M-Audio Code 49 USB MIDI Keyboard Controller

Code 49 USB MIDI Keyboard Controller

The Code 49 is a marvel of efficiency in MIDI controller design. Somehow, M-Audio has manged to fit this much control into a small, lightweight and efficient keyboard controller footprint. In a chassis that measures less than two feet across, you get 49 keys with aftertouch, 16 backlit drum pads, 5 faders, 4 knobs, an XY Pad and bundled software. Expression pedal input as well. The Keys The keyboard itself feels great. Somewhere between hammer action and synth action, this blocked-end key design provides enough resistance for an accomplished player to be able to really dig in and get the most out of the patches he or she is using. There is room enough on this keyboard to input any bass line you are likely to need, and you can fit most chord shapes into the available key space as well. The Pads In addition to 49 velocity sensitive keys with aftertouch, you get 16 backlit drum pads. These are automapped to typical MIDI drum layouts, and they can be reassigned to any MIDI note number and stored in a preset. The pads supply a satisfying tactile experience and just like the keys, are easy to get used to and play expressively. With responsive drum pads, your beats achieve a far greater dynamic presence and expression. You can accent some hi-hat strikes relative to others, deliver heart-stopping flams and rim shots, and come up with driving bass drum work that make a track move. You can use the pads to launch clips in Ableton, influence the behavior of arpeggiation schemes and anything else your devious imagination can come up with. The Faders and Knobs The Code 49 comes with five assignable faders, four individual and one master. Use them for mixing tracks, live control of clips, or use the master for fade in and fade out. Below each fader is a track button that can be used to mute and solo individual tracks in your session. These are also tremendously useful in live DJ applications.49-note, semi-weighted keybed with aftertouch and four assignable zones 16 fully assignable backlit drum pads XY pad USB Bus powered for portability and ease of use 5 Pin MIDI Input, and Output jacks allowing you to control your favorite synths Fully assignable controls for mod wheel, pitch wheel, pads, knobs, faders, buttons, and transport control including XY pad with Mackie Control and HUI modes Buttons are assignable to macro ASCII commands, letting you use your favorite DAW macros at the push of a single button Expression and Sustain pedal inputs 6 digit LED display