M-Audio O2 USB MIDI Controller

As someone who dabbles in music as a hobby, I was looking for something inexpensive, didn't take up too much space, and could control my various software packages. The O2 was perfect. I didn't need a controller that was too complex. I just wanted to be able to sit down, play around with it and figure it out. I've only owned it for a week so I haven't had the opportunity to get into it too much. So far, so good, though.

Nice keyboard but I didn't like the pitch bend switch and found the key-feel to be cheap. It's certainly portable, but my feeling was that if you're going to sacrifice that much in key-feel you may as well get the super-slim Edirol and be done with it. Or get a bigger, heavier keyboard.

The M-Audio O2 USB MIDI Controller is a great little keyboard for use with your computer or synth module. It's great for banging out simple melodies and bass lines, or creating multi-layered parts one track at a time. I use it with my Windows XP pc and a couple of different audio apps including FL-Studio and Live. It's very easy to install. If you have Windows XP, it will work automatically. It's also very easy to syncronize it with your audio programs. I had a lot of fun using this with Live. You can actually use the 02 to "play" various audio loops time and pitch syncronized with this program. The M-Audio O2 USB MIDI Controller is a great creative tool and is very addictive. The only downside is it's limited number of keys. If you want to play a virtual piano with bass notes and melody at the same time, save your money for a larger controller. If you want to play with Live or create some great melodies, get this. You'll have a blast.

Ive owned the M-Audio O2 for about a year now, and I travel the world in my musical group. It rocks when Im on stage playing in front of 3,000 people or on the bus where I can record stuff easily and conveniently without any hassles. I recommend it to a professional musician who tours all over the world 12 months out of the year, or someone just starting who wants to write songs and create their music in their own home.

Overall this keyboard is great. I have only had my O2 for a few weeks and I am totally impressed. The installation and setup is a no hassle situation so you can jump right into whatever project your working on. Great keyboard at an affordable price.