M-Audio

The series name Oxygen implies that the M-Audio keyboard controllers were redesigned to be a breath of fresh air or something pure and necessary. On that note, here are three versions of the same controllers that do the same things they did before.  

It's a pity that most pro audio applications have that tendency to confuse the average musician to the point that they fail in one of the most important aspects of pro audio application use: capturing musical ideas. The M-Audio New Fast Track just goes as simple as plug-and-play and suddenly you're making that record.  

Whenever you record something and try to create a little bit of studio magic during the mixing process, one thing that's bound to baffle you is the bass. The M-Audio SBX10 active subwoofer sheds some "light" into the mud of bass work.  

Occasionally we get the time to do a real no-holds-barred demo here at Gearwire, and now is one of those times. Owen O'Malley brings in a little backup to see how far we can push the M-Audio Luna II.  

Your local dealer has started filling their shelves with the M-Audio Studiophile DSM3. It's probably enough reason to come out of your control booths for a little sunlight, if only to check 'em out.  

M-Audio and N2IT are taking their problems to court. N2IT, a Holland-based company, is suing M-Audio for technologies that went into Torq, which they claim violates a patent they've held. So long as they're not all hopped up on hash and windmill fumes, this could mean trouble for M-Audio . . . and yes, that is Judge Reinhold.  

Priced below their DSM1 monitors but above their BX series monitors, the new M-Audio CX Series are not only poised to shake up the home studio market, but they also reinforce the importance of adhering to alphabetical sequencing.  

Patrick McCarthy and Tommy Stephenson, otherwise known as Technosanta and T-Step, make up the funky bent loudness of Roth Mobot. Today they're depending on Alex Ingleazian (otherwise known as Buddy Holly) in the booth to keep their high stylings under control with the M-Audio Octane and a lot of smooth talk.  

The M-Audio Axiom Pro 49 is kind of a conundrum. Even though it adds "Pro" to its title, its features actually make things a lot easier for the user. Shouldn't it be geared towards the novice? And shouldn't actual professionals have to prove their worth by using MIDI controllers that shock them if they play the wrong note?  

Please don't think of M-Audio as the "Budget Digidesign." The new M-Audio DSM1 and DSM2 studio monitors are every bit as professional as their parent company's versions. In fact, they're the perfect choice for studio owners who don't want to compromise on sound, but are limited by their. . . umm. . . religious beliefs?  

Serious control freaks will flip out over the new M-Audio Axiom Pro Series. In 25-, 49- and 61-key configurations, these professional grade controller keyboards take what was good about the original Axioms and spruce up their resumes with more responsive keys and further streamlined control.  

Yeah, DJing used to be a fun, relaxing pass-time, but times have changed. If you want to be a DJ today, you've got to be prompt, prepared and professional in both demeanor and appearance. We suggest learning how to tie a bow-tie and, if that fails, show up with you equipment in the new M-Audio Xponent Gig Bag.  

The newest version of GForce's beloved M-Tron may seem a bit unfamiliar to users of previous versions. Sure, it still quacks like a duck, but now it walks like duck that's been cybernetically enhanced and modded out by Section 9 for covert espionage.  

The M-Audio Studiophile DSM1 features DSP-based crossover management, an assortment of on-board digital EQ controls, proprietary high-grade driver designs and analog and digital inputs for high-resolution audio. These reference monitors make high-end monitors affordable.  

Thomas Faulds is an Ableton Live Specialist who moderates the Ableton User Group in Chicago, and his work with the groups brings him into contact with some of the most innovative musicians in the Windy City. In This video, he imparts some wisdom about using MIDI controllers while creating live loops with Vibraphonist Katie Wiegman.  

While the Axiom 25 is a great feeling and well built keyboard controller, its auto-mapping isn't the greatest. Bill Holland plays marriage counselor and tries to get the Axiom and Ableton Live 7 back on speaking terms.  

Bill Holland goes absolutely nuts with looping, cuing at Dan Fastuca speeds. Bill also creates shows how syncing can fix anything -- pitch, tempo. Just lock it together like you've got a pair of imaginary handcuffs, and you'll be fine.  

That's right. Take a moment to let that sink in. Bill Holland uses looping to remix a remix. Watch this video for either a demonstration on using the Xponent to create loops or in order to try to escape your mundane life of watching videos on the internet through the wormhole Bill creates in your monitor.  

Gearwire's Bill Holland takes on the M-Audio Torq Xponent. First, we see the features. Then we see the features in action.  

M-Audio have announced their entry into the Digital Piano realm, a land ruled by behemoths like Yamaha, Korg, Roland and Casio. You must defeat all the behemoths in this forbidden realm if you wish to bring your beloved princess back to life.  

We return with some lost but definitely worthy footage from Movement 2008 in Detroit. In this video, Joe Vortech talks to Mr. De of Submerge Recordings about the future of the recording industry and how labels, bands, DJs and producers can adapt.  

Samson MediaOne 4a and M-Audio StudioPro 3 aren't meant to be reference monitors, but for tracking and simply listening to music, they do the trick. Bill Holland listens to the monitors and compares.  

M-Audio turns 20 this year, and to celebrate this momentous anniversary, they're releasing some anniversary edition products. That means the MIDISPORT 4x4 and 2x2 get some new makeovers.  

DJ Puzzle Jason Donnelly give us a quick tour through the effects that come included with M-Audio's SynchroScience -- the software component to their Torq / Connectiv control Vinyl system.  

M-Audio's SynchroScience Software (say that five times fast) has a number of functions that make beat-matching as easy as clicking a button, which deeply offends the sensibilities of GW's Jason Donnelly (DJ Puzzle). His solution: plug in some time code vinyl and make like a real DJ.  

DJ Puzzle Jason Donnelly busts out the turntables and the laptop to take a look at M-Audio Torq Conectiv Vinyl/CD Pack. In this first session, Puzzle overviews the Torq software Synchroscientifically.  

As lead singer NOX confides, Lust Murder Box uses a lot of MIDI in their songs, from first germination to final product, so it makes sense that they favor Logic Pro 7 as their DAW-of-choice in their band's studio.  

Once associated with "intro" level recording interfaces, M-Audio has been remaking it's own image with the Fast Track series of USB interfaces. Now, at Musikmesse, they introduce the Ultra 8R, a rack-mountable, 16x8 unit that wouldn't be out of place in a professional recording studio.  

In promotion of I-Dance's Global XS, software that helps connect producers with labels and other industry hot shots, there will be a dance music competition with some serious prizes. Only one thing stands between you and the grand prize -- J. Irving-Giles and his toe-tapping, head-bobbing, booty-shaking club tracks.  

Gearwire's Bill Holland meets with DJ Kero to discuss the tools he uses live and in studio. Kero talks about using the Torq Xponent live and on making his own patches with Cycling 74 Max/MSP.