M-Audio Axiom 25 25-Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller with Assignable Control Surface, 2nd Gen review and best price

M-Audio Axiom 25 25-Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller with Assignable Control Surface, 2nd Gen description

Advanced 25-Key Semi-Weighted
USB MIDI Controller

The compact M-Audio Axiom 25 mobile controller combines all the production power and performance you need to get the most from your music software and MIDI gear. More than just a “data entry” controller, the Axiom 25 features piano-style, semi-weighted keys for a musically satisfying playing experience—yet it’s small enough to fit in a backpack. Large dynamic trigger pads make it easy to program beats and trigger one-shot samples—while the encoder knobs and buttons deliver complete real-time control over your software. DirectLink mode provides easy, automatic access to common digital audio workstation (DAW) functions* including transport, mixer, track pan, and virtual instrument parameters—no complicated setup required. The Axiom 25 controller even features a sleek, angled top panel for easy viewing in any environment.

M-AUDIO AXIOM 25 AT A GLANCE

25 piano-style, semi-weighted keys—musically satisfying playing experience
8 smooth rotary encoders and 1 mixer-style fader—hands-on control over your DAW
Angled top panel and backlit LCD screen—better ergonomics on stage and in the studio
DirectLink mode—automatically map onboard controls to DAW mixer parameters—no complex setup required
Axiom Instrument Maps—instant access to virtual instrument parameters for a hardware synth-like experience

Complete Hands-On Control of Your Music Software

DirectLink: Streamlined Session Control

Building on the best-selling MIDI keyboard controllers of all time**, the updated Axiom series features DirectLink, which automatically maps the onboard controls to common parameters in DAWs* like Pro Tools, Logic, Cubase, Live, and Reason. Take control over your software studio—directly from the keyboard. Use the fader and encoder knobs to fine-tune the mix. Easily navigate through sessions using the Transport buttons. Interfacing a MIDI controller with your software doesn’t get any easier than this.

Serious Production Power

When inspiration strikes, you need a keyboard controller that can translate ideas into killer tracks. That’s why Axiom 25 is equipped with an ultra-expressive semi-weighted keyboard and eight Trigger Finger pads for programming beats with incredible feel. Automatically map Axiom 25 to your DAW with DirectLink—or delve deeper by assigning the pads, encoders, and fader to whatever controls you wish. Each controller can map to just about any MIDI message available, along with independent channel addressing for each. The possibilities are as endless as your imagination.

* For a complete list of compatible DAW applications and a description of how DirectLink mode works, visit www.m-audio.com/directlink.
** The Axiom series is the best-selling MIDI controller line in the U.S. (MI SalesTrak: January 2007 – December 2009).

Axiom Instrument Mode

With other MIDI keyboards, assigning controls to virtual instruments has never been easy. Now thanks to the Axiom 25 controller’s new Instrument mode, a single button instantly maps the fader, buttons, and encoders to any virtual instrument inside your DirectLink-compatible host*. You get direct access to synthesis parameters such as filter cutoff, LFO rate, and envelope settings—without having to manually configure anything. It’s almost like turning Axiom 25 into a dedicated hardware synth.

Intuitive Design

Whether you’re on stage or in the studio, your keyboard controller should fuel your creativity—providing all the right information and controls at your fingertips. That’s why we designed Axiom 25 with a sleek angled top panel for easier viewing of the display and improved ergonomics. Smooth rotary encoders deliver precise, continuously variable parameter changes, giving you a hands-on feel for the mix. The backlit LCD screen provides informative feedback from DAW hosts, including on-screen display of parameters, settings, and track/VI names. It all adds up to intuitive control over your MIDI software and hardware.

Mobile Operation

The Axiom series is extremely compact and lightweight and all models are powered directly from your computer’s USB bus. Choose the size that’s best for your needs, then take your music anywhere you want to go.

M-Audio Axiom 25—Feature Recap

25-key velocity-sensitive semi-weighted-action keyboard with assignable aftertouch
DirectLink mode automatically maps controls to common DAW and virtual instrument parameters*
Dedicated Instrument mode button lets you instantly switch between controlling mixer and virtual instrument parameters*
Intuitive custom LCD display, centered on keyboard for optimum visibility
Angled top panel for easy viewing in any environment
4 zone buttons for stacking and splitting sounds on up to 4 MIDI channels
8 assignable trigger pads
8 assignable rotary encoder knobs
1 assignable fader
6 dedicated transport controls
6 edit buttons
Dedicated track up/down, bank </>, mute, and solo buttons
Dedicated patch +/– buttons
Assignable pitch bend and modulation wheels
Octave up/down; transpose up/down

* For a complete list of compatible DAW applications and a description of how DirectLink mode works, visit www.m-audio.com/directlink.

Factory presets map controls to popular music software:

Xpand!2

Hybrid

Velvet

Strike

Oddity

ImpOSCar

Minimonsta

20 non-volatile memory locations
Memory dump via SysEx
4 keybed velocity curves and 3 fixed velocity settings
4 pad velocity curves, 3 fixed settings, and unique ‘step’ velocity curves
2 assignable pedal inputs
Class-compliant with Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Mac OS X
Powered via USB or optional power supply
Built-in USB MIDI interface including standard MIDI In and Out jacks
All controllers fully programmable to MIDI controller number and channel
Controller Mute function mutes controller output to avoid parameter jumps
Snapshot function transmits all current controller settings
On/off rocker switch

We're Avid

From the most prestigious, award-winning productions, to music and movies made at home, Avid creates the technology that people use to make the most listening to, most watched, and most loved media in the world. The shows, commercials, and news programs you watch on TV. The entertaining video and film stories you see on the web and on the big screen. The personal audio and video treasures that people make at home to preserve their favorite moments in life. Our innovative digital audio and video solutions continue to revolutionize the art of creative storytelling, and have earned us hundreds of awards, including two Oscar statuettes, a Grammy, and 14 Emmys.

Minimum System Requirements

Windows XP (SP3)*

800 MHz Intel or AMD**
256 MB RAM

Windows Vista 32 , 64bit (SP1) / Win7 32, 64bit

1 GHz Intel or AMD**
1 GB RAM
DirectX 10 or higher

Windows 7

1 GHz Intel or AMD**
1 GB RAM
DirectX 10 or higher

Mac OS X 10.5.8 or 10.6.1

Intel Core Duo
1 GB RAM

* Home and Professional Edition only. Windows Media Center Edition is not supported.
** CPU may be higher for laptops.
Please check the minimum system requirements for your software, as they may be greater than the above.

Specifications

Size/Weight:

8.8 x 11.6 x 3.5 (inches) 6.9lb; 47.7 x 29.5 x 90 (cm) 3.15Kg

What’s in the Package?

Axiom 25 keyboard controller
USB cable
Printed quick start guide
PDF user guide
Installer CD-ROM

User reviews for M-Audio Axiom 25 25-Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller with Assignable Control Surface, 2nd Gen -

M-Audio Axiom 25 25-Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller with Assignable Control Surface, 2nd Gen features

25 piano-style, semi-weighted keys>musically satisfying playing experience
8 smooth rotary encoders and 1 mixer-style fader>hands -on control over your DAW
angled top panel and backlitLCD screen>better ergonomics on stage and in the studio
DirectLink mode>automatically map onboard controls to DAW mixer parameters-no complex setup required
Axiom Instrument Maps>instant access to virtual instrutment parameters for a hardware synth-like experience

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