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 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. !!! 3 Years Music Store Warranty !!!
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Im a owner of one of this Axiom 25 keyboard for two years and it does fit the job its meant to do.
Theres a lot of choices in this keyboard price range (from Novation,Alesis and Akai), what made me chose the Axiom 25? Reliability, build quality and the features of the keyboard itself.
LCD interface isnt very easy to figure out at first but reading the manual and with practice, you get what does what. You can browse your VST presents without having to use your mouse or computer keyboard, since the Axiom 25 allows you to browse the presents and display them on its LCD. Also Auto-mapping is 95% accurate, but if your not happy with it, you can always map it yourself and fit it to your desire (you can save up to 17 memory banks of mapping, program 17/18 and 19 are default modes/auto-mapped).
Dependently the genre of music your making, the 25 keys might not be enough, but if like me your doing electronic music, its enough keys to be with. The keys quality is good, sometimes a bit sticky, but its not bad at all. Plus this keyboard, gives you 8 knobs (they are kinda lossy, but they do the job. Also they are endless knobs, means you can rotate them infinity to left or right....which requires you to look at your monitor to see where the values of the knobs are at) and 8 drum pads (the are pressure sensitive, which means that if you tap harder the midi note with be harder and so on, perfect for drumming). On this newer version you also get a slider, located at the left of the keyboard, might be handy sometimes.
Building material is good, the size of the keyboard is perfect for carrying around (recommend buying a rucksack for it). Also this keyboard is USB powered, so no AC adapter needed.
This Axiom 25 Second Generation (or Advanced), doesnt have that buggy error that the first version got, titled by users "blue screen of death" so its fine to buy this version.