBand. Not a problem for me, but the transport buttons (e.g. record) aren’t automatically recognised by the DAW. Also, I’m not interested in the freebie software that may be important to other reviewers. With its simple layout, I got this for learning to play the keyboard, and to help with composition and embellishing my home recordings with different instruments and sounds. This is the largest size to fit on my small desk and fits the bill for my requirements. The pitch and modulation wheels weren’t a necessity when I was looking for a midi keyboard but I am finding them really useful. It’s a plastic construction but feels robust enough for home use and has enough weight not to easily slide around the desk during use! As a guitarist learning to use/play the keyboard I'm enjoying the simplicity of just switching it on and playing, without cables and tuning up getting in the way of the creative process or practice. Overall I am happy with this keyboard and feel it ticks all the boxes for me.

I was looking for a cheap and cheerful solution just to be able to play some basic keys in Logic and Ableton having made do with using the qwerty keyboard for synths and keys for so long. It's a good size although the keys are definitely not full size (not even close) but it's the only way I was going to fit 32 keys on my tiny desk. The buttons are useful (shifting up and down an octave) and the keys are velocity-sensitive. Even though it's quite a basic product, with music gear it's harder than you think to get the basics right so M Audio have done a good job here. It's plastic but it doesn't feel flimsy to me. 4 stars instead of 5 because it's micro USB and not USB C, and the keys might be too small for some but I manage.

Easy set up, the free software works ok, the range of voices is great and it's easily portable in your laptop bag, Piano/ synth, recording studio, on your back anywhere, anytime👍

The M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3 is a fantastic USB MIDI keyboard controller that offers an exceptional combination of functionality, versatility, and ease of use. As an avid music producer and performer, I have found this keyboard to be an invaluable tool in my creative process. Here's my comprehensive review of the M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3. First and foremost, the build quality of the Keystation 49 MK3 is remarkable. The keys have a responsive and tactile feel, emulating the experience of playing on a traditional piano. The full-sized, velocity-sensitive keys provide an excellent playing experience, allowing for expressive performances and accurate control over dynamics. Setting up the Keystation 49 MK3 is a breeze. With its USB connectivity, it effortlessly integrates with both Mac and PC systems, eliminating the need for complex configurations or additional drivers. Simply plug it in, and you're ready to go. The keyboard is also class-compliant, ensuring compatibility with various music production software and DAWs right out of the box. One of the standout features of the Keystation 49 MK3 is its extensive range of assignable controls. The keyboard boasts assignable buttons, knobs, and transport controls, allowing for seamless interaction with software instruments and effects. This level of customization empowers musicians to tailor the keyboard to their specific needs and workflow, enhancing creativity and productivity. The inclusion of pitch bend and modulation wheels further expands the expressive capabilities of the Keystation 49 MK3. These controls add depth and nuance to performances, enabling smooth pitch variations and dynamic modulations. Additionally, the dedicated volume slider is a convenient addition for quick and intuitive level adjustments. Another noteworthy feature is the integration of octave up and down buttons. These buttons provide instant access to a wide range of notes, making it easy to navigate across the keyboard's full range without any cumbersome manual adjustments. It's a small yet immensely useful feature that contributes to a fluid playing experience. The Keystation 49 MK3's compact and lightweight design makes it highly portable, ideal for musicians on the move. Whether you're performing live on stage, collaborating with others in the studio, or simply working in a limited space, this keyboard offers excellent portability without compromising on performance or functionality. In conclusion, the M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3 is a remarkable USB MIDI keyboard controller that delivers exceptional performance, versatility, and ease of use. Its sturdy build quality, responsive keys, extensive assignable controls, and convenient features make it a standout choice for both beginners and experienced musicians. Whether you're a pianist, producer, or composer, the Keystation 49 MK3 is a valuable addition to any music setup, unlocking endless creative possibilities.

fantastic midi, well built, super price, very happy

The keyboard itself is the same length and thickness as my wrist rest. Small but very functional. The quality is great with no spongey keys, they're very comfortable to use and touch sensitive. They are small but I can play. There is a lot of functionality hidden beneath the exterior and the midi functions are top notch. Shame it's not a usb c interface but it's from a time before that. True plug and play as well. You get a fantastic software bundle to boot, with various soft synths and Ableton 12 lite. Bit fiddly installing the software tho. Ultimately it's a fantastic portable product and well worth every penny if you're after this kind of controller.

In terms of features, you’re getting exactly what you pay for - very little. It’s a keyboard with a couple of perfunctory function buttons and wheels (that feel totally fine), and all you have to do is plug it in (I use it with my iPad via a camera adaptor) and you’re basically set up. I will say I’m not a fan of the keybed on the 49 (MK3). There’s a lot of velocity inconsistency between the white and black keys, more specifically, playing with consistent pressure results in considerably lower volumes from the black keys. The blacks just take a tremendous whack to reach 80+% velocity, where it’s almost half that on the white keys. The blacks feel tight and unyielding, where the whites feel considerably more loose. Overall it’s just kinda mushy. I give it a pass because it was cheap and it will only be used in casual mobile jamming sessions, where sonic consistency matters a lot less. So yeah, in all, it’s not too bad. Cheap, does exactly what it says it does, and not much more. If you don’t go in expecting amazing results, you may be pleasantly surprised by it.

Davvero spettacolare!!! Super compatta al punto giusto! Mi diverto un sacco!!! Tasti morbidi!!! Tasti essenziali per accessi rapidi! La uso con reaper in Windows7 e viene rilevata subito! Ottimo acquisto!

I don’t usually write product reviews, but this MIDI controller genuinely surprised me. I’ve been struggling for a while to get back into writing music using REAPER. I used to write a lot when I was younger, and back then things were simple—most MIDI keyboards had built-in sounds, so you didn’t have to think about software instruments at all. Recently, I’d been trying to make things work using the ARIA Player that comes with Finale, and it was frustrating. It didn’t reliably pick up control data (like the sustain pedal), and it seemed to bog down my computer with lag. I picked up this keyboard mainly because I wanted more keys and the price seemed reasonable. I assumed the included software would be typical “freebie” stuff—limited trials or low-quality plugins designed to upsell you later. That wasn’t the case at all. At first, I installed Ableton Live Lite, which comes with the keyboard, but I didn’t like working in it. At that point I was fairly upset and was tempted to come here and give this 1 star. mainly because the keyboard does not have a speaker and requires a software synth to work. I felt stuck. But I pressed on. Then I checked whether the included virtual instruments would work in REAPER—and they did, seamlessly. The bundle includes three main instruments: Mini Grand (a piano with multiple variations) Velvet (an electric piano/synth-style instrument) Xpand!2 (the standout) Xpand!2 was the biggest surprise. It’s essentially a full general-purpose sound module, similar in concept to old General MIDI setups, but far more detailed. Instruments are organized into categories (strings, brass, reeds, bass, etc.), and each category includes a huge number of options—dozens of bass sounds alone. It’s incredibly flexible. What impressed me most is how easily everything integrated with REAPER. No complicated setup—just open a virtual instrument, and the plugins are there, ready to use. Everything worked immediately, including proper controller support. I had been considering spending a significant amount on something like Native Instruments, but the cost is extremely high. The fact that this keyboard—at roughly $130—includes such a capable set of instruments is honestly surprising. I hope M-Audio doesn't read this because they will probably jack up the price. Overall, this completely changed my workflow and removed a lot of the friction I’d been dealing with. Highly recommended.

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Very good Item Really satisfied

To be clear at the outset, me rating this a 5-star item doesn't mean I think it's as good as some 88 key MIDI controller with genuine weighted piano key feel. It is what it is. But it met my expectations so I can't dock it any stars given the inexpensive price. I'm just toying with digital music creation which is near impossible without a MIDI controller. I literally wanted something I can hold in my lap and this fits that need. If you want to learn to play the piano or are serious about music creation this is not for you. While you can play the full range of a piano keyboard by simply shifting octaves with the controller's +/- buttons obviously you're not going to be able to play it like a piano. Not to mention the keys are understandably a bit narrow because of the unit's compactness so they're easy to fat finger. As expected in this price range, the keyboard's sensitivity isn't tactile nor is it something you'll be able to play nuanced notes with. But it opens up my ability to play various VST instruments which was the entire point of me buying it without any real investment. I can edit to my modest needs from there. The unit comes with software I've never used because I already own my own so I can't rate that. It's plug 'n play without manually installing drivers. The only installation hassle is getting it configured for a particular software program but that isn't M Audio's fault. Build quality is good enough. It's very light but feels sturdy enough. I don't notice any flex firmly pressing down keys even though it's sitting in my lap so it doesn't have a lot of support. Are there other cheap or even a bit cheaper MIDI keyboards that meet my needs? Sure. What swayed me with this one is it had 32 keys whereas competitors in this low-end range generally have only 25.