M-Audio Introduces Axiom Pro
M-Audio released 25, 49, and 61 key Axiom Pros today that look very similar to the Novation controllers. So what’s the difference in your standard Axiom and the pro model?
1) It looks better. Check it out in the picture above. It’s much sleeker than the old clunky Axiom.
2) Semi-weighted “TruTouch” keybed. I think TruTouch is just the fancy name their giving to standard semi-weighted keys.
3) HyperControl technology. This looks to be just like Novation’s AutoMap feature for automatic MIDI mapping and updating. A great addition to the keyboard, enabling users to map triggers, knobs, and faders to the appropriate control for their software synth.
4) Graphic LCD. The display will hopefully ease programming and preset creation, though I haven’t seen how intuitive it is or not.
5) ASCII Keystroke Support. You can map buttons on the Axiom Pro to send out QWERTY key commands to your DAW. So I could have a button on the Axiom Pro that would be “Cmd+C” to copy, another for “Cmd+V” to paste, another for “Cmd+S” to save etc. That’s a great convenience feature.
It’s looking to be priced a bit high for my taste at $500 for the 25-key, $600 for the 49-key, and $700 for the 61-key give or a take a bit for the difference in MSRP and MAP. That makes it about twice as expensive as the current Axiom.
All in all, it looks like a great step forward from the old Axiom, but I’m not sure if I’m jumping on one just yet if those prices are accurate. You can read more about it here.
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2 Responses to “M-Audio Introduces Axiom Pro”
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thats my big concern as well… the price is outrageous compared to a standard axiom. Im in the market for a new controller since my axiom 49 quit out on me, and this looked like a good solution until i saw the price.
even with the discount i get with m-audio, its not worth it.
Hey Brandon,
I’m trying to do some quick math on the standard Axioms to figure out what the pros might sell for. Current MAP (minimum advertised price), the price GC and Musicians Friend will sell it at, seems to be about 75% of the list price for the current Axioms. The exception is on the 61 key Axiom, which sells for about 70% of list. Don’t use Musicians Friend on that one, as their list price is incorrect (they have the list price as the same for the 61 and 49 key).
SO, if you translate that markup to the Axiom Pro, you’re looking at $375 for the 25-key, $450 for the 49-key, and around $525 for the 61-key. That makes it seem a bit more reasonable, but still too steep for me to justify picking one up.