M-Audio Oxygen Pro: The Oxygen keyboard controller is all grown-up now
M-Audio Oxygen Pro Series · Source: M-Audio
M-Audio Oxygen Pro Series · Source: M-Audio
M-Audio has unveiled the Oxygen Pro USB/MIDI keyboard controllers. The latest generation of the long-running Oxygen series comes in four variants with 25, 49 or 61 standard keys or 32 mini keys. With lots of pads, faders and knobs and a DAW control section, the M-Audio Oxygen Pro series controllers are designed to be at the center of your studio.
M-Audio Oxygen Pro
The M-Audio Oxygen keyboard controllers were among the first compact MIDI keyboards that came with a USB port, so they could connect directly to your computer. Over the past 18 years, the series has remained a household name in the controller market, while evolving to meet the demands of modern production environments. The new Oxygen Pro series represents the newest generation, which has a decidedly more “pro” look and feel compared to previous Oxygen keyboards.
The M-Audio Oxygen Pro keyboard controllers are available with 25, 49 and 61 standard-size keys. For portable setups, there’s the Oxygen Pro Mini with 32 mini keys. All models are equipped with an OLED display, “smart chord” and “smart scale” features and auto mapping. They also feature buttons for DAW control and browsing presets. And you get an integrated arpeggiator and a note repeat function for rhythmic expression.
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- M-Audio Oxygen Pro 61 · Source: M-Audio
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- M-Audio Oxygen Pro 49 · Source: M-Audio
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- M-Audio Oxygen Pro 25 · Source: M-Audio
Lots of pads and faders
The Oxygen Pro 25, 49 and 61 offer 16 illuminated RGB pads and eight assignable knobs. The two larger keyboards also have nine assignable faders, whereas the compact 25-key model offers only one. The keybeds are velocity-sensitive and offer aftertouch and assignable key zones. All three models with standard keys are equipped with a USB port, a traditional 5-pin MIDI output, a sustain pedal jack and a power switch. This means that they can also be used without a computer.
The standard keyed models offer a 5-pin MIDI output · Source: M-Audio
New M-Audio Oxygen Pro Mini with 32 mini keys
The Oxygen Pro Mini goes up against competitors like the AKAI MPK Mini Mk3, Novation Launchkey Mini Mk3 and Arturia MiniLab MKII. It does, however, feature a slightly larger range with 32 keys or 2 1/2 octaves. The Oxygen Pro Mini comes with eight RGB pads, four assignable knobs and four faders. This version offers a USB connector, sustain pedal jack and 1/8″ MIDI output.
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- M-Audio Oxygen Pro Mini · Source: M-Audio
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- The Oxygen Pro Mini has an 1/8″ MIDI output · Source: M-Audio
Extensive software package
According to M-Audio, all Oxygen Pro models automatically map their controls to popular DAWs like MPC Beats, Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Logic Pro, Studio One and Cubase. They also come with pre-configured mappings for the included software instruments by Air Music Tech (Velvet, Mini Grand, Vacuum, Boom, DB-33, Xpand!2). And you get not one, but three DAWs when you purchase an Oxygen Pro: MPC Beats, Pro Tools First and Ableton Live Lite. A large selection of MPC Expansion Packs is also included.
With these features, the latest Oxygen generation is clearly leaving the budget controller market behind, aiming for a share of the mid-tier market populated by competitors like the Arturia KeyLab Essential MKII, Novation Launchkey MK3 and Impulse. Needless to say, this also results in significantly higher prices compared to the Oxygen Mk4 series. But if the Oxygen Pro series proves to be as dependable as its predecessors, I think it’s bound to be a success nonetheless.
M-Audio Oxygen Pro 49 · Source: Wilderness Studios / Lighthouse Production
Prices and availability
The M-Audio Oxygen Pro USB/MIDI keyboard controllers are available now. You can order them from Thomann.de here*. Prices range from £114 / €129 for the Oxygen Pro Mini to £246 / €279 for the Oxygen Pro 61.
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