M-Audio Debuts New Axiom Pro Series Keyboards

M-Audio, a part of Avid Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVID) today introduced a new series of USB MIDI keyboard controllers designed for professional musicians. The Axiom Pro family builds on M-Audio's acclaimed line of USB MIDI keyboards by adding a number of enhancements that provide musicians with a more responsive playing experience as well as deeper tactile control to mimic the feel of playing a real piano.

Available in 25-, 49- and 61-key models, the Axiom Pro series offers easy software integration to digital audio workstations (DAW) including Pro Tools®, Cubase, Logic and Reason — as a result of M-Audio's HyperControl technology, which automatically maps keyboard controls to commonly accessed parameters in software instruments and DAWs. The constant two-way link with the host DAW means that the Axiom Pro series keyboards are always in sync with the software's active parameters. The intuitive graphic LCD constantly updates the current values, to ensure seamless editing and prevents parameter jumps—even when plug-ins are closed. Users can also easily toggle between Mixer and Instrument control modes, making the music creation process much more seamless.

Axiom Pro series keyboard controllers are also the first to combine MIDI control with ASCII keystrokes, allowing users to assign any button to send QWERTY key commands like cut/paste or undo directly to the host software. The controllers offer M-Audio's premium TruTouch semi-weighted keyboard action for a more tactile and responsive playing experience. They are also equipped with eight velocity-sensitive trigger pads with M-Audio's exclusive Trigger Finger technology for triggering loops and samples.

"The Axiom Pro series will equip our customers with an entirely new level of performance and flexibility by allowing them to control a whole session directly from their Axiom Pro keyboard," stated Tex Schenkkan, Vice President and General Manager, Audio at Avid. "We've received numerous requests from our user community for a more full-featured version of the Axiom keyboard controllers for professional applications and today's announcement delivers just that."

Pricing and Availability

The Axiom Pro 49 is currently shipping and carries a USMSRP of $599.95. The Axiom Pro 61 is expected to ship in the first quarter of 2009 and will carry a USMSRP of $699.95. Pricing and availability for the Axiom Pro 25 will be announced at a later date. All three Axiom Pro models are currently on display at the NAMM convention in booth 6700.