Last Updated: November 25, 2018 (Refresh Now)
M Audio Keystation 88 II 88 Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller with Pitch Bend Modulation Wheels
Last Updated: November 25, 2018 (Refresh Now)
7.6
SCORE
/10
Total Reviews
748
Old Reviews
397
Unverified
91
Spam Test
!
No
USB
4 meters
SIZE
2048 GB
MEMORY
Review Analysis - 260 recent, verified reviews
Detailed Mode
Keyboard
94midi, piano, 88, velocity, weighted
+77%
-23%
" ... Amazing keyboard that preforms better than expected. ... "
" ... Amazing keyboard that preforms better than expected. ... "
" ... The keyboard is really easy to use. ... "
" ... The keyboard is really easy to use. ... "
" ... I hoped for the quality to be a tier above lower priced keyboards and I think it was worth it. ... I have no issue whatsoever with the keyboard - the keys feel good. ... "
" ... I hoped for the quality to be a tier above lower priced keyboards and I think it was worth it. ... I have no issue whatsoever with the keyboard - the keys feel good. ... "
" ... This is my go-to keyboard for easy playing. ... 49 keys is just enough range for most things. ... I've got far more expensive keyboards for serious work, but in fact my little Keystation gets its keys tickled more than all my other keyboards combined. ... The funny thing is, if one plugs this keyboard into a good piano sound, the illusion of playing a "real" escapement-style keyboard can actually be quite strong . ... Just remember, you need a computer to make sounds with this thing, sort of like you need a computer attached to your ASCII keyboard to create documents! ... "
" ... This is my go-to keyboard for easy playing. ... 49 keys is just enough range for most things. ... I've got far more expensive keyboards for serious work, but in fact my little Keystation gets its keys tickled more than all my other keyboards combined. ... The funny thing is, if one plugs this keyboard into a good piano sound, the illusion of playing a "real" escapement-style keyboard can actually be quite strong . ... Just remember, you need a computer to make sounds with this thing, sort of like you need a computer attached to your ASCII keyboard to create documents! ... "
Controls
42velocity, midi, volume, sustain, octave
+64%
-36%
" ... The controls are simple. ... "
" ... The controls are simple. ... "
" ... The octave up/down buttons are helpful. ... "
" ... The octave up/down buttons are helpful. ... "
" ... 49 keys is just enough range for most things. ... What this Keystation does have is transport controls and scene, track, and punch in controls that work perfectly with Ableton Live right out of the box. ... "
" ... 49 keys is just enough range for most things. ... What this Keystation does have is transport controls and scene, track, and punch in controls that work perfectly with Ableton Live right out of the box. ... "
" ... I'm always finding it pushed forward accidentally. ... "
" ... I'm always finding it pushed forward accidentally. ... "
Comfort
35weighted, velocity, piano, wheels, soft synths
+74%
-26%
" ... I have no issue whatsoever with the keyboard - the keys feel good. ... The modulation/pitch wheels feel good. ... "
" ... I have no issue whatsoever with the keyboard - the keys feel good. ... The modulation/pitch wheels feel good. ... "
" ... I've got far more expensive keyboards for serious work, but in fact my little Keystation gets its keys tickled more than all my other keyboards combined. ... "
" ... I've got far more expensive keyboards for serious work, but in fact my little Keystation gets its keys tickled more than all my other keyboards combined. ... "
" ... It's heavier and the action is much more meaty than the old Oxy - it's not quite weighted key but closer to that feel. ... "
" ... It's heavier and the action is much more meaty than the old Oxy - it's not quite weighted key but closer to that feel. ... "
" ... Certainly meaty enough to satisfy my fingers while playing. ... "
" ... Certainly meaty enough to satisfy my fingers while playing. ... "
Price
33great quality, clams, keys, budget
+94%
-6%
" ... I hoped for the quality to be a tier above lower priced keyboards and I think it was worth it. ... "
" ... I hoped for the quality to be a tier above lower priced keyboards and I think it was worth it. ... "
" ... For the money you cannot go wrong. ... "
" ... For the money you cannot go wrong. ... "
" ... This is a good quality keyboard for the money. ... "
" ... Otherwise, this is a great controller for the price. ... "
" ... Otherwise, this is a great controller for the price. ... "
" ... For the price, you're not going to find anything better. ... "
Ease of Use
24midi, weighted, velocity, setup, mainstage
+75%
-25%
" ... The controls are simple. ... "
" ... The controls are simple. ... "
" ... This is my go-to keyboard for easy playing. ... "
" ... This is my go-to keyboard for easy playing. ... "
" ... It's easy to transport, easy to set up, and simple for those who don't want all the fancy stuff. ... "
" ... It's easy to transport, easy to set up, and simple for those who don't want all the fancy stuff. ... "
" ... Easy to install. ... "
" ... Easy to install. ... "
Sound Quality
24keys, midi, audio keystation, progression, notes
+67%
-33%
" ... You have to plug your PC to a sound console or an amplifier to sound live. ... "
" ... Unless you're a classical player that's going to need the extra keys, the 49 on this are very very serviceable for modern music tasks. ... "
" ... Unless you're a classical player that's going to need the extra keys, the 49 on this are very very serviceable for modern music tasks. ... "
" ... This is perfect for trying-out sounds in a DAW or improvising a new melody/chord progression. ... But for a DAW/music producer this is great! ... "
" ... This is perfect for trying-out sounds in a DAW or improvising a new melody/chord progression. ... But for a DAW/music producer this is great! ... "
" ... The M-Audio Keystation 88 ii doesn't do anything but play the sounds in my Daw ... And my Casio CTK 3200 (the both have sounds programed into them the Casio even has built in speakers) the M-Audio is a joy to play, in the short time I have had it I have noticed the pains I usually feel after practicing on the Casio is going away, that alone is 5 stars, Semi-weighted is just what I need as ... "
" ... It is very simple but has everything you would need for music composition. ... "
" ... It is very simple but has everything you would need for music composition. ... "
Product Reliability
21stopped working, keystation, kurzweil, eighty eight, botch
+24%
-76%
" ... It died just over a month after I received it. ... "
" ... It died just over a month after I received it. ... "
" ... I've been working on this for hours, and haven't been able to play a single note. ... "
" ... I've been working on this for hours, and haven't been able to play a single note. ... "
" ... I managed to botch myself out of one of my activations in the last year due to my computer going bad and having to replace it. ... I didn't deactivate these softwares before reinstallation and now I don't have the access to the old computer to do so. ... "
" ... I managed to botch myself out of one of my activations in the last year due to my computer going bad and having to replace it. ... I didn't deactivate these softwares before reinstallation and now I don't have the access to the old computer to do so. ... "
" ... I recieved my Keystation 88 on September 12th, 2017. ... "
" ... Was good but after a month of use it didn't work anymore and when I checked that everything was on its correct place, I unplugged the midi cable to plug another in case there was an issue with it, the cable took with it part of the midi port. ... "
Build Quality
20soft synths, semi weighted, build quality, vst, usb cord
+65%
-35%
" ... The pitch bend and mod wheels work just fine and feel pretty good while playing. ... "
" ... The pitch bend and mod wheels work just fine and feel pretty good while playing. ... "
" ... I would also recommend getting at least 1 of the foot pedals, specifically the sustain pedal, as it makes a huge difference, at least for me it did. ... "
" ... The build quality is top notch and it feels great to play. ... "
" ... Good quality, the keys are semi-weighted and it is heavy and sturdy. ... "
" ... It's pretty big and heavy and feels substantial. ... "
" ... It's pretty big and heavy and feels substantial. ... "
" ... In fact, is just like preparing yourself for that permit exam, but without the tension. ... "
Device Compatibility
19usb, recognized, macbook pro, vst, setup
+84%
-16%
" ... I use MainStage with this, and it works seamlessly. ... I even have a pretty old MacBook Pro. ... "
" ... I use MainStage with this, and it works seamlessly. ... I even have a pretty old MacBook Pro. ... "
" ... Great for what it is intended to do, my PC recognizes it with no problems. ... "
" ... Recognized just fine by my DAW (Reaper) and was pretty easy to setup for use in it. ... "
" ... Recognized just fine by my DAW (Reaper) and was pretty easy to setup for use in it. ... "
" ... It fits in my backpack, and then I pull it out, plug it into my iPad, start GarageBand and I’m good to go. ... By the way, it says you need the “camera kit” to Connect your iPad or iPhone, but I just bought the Apple USB to lightning connector. ... "
" ... It fits in my backpack, and then I pull it out, plug it into my iPad, start GarageBand and I’m good to go. ... By the way, it says you need the “camera kit” to Connect your iPad or iPhone, but I just bought the Apple USB to lightning connector. ... "
" ... Never thought I would be so pleased by a Midi triggering device ... "
Setup
17ilok, eighty eight, software, recognized, xpand
+65%
-35%
" ... Recognized just fine by my DAW (Reaper) and was pretty easy to setup for use in it. ... For the novice user this will most likely be confusing so I suggest reading up on the activation process with iLok before installing them. ... "
" ... Recognized just fine by my DAW (Reaper) and was pretty easy to setup for use in it. ... For the novice user this will most likely be confusing so I suggest reading up on the activation process with iLok before installing them. ... "
" ... I use this thing with a Microsoft Surface 3 so it's all together a pretty portable setup. ... "
" ... Easy to install. ... "
" ... Easy to install. ... "
" ... Easy plug n play that comes in handy for quick music production. ... "
" ... Easy plug n play that comes in handy for quick music production. ... "
" ... Setting up with Cubase Pro and FL Studio was a breeze, the software recognized the controller immediately and the Modulation and Pitch wheels worked flawlessly from the get go. ... "
Marketplace
13exactly, new, amazon, old, looks
+54%
-46%
" ... Item as described. ... "
" ... Item as described. ... "
" ... It is exactly how it looks here and as described. ... "
" ... It is exactly how it looks here and as described. ... "
" ... Works perfectly and just as described. ... "
" ... Exactly as discribed ... "
" ... Exactly as discribed ... "
Ports
12usb port, powered, usb cord, power, port
+67%
-33%
" ... By the way, it says you need the “camera kit” to Connect your iPad or iPhone, but I just bought the Apple USB to lightning connector. ... I particularly like that it is USB powered so I don’t need any extra adapters or chords. ... "
" ... By the way, it says you need the “camera kit” to Connect your iPad or iPhone, but I just bought the Apple USB to lightning connector. ... I particularly like that it is USB powered so I don’t need any extra adapters or chords. ... "
" ... I plugged it in to a USB port on my Windows 10 computer, fired up Ableton Live 9 and Ableton immediately recognized it. ... "
" ... I plugged it in to a USB port on my Windows 10 computer, fired up Ableton Live 9 and Ableton immediately recognized it. ... "
" ... Love the fact that its powered by the USB hub, just plug it in and turn it on! ... "
" ... Love the fact that its powered by the USB hub, just plug it in and turn it on! ... "
" ... Love that it powers via USB as well as transmitting MIDI data on the same cable. ... "
" ... Love that it powers via USB as well as transmitting MIDI data on the same cable. ... "
Gaming
11playing, wheels, pitch bend, musician, mod
+91%
-9%
" ... The pitch bend and mod wheels work just fine and feel pretty good while playing. ... "
" ... The pitch bend and mod wheels work just fine and feel pretty good while playing. ... "
" ... This controller is definitely fit for a home studio as well as a musician who wants portability. ... "
" ... This controller is definitely fit for a home studio as well as a musician who wants portability. ... "
" ... For the price, this is a great MIDI controller. ... "
" ... this is an awesome little controller. ... "
" ... this is an awesome little controller. ... "
" ... Instead of having to change the octave you just continue playing! ... "
Apps
11midi, velocity, pro tools, ilok, bundled software
+64%
-36%
" ... However, if using this with a PC this is no issue at all because you can just set the velocity curve in your software! ... "
" ... However, if using this with a PC this is no issue at all because you can just set the velocity curve in your software! ... "
" ... I love this midi interface as it is a very useful tool for playing and music production. ... "
" ... I love this midi interface as it is a very useful tool for playing and music production. ... "
" ... I use to learn how to play the Piano with the Yousician app and it's been awesome! ... "
" ... I would highly recommend this to anyone starting out in music learning the music programs like pro tools etc. ... It also comes with a cool music making program. ... "
" ... I would highly recommend this to anyone starting out in music learning the music programs like pro tools etc. ... It also comes with a cool music making program. ... "
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Specifications
Body
Size: 4 meters
Connectivity
USB: No
Memory
Memory: 2048 GB
Recommendations
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