M-Audio Hammer 88 USB MIDI Keyboard Controller

M-Audio have often been associated with innovative production technology, but I feel they may have outdone themselves this time. Introducing the M-Audio Hammer 88 - an 88-Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller, that plays like an actual grand piano!

88 Keys with fully-weighted Hammer-Action

The audio production market has been in dire need of a truly top-level, premium controller that delivers the kind of playing experience normally associated with the fully-weighted hammer-action keys that you'd get from an acoustic grand piano, along with the ability to fully customise your sound with a range of highly accurate and intuitite-to-use controls. The Hammer 88 gives you all of that, and more.

A Whole Host of Premium Quality Features

In addition to the core range of controls (including a unity-locking pitch wheel, and separation modulation wheel for Port & Gliss effects) you get a dedicated Master Volume Fader, which can be MIDI mapped to any compatible parameter within a DAW or VSI collection, and assignable Up/Down buttons to control programs, effects, MMC messages, octave jumps and more

Free Software

When you purchase the M-Audio Hammer 88, you also get a full suite of premium AIR and SONiVOX software, as well as a 3-month subscription to Skoove interactive online piano lessons. As if that wasn't enough, you also get a free copy of Ableton Live Lite.

Ableton Live Lite

The stunning Ableton DAW is the go-to software for many producers the world over, and when you buy the M-Audio Hammer 88 you get a free version of your very own, in the guise of Ableton Live 9 Lite - complete with selected instruments and effects, plus all of the essential workflows of Ableton Live.

Ableton Live Lite features:

• Fast, intuitive worlflow based on unique Session and Arrangement Views
• Professional-quality audio recording and MIDI sequencing on up to 8 tracks
• Drum, Instrument and Effect Racks for creative sound design and processing
• Plug-and-Play Compatibility with many hardware controllers
• Studio effects, including EQ, Compression, Reverb, Delay, Chorus, Filter and more!
• The ability to use any VST and AU instruments / effects
• Fully compatible with the Export Live Set feature

Includes 2GB Sound Library of In-Demand Sound Content From Touch Loops

Spark that initial idea or add the finishing touch to your latest masterpiece - whatever your production needs, Touch Loops' 2GB sample library doesn't disappoint! Based in Los Angeles and London, Touch Loops equips customers with the most cutting-edge sound elements, instruments, hardware, and software recordings, expertly curated by a team of professional music producers and sound designers. Now included with Hammer 88, this 500+ sound library provides everything from must-have one shot drum hits to sultry melodic loops and deep, driving bass - whatever your project demands, this expertly curated sample content arms you with cutting-edge content to realise it!

Includes MPC Beats

Enabling users with highly versatile software that's sure to unleash their creativity, MPC Beats is a fully-featured DAW, that comes with an array of virtual instruments such as TubeSynth, Electric and Bassline to add additional dynamics to your session. That's not all as MPC Beats also comes with 80 impressive FX plugins including the new AIR channel strip and Half Time.

With 2GB of onboard content and the additional Bonus F9 instrument library, you'll never be short of inspiration ever again.

Highlights

• 88 fully-weighted, hammer-action keys
• USB-MIDI connection for playing virtual instruments and controlling recording software
• 5-Pin MIDI output to trigger external MIDI devices
• Pitch bend, modulation, volume and controls for expressive performances
• Inputs for Sustain, Expression and Soft pedals
• USB-powered, no power supply required
• No drivers required, supports plug-and-play connectivity to your Mac or PC
• iOS compatibility using the Apple iPad Camera Connection Kit (sold separately)
• Includes Ableton Live Lite, a powerful music performance and creation software
• Includes AIR 'Mini Grand" Acoustic Grand Piano, AIR Vintage Electric Piano Instrument, AIR Tonewheel Organ Simulator and SONiVOX "Eighty Eight Ensemble" Authentic Piano Instrument
• Includes 2GB (500+ sample) cutting-edge sound library from leading content developer Touch Loops.
• Includes 3-months of Skoove interactive online piano lessons
• Multiple keyboard zones for layering, splits and 4-note chords with a single key press
• Clean, professional editing with included Hammer 88 Controller Editor
• Power adapter (optional) for stand-alone use
• Music rest
• Dimensions: (WxDxL) 11.9" x 5.0" x 55.9" (30.2 x 12.7 x 142.0 cm)
• Weight: 17.5 kg