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Are you looking for a top-notch keyboard controller? The M-Audio Hammer 88 Pro may be the perfect choice for you.
This professional MIDI keyboard offers exceptional performance and an intuitive workflow.
So, let’s take a look at what it has to offer and see if it’s the right choice for your music production needs.
Key Takeaways
- M-Audio Hammer 88 Pro is a professional MIDI keyboard with impressive sound quality and seamless integration with DAWs.
- The 88 weighted keys and hammer-action technology provide a realistic and accurate piano-like feel.
- The keyboard offers extensive control options with eight assignable knobs, 24 assignable buttons, and eight velocity-sensitive pads.
- The M-Audio Hammer 88 Pro has a sturdy build quality, nine assignable faders, and eight assignable knobs for comprehensive control, making it ideal for music production.
Overview
You’ll get a thorough overview of the M-Audio Hammer 88 Pro in this review.
This 88-key keyboard is designed with the modern musician in mind and offers a variety of features to make your workflow more efficient.
The sound quality is quite impressive, with a natural feel that allows you to feel the nuances of each note.
It also has great integration with DAWs, making it easy to record and edit your music.
The assignable controls are also very helpful, allowing you to customize the controller to your individual needs.
Additionally, the build quality is quite strong, with a sturdy chassis and robust keys.
All in all, it’s an excellent choice for the modern musician.
Keyboard Feel
The Hammer 88 Pro’s keyboard feel is sure to impress you. Its 88 weighted keys provide a realistic and accurate playing experience. The hammer-action technology allows for a genuine piano-like feel.
The keys are highly responsive to touch and velocity, giving you an authentic experience every time. The keys are also slightly curved to provide a comfortable playing surface. The playing action is smooth and fast, allowing you to move quickly between notes.
The Hammer 88 Pro offers an incredibly realistic and responsive playing experience, making it perfect for a variety of genres. It’s sure to satisfy both beginner and experienced musicians alike.
Assignable Controls
With eight assignable knobs and 24 assignable buttons, the M-Audio Hammer 88 Pro provides a wealth of control options to help you customize your sound. Compared to other MIDI keyboards, this model offers more assignable controls than many of its rivals.
The assignable knobs and buttons enable you to easily adjust a range of parameters, such as volume, filter cutoff, and modulation, while the eight velocity-sensitive pads are perfect for creating drum beats and triggering samples.
The Hammer 88 Pro also has a dedicated sustain pedal input for added expressiveness. This feature not only makes it easier to play complex passages, but it also gives you greater control over your sound.
The benefits of assignable controls are clear, and the M-Audio Hammer 88 Pro is a great choice for anyone looking for a high-quality MIDI controller.
Production Tools
Building on the assignable controls of the M-Audio Hammer 88 Pro, the production tools this MIDI controller offers are just as impressive. With its sturdy build quality, the Hammer 88 Pro is designed to provide reliable performance and a professional-grade experience.
It comes with numerous production tools, including 9 assignable faders, 8 assignable knobs, and an LED display that allows for easy access to all the controller’s features. Additionally, the Hammer 88 Pro features a dedicated transport section, allowing you to easily record, play, and loop your tracks.
With its comprehensive production tools, the Hammer 88 Pro is ideal for those looking to create music with ease.
Workflow
You’ll be pleased to discover that the M-Audio Hammer 88 Pro features a highly intuitive workflow. This makes it easy for users to quickly get up and running, with its simple and elegant interface allowing for a seamless setup.
Pros of this keyboard include its direct access to parameters, intuitive navigation and editing capabilities, and a straightforward learning curve. User reviews also mention the straightforward transport controls for recording and playback.
The Hammer 88 Pro also offers a range of assignable controls that allow users to customize their workflow and fine-tune their settings.
On the other hand, some users have reported minor issues with the response time, as well as the occasional disconnection from the computer.
Nevertheless, the Hammer 88 Pro is still a great choice for users looking for a reliable and intuitive workflow.
Connectivity
Although connectivity isn’t the Hammer 88 Pro’s strong suit, it still impresses with its wide range of ports and jacks. On the rear panel, you’ll find a USB port, a 5-pin MIDI out, and a sustain pedal jack. There are also two assignable footswitch jacks for extra control.
The Hammer 88 Pro doesn’t have any wireless capabilities, but it does have MIDI compatibility. This means you can use it with your favorite DAW or MIDI-compatible hardware. The Hammer 88 Pro also has a USB-power option, which is a nice touch for those who don’t want to be tethered to a wall outlet.
Software Bundle
When it comes to the software bundle that comes with the M-Audio Hammer 88 Pro, you’re not left wanting. The package includes Ableton Live Lite, ProTools First, and Eleven Lite, giving you the opportunity to explore the world of music production. All three pieces of software are highly compatible and integrate well with the Hammer 88 Pro, making it easy to get up and running quickly.
Pros of the software bundle include its versatility, allowing you to produce music in a variety of genres. The software also works well with the Hammer 88 Pro’s assignable controls, so you can customize your workflow to your needs.
On the other hand, the software bundle is limited and doesn’t include any advanced features. Additionally, the ProTools First version isn’t as full-featured as the regular version.
Still, the software bundle that comes with the Hammer 88 Pro is a great starting point for any aspiring music producer.
Conclusion
The M-Audio Hammer 88 Pro is a great choice for anyone looking for a powerful and reliable keyboard controller.
With its full-sized velocity-sensitive keys, assignable controls, production tools, and intuitive workflow, this MIDI keyboard is sure to enhance your music production experience.
The Hammer 88 Pro also offers a great selection of connectivity options, allowing you to connect to your computer or other devices easily.
Additionally, it comes with a software bundle that includes a range of useful tools for creating and editing music.
Overall, if you’re in the market for a top-notch controller, the Hammer 88 Pro is definitely worth checking out.
I’m thrilled to be able to share my passion for music with others through this audio blog, and I can’t wait to connect with fellow music lovers from all around the world. Let’s rock on!