Axiom 61 - New - Advanced 61-Key Semi-Weighted USB MIDI Controller


Reviews
“The Axiom's major features as a keyboard controller are solid and as they should be. The added features of knobs, sliders, and drum pads make it a creative tool. The 20 user preset layouts are the killer feature - I can jump between Reason & Pro Tools and use the Axiom fully for both.” - Joe Randeen, HowAudio.com
"M-Audio's modus operandi has always been to out-feature...the competition, and their MIDI keyboards tend to offer not just the generous quantity of controls for the price, but impressive flexibility, and clarity about what's going on, when it's time to program them." - Keyboard, February 2007

“(The Axiom 25) boasts channel aftertouch and an excellent feel, and I reveled in what I reckoned to be the perfect compromise between a weighted piano action and the lighter response of a typical synth.” - Sound On Sound, Vol 21, # 8


Top Features




61 piano-style, semi-weighted keys > musically satisfying playing experience





9 mixer-style faders and 8 smooth rotary encoders > hands-on control over your DAW





angled top panel and centrally positioned LCD > better ergonomics on stage and in the studio





DirectLink mode > automatically map onboard controls to DAW mixer parameters—no complex setup required





Axiom Instrument Maps > instant access to virtual instrument parameters for a hardware synth-like experience




The M-Audio® Axiom® 61 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 61 features piano-style, semi-weighted keys for a musically satisfying playing experience. Large dynamic trigger pads make it easy to program beats and trigger one-shot samples—while the encoder knobs, faders, 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. Axiom 61 even features a sleek, angled top panel for easy viewing in any environment. * For a complete list of compatible DAW applications and a description of how DirectLink mode works, visit www.m-audio.com/directlink.







DirectLink: Streamlined Session Control
Building on the best-selling MIDI keyboard controllers of all time**, the updated Axiom series features DirectLink, which automatically maps the onboard controls to common parameters in DAWs* like Pro Tools®, Logic, Cubase, Live, and Reason. Take control over your software studio—directly from the keyboard. Use the faders and encoder knobs to fine-tune the mix. Easily navigate through sessions using the Transport buttons. Interfacing a MIDI controller with your software doesn’t get any easier than this.
Serious Production Power
When inspiration strikes, you need a keyboard controller that can translate ideas into killer tracks. That’s why Axiom 61 is equipped with an ultra-expressive semi-weighted keyboard and eight Trigger Finger® pads for programming beats with incredible feel. Automatically map Axiom 61 to your DAW with DirectLink—or delve deeper by assigning the pads, encoders, faders, and buttons to whatever controls you wish. Each controller can map to just about any MIDI message available, along with independent channel addressing for each. The possibilities are as endless as your imagination.
Axiom Instrument Mode
With other MIDI keyboards, assigning encoders and faders to control virtual instruments has never been easy. Now thanks to the Axiom 61 controller’s new Instrument mode, a single button instantly maps the faders, buttons, and encoders to any virtual instrument inside your DirectLink-compatible host*. You get direct access to synthesis parameters such as filter cutoff, LFO rate, and envelope settings—without having to manually configure anything. It’s almost like turning Axiom 61 into a dedicated hardware synth.


Intuitive Design
Whether you’re on stage or in the studio, your keyboard controller should fuel your creativity—providing all the right information and controls at your fingertips. That’s why we designed Axiom 61 with a sleek angled top panel for easier viewing of the display and improved ergonomics. Smooth rotary encoders deliver precise, continuously variable parameter changes while low profile 40 mm faders give you a hands-on feel for the mix. The centrally positioned LCD screen provides informative feedback from DAW hosts, including on-screen display of parameters and settings. It all adds up to intuitive control over your MIDI software and hardware.
Mobile Operation
The Axiom series is extremely compact and lightweight and all models are powered directly from your computer’s USB bus. Choose the size that’s best for your needs, then take your music anywhere you want to go. ** The Axiom series is the best-selling MIDI controller line in the U.S. (MI SalesTrak: January 2007 – December 2009).










Full Features







61-key velocity-sensitive semi-weighted-action keyboard with assignable aftertouch





DirectLink mode automatically maps faders, buttons, and encoders to common DAW and virtual instrument parameters*





dedicated Instrument mode button lets you instantly switch between controlling mixer and virtual instrument parameters*





intuitive custom LCD display, centered on keyboard for optimum visibility





angled top panel for easy viewing in any environment





4 zone buttons for stacking and splitting sounds on up to 4 MIDI channels





8 assignable trigger pads





8 assignable rotary encoder knobs





9 assignable faders





9 assignable buttons with LED lights for DAW feedback





6 dedicated transport controls with LED lights for DAW feedback





6 edit buttons





dedicated track up/down, bank , mute, and solo buttons





dedicated patch +/– buttons





assignable pitch bend and modulation wheels





octave up/down; transpose up/down





factory presets map controls to popular music software:

Xpand!®2
Hybrid™
Velvet®
Strike®
Oddity
ImpOSCar
Minimonsta







20 non-volatile memory locations





memory dump via SysEx





4 keybed velocity curves and 3 fixed velocity settings





4 pad velocity curves, 3 fixed settings, and unique ‘step’ velocity curves





2 assignable pedal inputs





class-compliant with Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Mac OS X





powered via USB or optional power supply





built-in USB MIDI interface including standard MIDI In and Out jacks





all controllers fully programmable to MIDI controller number and channel





Controller Mute function mutes controller output to avoid parameter jumps





Snapshot function transmits all current controller settings





on/off rocker switch





* For a complete list of compatible DAW applications and a description of how DirectLink mode works, visit www.m-audio.com/directlink.









Minimum System Requirements (PC)






Windows XP (SP3)*





800 MHz Intel or AMD**





256 MB RAM





Windows Vista 32 , 64bit (SP1) / Win7 32, 64bit





1 GHz Intel or AMD**





1 GB RAM





DirectX 10 or higher





Windows 7





1 GHz Intel or AMD**





1 GB RAM





DirectX 10 or higher





* Home and Professional Edition only. Windows Media Center Edition is not supported.** CPU may be higher for laptops.Please check the minimum system requirements for your software, as they may be greater than the above.







Minimum System Requirements (Mac)






Mac OS X 10.5.8 or 10.6.1





Intel Core Duo





1 GB RAM











Specifications







size/weight
18.8 x 11.6 x 3.5 (inches) 6.9lb; 47.7 x 29.5 x 90 (cm) 3.15Kg






Full Features






61-key velocity-sensitive semi-weighted-action keyboard with assignable aftertouch





DirectLink mode automatically maps faders, buttons, and encoders to common DAW and virtual instrument parameters*





dedicated Instrument mode button lets you instantly switch between controlling mixer and virtual instrument parameters*





intuitive custom LCD display, centered on keyboard for optimum visibility





angled top panel for easy viewing in any environment





4 zone buttons for stacking and splitting sounds on up to 4 MIDI channels





8 assignable trigger pads





8 assignable rotary encoder knobs





9 assignable faders





9 assignable buttons with LED lights for DAW feedback





6 dedicated transport controls with LED lights for DAW feedback





6 edit buttons





dedicated track up/down, bank , mute, and solo buttons





dedicated patch +/– buttons





assignable pitch bend and modulation wheels





octave up/down; transpose up/down





factory presets map controls to popular music software:

Xpand!®2
Hybrid™
Velvet®
Strike®
Oddity
ImpOSCar
Minimonsta







20 non-volatile memory locations





memory dump via SysEx





4 keybed velocity curves and 3 fixed velocity settings





4 pad velocity curves, 3 fixed settings, and unique ‘step’ velocity curves





2 assignable pedal inputs





class-compliant with Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Mac OS X





powered via USB or optional power supply





built-in USB MIDI interface including standard MIDI In and Out jacks





all controllers fully programmable to MIDI controller number and channel





Controller Mute function mutes controller output to avoid parameter jumps





Snapshot function transmits all current controller settings





on/off rocker switch





Minimum System Requirements (PC)






Windows XP (SP3)*





800 MHz Intel or AMD**





256 MB RAM





Windows Vista 32 , 64bit (SP1) / Win7 32, 64bit





1 GHz Intel or AMD**





1 GB RAM





DirectX 10 or higher





Windows 7





1 GHz Intel or AMD**





1 GB RAM





DirectX 10 or higher





* Home and Professional Edition only. Windows Media Center Edition is not supported.** CPU may be higher for laptops.Please check the minimum system requirements for your software, as they may be greater than the above.







Minimum System Requirements (Mac)






Mac OS X 10.5.8 or 10.6.1





Intel Core Duo





1 GB RAM




Specifications






size/weight
18.8 x 11.6 x 3.5 (inches) 6.9lb; 47.7 x 29.5 x 90 (cm) 3.15Kg