Maudio Keystation 88 ES

MIDIMAN KEYSTATION88ES Details ^top

If you appreciate the full range of a piano keyboard in a lightweight package, the 88-note Keystation 88es is for you. You get great-feeling, semi-weighted action that’s velocity sensitive to convey all the nuances of your playing to your computer and most popular music education and studio software. The pitch and modulation wheels plus slider and buttons make it a great controller for playing and programming synths, samplers, drum sounds and more. At just 22 lbs., the Keystation 88es is equally at home on stage and in the studio. Class compliancy with Windows XP and Mac OS X ensures easy plug-and-play setup. It’s even bus-powered, so one simple USB cable is the only connection you need.

Top Features:
88-note velocity-sensitive, semi-weighted action
built-in USB MIDI interface w/ MIDI out jack
powered via USB or 9VDC
Mac OSX and Windows XP class compliant
includes Reason Adapted Express software studio
88-note velocity-sensitive, semi-weighted action
pitch bend and modulation wheels
volume/assignable control slider
advanced function button for programming
sustain pedal input (pedal sold separately)
assignable data up/down buttons
built-in USB MIDI interface
MIDI out jack routes MIDI signals from keyboard or computer to external devices
powered via USB or 9VDC power adapter (sold separately)
Mac OSX and Windows XP class compliant for plug-and-play operation
includes Reason Adapted Express software studio
53" x 9.5" x 4"

Review of MIDIMAN KEYSTATION88ES

RATING:

Sound Quality	1
Features	3
Ease Of Use	4
Value	10
Reliability	10
Overall	10

I bought this keyboard because of weight. The feel is not too bad, semi weighted and very springy . The actual keys themselves (white) seem shorter than usual. There is no display so it gets tough if you have to change a patch on the fly. I've hit the wrong sequence of keys on several occassions and then fumbled around trying to fix what I did. Obviously you need a sound module to get your sounds. This actully is a pretty good buy for the price for a midi controller. Till now, it seems quite road worthy. Because of it's weight, if you're a rough player, you'd better figure out a way to tie this unit down. It's really light. The manual that came with the unit had some major programming information missing, so if you're not too sure on something, contact M-Audio, they were very helpful in getting me the info I needed. I still have some concerns about a cracking noise I hear from time to time. It almost seems like the plastic casing has pressure points on it. Overall the only thing that I regret with this model is that there are too many steps to control (program change) an outside midi source. It's been about a year since I've owned this unit and I use it regularily. Transports great!

-Henry Brandel
-Montreal, Quebec Canada, 12/31/05

See all reviews of MIDIMAN KEYSTATION88ES.