M-Audio Hammer 88 Pro User manual

User Guide
English ( 2 – 63 )
Appendix
English ( 64 – 69 )

2
Introduction
Box Contents
Hammer 88 Pro Quickstart Guide
Music Rest User Guide (download)
USB Cable Safety & Warranty Manual
Software Download Card
Important: Visit m-audio.com to download the Hammer 88 Pro Preset Editor. The Preset
Editor gives you a visual and intuitive way to edit the various messages that Hammer 88 Pro's
controls send to your computer without having to use the hardware interface.
Support
For the latest information about this product (system requirements, compatibility information,
etc.) and product registration, visit m-audio.com.
For additional product support, visit m-audio.com/support.
Setup
Connection
To start using your Hammer 88 Pro series keyboard, you need to connect your equipment, get
your software properly configured, and then set the keyboard’s operation Mode.
To connect your Hammer 88 Pro series keyboard to your computer, use the included USB
cable. Plug the USB-B end of the cable into the keyboard and the USB-A end of the cable into
your computer (or into a USB hub connected to your computer).
Note: In addition to sending data, the USB cable powers the keyboard. If you will be
connecting your Hammer 88 Pro series keyboard to a USB hub that has other devices
connected to it, then we recommend using a powered USB hub.

3
Initial Setup – PC Selection
Your Hammer 88 Pro has the ability to control all of your DAW's faders, buttons, knobs, pads,
and favorite DAW shortcuts, as well as all of your virtual instrument controls. In order to have
these controls set properly, we'll first need to get your Hammer 88 Pro to set to the correct PC
Operating System.
1. Ensure your Hammer 88 Pro is set to the correct PC Operating System by doing the
following. This will ensure all of the DAW Shortcuts work correctly.
2. Press and hold the SHIFT button and press the MODE/GLOBAL button entering into the
GLOBAL EDIT mode.
3. In the GLOBAL EDIT menu use the ENCODER to scroll to PC. Once you have PC
highlighted, press the ENCODER to enter into PC selection. Then use the ENCODER to
select your PC’s Operating System Windows “WIN” or macOS “MAC”.
4. Once you have selected your PC setting, press the BACK button to exit out of the
GLOBAL EDIT menu.
Initial Setup - DAW Setup
Now that you've selected the correct Operating System. we'll set your Hammer 88 Pro to work
with your DAW.
1. Press and hold the DAW Button to open the DAW Select menu on the Display.
2. Turn the Select/Scroll Encoder to cycle through the available DAWs on the Display. As
you turn the Encoder, the currently selected DAW will update on the Display. The User
option enables you to map custom DAW controls to the keyboard, as described in the
Operation section.
3. When the DAW you want is shown on the Display, press the Select/Scroll Encoder to
confirm your selection.
Note: To exit out of DAW Selection Mode without changing the currently selected DAW,
press the Back Button.
Most DAWs will automatically recognize the Hammer 88 Pro series keyboard, and
automatically configure your Hammer 88 Pro’s controls as a control surface in DAW mode,
and virtual instrument controller in Preset mode.
If your DAW does not automatically configure your Hammer 88 Pro series keyboard, please
follow the setup steps listed in the Hammer 88 Pro DAW Setup Guides.

4
Initial Setup – Virtual Instrument/Plugin Setup
Now that you've selected the correct Operating System and DAW. we'll set your Hammer 88 Pro to
work with all of the Virtual Instrument plugins included with your Hammer 88 Pro, and any other
Virtual Instrument plugins you may have.
1. Press and hold the PRESET Button to open the PRESET Select menu on the Display.
2. Turn the Select/Scroll Encoder to cycle through the available Presets on the Display. As you
turn the Encoder, the currently selected Preset will appear on the Display. You can create your
own custom virtual instrument presets, as described in the Operation section.
3. When the Preset you want is shown on the Display, press the Select/Scroll Encoder to confirm
your selection.
Note: To exit out of Preset Selection Mode without changing the currently selected Preset, press
the Back Button.
There are Presets for all of the Virtual Instruments included with your Hammer 88 Pro. For Virtual
Instruments that aren’t included with your Hammer 88 Pro, we suggest using MPC Beats as a plugin
in your favorite DAW, and the Hammer 88 Pro’s MPC PI preset. MPC Beats opens as a plugin
wrapper in all mainstream DAWs to merge the best of all DAW worlds. This gives you the freedom to
use MPC Beats as a soft synth/Virtual Instrument plugin wrapper, enabling you to have all of your
Hammer 88 Pro controls auto-mapped to your favorite soft synth/Virtual Instrument plugin.
To download the included MPC Beats software, follow the instructions on the included software
download card.
Initial Setup – Hardware Synth
If you will be using your Hammer 88 Pro series keyboard with a hardware synth rather than your
computer, connect the keyboard’s MIDI Out port to a synth with a standard 5-pin MIDI cable. Then
make sure that your keyboard is set to operate with one of its custom presets selected (as instructed
in the Operation section) and that the keyboard is set to send MIDI data from the 5-pin MIDI out port
in the Global Settings. In order to use an external hardware synth, you will need to connect the
keyboard to a computer, laptop, or to a powered USB hub.
Your Hammer 88 Pro gives you the option select what messages will be sent from its 5-pin MIDI
output. You can choose USB to send only messages from your connected PC to an external
hardware synth, KEYS to send only messages from your Hammer 88 Pro to an external hardware
synth, or KEYS/USB to send messages from your connected PC and the keyboard to an external
hardware synth. In order to have these controls set properly please use the following steps:
1. Press and hold the SHIFT button and press the MODE/GLOBAL button entering into the
GLOBAL EDIT mode.
2. In the GLOBAL EDIT menu use the ENCODER to scroll to MIDI OUT. Once you have MIDI OUT
highlighted, press the ENCODER to enter into MIDI OUT selection. Then use the ENCODER to
select what messages you want sent from your Hammer 88 Pro’s 5-pin MIDI Out.
a. OFF: No messages sent from the 5-pin output.
b. KEYS: All controls, keys, and pad messages from the Hammer 88 Pro will be sent from the
5-pin output.
c. USB: Only messages received on the Hammer 88 Pro’s MIDI Port 2 from a connected PC
will be sent from the 5-pin MIDI out.
d. KEYS/USB: Messages from the Hammer 88 Pro and the Hammer 88 Pro’s MIDI Port 2 from
a connected PC will be sent from the 5-pin output.
3. Once you have selected your MIDI OUT setting, press the BACK button to exit out of the
GLOBAL EDIT menu.

5
Installing Your Included Software
We recommend registering your Hammer 88 Pro on m-audio.com and downloading the Hammer
88 Pro Series Software Manager. Follow the instructions on your included Software Download
Card to access the Hammer 88 Pro Series Software Manager
DAWs and Virtual Instruments
In the Software Manager you'll have access to all of your included software.
We've included 3 DAWs, MPC Beats,Pro Tools | First M-Audio Edition, and Ableton Live Lite
with your Hammer 88 Pro series keyboard so you can get started making music with professional
software right out of the box. Additionally, we’ve included a set of MPC Beats Expansion Packs and
AIR virtual instrument plugins for you to use with your DAW.
To download the included MPC Beats,Pro Tools | First M-Audio Edition,or Ableton Live Lite
DAW software, AIR virtual instrument plugins, and MPC Beats Expansion Packs, register your
Hammer 88 Pro on m-audio.com and download the Hammer 88 Pro Series Software Manager.
The Hammer 88 Pro Series Software Manager will gude you step-by-step on downloading and
installing all of your included software.
Preset Editor
To download the included Preset Editor software, follow the instructions in the Hammer 88 Pro
Series Software Manager. The Preset Editor software can be used to create custom DAW and
Preset mappings for you to load onto your Hammer 88 Pro series keyboard. For more information on
operating the keyboard with one of the custom DAW or Presets, see the following section and the
Operation section. The Preset Editor also comes with its own Editor User Guide.
MPC Beats
To download the included MPC Beats software, follow the instructions in the Hammer 88 Pro
Series Software Manager. MPC Beats is an intuitive to use DAW and soft synth/Virtual Instrument
plugin wrapper built on the legacy of the legendary AKAI Pro MPC hardware and innovative MPC2
desktop software, MPC Beats empowers new beat makers with all the tools to create excellent
sounding beats and more.
For complete integration with existing DAWs, MPC Beats opens as a plugin in all mainstream DAWs
to merge the best of all DAW worlds. This gives you the freedom to use MPC Beats as a soft
synth/Virtual Instrument plugin wrapper, enabling you to have all of your Hammer 88 Pro controls
auto-mapped to your favorite soft synth/Virtual Instrument plugin.

6
Connection Diagram
Remember to select your Hammer 88 Pro series keyboard as the controller in the Setup,
Preferences, or Options of your digital audio workstation (DAW).
Items not listed in Introduction > Box Contents are sold separately.
Please update the rear panel image to include the Hammer 88 Pro inputs and outputs (MIDI In
and Out, Sustain, FS2, FS3, Expression Pedal, power input, and Kensington lock)
External MIDI Sound Module
(optional)
Sustain Pedal
(optional)
Computer
Expression Pedal
(optional)

7
Features
Top Panel
Keybed/Octave/Wheels
Note: Text accompanying keyboard controls indicates secondary functions that can be accessed by
pressing SHIFT while using the control.
1. Keybed: This velocity-sensitive keybed is the primary method of sending Note On/Off MIDI data.
In addition to being velocity sensitive, the keybed also includes and channel aftertouch which
means you can affect the sound a virtual instrument plugin makes by varying how much
pressure you apply on the key after initially pressing the key.
Hold SHIFT and press keys C2–Bb3 to edit Chord
Mode settings.
Hold SHIFT and press keys A5–C7 to change the
Global Channel.
2. OCTAVE +/-: Press these buttons to adjust the pitch
range of the keys up or down one octave.
TRANSPOSE: Hold SHIFT and press these buttons to
adjust the pitch range of the keys up or down one
semitone.
The keyboard can be raised up to four octaves or
lowered down to three octaves from its default octave
range and a total of twelve semitones from its default
transposition.
To reset Hammer 88 Pro to its default octave range and
transposition (C2–C7 on the keybed), press the Octave
-and Octave + Buttons simultaneously.
3. PITCH: Roll this wheel up and down from the center position to bend the pitch of the keyboard
while playing.
The default range of the pitch-bend will vary between software synths.
The wheel is spring mounted and will return to the center position when released.
4. MOD (Modulation): Move this wheel to send continuous controller data—MIDI CC #01
(modulation), by default.
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10 11
12 13
14
15
16
17 18 19 20
21 22 23
24 26
1
34
2
5
6
89
29
28
27
25

8
Faders/Buttons
5. Faders (1–9): Push these Faders up/down to perform their assigned controls.
When operating with a DAW, the assigned controls will be predetermined.
When operating with a preset or the User DAW selected, the controls can be edited.
6. MODE: Press the Mode Button to activate one of the secondary Modes for the Fader Buttons.
GLOBAL: Hold SHIFT and press the Mode Button to access the keyboard’s Global Settings
menu.
When the keyboard is set to operate with a DAW, the available secondary functions for the
Fader Buttons are Rec, Select, Mute, and Solo. The buttons perform predetermined DAW
channel Record Arm, Track Select, Mute, and Solo functions (see Operation to learn more).
When the keyboard is set to operate with a Preset, the available secondary function for the
Fader Buttons is MIDI, in which the buttons perform MIDI controls that are predetermined in
one of the custom presets.
The LEDs to the right of the Mode Button indicate which Mode the Fader Buttons are in.
LED Functions:
The Fader buttons will activate their default labeled functions.
DAW
Off/No LEDs
●Rec (Red LED):The Fader Buttons will activate Record Arm MIDI or Mackie/HUI messages for
the associated button’s current channel.
●Select (Green LED): The Fader Buttons will activate Track Select MIDI or Mackie/HUI
messages for the associated button’s current channel.
●Mute (Blue LED):The Fader Buttons will activate Mute MIDI or Mackie/HUI messages for the
associated button’s current channel.
●Solo (Yellow LED):The Fader Buttons will activate Solo MIDI or Mackie/HUI messages for the
associated button’s current channel.
Plugin/Preset
●MIDI (White LED):The Fader Buttons will send predetermined MIDI messages when in one of
the factory presets, or any user assignable MIDI message when in the user presets.
7. ARP: Press this button to activate the arpeggiator.
EDIT: Hold SHIFT and press this button to edit the arpeggiator’s settings.
8. LATCH: Press this button to toggle the arpeggiator between momentary and latch Mode.

9
9. CHORD: Press this button to activate Chord Mode.
EDIT: Hold SHIFT and press this button to edit the Chord Mode settings.
10. SCALE: Press this button to activate Scale Mode.
EDIT: Hold SHIFT and press this button to edit the Scale Mode settings.
11. 1/4 [1/4T], 1/8 [1/8T], 1/16 [1/16T], 1/32 [1/32T] (Time Division Buttons): Use these buttons to
select the keyboard’s time division setting for the note repeat and arpeggiator functions.
Each press of one of these buttons alternates between the standard timing listed above the
button and the triplet timing listed (beneath the button).
A solid red LED shows that a standard timing is selected, while a flashing LED shows that a
triplet timing is selected.
See Operation to learn more about the features mentioned above.
Central Buttons
12. ●DAW: Press this button to set Hammer 88 Pro to operate in DAW
Mode.
- SELECT: Press and hold the button to open the DAW Select menu on
the Display.
EDIT: Hold SHIFT and press this button to edit and create your own DAW
preset. After editing the User DAW, press the button again to Save your
changes to the User DAW.
See Operation for information on mapping the User preset.
13. ●PRESET: Press this button to set Hammer 88 Pro to operate in Preset
Mode.
- SELECT: Press and hold the button to open the Preset Select menu on the Display.
EDIT: Hold SHIFT and press this button to edit a preset.
After editing one of the presets, press the button again to save your changes to the current
Preset.
See Operation for information on mapping a preset.
14. Display: The main Display screen shows the status of the last used control.
Use this screen to monitor parameter levels as you adjust controls on the keyboard.
Also, use the Display along with the Select/Scroll Encoder to view and edit keyboard settings.
15. Select/Scroll Encoder: If you are entered into one of the Display’s Edit menus, turn this
encoder to change settings/parameters and press the encoder to confirm a selection.
If you are not viewing any of the edit menus, turning the encoder and pressing the encoder will
each function as separate MIDI controls.
When operating with a DAW, the assigned controls will be predetermined.
When operating with a preset or the User DAW selected, the controls can be edited.
16. BACK: If entered into one of the Display’s Edit menus, press this button to go back to the main
Display screen.
DELETE: Hold the SHIFT button and press the Back button to delete a letter.
If you are not viewing one of the Edit menus, this button will be assigned to a control.
When operating with a DAW, the assigned control will be predetermined.
When operating with a preset or the User DAW selected, the control can be edited.
17. SHIFT: Hold the SHIFT Button while moving or pressing controls or buttons on the keyboard to
access their secondary functions.

10
18. << | ⋁: Depending on what screen is selected in your DAW,
this button will either rewind the open song or move down in
the active window.
19. >> | ⋀: Depending on what screen is selected in your DAW,
this button will either fast forward the open song or move up
in the active window.
20. Loop: Press this button to activate/deactivate the loop
function in your DAW.
21. Stop: Press this button to stop the open song in your
DAW.
Double-press this button to stop the open song and return
the playhead to the beginning of the song.
PANIC: Hold SHIFT and this button to send a MIDI panic
message to turn off all Note messages and return all controls to zero.
22. Play: Press this button to play the song in your DAW.
23. Record: Press this button to activate recording in your DAW.
24. < BANK >: If operating in DAW Mode or one of the custom presets, use these buttons to switch
the currently selected BANK for the Faders, Knobs, Pads, and Fader Buttons. There are four
BANKs for these controls, giving you the equivalent of 36 Faders, 32 buttons, 32 knobs, and 64
pads.
LOCK ARP KNOBS: Pressing SHIFT and the BANK < button will lock the SHIFT modifier LOCK
ARP KNOBS controls. This is useful for changing ARP parameters during a live performance.
LOCK DAW PADS: Pressing SHIFT and the BANK > button will lock the SHIFT modifier LOCK
DAW PADS controls. This is useful for making edits while mixing a song.
To return the knobs or pads to their normal mode, press the SHIFT button and the BANK < or
BANK > button.
25. ●TEMPO: Tap this button to set Hammer 88 Pro’s tempo.
- SYNC: Press and hold to pull up the Tempo Edit menu on the Display, where you can use the
Select/Scroll Encoder to manually enter the tempo and choose to sync Hammer 88 Pro’s
tempo with your DAW.
The tempo setting affects the keyboard’s arpeggiator and note repeat functions.
METRO: Hold SHIFT and press this button to turn your DAW’s metronome on/off.
See Operation for more details.
26. NOTE REPEAT: Press this button to activate the note repeat function for the Pads.
LATCH: To latch the note repeat function, hold SHIFT and then press this button.
While Note Repeat is active the Select/Scroll Encoder can be used to change the current Time
Division setting of the Arpeggiator and pad Note Repeat.
See Operation for more details on note repeat.
18 19 20
21 22 23
24 26
25

11
Pads/Knobs
27. Pads (1–16): Use these velocity-sensitive pads to send MIDI Note On/Off messages or perform
other MIDI assignments (if using a preset or the User DAW).
Pads 9-11: Hold SHIFT while pressing Pads 9–11 to reassign the function of the Knobs.
Pads 13-16: Hold SHIFT while pressing Pads 13–16 to use the DAW shortcuts (see Operation
to learn more).
28. Pad Row Play: Press these buttons to play through the audio clips assigned to each pad in the
corresponding row of pads.
Depending on the DAW, these buttons will have different functions.
29. Knobs (1–8): Turn these knobs left/right to perform their assigned controls.
When operating with a DAW, the assigned controls will be predetermined.
When operating with a preset or the User DAW selected, the controls can be edited.
See Operation to learn how to change the predetermined assignments of the Knobs when
operating in DAW Mode with a DAW selected.
Knobs 1-4: Hold SHIFT while turning Knobs 1–4 to edit arpeggiator settings.
See Using the Keyboard’s Internal Functions to learn more about the arpeggiator.
Important: Both the Faders and Knobs are enabled with “soft takeover.” This means that if you
switch BANKs, a Fader or knob will not work until it is positioned at the current value of the
newly selected software control. For example, if you move Fader 1 in BANK 1 and then switch to
BANK 2, physical Fader 1 will not affect software Fader 10 until the physical Fader is positioned
at the current value of software Fader 10. This feature allows you to make changes in one BANK
and then switch BANKs without making unwanted changes to the new BANK’s controls. The
Display will show a checkered value meter if a Fader or Knob needs to be moved before it can
“take over” its assigned control.
Important: In Avid Pro Tools, stereo tracks have two panning controls: left and right. Press the
SHIFT button to switch the knobs between the left channel and right channel. If the pan controls
aren't moving on a mono track, press the SHIFT button to change pan knob back to controlling
the pan control normally.

12
Rear Panel
1. Kensington®Lock Connector: This connector is compatible with standard laptop-style
Kensington security cables for theft protection.
2. SUSTAIN: This input accepts a momentary-contact foot pedal (not included). When pressed, the
pedal by default will sustain the sound you are playing without you having to keep your fingers
pressed down on the keys. The sustain pedal input can be remapped to perform a custom MIDI
assignment.
Note: The polarity of the sustain pedal is determined by the keyboard upon startup. When a
Hammer 88 Pro keyboard is powering up, the sustain pedal is assumed to be in the "up" (Off)
position. It is important that the sustain pedal is not in the down position before starting up the
keyboard, as the pedal will then operate in reverse, and notes will sustain when the pedal is not
pressed.
3. FS 2 / FS 3: These 1/4" TS inputs accept a soft pedal, such as the M-Audio SP-2 pedal, to
soften the notes and modify the tonal quality. The footswitch inputs are fully assignable to CC
messages.
4. MIDI IN: Use a standard 5-pin MIDI cable (sold separately) to connect this port to a hardware
synth or other MIDI device. MIDI sent to this port will be sent to the Hammer 88 Pro, as well as
the USB port.
5. MIDI OUT: Use a standard 5-pin MIDI cable (sold separately) to connect this port to a sound
module, hardware sequencer, or other MIDI device.
Note: The MIDI output port can send MIDI from the Hammer 88 Pro, your connected computer,
or both. Go into the Global Settings to set what is sent to the MIDI Out.
6. EXPRESSION: This 1/4” TRS input is to be used with an expression pedal (such as the
M-Audio EX-P) for adding expressive changes during performances. The M-Audio EX-P
Expression Pedal is set to normally open (pedal up). The expression pedal input is fully
assignable to CC messages.
7. USB: When connected to a computer, the USB port delivers power to the keyboard and
transmits MIDI data.
8. POWER Switch: Use this switch to power Hammer 88 Pro on or off.
9. POWER INPUT: This input accepts an optional 9V DC, 800 mA power supply (sold
separately). A power supply must be connected when using Hammer 88 Pro in stand-alone
mode (when triggering external hardware synths). Use a USB cable to power Hammer 88 Pro
when connecting to a computer to trigger software synths.

13
Operation
This chapter describes the features of your Hammer 88 Pro Series keyboard.
Basic Concepts
This section gives an overview of some fundamental concepts that will help you understand
and use your Hammer 88 Pro series keyboard.
Keyboard
Octaves and Transposition
Tempo Control
Note Repeat/Latch Button
Presets
DAW and Preset Mode
SHIFT
Back Button
Encoder and Encoder Button
Mode LEDs
ARP and Latch Control
Smart Chord Control
Smart Scale Control
DAW Knob Control
DAW Shortcuts
ARP Knob Control
Zones
Each section contains links to other relevant sections of this guide, which we recommend
reading, as well.
Keyboard
The keyboard is velocity-sensitive with aftertouch and can access the full range of 127
available MIDI notes across 10 octaves.
When a key is pressed beyond its depressed point, it will activate the channel aftertouch
message. When Aftertouch is engaged, the display will show what the current aftertouch value
is, similar to moving the Pitch or Mod wheels.
Pressing SHIFT and one of the labeled keys allows users to quickly edit chord functionality or
change the global channel.

14
Octaves and Transposition
By using the Key Octave –/+buttons, the keyboard can access the full range of 127 available
MIDI notes (10 octaves). Additionally, you can transpose the keyboard up to 12 semitones (1
octave) in either direction.
To change the octave of the keyboard, use the Key Octave –/+buttons to lower or raise the
octave, respectively. The display will temporarily show OCT and the current octave shift.
To change the transposition of the keyboard, press and hold Shift, and then use the Key
Octave –/+buttons to lower or raise the keybed by one one, respectively. The display will
temporarily show TRANS and the current transposition (-12 to 12).
Tempo Control
To edit the Tempo button, press the Tempo button. You can either repeatedly tap the TEMPO
button to enter in the tempo, or press and hold the TEMPO button to enter into the TEMPO
EDIT mode. Once in the TEMPO EDIT mode you can scroll through the available parameter
values using the Encoder. Select what parameter you would like to edit by pressing the
Encoder.
Clock Source “CLOCK”: Selects whether the tempo is sent from the keyboard’s internal
tempo or synced to an external DAW.
Available Values: Internal, External
BPM ###.: 20.00 – 240.00
BPM .#: .0 – .9
Note: Clock messages are sent and received on Hammer 88 Pro Port 1 (Hammer 88 Pro
##/USB MIDI).
Note Repeat/Latch Button
When this button is pressed and held it will activate the Pad’s Note Repeat/Roll functionality.
If SHIFT and this button are pressed together, then that will activate the Note Repeat button’s
Latch feature.
While Note Repeat is active, the Select/Scroll Encoder can be used to change the current
Time Division setting of the Arpeggiator and pad Note Repeat:
• 1/4
• 1/4T
• 1/8
• 1/8T
• 1/16
• 1/16T
• 1/32
• 1/32T
Note: You can also use the 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, and 1/32 fader buttons to change tempos. To
access the triplet functionality of a Time Division button, double press the desired Time
Division button.

15
Presets
A preset is a saved collection of assignments for your Hammer 88 Pro’s controls, channel
settings, keyboard zone settings, etc. You can store up to 16 Preset presets in Hammer 88
Pro’s internal memory, enabling you to use a dedicated preset for each virtual instrument, or
project/session.
Along with the included DAW presets you can store your own DAW preset in Hammer 88
Pro’s internal memory, enabling you to create and use your own dedicated DAW preset for
your digital audio workstation (DAW).
We recommend registering your Hammer 88 Pro on m-audio.com and downloading the
Hammer 88 Pro Series Software Manager.
In the Software Manager you'll have access to all of your included software as well as the
Hammer 88 Pro Preset Editor. The Preset Editor gives you a visual and intuitive way to edit
the various messages that Hammer 88 Pro's controls send to your computer without having to
use the hardware interface. The Preset Editor enables you to save and load custom presets
from your computer.
To select a Preset preset, press and hold the PRESET button until the Preset Selection
screen appears on the OLED, then turn the Encoder to scroll to a preset, and then press the
Encoder to select your desired preset.
To select a DAW preset, press and hold the DAW button until the DAW preset Selection
screen appears on the OLED, then turn the Encoder to scroll to a DAW preset, and then press
the Encoder to select your desired preset.
Important: If you power off your Hammer 88 Pro keyboard without saving/storing your preset,
you will lose any assignments or changes you have made.
DAW and Preset Mode
Once you’ve set up your Hammer 88 Pro keyboard to work with your DAW, it’s time to set the
keyboard’s operation Mode, Preset or DAW. By choosing the operation Mode, you can quickly
switch between the Hammer 88 Pro controlling your DAW’s controls when DAW mode is
active to controlling a soft synth/Virtual Instrument when Preset mode is active.
These two operation Modes determine the function of the MIDI keyboard’s editable controls:
• DAW: In DAW Mode, the keyboard’s controls will be mapped to faders, buttons, knobs,
and in some cases pads in your DAW.
• Preset: In Preset Mode, the keyboard’s controls will be mapped to faders, buttons, knobs,
and pads in your selected Virtual Instrument. The keyboard’s editable controls can be set
to functions that you design yourself. A number of individual preset mappings can be
created and then saved to the keyboard’s internal memory for you to load at a later time.

16
To set the keyboard to operate in DAW Mode, press the DAW Button. The button LED will
be lit to show that DAW Mode is selected.
To change which DAW your keyboard is set to control:
1. Press and hold the DAW Button to open the DAW Select menu on the Display.
2. Turn the Select/Scroll Encoder to cycle through the available DAWs on the Display. As
you turn the Encoder, the currently selected DAW will update on the Display. The User
option enables you to map custom DAW controls to the keyboard, as described in the
Operation section.
3. When the DAW you want is shown on the Display, press the Select/Scroll Encoder to
confirm your selection.
Note: To exit out of DAW Mode without changing the currently selected DAW, press the
Back Button.
Most DAWs will automatically recognize the Hammer 88 Pro series keyboard, and
automatically configure your Hammer 88 Pro’s controls as a control surface in DAW mode,
and virtual instrument controller in Preset mode.
If your DAW does not automatically configure your Hammer 88 Pro series keyboard, please
follow the setup steps listed in the Hammer 88 DAW Setup Guides.
To set the keyboard to operate in Preset Mode, press the Preset Button. The Preset
button LED will be lit to show that Preset Mode is selected.
To change the currently selected preset:
1. Press and hold the Preset Button to open the Preset Select menu on the Display.
2. Turn the Select/Scroll Encoder to cycle through the available Presets on the Display. As
you turn the Encoder, the currently selected Preset will update on the Display.
3. When the preset you want is shown on the Display, press the Select/Scroll Encoder to
confirm your selection.
There are Presets for all of the Virtual Instruments included with your Hammer 88 Pro. For
Virtual Instruments that are not included with your Hammer 88 Pro, we suggest using MPC
Beats as a plugin wrapper in your favorite DAW, and the Hammer 88 Pro’s MPC PI preset.
MPC Beats opens as a plugin wrapper in all mainstream DAWs to merge the best of all DAW
worlds. This gives you the freedom to use MPC Beats as a soft synth/Virtual Instrument plugin
wrapper, enabling you to have all of your Hammer 88 Pro controls auto-mapped to your
favorite soft synth/Virtual Instrument plugin.
To download the included MPC Beats software, follow the instructions on the included
software download card.
SHIFT Button
When this button is pressed and held it will enable you to select SHIFT modifier functions of
the keyboard.

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Back Button
When in any of the keyboard’s available editing modes, this button will send a message to go
back to a previous menu. When not in any of the edit modes, this button will send a separate
MIDI, Mackie or Mackie/HUI message in DAW mode. When in PRESET mode, this button will
send a separate user editable MIDI message when preset 1-16 is selected.
When SHIFT is pressed and held with this button it will delete the currently selected letter
when saving a User Preset Name, or User DAW Name.
Encoder and Encoder Button
When in any of the keyboard’s available editing modes this Encoder is used for scrolling
through selections when turned left and right and will enter when pressed. When in DAW
Mode this Encoder will send separate Up/Down or Left/Right messages (depending on the
DAW), and Enter messages. In Preset mode this Encoder will either send the same message
as the DAW Encoder assignment or send Program or CC messages.
When NOTE REPEAT is active the Encoder will be used for selecting NOTE REPEAT and
ARP time division settings.
Mode LEDs
These LEDs will change depending on what the current keyboard mode is. In Preset and DAW
mode, the fader buttons silkscreened options will always be available for selection. In DAW
mode, the fader buttons silkscreened options will be available for selection, as well as track
Record (Record arm), Select, Mute, and Solo. In Preset mode, the fader buttons silkscreened
options will be available for selection, as well as user editable MIDI messages.
DAW Mode
• Off/No LEDs: Fader Buttons will activate the following options:
o ARP On/Off, ARP Edit Enter/Exit
o ARP Latch On/Off
o Smart Chord On/Off, Chord Edit Enter/Exit
o Smart Scale On/Off, Scales Edit Enter/Exit
o 1/4, 1/4T – Timing selection for the ARP and Note Repeat messages.
o 1/8, 1/8T – Timing selection for the ARP and Note Repeat messages.
o 1/16, 1/16T – Timing selection for the ARP and Note Repeat messages.
o 1/32, 1/32T – Timing selection for the ARP and Note Repeat messages.
• Rec/Red LED: Fader Buttons will activate Record Arm MIDI, Mackie, or Mackie/HUI
messages for the associated button’s current channel in your DAW.
• Select/Green LED: Fader Buttons will activate Track Select MIDI, Mackie, or Mackie/HUI
messages for the associated button’s current channel in your DAW.
• Mute/Blue LED: Fader Buttons will activate Mute MIDI, Mackie, or Mackie/HUI
messages for the associated button’s current channel in your DAW.
• Solo/Yellow LED: Fader Buttons will activate Solo MIDI, Mackie, or Mackie/HUI
messages for the associated button’s current channel in your DAW.

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Preset Mode
• Off/No LEDs: Fader Buttons will activate the following options:
o ARP On/Off, ARP Edit Enter/Exit
o ARP Latch On/Off
o Chord On/Off, Chord Edit Enter/Exit
o Scales On/Off, Scales Edit Enter/Exit
o 1/4, 1/4T
o 1/8, 1/8T
o 1/16, 1/16T
o 1/32, 1/32T
• MIDI/White LED: Fader Buttons will send predetermined MIDI messages when in a
factory preset, or any user assignable MIDI message when in the user presets.
ARP and ARP LATCH Control
When this button is pressed, it will activate the keyboard’s internal arpeggiator. The
arpeggiator’s rate is based on the current Tempo and Time Division settings – Tempo settings
are editable using the Tempo button. Time Division settings can be accessed by pressing and
holding the Note Repeat button and turning the Encoder or by pressing any of the time
division fader buttons (1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32).
To activate the ARP Latch functionality, press the ARP LATCH button.
Note: You can also sync the Arpeggiator to either the current Tempo’s BPM setting, or an
external MIDI Clock source. The clock source can be edited in Preset Edit Mode and
selecting/pressing the Tempo button. Arpeggiator functionality is available in the 2 keyboard
modes, DAW, PRESET.
Smart Chord Control
When this button is pressed, it will activate the keyboard’s internal Smart Chord functionality.
The Smart Chord functionality can function on notes being played on the keyboard or pads
depending on the selection in the GLOBAL SETTINGS menu. When Smart Chord mode is
active a single key press will play a chord as selected in the current Smart Chord Edit options.
This functionality is available in the 2 keyboard modes, DAW, PRESET.
Smart Scale Control
When this button is pressed, it will activate the keyboard’s internal Smart Scale functionality.
The current scale is based on the current Smart Scale settings (in the Smart Scale Edit menu).
The Smart Scale functionality will only function on notes being played on the keyboard only.
When Smart Scale Mode is active, keys will only play notes in the key of the current key and
scale selection. This functionality is available in the 2 keyboard modes, DAW, PRESET.

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DAW Knob Control
Using the SHIFT button and 9-11 will enable you to change the function of knobs in DAW
mode.
DAW Mode
• Volume: Will change the knobs function to control the channel faders in your DAW
• Pan: Will change the knobs function to control the channel pan knobs in your DAW
• Device: Will change the knobs function to control the currently selected channel’s plugin
controls in your DAW.
Note: Not all DAWs support Device control.
• Sends: Will change the knobs function to control the currently selected channel’s send
controls in your DAW.
Note: Not all DAWs support Sends control.
DAW Shortcuts
Using the SHIFT button and TEMPO/METRO and Pads 13-16 will enable you to send DAW
shortcut/hot key messages:
• METRO (Metronome): Will send the ASCII shortcut message to turn on/off your
Metronome/Click track in your DAW.
• Save: Will send the Save ASCII shortcut message to your DAW to save your current
session.
• Quantize: Will send the Quantize ASCII shortcut message to your DAW to Quantize your
current selection.
• View: Will send a View ASCII shortcut message to your DAW to change your current
view.
Note: Some DAWs may require a window to be opened for View to work properly. This
will toggle between the window being maximized and minimized.
Note: Some DAWs will also support additional View controls. Pressing the Clip Play
buttons will offer additional view controls.
• Undo: Will send an Undo ASCII shortcut message to your DAW to revert your last change
in your DAW.
Note: You can lock and unlock your DAW shortcuts to always be active by pressing SHIFT
and BANK >.
ARP Knob Control
Using the SHIFT button and Knobs 1-4 will enable you to change the function of knobs to
control the functions of the Arpeggiator.
Arp Knob Controls
• Type: Will change what order the notes will be played back in the ARP
• Octave: Will change the octave range of the ARP
• Gate: Will change the length of the ARP’s notes
• Swing: Will change how much the ARPs Tempo will swing
Note: You can lock and unlock your ARP knob controls to always be active by pressing SHIFT
and BANK <.

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Zones
The keybed (the piano keys) on your Hammer 88 Pro can be divided into 1–4 “zones.” When
zones are active each zone can send its controls’ MIDI messages over its own MIDI channel.
You can assign the parameters for the keybed/zones in Preset Edit mode only.
Tip: This feature is great for dividing your keyboard between different virtual instruments or
synthesizers. For example, you can create two zones, each using a different MIDI channel, and
play and control two virtual instruments simultaneously—one with each half of the keys.
• Enabled: Turns the associated function on or off.
• First: The zone’s lowest key will correspond with this note.
• Last: The zone’s highest key will correspond with this note.
• Octave: The zone’s keys will send their notes using this octave shift (from their original
position on the keybed).
Note: The zone octave and transposition are independent from the keyboard’s overall
octave and transposition, but all of these affect the note a key sends out.
• Transpose: The zone’s keys will send their notes using this transposition (from their
original position on the keybed).
Note: The zone octave and transposition are independent from the keyboard’s overall
octave and transposition, but all of these affect the note a key sends out.
• Program: The zone will send this program number when you press a key in it.
• MSB: The zone will send this Bank MSB (Most Significant Byte) number when you press a
key in it.
• LSB: The zone will send this Bank LSB (Least Significant Byte) number when you press a
key in it.
• Chan: The zone will send its messages over this channel. Select the global channel
(Global) or a specific channel (Channel 1–16).
Note: Any other controls whose Channel settings are set to this zone will send their messages
using this channel as well.