Professional musicians looking for USB MIDI keyboard control need look no further than the M-Audio Axiom Pro, a controller that takes M-Audio's existing line of controllers and offers vast improvements for more natural key response and more intensive control.

It's available in 25-, 49- and 61-key models, and each version features M-Audio's HyperControl technology, which maps keyboard controls to often utilized parameters in many major DAWs and software instruments. A visual LSD display keeps current values displayed for seamless editing and prevention of parameter jumps. You can also switch between mixer and instrument control modes for more efficient workflow.

The new series explores uncharted territories by allowing you to combine MIDI control with ASCII keysrokes. This means you can assign any ASCII key commands right to your host software. Further features include TruTouch semi-weighted key action, which provide superior response to more rudimentary M-Audio controller models. Finally, eight velocity-sensitive trigger pads, tricked out with Trigger Finger technology allow you to pull up loops and samples in style.

Tex Schenkkan, VP and GM of Audio at Avid, shoots off on the Axiom Pro series:

“The Axiom Pro series will equip our customers with an entirely new level of performance and flexibility by allowing them to control a whole session directly from their Axiom Pro keyboard. We’ve received numerous requests from our user community for a more full-featured version of the Axiom keyboard controllers for professional applications and today’s announcement delivers just that.”