M-Audio Oxygen 49
The M-Audio Oxygen 49 is a high-performance 49-key MIDI keyboard, loaded with features to get you making music now. This next-generation Oxygen series keyboard gives you full-size, synth-action, velocity-sensitive keys as well as a full set of eight velocity-sensitive pads, making it one of the most playable MIDI controllers you’ll get your hands on. Easy to navigate, assignable controls automatically map to your favorite DAW. Oxygen series keyboards are also fully compatible with iOS, so they’re perfect for your grab-and-go synth rig. Let M-Audio breathe new life into your music with the latest Oxygen USB MIDI controller range.
Your keys will also have additional assignable knobs and pads, meaning the controller provides complete control over your DAW and the m-audio oxygen 49 ships with software that facilitates the recording and mixing of music without ever reaching for a mouse. Literally open the box, install your drivers and make beats.
Aside from the velocity-sensitive keys for playing chords, bass lines, and melodies, eight knobs are available for tweaking effects plug-ins and virtual instruments, along with eight velocity-sensitive pads for triggering samples or finger drumming. And for mixing and controlling the master output, nine faders are available along with dedicated transport controls and track-up and -down buttons that can initiate play, stop, and record in the DAW environment right from the controller.
The controller offers out-of-the-box integration with many DAWs including Ableton Live, Pro Tools, Logic, Cubase and more, with the controls instantly mapped to key parameters in the DAW. Built-in customizable mapping presets can be easily adapted to work with favorite effects plug-ins and virtual instruments, and the factory presets map the various controls to the bundled SONiVOX Twist virtual instruments. Also included are Ableton Live Lite and Xpand!2, a multitimbral workstation offering four active sound slots or parts per patch.
Streamlined controls improve your workflow
Oxygen controller keyboards keep in the creative zone by keeping your hands on an instrument and off of a mouse. M-Audio divided the control layout cleanly into separate sections to streamline your workflow and dramatically decrease the learning curve. For instance, the transport has its own dedicated section under the encoder knobs, so you can’t get it confused with the on-the-fly selector buttons near the LCD display.
Instant mapping for popular DAWs and plug-ins
Automapping automatically assigns slider, encoder, and transport controls to parameters such as track volumes, pans values, and other common functions. If you’re using a standard DAW such as Pro Tools, Reason, or Cubase, there’s literally no setup involved. Also, your Oxygen controller keyboard includes built-in factory presets that support popular virtual instruments, so you’ll rarely need to manually map out a thing.
Craft sophisticated Virtual Instrument rigs with Akai VIP3
The difference between a cool MIDI controller keyboard and a full hybrid keyboard workstation is Akai VIP3. This third-generation version of Akai’s Virtual Instrument Player software is a masterpiece of workflow management. It lets you load up just about any VST plug-in and combine up to eight virtual instruments plus effects into sophisticated arrangements with key zones, splits, and custom mappings — exactly what you’d expect from a standalone workstation. What’s more, there’s an ever-growing list of plug-ins that automatically map to your controller, but thanks to VIP3’s MIDI Learn function, you can map any plug-in with any controller in any way you like. Run it as a standalone platform or use it as a plug-in in your favorite DAW. Either way, VIP3 will revolutionize the way you approach virtual instruments.
iOS connectivity for easy recording and performance
Many modern-day musicians are using iOS as an integral part of their creative processes. Using Apple’s Camera Connection Kit, you can connect to any iOS device and use your Oxygen keyboard to control multitrack recording and virtual instrument apps. That makes it a natural fit for your mobile music rig, whether you’re creating electronic music at the coffee shop or rocking out with your favorite virtual instrument apps onstage.