M-Audio Keystation 49e USB MIDI Controller Keyboard : For the musical geek

Working at Mr.Gadget means that we get to scope out the coolest gadgets, no matter what shape, form, purpose or manufacturer. What this means, we don't try to limit ourselves to cool techno-gadgets like USB christmas trees and the O2 XDA II Exec that the usual technoliterati like us like drool over. I myself, being a tryhard musician, am rather interested in musical gadgets as well. Stuff like synthesisers, amplifiers, effects pedals and the like make my heart palpitate with desire.

I'm willing to bet that I'm not the only one. I'm quite sure that a lot of you out there have had some music training, or are very much avid listeners of music. Put your hands up if you want to be the next Simon and Garfunkel, Bob Dylan, Stock, Aitken and Waterman or P.Diddy?

Well, the M-Audio Keystation 49e USB MIDI Controller Keyboard connected to your PC or Mac and using the bundled Ableton Live Lite 4 or any sequencer of your choice, you can create the next "Bohemian Rhapsody" or "Shut Up Yo Face".

I must let you know though, the Keystation 49e is a MIDI controller, and therefore does not generate its own sounds. It must be plugged into a computer and it relies on the computer sequencer's software instruments to generate music. Software such as Apple's Garageband and Mackie's Tracktion software are great inexpensive sequencers which you can get started with your music-making and are the perfect complement to the Keystation 49e. I'm actually running Apple's Logic 7 and I'm going to be getting its bigger brother, the M-Audio Keystation Pro 61es as I have ambitions to be the next John Lennon. Yeah right.

Since it's USB Plug 'n' Play, you just need to plug the M-Audio Keystation 49e USB MIDI Controller Keyboard into your computer and you are ready to make music!

Features of the M-Audio Keystation 49e USB MIDI Controller Keyboard:
- 49-note full-size, velocity-sensitive keyboard
- pitch bend and modulation wheels
- volume/control slider
- advanced function button for programming
- sustain foot pedal input
- octave +/- buttons to extend keyboard range
- separate MIDI out jack routes MIDI signals from your computer to control external devices
- powered via USB or 9VDC power adapter (not included)
- functions as a standalone USB MIDI interface
- class-compliant with OS X and Windows XP for plug-and-play
- also includes drivers for Mac OS 9.1 and later, and included for Windows 95/98/ME/2000
- includes Ableton Live Lite 4 music production software, so you can make music right away

Order your M-Audio Keystation 49e USB MIDI Controller Keyboard from Mr.Gadget today!