M-Audio Axiom AIR 25 User manual

AUDITION
66 keyboard 07-2006
Eight assignable
pressure-sensitive
drum pads can
trigger sounds, act as
toggles, or even
applyproportional
pressureto
continuous
controllers. Wow!
Transport controls
default to standard
play and record
operations but can be
reassigned to any
function you prefer.
Semi-weighted keys
with aftertouch are a
welcome surprise in
asuper-portable
controller.
Sexy rubberized
transpose, pitchbend
and mod wheel
controls are extra
grippy for when you
get extra sweaty.
Sturdy construction.
This thing could take
abullet at point
blank range.
Oversized LCD is
easy toread even on
adimlylit stage.
M-AUDIO AXIOM 25
MIDI CONTROLLER KEYBOARD
byFrancis Preve
Every once in a while, just when you think a type of keyboard has saturated the market, along comes something with
features that make it distinctive enough to refresh the whole concept. Take compact MIDI controller keyboards,
for example. It seems like everything under the sun has been done — slimline design, exotic controller options,
built-in audio interfaces — so how does a manufacturer stand out in an increasingly crowded field? Well, M-Audio
arguably rolled the first snowball down the hill with their Oxygen 8 controller, so it stands to reason that they’re
in a good position to take things to the next level, and their new Axiom line of controller keyboards tries to do
just this.
Ispent a couple of weeks kicking the tires of the two-octave Axiom 25, which adds a few new dimensions to
their existing super-compact controllers. For one thing, the Axiom includes semi-weighted keys that also transmit
aftertouch. That’s rare for this type of product: M-Audio’s Ozonic, which is a FireWire audio interface as well as a
MIDI contrtoller, is one of the only other super-compacts that does this. In addition to the piano-like keys, the
Axiom also has eight velocity-sensitive drum pads on its control panel. They’re similar in feel and appearance to
the Trigger Finger pad controller, and they’re awesome for triggering samples, as well as toggling MIDI assignable
insert effects and the like.
Other welcome amenities include a set of labeled (but reassignable) transport controls, eight 360-degree rotary
controllers, and rubberized pitch and mod wheels. You program all of this via a large backlit LCD that’s a breeze to
read under dim conditions, which should elicit cheers from the dance club and live laptop performance crowd. The
MIDI controller key-
boardwith drum pads
and semi-weighted
keys.
PROS
Semi-weighted keys
with aftertouch. Eight
onboard drum pads
can also be used as
pressure sensitive
controllers. Class
compliant, no drivers.
Nice array of preset
templates. Built like a
tank.
CONS
Doesn’t fit into the M-
Audio Studio Pack
backpack.
Axiom 25, $239.95
Axiom 49, $329.95
Axiom 61, $379.95
M-Audio
www.m-audio.com

rotary controllers are sensitive to how fast you turn
them (like the scroll wheel on an Apple iPod), and at
first, I thought they changed parameters too slowly
when turned at “normal” speed. Then, I found out
there are three velocity curves for them, with the
fastest being best for sweeps during live performance,
and the slowest offering precision for sound design.
MIDI CONTROL
The Axiom comes with 20 pre-defined presets for
controlling a variety of plug-in software synths,
including a selection of presets optimized for two of
the most popular software composition programs:
Ableton Live (Live Lite comes bundled with the
Axiom) and Propellerhead Reason. See “Gory Details”
on page 70 for the full roundup.
The two Live templates use MIDI controller assign-
ments that are undefined in the universal MIDI control
spec. This is a smart design move, as it reduces the risk
of altering an existing MIDI controller by accident.
Think of it this way: If you have Live alongside another
software synth in your system — or a setup with multi-
ple controllers — the Axiom won’t get in the way. Nice
bit of forethought there.
M-Audio has set up further presets for General MIDI
use, and a few general-purpose options for soft synths
with MIDI learn functions. While it would have been
nice to see more than 20 presets, especially if they’d
included a few for other mainstream audio-sequencer
apps, M-Audio made a good choice by focusing on
Reason and Live, as these are two of the most popular
products for modern laptop-based performers.
AUDITION
68 keyboard 07-2006
VITAL STATS
KEYBOARD
25, 49, or 61 keys, transmits velocity and aftertouch.
PROGRAMMABLE ZONES
3(Axiom 25), 4 (Axiom 49, 61).
ASSIGNABLE CONTROLLERS
Pitchbend, mod wheel, 8 endless rotary knobs, 8
pressure-sensitive drum pads, 6 transport buttons.
MIDI CONNECTORS
In, out.
USB CONNECTION
USB 1.1, bus power supported.
NUMBER OF PRESET CONFIGURATIONS
20.
INCLUDED SOFTWARE
Ableton Live Lite 4, Enigma
(downloadable from M-Audio site).
CONTROLLER INPUTS
Sustain pedal, expression pedal
(neither is included).
POWER
USB, AC adapter (not included).
DIMENSIONS/WEIGHT
18.8"W x 11.2" D x 2.6" H; 5 lbs.
GIMME SOME ACTION
M-Audio has used a new
semi-weighted action in
all sizes of the Axiom
line. Pianists will
appreciate both the size
of the keys and the
piano-like lip on the front
of them. If you happen to
be familiar with the 76-
key version of the
Kurzweil K2500 or
K2600 synth workstation,
the feel is quite similar.
This really is a new
standard for super-
compact controllers, and
offers a “best of both
worlds” scenario: The
action is chunkyand
sturdy enough for a
player with a pianstic
approach, but unlike a
fully-weighted action,
perfect for blistering
synth leads, too.
Francis Preve is an Austin, Texas, based keyboardist and producer. Recent
projects include his Top 20 remix of Gabriel & Dresden’s “Tracking Treasure
Down” and producing “Solution,” a track from Jacinta’s latest album. Get the
facts at www.fap7.com.
M-AUDIO AXIOM 25
MIDI CONTROLLER
KEYBOARD

AUDITION
70 keyboard 07-2006
IN USE
Configuring your own templates is a bit fiddly,
involving the use of the panel controls and the keys
themselves in various combinations. Fortunately,
the process is well explained in the PDF manual.
That document also includes info on features that
are not immediately apparent in casual use, like the
fact that the drum pads also work as variable propor-
tional pressure controls, meaning that the harder
you press on a pad, the higher a value it sends out
on whatever MIDI continuous controller you’ve
assigned to it. Shades of the ARP Odyssey! Also,
even the tiny 25-key model supports up to three
simultaneous zones for exotic multiple-destination
tricks. There’s even a little section near the end of
the manual that demystifies often mysterious MIDI
stuff such as program and bank change commands,
sys-ex, and non-registered parameter numbers, invit-
ing you to get rather deep into programming. And if
configuring presets via an LCD interface strikes you
as a bit quaint, you can always zip over to the M-Audio
site, pick up a free copy of their Enigma configura-
tion software and set everything up from the larger
screen of your computer.
CONCLUSIONS
With semi-weighted action, aftertouch, pressure sensi-
tive drum pads, multiple zones and rugged construc-
tion, the Axiom 25 definitely sets a new standard for
super-compact MIDI keyboards. If you need more keys,
49- and 61-note models are available for a modest
increase in price. The two larger models include a few
more amenities such as four programmable zones,
numeric keypad, nine faders in addition to the eight
knobs, and adjustable velocity curves. Taking all that
into consideration, the $379.95 list price for the 61-key
version is quite the killer value. All in all, the Axiom
will appeal to users looking for a controller that’s a
good deal more substantial than the Oxygen line, for
only a little bit more cash.
CLAIM CHECK
M-Audio says “The Axioms extend the M-Audio keyboard controller legacy with a new feature set that makes them
especiallywell-suited to both studio and stage use. We paired all-new components with tried-and-true technology to yield
what we believe is the next generation of MIDI controllers. For the serious player, the Axioms feature a completely
redesigned keyboard with piano-style fronts, semi-weighted action, and aftertouch. For advanced DAW control, we
included multiple zoning options, a bright display, and a host of knobs and buttons. Velocity- and pressure-sensitive
trigger pads facilitate drum programming and performance. And for the gigging musician, we built a robust, reinforced
chassis that will stand up to frequent transport and use. By delivering all this at a more affordable price point than the
competition, we believethe Axiom line is a home run for all software-based musicians.”
GORY DETAILS
Included software
templates:
Reason (Dr. Rex,
Malstrom, NN-19,
Subtractor, Mixer),
Ableton Live, GForce
Oddity, GForce
ImpOSCar,GForce
Minimonsta:Melohman,
Way Out Ware
TimewARP 2600,
Wizoo Darbuka and
Latigo, Native
Instruments B4,
Linplug/Doepfer,
General MIDI, and
several product-neu-
tral starting points.
M-AUDIO AXIOM 25
MIDI CONTROLLER
KEYBOARD