M-Audio Axiom 61 Review

Whoa, talk about a lack of contribution to the site from myself in the last… since I wrote my other article (The Digi 003, and why you don’t need it). So here we go with another gear review, this time about the [amazon_link id="B000EMB3HS" target="_blank" container="" container_class="" ]Axiom 61 USB MIDI[/amazon_link] controller from M-Audio, which I am a proud owner of.

The Axiom 61 features 61 velocity-sensitive semi-weighted action keys

8 trigger pads

8 rotary encoders

9 sliders

Besides these the Axiom 61 also features pitch bend and modulation wheels. All of these keys, pads, knobs, sliders and wheels are map able in programs such as Ableton’s LIVE and Propellerhead’s REASON. The controller also features a variety of editing, patching, and adjusting buttons that I can’t really comment on, having not had the chance to use them with any frequency, as well as some that I won’t comment on, because you know exactly what they do and what they are for.

It’s important to note that, for anyone who is un aware or curious, that the Axiom series of MIDI controllers is just that, MIDI controllers, not keyboards or stage pianos. They contain no sounds and simply act as triggers for software instruments or keyboards with MIDI adaptability.

First off I should talk about what I use the controller for so that you can get an idea of what exactly this review is based on. So far, I’ve mostly just been using the Axiom 61 as a simple controller for Apple’s Garageband, attempting to teach myself piano and messing around with other sounds such as organs and drum machines. I also have had some experience using the controller with Ableton’s LIVE lite, which is a sort of limited trial version of LIVE that comes packaged with the controller.

Using the controller with Garageband has been a very cost effective way to begin learning the piano at home. Garageband produces grand piano sounds better than any keyboard in this price range could with zero noticeable latency. That being said, you know for a fact that you’re not playing a piano while playing the Axiom 61. The semi-weighted action makes for sloppy playing at best and takes much of the emotion out of a piano piece or part, even with the excellent velocity sensitivity that the controller boasts. I know, I know, it’s not a piano! But this is a subjective review based on what I use the controller for and even as a beginner pianist this controller barely suffices.

Now using the controller for other instruments such as an organ or even percussion parts within Garageband has been more than a pleasure. While not like an organ’s typical waterfall weighted keys, the light action makes for enjoyable organ playing and fast playing is achieved without monstrous difficulty. Again, this time, it’s not an organ! But it’s pretty good at providing a bridge between piano and organ for someone like myself, who is not very good at either instrument, and is really only just beginning to get into both.

Using the controller for percussion instruments in Garageband has been interesting. I’m not quite fluent in playing the drums on a keyboard yet but I get better everyday. The trigger pads are what really make playing percussion in Garageband easy, as it’s usually the most frequently used sounds that are assigned to these pads. A big downside is that Garageband does not allow for midi mapping just yet, but this is not a fault of the Axiom 61.

The included software, Ableton’s LIVE lite, has definitely done it’s job as a clever marketing too in making me want to go out and purchase the software, which is just an awesome program to work with, especially if you’re looking for software to use in a live setting. Virtues of the software itself aside, the Axiom 61 performs very well with this program, MIDI mapping is simple and easy to understand and makes you realize why, exactly, the controller has all these extra sliders and knobs. It’s programs like this that the Axiom 61 was obviously designed for, and perhaps not so much Garageband. Some things that I think could be added or changed to/with the controller to make it even more functional with LIVE is a horizontal slider for cross fading and stereo panning because, from my perspective, cross fading and panning vertically is just too weird. Secondly, I’m not a big fan of the limitless rotary encoders; I like to know where exactly I am on the controller, instead of having to look at the computer monitor to verify this.

Interfaces on the Axiom 61 include a 12V DC power supply input, MIDI IN and OUT, Sustain pedal ¼” input, and Expression pedal ¼” input. Expression and Sustain pedals are sold separately as well as the 12V DC power supply, because the controller can be powered via USB. I’ve since purchased the sustain pedal from M-Audio and plan on purchasing an Expression pedal at a later date, when I get more into playing organ, which is what I’d most often use an expression pedal for. I’ve also since bought a keyboard stand, as proper playing height is important to save your wrists from strain and possible damage.

To sum up, the Axiom 61 from M-Audio is a great, versatile MIDI controller with tons of possible applications and far more options than I could talk about in this article, including the Enigma preset librarian/editor, which I haven’t had a chance to really delve into. The [amazon_link id="B000EMB3HS" target="_blank" container="" container_class="" ]Axiom 61[/amazon_link] is also priced really well for all the features included, at USD $379.95 MSRP it’s a nice controller with 5 octaves. Worth mentioning is that this controller comes in a 49 key model as well as a 25 key model (which lacks the sliders) so it’s easy to buy a model that better suits any personal needs or applications. I bought the 61 because I wanted to be able to play piano parts on it and not feel too contained, and for that purpose it has excelled.

As always, I welcome comments about the article as well as criticism and requests for expansion on any particular facets of this particular product because I actually own it and can investigate any concerns or questions related to it.

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