Just got an M-Audio Pro 88....

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jake11375
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2008/09/18 17:36:31 (permalink)

Just got an M-Audio Pro 88....

Well, like the subject title says, I picked up an M-Audio Keystation Pro 88 last night. Got it used from Guitar Center for $250. Some guy bought it and brought it back within a week, so it's is in brand spanking new condition with the box, software and and everything. (still had the plastic on the LCD screen) I've been playing piano for over 15 years and despite other's opinions, I find the action pleasing for my tastes. I've been doing all my songs in piano roll with a mouse up until now. Hopefully I'll get a chance this weekend to hook it up. I've got a lot of school work to finish so I'll have to wait. I'm new to midi setups so I'll give my impressions later as a somewhat beginniner... But I'm excited and looking forward to producing music with an actual keyboard...

I just got Reason 4.0 and MusicLab Realguitar as well. Haven't had a chance to work with them yet. So I'll have to get that sorted out as well...
post edited by jake11375 - 2008/09/18 17:53:53

JOSEPH-

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    CJaysMusic
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    RE: Just got an M-Audio Pro 88.... 2008/09/18 18:51:52 (permalink)
    I'm new to midi setups so I'll give my impressions later as a somewhat beginniner... But I'm excited and looking forward to producing music with an actual keyboard...

    All you need to do is hook it up via 5pin midi or USB if it has the usb option.(but if it has drivers, install them first. Check m-audio's web site for the latest driver)
    Then start sonar and go into options/midi devices and check off the in and outs for it.
    Now your all set up and ret to go.
    Note:If it has analog sounds, you can just use the outs of it to go into the input or inputs of your sound card. You can record both at the same time..
    Cj

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    newfuturevintage
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    RE: Just got an M-Audio Pro 88.... 2008/09/18 20:20:53 (permalink)

    ORIGINAL: CJaysMusic
    All you need to do is hook it up via 5pin midi or USB if it has the usb option.(but if it has drivers, install them first. Check m-audio's web site for the latest driver)


    No drivers necessary, USB's stock, and supplies power on the keystations.

    My inner child is an angry drunk.
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    jake11375
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    RE: Just got an M-Audio Pro 88.... 2008/09/19 00:07:36 (permalink)

    ORIGINAL: newfuturevintage


    ORIGINAL: CJaysMusic
    All you need to do is hook it up via 5pin midi or USB if it has the usb option.(but if it has drivers, install them first. Check m-audio's web site for the latest driver)


    No drivers necessary, USB's stock, and supplies power on the keystations.


    So all I do is plug it in via USB and Sonar will recognize it? No drivers necessary?

    JOSEPH-

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    jake11375
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    RE: Just got an M-Audio Pro 88.... 2008/09/21 01:47:47 (permalink)
    Well, my impressions with the Keystation 88 after a few days... You cannot determine if you actually prefer the action on this board by just pressing the keys at a pro audio shop. The keybed feels okay (besides the initial snap or stickyness which I've read goes away will playing time) I turned down the volume on the Motif XS88 and the Yamaha MO8 and compared the heaviness, feel of the hammer action with no sound. Really not much difference; it is not until you actually play instruments through the Keystation Pro 88, like a piano or strings, that you can see the expressiveness / responsiveness of the keys, or lack thereof. The velocity sensitivity is where I was dissapointed with the pro 88. M-audio claims they have 9 velocity curves on this board. You would think with that many presets you would be able to feel a drastic difference between 0 and 9. I've chosen every single one of them and see absolutely no difference. I don't know if I'm doing something wrong or what. I will call M-Audio Monday for confirmation. I have done some tweaking with each software instrument and made some progress but it still leaves something to be desired. Hopefully M-audio will have a miracle, or I'm going with the Studiologic SL990XP...
    post edited by jake11375 - 2008/09/21 01:52:43

    JOSEPH-

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    tcbetka
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    RE: Just got an M-Audio Pro 88.... 2008/09/21 11:51:10 (permalink)
    I agree with CJ on the driver issue--I would go get the latest one from M-audio's site and install it...

    I bought a KeyStudio 25 about 3 weeks ago, and started using it straight away (plug & play, without M-audio's driver), but noticed weird issues. It just wouldn't so what it is supposed to do. The functions on the device simply didn't do what they are supposed to do. Now I am by no means a genius when it comes to MIDI controllers...far from it in fact. But I can tell when there's an issue. So I went to M-audio's site and got the latest driver, which was the same for Vista and XP, and installed it. Man, what a difference! Everything works much better. So go grab the driver and install it--you really have nothing to lose, providing you get the right one of course. But in this case, I think CJ is right on in his recommendation...

    Oh BTW, don't you just LOVE the fact that you don't have to plug in a MIDI cable anymore? It's very nice to just be able to use a USB cable to interface a MIDI device.

    TB

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    Fog
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    RE: Just got an M-Audio Pro 88.... 2008/09/21 12:11:01 (permalink)

    ORIGINAL: tcbetka

    Oh BTW, don't you just LOVE the fact that you don't have to plug in a MIDI cable anymore? It's very nice to just be able to use a USB cable to interface a MIDI device.

    TB


    I like the fact I'm not using another plug socket in the wall more personally though. Although something else I use , has taken it's place.

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    jake11375
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    RE: Just got an M-Audio Pro 88.... 2008/09/21 15:47:02 (permalink)
    ORIGINAL: tcbetka

    I agree with CJ on the driver issue--I would go get the latest one from M-audio's site and install it... So go grab the driver and install it--you really have nothing to lose, providing you get the right one of course. But in this case, I think CJ is right on in his recommendation...
    TB


    I did. I went to M-audio's web site and downloaded the latest drivers for XP. I also downloaded the enigma package. not sure what it does but I've got it....
    post edited by jake11375 - 2008/09/21 16:42:11

    JOSEPH-

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