I am not a music producer but just yesterday I was blessed with full studio equipment and it happens to include that M-Audio Oxygen 25. I hope to create magic with whoever is going to be my Music Producer.
To answer your question - i almost never use arps and chords features on controllers, except on Minilab, sometimes, just for the sake of fun and on Komplete Kontrol S49. This is kindy funny, because on hardware synths i do use arpeggiators and sequencers ( but then again its about how do you approach music creation. Also, mini keys, not my cup of tea, although i do have few synths and controllers (Minilogue, Korg Micro, Minilogue xd, Arturia Keylab and Keystep pro) with mini keys, but i play these synths from my REV2/Prophet 10 keybeds. I even have Korg Nano for on flight sketches. So it depends whether i am on the move or in the studio. My choice of controllers - Doepfer LMK2 88 (pianos and other "organic" instruments), Nektar Panorama P4 (for studio hardware desktop synths and soft synths/DAW), NI S49 (for NI stuff and in combination with Maschine) - those are ones i use on daily basis, then i use Keystep pro, Keylab, Korg Nano for on flight stuff and have some of them from past times - Roland Pc200, old rugged trusty controller:). The depth of integration into DAWS and instruments available on Nektar controllers is unmatched. Panorama can control any daw or instrument directly from the controller in full - you literally dont need to use a mouse. I know other controllers can do similar stuff but i never felt software and hardware merge into one instrument so well as with Nektar controllers - from pianos with footswitch, to multitimbral hardware and software polysinths.. Of course, If you are going for the mini version and 25 keys, than this is fine, but if you want to pay for more keys, do consider Impact or Panorama. Panorama will even offer a motorised fader, great pads and tons of control. BTW it is great for controlling desktop synths too, mapping tons of parameters to its faders, knobs and pads.
I bought a brand new M-Audio Oxygen 25 controller a few years ago and it was a nightmare. It had no dedicated USB driver. Only the Windows driver that comes with your operating software for Windows. It was constantly breaking connection. I was so glad to sell this headache to someone else. Beware of these units. I'm using an older rock solid Roland midi keyboard that's hard wired to my trusty MOTU micro express and every time I turn on my midi keyboard it's ready to go. Don't throw your money away. Beware! Nothing against you Sanjay, you're trying move product. I respect that. I still enjoy your channel very much.
Thank u for ur great reviews Sanjay! I am not a pianist by any stretch ( I am a Bassist/Chapman Stickist/Native American Flautist) but I use a very tiny Korg NanoKey or my iPad as a controller for laying down pads and atmosphere for my compositions. This review is extremely helpful in answering some of the questions that I have concerning controllers. Keep it up!
I think yes, full size keys probably provide the best control. I am a pianist (albeit not a brilliant one), so I am used to playing on full size keys. To get more control of my DAW and on the back of one of your reviews, I have recently become the proud owner of a second M-Audio Controller. I bought the 61 key M-Audio Pro which accompanies the previous version of a 49 key Oxygen. As an added bonus, I have found that the 61 key pro is much better for piano sounds than the older Oxygen. It appears louder but you have a lot more control, attack and response. Full size keys for me all the way.
Just ordered the 49 key version based on ur review here Sanjay. In an effort to challenge myself, I am looking at writing more on a keyboard instrument. I have been creating music as of late using a Korg Nano Key which I received as a gift (among other Korg Nano midi controllers) from a friend of mine earlier this year. I have been having a blast with my virtual instruments but I have rather large hands so you can imagine that the Nano Key would wax thin rather swiftly. Along with the larger keys, the mod and pitch wheel will be an added bonus. I am not so hung up on the DAW control as I have a Behringer X Touch plus an Extender. But I imagine I will employ it in some fashion even if only limited. Thanx again for your great reviews!
I think you have finally sold me on the MIDI keyboard controller to get. And it is going to be the M-Audio Oxygen MKV. It appears to be a great value. Thanks, Sanjay!
I still have and use my Axiom 25-49 1st Gen. from M Audio. I got the Akai mini mk3 for the modern features, but went back to using the 49 because of needing more keys for using Ujam products. Thanks for your well informed video's.
I've watch a number of videos on this particular keyboard, this is one of the better ones. Happy to say I found a super one off deal on the MKV4 with Amazon probably as the MKV5 has just been released. Also very happy to learn it has chord and scale features as I don't play keys yet, just some guitar and bass, but those features should get me going...
Thank you for your interesting review. Btw, a few people reviewed that the previous generation Oxygen have problems with velocity and sensitivity of the keys and the pads, are very rough. Please let me know if these have been improved in MKV. Thank you.
Thank you for the video Sanjay . i have owned this MIDI for more than 3 years and after seeing this video i can't help but say that i haven't fully utilized the potential of this MIDI. I use FL Studio for making music. I kindly request for a more detailed video showing how i can use it to control different parameters on VSTs. Thank you again
I make a lot of use of arp mode on my Oxygen Pro 49. But Novation has a great one on the Launchkey 37 with Mutate and Deviate iteration/randomization functions that are a bit between truly random and fully controlled, and the chord mode keeps things in key with more extreme Mutate settings.
Hi Sanjay.. Great video as always, I like watching your reviews! I have a little dilemma and I wanted to hear your opinion. I want to purchase a compact midi keyboard so I could make some orchestral music on the go.. Any suggestions?
@@SanjayC hey sanjay. Would you personally prefer hs8 or the krk rokits (without the sub)? I really want the krk's coz I love their sound. But at the end, all these reviews make me doubt my decision
Good video but it got me thinking, have you ever actually given anything a negative review? I can't think of any examples, but you can't be positive about absolutely everything.
You probably haven't watched this video ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-or3TmOEykj8.html. I typically don't make videos about gear I don't like. Unless its a super popular product and I really think the info I provide would be valuable (like that video I just shared).
@@SanjayC I must give it a look, not sure I've seen that one. Not seeking out negative content by any means, just noticed you're always very positive in your videos which is a lovely quality. It just got me wondering what gear don't you like.
Thanks for a great video. I purchased the Oxygen 49 a couple weeks ago, and love the key bed and the full size keys. However, I can't for the life of me figure out why I would need the arpegator (sp) or chord features, or even worse how to use them. The manual is not very helpful, and M-Audio customer support is non-existent. Do you have any videos that explain all those bells and whistles (pads, faders, knobs, buttons) and how to use them. Even a book would be helpful. Right now I just have a piano keyboard with a bunch of useless bling above it. Thanks.... Pam
I wanted a quick start to using my new Oxygen 25 and the first two minutes of your video are all about criticism and why I should have chosen another keyboard. Bad.
i prefer arturia minilab or akai mpkmini for their portablality, but if seriously wanna get a full size keyboard, i will go for arturia keylab88 . the hammer key thing is awesome.
Hi Sanjay C, thanks for the tutorial. I hope you will have the chance to answer this questions. It was an year ago you made this video. What do you mean with "virtual instrument control its not its strongest feature". Is that why you say "you gonna get better compatibility and integration with Native and arturia synths". With that said, Is the Oxygen MKV still a good MIDI keyboard and WILL work inside Cubase with all my software, Natives/Arturia among others? All the best!
Don’t need a full keyboard. 61 or 49 keys are enough. DAW controls, pads and faders are more important and device level integration it helpful. That’s why the Novation LaunchKey MK3 line is good value for money. Never use the performance features.
"Ableton Live... clip triggering is not available." Maybe you meant automatic assignment of clip trigger? Any note can trigger clips in Ableton, including the pads.
Honestly, I'm so confused about which midi controller to get. I was thisclose to buying this one tomorrow but when you said it doesn't trigger virtual instruments well, now I'm doubting it. The Arturia does better with this but does it work well with Logic?
Great video, Sanjay. I do have a question- Have you discovered if DAW control on this series is compatible with GarageBand? I was hoping since it supports Logic and Pro Tools that GB would be a given, but I can't find any setup for GB. It's completely plug and play for sounds and playing, but controlling it doesn't seem to be supported in GB. Thanks!
Hello, I have seen several videos but in none of them does someone talk about how to change the speed of the sensitivity of the keys, do you know how I can do it? for me they sound very loud I don't like the sound it gives me
Cant even get an Oxygen Pro Mini with 32keys. When do these things actually release? When do the Pro versions release? Theres no where to find a real release date.
Do you have any suggestions on classes my son can take on the basics of production. He’s currently playing piano and drums but I’d like to get him introduced to recording. I’m somewhat familiar with ableton, but he really needs a class. Thx
PSA: in addition to being a bargain with great value brand new, you can do like I did and purchase off of Facebook Marketplace. I bought the Oxygen 49 for a mere $60 in perfect condition from a guy whose girlfriend bought him after he thought he should try to make beats. I guess he thought the beats would just flow from ur fingertips once you had fruity loops and a midi controller, so I don’t think he even made it a full week. His loss, my gain though.
I just started using Fl Studio about three weeks ago and I'm interested in getting a keyboard. @Sanjay C, Would this be a good choice for the complete beginner?
What is your suggestion to choose between 'M-Audio Oxygen 49 MKV' and 'Novation Launchkey MK3 (49 Keys)'? My primary DAW is Ableton Live but I also use FL Studio.
What do you recommend for beginners.I am just learning piano and I don’t know anything about what you are talking about.Where do I start ?Thanks for the help
Do you think is a good option to work with Logic pro? Just to have a controler for all de midi intruments, and to make some simple drums with the pads etc
Thanks for your tutorial,very good &clear to understand.I've just received the one I bought,the 49 key keyboard.I noticed the tempo flashes&pad are always lite up.can you turn them off if you want?also,on my old m audio 25 keyboard,it had forward &rewind,the new ones don't.still learning it though
What keyboard do you recommend for a beginner? I have been playing for years and have fullsize keyboards but want an easier way to make music. I was looking into oxygen pro mini, oxygen pro 25 or Akai mpk mini...
The Nektar T4 series is the best in this price range. It's only a little more expensive and has better keys than the pro series. (It's the only good Nektar keybed, imo) Also an expression pedal, good pads.... Great daw/plug-in integration (except not good for Ableton.... So there's that hitch for many people.) Love this keyboard for the price. It's like it belongs in a higher tier for sure. Still waiting on the oxygen Pro mini for travel. If it's good....
agreed but it's also huge. takes up too much depth on a desk and the screen and features etc are too unnecessary. wish they'd make a more compact version with that keybed
@@ramspencer5492 unfortunately my current setup has analogue gear on one side and bass/guitars on the other so my desk is the only option. Also I like to look at my vst/monitor while playing. I'd gladly pay the t4 price for a version without the display/faders etc. Even compared to other control keyboards it's got a good 2+ inches of depth to it and weight/overall size
Bro im really inspired with ur channel.and im too going onto the music production.im not able to decide what all equipme ts to buy for a studio.i dont have any equipment .will u make a video for the budjet of 1400 dollars
Hi Sanjay, new to this. I am a trumpet player and OLD (64) but I love EDM and your kind of music. I am interested in making my own. I have an icon 37 key midi keyboard. I hate the keys. Never really did much with it. The keyboards you have reviewed all appeal to me but I would like keys that are real(ish) sized and with a real piano feel. Which 25 key models would suit someone who likes a real piano keyboard? Any?
What do you suggest I look for if my interest is orchestral music...? Asking coz you mentioned something about not very compatible with virtual instruments..
