Being an engineer that has worked on stuff like this for a while, generally speaking the keyboards where the keys do this just need a bit of a clean under the key that's stopped working. The Roland PC-180A tends to do this too. There will be a circuit board with 2 carbon pads on it the key makes contact with. The velocity is detected by the interval between the key hitting the further back one and the further forward one. It's usually just those 2 pads, and the pads on the key itself that might need a little wash. Don't go crazy with soapy water. Just dampen a kitchen towel with a small amount of soapy water, give it a rub on there for a couple of seconds, and then dry it off immediately. Do not do this while the board is powered or you may face some minor corrosion. Don't scrub really hard as the carbon coating it likely to come off. If this happens, you can just scribble over it with a soft pencil, but i'd recommend against having to go that far. Just gently wipe over it. Make sure it's completely dry before plugging back in. This happens from using the keys a lot. Traveling and throwing the thing about won't do it unless you're doing serious damage to it in other ways. Generally speaking, there's usually just a spring near the back of the key that can be stretched and slotted out after removing the keyboard cover, and the key just needs to be slid towards you and lifted a little to remove. Honestly, repairing more complex issues on these things is trivial if you have a beginners electrical knowledge. Also, the D pads on PS4 controllers can be fixed in much the same way. Also your videos are cool. Subbed.
useful comment ... a little light behind the nasty things that can happen when high end methods and material are not used to keep the price low ... you never get donations from a company, but if you can safe some money and work a little ... in the end it might be ok.
Great review, was thinking about buying this keyboard and have second thoughts now, all reviews should be like this, infinitely more informative than a simple unboxing video.
That M-Audio is perfectly fine to buy, it is a great keyboard, trust me. It will give you years upon years without a problem... What he does with it is something different that I'm sure the average user will put this device thru the same beating.
i like the review, but what you are saying is that a midi controller keyboard that has a full 88 keys on it and that I can see online for €150 right now has lasted 2 years of moderate to heavy use, travelling and gigging etc.. with a couple of issues with the keys that might be fixable with some light servicing. That seems pretty impressive to me given how much you would expect to pay for something that was designed to do that. These kinds of controllers are usually designed to go into a bedroom and get pretty light use, so if it can mostly stand up to everything you have thrown at it then it is a winner in my book. As somebody pointed out below, these reviews where you come back after using the device for a while are invaluable and are much more useful than the - "I opened the box and after 10 minutes of use I think this device will change your life' type of reviews! Thank you
Derec Wilsom the keyboard may be worth fixing if you can get the rubber membrane and do the work yourself. You have to disassemble the entire keyboard to get at the membrane. A place I checked that’s not all that close to me wanted a flat rate of $120, plus parts, to repair. Why would I have it repaired when I can buy a new one for @ $180-$190. And buying a new keyboard every 1-2 years is insane!
I have a Yamaha that I let someone borrow that came back with the same key problems. I opened it up, and discovered that there was a rubberized, bubbled/dimpled sheet that ran the length of the keyboard. When you press a key, it depresses a dimple/bubble and allows connection to the contact. Transporting the keyboard had caused this rubber pad sheet to slip out of place. I realigned it, and the keyboard worked like new. Hope this helps, and when you transport - keep the keys up... don't flip the keyboard on it's side. ;)
Great presentation especially if someone’s considering buying this board for a gig and traveling around with it. I bought it and use it strictly at home it’s more of a hobby saying it works great haven’t had any problems with it as of yet. I bought it back in 2014. So if you’re just gonna keep it at home and not take it anywhere it would Not have as many issues.
I'm a player of beginning to intermediate ability. So, i think this would still be worth the little I'd spend (especially with all the accompanying software). This is exactly what I'm looking for. I can stay motivated to practice with the sound library that's contained in the software. Thank you for you review
Thank you for your review ! I'm still going to buy it because I'm gonna use it as a desktop keyboard and never gig with it, but good to know that it isn't that solid
GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) is a funny thing. Even after viewing this fair and informative video and seeing all the comments that were like, "yeah, I had those problems too", some people are still like, "it will probably be okay for me, I'm gonna get it anyway." Crazy!
I hear you buddy. I already have one I'm debating getting another. The mod wheel in them goes bad and causes strange transpositions. But they're cheap for an 88. I dunno.
John, i am sharing the answer of maudio staff: "In regards to your previous email, we haven’t had many reports of faults like this. If any fault like this does occur in the first year you are of course covered by your warranty so you would be able to get it inspected and repaired for free. I have owned a Keystation 61 for many years and never had any issues, I often store it in a cupboard standing up and this hasn’t seem to cause any problems. Ideally an 88 keyboard like the one you have purchased should be left on a stand in a studio or transported safely and securely in a gig bag or hardcase if using the device for concerts. As long as you are careful with it I wouldn’t have thought you would have too many issues." why dont you give it back to service , so that they can repair it for free?
He is a very heavy duty player. Very good. But he hammers the keys like he should for how he plays. If this was a car he has just driven off road through the grand canton for a year.
I see you lost the volume slider handle too. My Keystation 88 is about 8 years old and has endured some abuse from my kids. The keys have yellowed a LOT. I haven't got any bung keys ... but I have disassembled it twice and given it a real good clean. You'll find heaps of greasy dust can work its way inside. I hate the sound of the clacking plastic, so I only play it loud. Cheers Mike .... always great videos on your channel.
Thanks so much, John! Your gear reviews are really, really good and very down to earth. I believe M-Audio products are very good as home studio rigs or very light duty giggers, but I consider what you do to be equal to fairly heavy gigging. 2 years is not long enough to result in that kind of failure. A Yamaha P-35 makes a decent controller. If you can get by without 5 pin MIDI then the P-105 is even better and sports a very respectable piano sound and the same keybed as a MOXF8. And the kids can push a button and practice on the spot as well. Keep the videos coming! Blessings!
I have had my Keystation 88 also for about 2 years. First C2, then E1, then Ab2, then Ab0 all have gone silent in the last 2 months. This wasn't caused by gigging, this keyboard has been a desk jockey its entire life. I have a Nektar LX 88+ in the mail
Thanks for the informative video. I was starting to doubt if I wanted to buy his or not seeing how it's $230. I guess the old saying is true. Buy cheap, buy twice.
I just got the 88mk3 and the damn thing is pissing me off. Some notes randomly sustain and stay that way until I either hit the note again or it just fades out. Other notes just randomly don't play when I hit them. I think I'm gonna send it back. Ugh. Do you have an alternate 88 key midi that you've found to be better since then? Thanks for the video, btw.
Oh, shit, I just bought this keyboard about four weeks ago. I haven't unboxed it yet, plan to setup a small studio in the spare room of my flat around early May. But once it's there, It will stay there. I'll be mainly using it for studio production; absolutely no gigs or taking it places. Well, guess I'll have to keep my fingers crossed and see what happens, thanks for the heads up. :)
I have the same Controller, I bought it used about a year ago, and mine is still in fairly good shape. But I don't gig with it, I just track with it at home. I broke the top two keys in the storage unit when I moved but otherwise everything else is fine so far, I'm really a guitarist but I play keys and my touch is lighter than yours I think. This keyboard doesn't seem like one that will last under heavy handed playing, the keys just won't take it I think. Since I didn't get a manual with it, I was happy to see your first video on it, that showed me what those cute little buttons were for! 😂 Thanks! I like your style and your videos, just thought I'd put my two cents in on this controller.
Omg, thank you for this review, and I feel horrible as well about the changes of the keys. Actually, I bought the same one three months ago after watching your unboxing video. I purchased it for $300 in Korea, and I am really disappointed with the result. 😩
Hi, I have M - AUDIO KEYSTATION 49 and its stop working. Only octave + button works and its orange. Can you help me please ? What to do ? Yesterday it works but today.......:(
Awesome review bro, this was great! I have the previous model but did not use it a whole lot to be honest just because a got a great deal later on a used MO8 for the house as a practice board, I GOT to have my weighted keys! lol , i cant wait to see the next board you get.. if for some reason you only wanna go with 61 keys i recommend the novation impulse its a very very nice feel! (down side is they dont have it an 88 key model)
John, I don't know if you are near Michigan,but if you would like to hire me to fix your keyboard for you let me know. My recommendation would be for you to disassemble is and try cleaning it first. You may have dust particles keeping the keys from performing, or worst you may have to replace the dampers that make contact with the pads. See if you move the keyboard into the cold too much then back into the heat, you'll cause the dampers to disintegrate because they are soft rubber. Almost like a pair of covered headphones fall apart after time, or a better example is when foam gets wet and dries over and over, over time foam will disintegrate or come apart. I can spend some time with your board if you like and make the needed repairs, however I think the cost of repair may out do the price of a new keyboard. But to clean it doesn't cost really anything. I wish you luck sir.
In my opinion, I think all products you take like keyboards, monitors, guitars, pianos, etc can break easily if you use it a lot and often and importantly aggressively I will probably buy this for myself because I want to learn to play.
Just about every piece of M-Audio gear I have owned or used in more than 15 years, has gone wrong or completely broken in some way. Shame because they make great products if they could just sort the quality issues out.
I picked up a grey m audio es88 for free from craigslist. It works perfectly fine with a printer (usb a to usb b) cable and my iPad using an adapter. But what exactly is the ‘volume’ jack for on the es88? I can attach powered speakers to my iPad to get sound output, but I’m trying to figure out what the volume jack is for. The online pdf manual doesn’t say anything about the volume jack either.
@@Johnmike ... Thanks. Another mystery solved. Using it to learn piano. Did you ever open the m audio keystation 88. to see if you could repair it, or did you just unload it? What does the manufacturer say about it?
You wouldn't believe how hard it is to find the PERFECT midi controller. M-Audio is great for features, but as you stated, it doesn't have the quality.
First i got M-Audio 49, Then Nectar Impact 88 XL, then this M-Audio Keystation 88. I have the same problems haha. I think we shouldn't play Drums on it 😁 So, now i order a Dpad for playing drums, and the M-Audio Hammer 88, with fullweighted Keys and +2 years extended warranty 😁 To play Trance, Brass or louder things, this here is okay. I never buy a half weighted again. Good Video, thx. 🍀
Maintenance, maintenance, maintenance... or in other words clean it! ;-) It's dirty contacts that's all. Since you mention having the same issue before. I would wild guess, you should try to change your habits. Regarding cleaning and covering the keyboard with a dust cover when not in use.
Hi, I recently bought 10-year old keyboard E-mu XBoard 61. Despite a bit noisy keybed (but the mechanical noise is generated only after when key is released), the keyboard is great. Keys are very sensitive, with even sensitivity level of each key, everything works great, keys, knobs, buttons, pitch and mod wheel, display. Every DAW understands it. Service software for doing keyboard setup works, too, in compatibility mode in Windows 10. I'm planning to open the case and look inside, maybe I'll be able to silence the keys by replacing damping felt or something like that. This noise is not a very big problem to me since I play in headphones mostly, but it will be nice to have something more quiet, like korg k61, for only 40 bucks.
Marek Bystrzewski I seem to recall that a lot of the keyboards from back in the 1980s we're mostly made by Pratt & Reed. They had a much better feel than most of the junk today. If you want a REALLY awesome piano/MIDI controller from Kawai. Yes, they're around $2500 (used ones are on eBay) but they have real piano action. And by "real piano action" I mean the whole mechanical part of the piano. You'll need help carrying it, but the action is 2nd to none!
I have Xboard 49 for sth like 12 years already, it started developing issues with sensitivity, similar like in m-audio keyboard in this video. Also, in my opinion, the velocity curve in the Xboard sucks, it'w waaay to sensitive (comparing to piano). Also Xboard 49 had this issue, that it would not turn on after firmware upgrade (had to downgrade firmware). I watched this video because I need more octaves than just 4. 5 octaves seems to be the minimum reasonable mount, too bad this m-audio keyboard has these issues, the price is really low considering it's an 88 keys keyboard.
thank you sharing for valuable knowladge. how can i pretend to have this problems, i just bought it? maybe i should not carry it to place to place, keep it in the recording studio?
After 30 years of gigging keys, and buying keys, when M-Audio came to the market it was obvious straight away that they were cheapskate! False economy. Best product was their flagship back in '03 ish, the Keystation Pro 88. But anyway, just open it up and service the contacts. And don't let it get so dirty, ugh! lol. And man, buy yourself a cheap external usb audio box. You're surely not happy with the quality of the mac's headphone out? The difference is like night and day. And you can't really blame cheap tools for being bad. Invest in a Doepfer, or at least something worth more than $1,000, is my advice. Well done for warning others, though!
thekeysman exactly! I definitely agree with you there...I took it apart and did that...even cleaned under the contacts and moved contacts from other areas with no luck same problems...only way to fix would probably be to replace the key contact board itself....as far as the Mac output I do have several interfaces...use them all the time...a lot of times I do my setups based on what I'm doing in the set or gig...so if something I'm doing calls for multioutputs then I bring in my interface...but if I'm just running in and it's a simple set or using my interface for something at the studio I just plug into the headphone out...
What, so even after cutting some contact strip and moving it, it still did it on the same keys? Wow. That's awful! Yes, I guess you're correct in saying it's the circuitry in the main contact board. Or something. I'm not actually too sure. That's way beyond any maintenance I can get my head around! I still can't understand why they made the Keystation Pro 88 so awesome with all it's controllers, and then ditched the idea!? Last time I checked (quite a while ago) even the best Akai controller only had 8 drawbars, not 9 like the KSP 88. Not that playing Hammond on weighted was any fun at all! But I used to comp left hand on the KSP, and had a non-weighted 5 octave on top for right hand! I still have one for home recording, which is alright when it misfires velocity, but onstage in a mellow piano ballad...nah! Very embarrassing! I remember I had to make a little thru switch in the Logic environment to eradicate notes above 100 or something! haha. Oh, how we suffer! Studiologic are good controllers. In fact, anything with Fatar keybeds in them. And a lot of studios still have Kurzweil keys as their main trigger, and they seem rare to find second-hand. So I guess that is a sign of how good they are.
I can't see what your problem is with Yella, he is the best, he rocks the mic. and the DMX! Good vid. I'll probably get the MK2 for my production but I wouldn't use it for gigging. Maybe you should opt for the Hammer-88 M-Audio???
Hello, I have a velocity problem on my M-AUDIO KEYSTATION88 MKII keyboard. The black keys are much more sensitive than the WHITE keys. This boring problem is experienced by many people on the net. Have you noticed the same problem? Do you know the solution to this problem? THANK YOU IN ADVANCE ALAIN - ANGERS - FRANCE
Thanks for the video John, my Audio Axiom’s pitch bender has gotten faulty! I did one repair myself a while ago but now the keyboard is not usable anymore! Never M-Audio for me again, my M-Audio Sound Controller has also Hardware issues! M-Audio it’s cheap but the BIGGEST CRAP!
And just as you need a can of compressed air to clean your laptop keyboard you need to do the same thing for your musical keyboard. As for the keys they should be cleaned with a nonabrasive cleaner and cloth
Thank you so much for this video! So many reviews are right after people buy them, so they're not very useful. I have an M-Audio Oxygen 61-key that I used for several years, and many of the keys don't work anymore. Also, the main LED readout flickers and dies. AND I NEVER MOVED IT. I was thinking of replacing it with this 88-keystation but not if it's going to lose keys in 2 years! So what do you recommend? I don't care about "weighted" keys. I already have one of those keyboards. But I think all the 88-key keyboards are at least semi-weighted, as far as I could find. I just want an inexpensive 88-key keyboard that will hopefully last more than 2 years. :-) Thanks so much for any advice!
Thx John! Is your Keystation the original model? Or is it a MK II? They’re selling the MK II now. A friend of mine works at Guitar Center, and he says that the MK II is very impressive. Of course, that doesn’t mean it will last any longer than the first model, tho. :-)
great video John Mike .... brother i m seriously looking for midi like this (88 keys) ...budget around 200$ to 250$ plz suggest me any other or if this is ok .. i wont take it out much for gigs ...need it just in my studio and some studio sessions ... my priority is durability and performance
Hey, bit late, but I'm planning on getting the mk 2 and i was wondering if this piano has that horrible electronic sound you get with some boards, that isn't favourable with classic peaces, does this board have that nice piano sound?
This is actually a midi controller...so it doesn’t come with any built in sounds...you can connect it to any computer, mobile device...or sound module to get any piano sound that you desire
Have had multiple M-audio controllers, never had the issues your facing with this board. But, as you said, probably because I Always kept my boards stationary. Once had the entire midsection gone because my kid crashed it into the floor. When opened up, a connector was deconnected. Simple ID cable though... reconnected it and voila problem fixed. Is the yellow collour on the keys perhaps due to sunlight exposure, or smoking? Nice Tut. Enjoyed viewing it...
HI ALL, I HAVE A QUESTION PLEASE .Does it make importance that not all keys are nicely sensitive if this keyboard is only used as MIDI CONTROLLER. I mean for VST like EAST WEST STRINGS or PIANO VST, no problem right ?
Hey, man but It might have gotten hit subconciously while gigging or sth. If I use it on my desktop without moving it around or anthing do you think it'll survive?
John, I swear the Lord led you to post this video today, because I was thinking about getting the M-Audio 88 for the second keys at my church (as we have a moxf8 as the 1st) ermmm after watching this, I think I'll try get the Nektar or typical Yamaha P series and use it as a midi controller or the Yamaha MX61
@@Johnmike Aha ok. Thanks man. I Bought it today. I think the price for this keyboard compensates for only being able to use it with a computer/sound module.
im preaty sure its just got out of spring or somethign idk much about midi pianos but im sure iff you de assamble that and you could easyily fix it buy parts you need and done its good keyboard i think
this problems happens to any aged key .. I had on my Yamaha PSR1000 ! I changed the plastics under the keys(i don't know the actual word :) ).. and for 5 octaves it cost me 40$ just to buy the plastics....it does sucks .. but happens on any key after a while mostly if you're on places that are not dry or moisture is high like cities near the sea ;)
