M-AudioKeystation 61 MK3 - Synth Action 61 Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller with Assignable Controls, Pitch and Mod Wheels, and Software Included

I needed an upgrade from my 31 key midi and bought the M-Audio based on a couple of referrals and good reviews. I like the low profile; I can slide it under the monitor shelf on my desk when I'm not using it. It works well with Ableton and a Donner sustain pedal, so I'm happy. The keys have a nice feel to them and it's easy to play. Worth the money.

The key action on this is really nice to play. It's semi-weighted, so the keys feel substantive, but there's still a lot of spring to them, so they're really good for doing rapid synth stuff, while still being nice for slower classical style.It's also really nice that it comes with a 5-pin midi output so I can use it with my synths!As for the USB, I'm on Linux with Bitwig Studio and it worked out of the box without any driver installation.

I keep this controller constantly on, in front of my computer screen, with a floor pedal attached. I use Garage Band for the Grand Piano sound. I use it to play along with YouTube videos and while working through recordings of my Zoom piano lessons. I previously used a 49 key controller from a well-known manufacturer of professional keyboard equipment, but it was not nearly as stable and frequently needed to be re-started, which required a complicated action of holding down two buttons while simultaneously trying to plug in a USB cable on the back. This Audio Keystation 61 has an off/on switch on the back that works perfectly. But the controller has never quit on its own! The key action is fine. I work on tunes and lessons with a headphone, and when appropriate, play them on my grand piano. So far this thing has been bullet proof and I love using it!

For the price it's a good keyboard for musicians who want to lay down tracks for personal studio work. Can probably use it live but but that's not the reason I bought it. This is jut a controller so there are no sounds in this keyboard. I mainly use VST plugins and a Roland JV-880 for sounds/patches. I use it for adding chords and solos to my multi-track recordings. No control for velocity sensitivity but for most patches the velocity works as it should. Play hard and it gets louder. Play soft and it gets quieter. I will say that a few VST plugins did not work well with the sensitivity (overly sensitive) but that seems to be the minority so far. I'm happy.

I purchased a discounted warehouse copy of this keyboard. The shipping box wasn't taped shut and there wasn't a lot of padding or airbags/peanuts to support the keyboard in the shipping box Amazon used. However, the keyboard seems to have arrived without any noticeable damage.I am coming from a Keystation II 61 that lasted through 11 years of use, but finally started to show it's age in an automatically detuning pitchbend. I will say, compared to the previous 2nd generation Keystation, the footprint of this 3rd generation is even more compact. I also appreciate that the controls are on the side, out of the way now.The key feel is about the same with slightly less key travel from the 2nd gen. The keys are quieter in this 3rd gen however as the 2nd gen would make a metallic springy sound in some of the keys in my copy. With this 3rd gen, the two, green octave lights are super bright, I will be using tape or something to mask those as I don't believe there is a means to dim them in the settings.Windows 10 automatically detected it once connected via USB and Cubase picked it up as well.In any case, this was a nice discount from a brand new model and looks like it was brand new. Even the instructions guide seems to be unopened. I hope this lasts another decade or more too!

My initial impression of this keyboard is very good. Just arrived yesterday. Well made. Doesn’t feel cheap. It’s lightweight but seems sturdy. Seems to be good value for the money. Nice semi-weighted keyboard action. Velocity sensitive as advertised. Doesn’t show up in GarageBand as a connected MIDI device but it works automatically anyway with that software, so no problem. Haven’t delved into advanced functions much yet. I’m used to 76 key keyboards but the octave transpose function here is literally at the touch of a button for those rare occasions when you need it. Very pleased so far.

I spent the better part of two work days trying to get my Intel Mac Pro running OS Monterey to recognize the unit to no avail. According to the website it is compatible with my machine, and OS.The M-Audio website sucks because it has NO DRIVER ARCHIVE. That is incomprehensible in this day and age. I found multiple 3rd party websites to download the drivers but that is an express ticket to MALWARE. It is bitterly disappointing that my machine won't recognize it. Plug and play my ass.This unit is the only midi product THAT IS NOT BEING IMMEDIATELY RECOGNIZED. M-AUDIO is too cheep to have live tech support, my concern is that the response from the tech support ticket will be steps that I have already tried.Usually reinitializing the unit is a good step BUT the unit does not confirm reinitialization. I find that pitiful and Shockingly stupid.So, if you have an Intel Mac Pro running OS Monterey, I would NOT RECOMMEND this unit or this company.