M-Audio PROKEYS 88SX 88-Key Lightweight Stage Piano with Semi-Weighted Action

M-Audio PROKEYS 88SX 88-Key Lightweight Stage Piano with Semi-Weighted Action Review

M-Audio PROKEYS 88SX 88-Key Lightweight Stage Piano with Semi-Weighted Action Feature

• 88-note semi-weighted action keyboard > great feel, light weight
• 7 premium sounds including multi-layer stereo grand > professional sound
• USB MIDI interface plus pitch and mod wheels > expressive MIDI control
• 2 front-side headphone jacks > private practice or teaching
• Sustain, sostenuto and expression pedal inputs > total control

M-Audio PROKEYS 88SX 88-Key Lightweight Stage Piano with Semi-Weighted Action Overview

Designed for both performance and recording, the ProKeys 88sx digital stage piano delivers excellent sound in a package so light that you can carry it under one arm. Its must-have complement of instruments--grand piano, electric pianos, organ and clav--sound better than anything in its price range. ProKeys 88sx's semi-weighted action also delivers some of the best feel you can get without the added cost and weight of hammer action. Two stereo headphone jacks are perfect for private practice or teaching. USB MIDI interface and pitch/mod wheels combine with other features to make it a great MIDI controller as well.

M-Audio PROKEYS 88SX 88-Key Lightweight Stage Piano with Semi-Weighted Action Specifications

The M-Audio ProKeys 88 Hammer Action Premium Stage Piano is loaded with large, realistic samples--14 world-class instruments in all, including split and layer capabilities. And M-Audio has paired these great sounds with an 88-key hammer-action keyboard that delivers a realistic feel to satisfy the most demanding professional pianist. The ProKeys 88 is also a great master controller keyboard that includes a built-in USB MIDI interface for easy direct connection to your PC or Mac, MIDI in and out jacks to communicate with other MIDI gear, pitch and modulation wheels, sequencer controls, and more. M-Audio pulled out all the stops in creating the ultimate playing experience in an affordable digital stereo piano.

Ultra-Realistic Piano Sound
The goal behind the ProKeys 88 design was to create an extremely musical, realistic piano experience. The caliber of a digital piano is greatly influenced by the quality and size of the samples, so M-Audio started by giving ProKeys 88 a generous amount of memory. Then, rather than dividing it up amongst a smorgasbord of sounds that would never get used, they focused on the 14 sounds that are considered the bread and butter for most keyboardists--paying extra-special attention to the stereo grand piano sound.

More Than a Stage Piano
The ProKeys 88 delivers all the staple keyboard sounds desired by almost all musicians. The flagship stereo grand piano is complimented by an alternate grand sound designed to really cut through in pop music tunes. This keyboard has electric pianos covered as well -- including classic sounds like the Yamaha DX7 and the Fender Rhodes, and the vintage Wurlitzer (don't forget the tremolo effect!). And with the Clavinet, one word will come to your mind: funky. Acoustic and electric basses give you the option of layering a ride cymbal for jazz tunes, while vibes, ensemble strings, and an inspiring synth pad round a great sonic palette for the serious gigging keyboardist.

Splits, Layers, and 88-Key Hammer Action
The ProKeys 88 keyboard also features split and layer capabilities. This smart instrument can put a bass in your left hand and the keys in your right; organ chords while playing a piano lead; lush strings layered over a delightful piano. You can even have a split and layer simultaneously for a total of three different sounds at once. Of course, none of this really matters if the piano doesn't feel like a piano. A realistic digital stage piano must have a full 88 keys that are properly weighted. The ProKeys 88's full-range clavier features hammer action that feels just like the real thing. Plus, it has three velocity curves tailored to different touches, as well as a fixed velocity for synth work.

Control your Digital Audio Workstation
When it comes to communicating with the outside world, most digital pianos offer little more than a MIDI jack. In sharp contract, this keyboard inherits much from M-Audio's many years of experience with mobile MIDI controllers. It incorporates a full USB MIDI interface that communicates with your PC or Mac via a single, simple USB connection. This is the perfect tool for recording with virtually all of the MIDI sequencer software that is available on the market. In fact, you can even control your sequencer remotely via the front-panel Start, Stop, and Tempo buttons.

In addition to computer connectivity, the ProKeys 88 has MIDI in and out jacks that allow full communication with all standard MIDI gear. This keyboard also features performance controls that are rare on digital stage pianos, such as a pitch wheel, modulation wheel, two footswitch inputs, and an expression pedal input. The three different ranges available via the ProKey 88's combined split and layer function can each transmit on separate MIDI channels, as well. You also get dedicated front-panel buttons for program change, channel, bank MSB, bank LSB, and local on/off for the ultimate in control.

Built-in Effects, Pedals, Headphones and Outputs
With the ProKeys 88 you can forget about messing around with additional gear to add basic effects. This instruments on-board EQ lets you easily tweak any tone on the fly. You also get three different built-in reverb spaces that simulate different acoustic environments. Ever feel the need to practice privately? This keyboard includes a 0.25-inch stereo headphone jack so you can play in private. The ProKeys 88 also has a 0.25-inch, unbalanced audio output with 20Hz-20kHz frequency response and 108dB dynamic range for the best sound in the business.

What's in the Box
Prokeys 88SX keyboard, software CD (drivers and applications), 5-foot USB cable, user's manual, power supply, and sustain pedal.

Available at Amazon Check Price Now!

*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Feb 07, 2011 02:55:04

M-Audio ProKeys Premium Stage Piano

M-Audio ProKeys Premium Stage Piano Review

I am not a professional musician, just a hobbyist with a few years of instruction as a kid, and I like to play from time to time. I live in an apartment and wanted a keyboard with a quality piano sound that was portable, and would accept both PA speakers and headphones, could hook up to a laptop via usb and yes, looked good.

This keyboard meets all those criteria for me. I bought it used (but in nearly new condition) for 0 which included the pedal and an x-frame stand. The keys are a bit heavy and yes the touch classical pianists expect from an acoustic piano isn't there. But there is some velocity pickup, it isn't like playing a cheap casio synth.

The piano sound, which I use 99% of the time, is solid. You turn the board on, and you're there. Playing immediately. No setup, no pushing buttons, just sit down and play, which is great.

For the stage performer, while it is a bit heavy, I think it would work well although I've never used it in that capacity. The keys are big and well spaced, and there are some "panic" buttons where if you get off-track with your settings, you can just jump to a known setting with a click. Good thinking from M-Audio.

If you want more voices, you can patch this in to your computer or a rack and apply whatever voice you want, or something you've created. Flexibility to grow.

Not having speakers built in means you can have audio quality as great as your wallet can burden. I have some small M-Audio units and they're very very good. I'm not sure what the technical term is, but the spacial quality when you're playing right or left hand side of the keyboard is nice, not too extreme, just a bit left or right as it would be in an acoustic.

Overall, this unit does what it's advertised to do, and it does it quite well in my opinion, at a great price. You can easily pay 00 and have a keyboard that isn't that much better. Before I purchased this I was looking at a Korg model, and happened to catch a band where the keyboardist was using one. He said he had tons of issues, two of the keys stopped working and it was heavy as heck. 00 keyboards have issues too, even if they are covered by warranty. I think a more direct competitor of this is the Yamaha (P90?) and there is another model that's all silver and wood-like plastic, which also has a great sound. Of course, Yamaha's keys are made to feel like the keys on a Yamaha acoustic, so if you don't like that feel, it might not be for you. They are also a bit more pricey, but not by much.

M-Audio ProKeys Premium Stage Piano Feature

• Ease of use, sound quality and 88-note hammer action provides unprecedented value
• Stunning 3-layer stereo grand piano
• Large 64MB sound bank with 14 world-class instruments
• Built-in MIDI controller functionality
• Best digital stage piano value on the market

M-Audio ProKeys Premium Stage Piano Overview

The ProKeys 88 is the premium digital stage piano that doubles as a great MIDI controller. ProKeys 88 gives you a lot more sound bank memory than even the closest competitor, loaded with larger, more realistic samples--14 world-class instruments in all, including split/layer capabilities. We paired those great sounds with an 88-key graded hammer-action keyboard, delivering a realistic feel to satisfy the most demanding pro. The ProKeys 88 is also a great master controller keyboard, including a built-in USB MIDI interface for easy direct connection to your PC or Mac, MIDI In and Out jacks to communicate with other MIDI gear, pitch and modulation wheels, sequencer controls and more. ProKeys 88 pulls out all the stops in creating the ultimate playing experience in an affordable digital stage piano.

M-Audio ProKeys Premium Stage Piano Specifications

The ProKeys 88 is the premium digital stage piano that doubles as a great MIDI controller. It's loaded with large, realistic samples 14 world-class instruments in all, including split/layer capabilities. We paired those great sounds with an 88-key hammer-action keyboard, delivering a realistic feel to satisfy the most demanding pro. The ProKeys 88 is also a great master controller keyboard, including a built-in USB MIDI interface for easy direct connection to your PC or Mac, MIDI In and Out jacks to communicate with other MIDI gear, pitch and modulation wheels, sequencer controls and more. ProKeys 88 pulls out all the stops in creating the ultimate playing experience in an affordable digital stage piano.

Ultra-Realistic Piano
Our goal in designing the ProKeys 88 was to create an extremely musical and realistic piano experience. The caliber of a digital piano is greatly influenced by the quality and the size of the samples, so we started by giving the ProKeys 88 a generous amount of memory. Then, rather than dividing it up amongst a bunch of sounds you're not likely to use, we focused on the 14 sounds that are the bread and butter for many keyboardists--paying special attention to the stereo grand piano.

Incorporates a full USB MIDI interface that communicates with your computer via a USB connection.

Experiment with different effects on the ProKeys 88 to create signature sounds of your own.

Sustain, sostenuto, and expression pedal jacks--all MIDI assignable.

More Than a Stage Piano
The ProKeys 88 delivers all the staple keyboard sounds needed by many musicians. Its flagship stereo grand is supplemented by an alternate grand designed to really cut through in popular music. The ProKeys 88 has electric pianos covered too. And the Clavinet brings one word to mind: "funky." Acoustic and electric basses give you the option of layering a ride cymbal for jazz tunes. Vibes, ensemble strings and an inspiring warm, lush synth pad round out a great sonic palette for the gigging keyboardist.

88-Key Hammer Action
Of course, a realistic digital stage piano must have a full 88 keys that are properly weighted. The ProKeys 88's full-range clavier features hammer action that feels just like the real thing. It features three velocity curves tailored to different touches, as well as a fixed velocity for synth work.

Splits and Layers
The ProKeys 88 keyboard also features split and layer capabilities. Put a bass in your left hand and keys in your right. Chord with an organ while playing a piano lead. Layer lush strings over a piano. You can even have a split and layer simultaneously for a total of three sounds at once.

Control Your DAW
When it comes to communicating with the outside world, most digital stage pianos offer little more than a MIDI jack. In sharp contrast, the ProKeys 88 inherits much from M-Audio's years of experience pioneering mobile MIDI controllers. It incorporates a full USB MIDI interface that communicates with your PC or Mac via a single, simple USB connection--perfect for recording with virtually all MIDI sequencer software on the market. (The instrument features class compliancy with Windows XP and Mac OS X without installation of additional drivers.) You can even control your sequencer remotely via front-panel Start, Stop and Tempo buttons.

MIDI In and Out jacks allow full communication with all standard MIDI gear as well. The ProKeys 88 also features performance controls that are rare on digital stage pianos, including pitch wheel, modulation wheel, two footswitch inputs, and expression pedal input. The three different ranges available via the ProKeys 88's combined split and layer functions can each transmit on a separate MIDI channel as well. You also get dedicated front-panel buttons for program change, channel, bank MSB, bank LSB and local on/off.

Built-in Effects
There's no need to mess around with additional gear to add basic effects to your ProKeys 88. On-board EQ lets you easily tweak the tone on the fly. You also get three different built-in reverb spaces that simulate different acoustic environments. Chorus fattens up sounds like the electric pianos and basses. And what's a vintage Wurlitzer electric piano without tremolo? Experiment with different effects on the ProKeys 88 to create signature sounds of your own.

Full Pedal Complement
Every digital piano has a sustain pedal jack. But what about the sostenuto pedal (the middle pedal on an acoustic piano)? ProKeys 88 has it. There's also an expression pedal for foot-control of volume. And all three of these pedals serve as MIDI controllers for outboard gear as well.

Headphones and Pro Audio Outputs
Ever need to practice privately? ProKeys 88 includes a 1/4-inch stereo headphone jack so you can play without anyone else hearing you--at home or at a sound check. Of course, it wouldn't be an M-Audio product without high-fidelity 1/4-inch unbalanced audio output with specs like 20Hz-20kHz frequency response and 108dB dynamic range.

What's in the Box
ProKeys 88, Software Driver CD (drivers and applications), USB cable, Printed User Manual, Power supply (12V DC), Sustain Pedal

Available at Amazon Check Price Now!

*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Nov 01, 2010 00:53:06

M-Audio Prokeys Sono 61

M-Audio Prokeys Sono 61 Review

I got the ProKeys Sono to use during a temp, out-of-town work stint and wanted something I could play by itself (that has its own on-board sounds) and also use to drive the Reason and Sonar software synths on my laptop.

Well, after many months of testing (through real use) I have to say it passed with flying colors (or 'colours' for our 'Commonwealth' friends).

Keyboard features include:
- 61 note keyboard with a very playable semi-weighted action somewhere between synth and hammer keyboards (well, based on the synth and hammer action keyboards I've played)
- 5 higher quality built-in sounds (grand piano, bright piano, electric piano, organ, clav)
- A set of lower quality (but still fairly usable in my book) General MIDI sounds
- 3 Adjustable settings for how the keyboard responds to velocity
- 2 stereo line-ins (RCA jacks) for getting audio into your computer to record
- 1 XLR jack for plugging in a mic
- 1 quarter inch instrument jack
- 2 quarter inch headphone jacks
- 2 quarter inch outs for monitoring the sounds coming out of the computer as well as the built-in sounds from the keyboard

I've mostly used ASIO4ALL drivers prior to buying this keyboard, which gave pretty decent performance and acceptably low latency (the delay between hitting a key on the hardware keyboard controller and hearing any software synth sounds from the computer) for playing. Happily, the ASIO driver for the ProKeys Sono delivered even LOWER latency than the ASIO4ALL drivers I had been using.

So, with the decent construction quality, the playability of the keyboard, and the better driver performance, I admit I'm quite happy with the thing. I also occasionally used the line inputs to record from an external hardware synth module, and had no problems. Some people might whine as the resolution is only 16-bit, 44.1 kHz, but having worked with way-noisy cassette 4-tracks as a teen, CD quality is still fine by me.

The one thing I didn't ever test was plugging a microphone into the thing. I had a Samson G Track USB Microphone (which I've also reviewed on Amazon) and used that exclusively for vocals while I was on the road. Therefore I can't comment on the amp quality.

Lastly, when I just felt like playing a bit, it was nice to tinkle around on the piano without having to turn on the laptop. The piano sound quality is VERY playable, with the only drawback being the 20-note polyphony for the 5 high-quality sounds (the General MIDI sounds have 40 note polyphony).

Negatives? No LCD or LED display for helping change/configure MIDI settings, or selecting the General MIDI sounds. It's workable without the display, but it would definitely help to see the values you've entered. And because of that drawback, the ProKeys Sono really is best mostly for playing soft synths, not controlling a whole soft recording environment

Summary:
Great option for driving soft syths with the added bonus of some on-board sounds and also serving as a PC/laptop audio interface. If you want more hands-on sliders and buttons for controlling your software synths and recording software, I'd go with a different option, but for the niche this keyboard is trying to fill, it does a pretty good job. Though it's probably only a 4-star rating for overall performance, the fact I had ZERO problems using it with my computer (which is RARE nowadays) bumps it up to "barely a 5".

M-Audio Prokeys Sono 61 Feature

• 61-key portable digital piano with integral audio interface - all-in-one music-making solution
• semi-weighted velocity-sensitive keys - exceptional feel and playability
• 5 high-quality built-in sounds - instant access to piano, clav, organ and more
• line and microphone inputs - record vocals and instrutments
• includes on-board General MIDI sound set - 128 total sounds plus drums and percussion
• Line and microphone inputs - record vocals and instruments

M-Audio Prokeys Sono 61 Overview

Designed to bridge the gap between writing, performing and recording, the ProKeys Sono 61 portable digital piano with audio interface delivers everything that you need to make music whenever inspiration strikes. 61 semi-weighted, velocity-sensitive keys, advanced scanning technology and a stereo-sampled Steinway grand sound deliver an expressive piano experience. Additonal instant-access sounds like electric piano, organ and clay - as well as a full onboard General MIDI sound set-round out a top-notch performance solution, with or without a computer. Built-in M-Audio USB audio interface echnology lets you record your keyboard performance, plus vocals and instrutments, directly to your computer with the included software. the versatile ProKeys Sono 61 is ideal on stage, as he hub of your personal recording sudio and in diverse educational settings.

Available at Amazon Check Price Now!

*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Aug 18, 2010 00:22:04