Reddit reviews M Audio Oxygen 49 IV | 49 Key USB/MIDI Keyboard With 8 Trigger Pads & A Full Consignment of Production/Performance Ready Controls

M-Audio Oxygen 49 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IWU2CBA/ref=psdc_11973721_t2_B00IJ6QAO2

This is 6$ more but has faders and more knobs.

I started with the older variant of this and it served me incredibly well.

https://www.amazon.com/M-Audio-Oxygen-49-Keyboard-Controller/dp/B00IWU2CBA

I have an older model of this, which doesn't have a drum pad, and it works well. Has aged well and has a good feel. Big enough to not always warrant changing octave up/down, small enough to fit most places, including your lap.

I'm not the best for advice since my primary use is for composing (I was raised on guitar rather than piano), but I'd go with something like the Nektar Impact LX49 or the Launchkey 49 Mk2.

Personally, I'd go with the Oxygen 49 since it's 6 pounds instead of 9. Again, I'm probably not going to be much help since I'm saving for a keyboard workstation that has to do double time as a live performance tool.

If you really want help, gearank.com has decent recommendations for just about everything.

ll Personally I’ve had wonderful experiences with M-Audio Midi devices. But keep in mind, I’m a pianist so I like to use weighted or semi-weighted keys to simulate an actual piano feel - which GREATLY improves the performance of your playing style. Those types of devices are a bit more expensive - if the weighted keys are not a factor for you, then this model is excellent: M-Audio Oxygen 49 MKIV | 49-Key USB MIDI Keyboard

I decided on a M-Audio Oxygen MK4, which is much cheaper than what I was looking at and has plenty of keys for me to work with comfortably. I suppose I'll look at more expensive options once I have more experience. Thanks for the feedback!

M-Audio Oxygen 49 MKIV | 49-Key USB MIDI Keyboard & Drum Pad Controller (8 Pads / 8 Knobs / 9 Faders), VIP Software Download Included https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IWU2CBA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_sljHAbE2X856H

For a lot of midi keyboards, the most you'll need is a USB cable which, if it doesn't come with one, are a dime a dozen. Worst case it will also need a power adapter and it should come with one if it needs it.

As far as keyboards go, I highly recommend starting with a 49 key controller. The extra octaves are really helpful and give you more freedom when playing and fucking around. I found this one on amazon that seems to have what you're looking for.

https://www.amazon.com/M-Audio-Oxygen-49-Keyboard-Controller/dp/B00IWU2CBA/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1484448319&sr=1-1&refinements=p_n_feature_ten_browse-bin%3A9316886011

Edit: sorry thought this was a reply to my comment lol

https://www.amazon.ca/M-Audio-Oxygen-49-Keyboard-Controller/dp/B00IWU2CBA this one. The velocity on the keys or pads?

I've been looking at more 49 key MIDI's (most of the 49 keyboards don't have drum pads and other essential hip-hop features, for whatever reason, which doesn't leave a lot to choose from... on Amazon at least) and I'd like to get your input one more time between two controllers, one of which you linked earlier. I might make a separate post tomorrow with all the new information and boards I've narrowed it down to.

So, it's between the M-Audio that you linked earlier and this other M-Audio that I found on Amazon. The one on Amazon is slightly more expensive, and they're definitely different, but the pictures make it hard to tell exactly what the differences are. Despite the price, the one you linked actually seems nicer tho, would you agree?

They seem to literally be the only 49 key controllers I can find on Amazon within my price range that are suited for hip-hop production. Everything else is either $300+ or made for another genre, unless you have any other suggestions. I'm curious why 25 key controllers seem to have much more options to choose from for hip-hop than 49 key.

I found this on Amazon for about my price range. Is this about what you are thinking of?

Do you use this one or
this one?

My old high school taught on these, it's what I learned on:
https://www.amazon.com/M-Audio-Oxygen-49-Keyboard-Controller/dp/B00IWU2CBA/ref=sr_1_3?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1500576837&sr=1-3&keywords=midi+keyboard&refinements=p_89%3AM-Audio

Buy This

I just got this a few months ago and it was the first piece of hardware I've gotten for my setup and it completely changed the way I produce melodies and progressions. I never new how limited I was only being able to play one octave at a time on my computer keyboard and then drawing in other notes until I got a keyboard.

Also, the drum pad has helped me immensely in creating a natural shuffle in my drum patterns, by taping out your beats you get much more creative as compared to just drawing in the same drum pattern you use in nearly every track.

Necessary, no, but neither are arms or legs...

In the other comment they also mentioned the cheap quality of the novation keyboard. I don’t think I’m gonna get it since most people have been saying that as well (in other subreddits).

I think I at least want a 49 key keyboard, do you have any suggestions for a beginner?

Would any of these be good:

https://www.amazon.ca/Alesis-V49-Keyboard-Controller-Buttons/dp/B00IWWEW20/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1543271425&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=akai+mpd218&dpPl=1&dpID=41SI3fyI30L&ref=plSrch

https://www.amazon.ca/M-Audio-Keystation-49-II-Controller/dp/B00IWWZAM6/ref=mp_s_a_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1543272011&sr=8-7&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=midi+keyboard&dpPl=1&dpID=41t4DtVzofL&ref=plSrch

https://www.amazon.ca/M-Audio-Oxygen-49-Keyboard-Controller/dp/B00IWU2CBA/ref=mp_s_a_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1543272061&sr=8-14&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=midi+keyboard


Or should I save up for something down the road such as the Akai MPK49?

I just bought an M-audio Oxygen49 and think it's pretty good but the springy keys don't feel the best to me. The price was right for me though.

This is a bit off topic for the subreddit, but I would recommend picking up FL Studio and working through the reference manual and the video tutorial on youtube. The reference manual does a great job of explaining the basics. Plus it also has documentation for the suite of instrument plugins which at least give you a basic understanding of what the different knobs do when you start fiddling with them.

Really once you understand the concepts behind how a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) works, it's just a matter of getting used to a new user interface if you decide to switch. Same goes for instrument/effects plugins. There are different types that each have their strengths and weaknesses but they all essentially start with the same foundation.

If you're actually serious about production I would strongly recommend picking up a midi controller with some assignable knobs/faders as well. It's not absolutely necessary but it makes the entire process a lot easier. The M-Audio Oxygen 49 is a good choice for a starter controller, has a wide assortment of knobs, faders and trigger pads and won't break the bank.

This is the keyboard I'm looking at getting - https://www.amazon.com/M-Audio-Oxygen-49-Keyboard-Controller/dp/B00IWU2CBA/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1511679656&sr=8-5&keywords=midi+keyboard+with+drum+pad. What do you think? I choose the 49 because I'm also going to take piano lessons again and would like to have multiple octaves available to me.

Regarding the drum pads - I have no experience with percussion so I'm really just looking for a way to get my feet with it.

https://www.amazon.com/Akai-Professional-MPK-Ultra-Portable-Controller/dp/B00IJ6QAO2

This is quite popular for beginners since it offers a few controls as well as drum pads and a small keyboard. It’s intended for portable use, so most studios would have a larger keyboard, such as this:

https://www.amazon.com/M-Audio-Oxygen-49-Keyboard-Controller/dp/B00IWU2CBA

I would definitely recommend trying the Imageline Remote app first, since it’s free. Touch doesn’t give the same nice physical feedback as a physical control knob, but it’s definitely usable, especially on an ipad or phone with a bigger screen.