Wow! I was looking for a review and info on this midi controller, but I am now just a fan of your playing... You made this review so relaxing! Thank you! I have the 88 hammer and would like to get more buttons and knobs to control my soft synth. I was thinking of the Komplete 88 but it is pretty pricey!
Excellent unbox & initial review. I have to say that was a very bold adventurous move selling your Yamaha P515, and going with this 88 Key Controller without any prior hands on. That P515 Keybed is terrific. I'm a guitar player, that needs a Keyboard now and then. I played a Yamaha P80 for 20 years, just replaced with a Roland FP-50E, very heavy action. Anyway, I'm a banger, you sir have skill. Enjoyed your playing, the board sounds great.
Yeah, and it's particularly hazardous because you can't put your hands on many of these. Some of these are only available by order. I am about to release a video and eBook that may help people with this problem.
Thank you for your wonderful video and great playing. This is encouraging as I just order the Hammer 88, but not the Pro model as I have other ways to control my midi needs. Unless you may happen to know otherwise... and it is for home studio use only. I am assuming that the key bed will be the same for the Pro and and non-Pro models. I always enjoy your videos. Thank you for helping all of stay more connected with good information.
Is it possible, you make tutorial how you work with keyscape and make your sound, how is connected to your Computer etc? It sounds realy good... maybe you like to share with us. Great play.. Keep Jammin
The control is better with Keyscape and other plugins. It’s more responsive, more exacting, and certainly has more controls that work with the daw. Plus the pads, and faders. Still working with it.
I have a small M-audio midi axiom keyboard 25 keys and the delay related to the computer ( windows system) is a very annoying issue. Have You've ever had that? I know it depends on various factors but...i gave up on it to tell truth. I'm just an beginner amateur player and you're pretty much pro-professional level with highly expensive gear so i don't know if you even realise these kinds of issues happen but anyways , nice video and sound and noticed there's not a fraction of a second regarding to delay response ( key touch and processing ). Thanks
Great review. How are you getting on with it after a few months? I keep circling back to this keyboard vs. Studio Logic's SL73 or SL88 or Arturia's Keylab 88 Mkii. The M-audio graded bed sounds wonderful. But also keep seeing the same issues reported. Would love to hear your updated views.
@@Bozo--- I ended up being able to play all of them in a local shop. I came away really not liking any of the models with the Fatar. Side by side with higher end digital pianos and with real pianos, the touch was far too heavy. Also Arturia, SL and NI all had at least one sticky slow returning key. The graded M-audio felt much better, but even the shop staff said they get a lot of return issues with key failures. So I ruled that out. Then looked at higher priced performance boards. The Studio Logic Numa X Pianos were nicer keybeds, as were some of the very expensive Yamahas. So my potential spend jumped from about $1000 USD (Japan's import prices are higher than US market), to nearly three times that amount. So I decided that I would find a compromise. I like the Artuia interface and have their V collection. So I bought an Arturia Keylab 61 mkII that will fit nicely into my keyboard drawer and give me DAW control and aftertouch with enough keys for 80% of what I do. Cost on sale for the holiday about $500 USD. Then went to another shop and bought a Casio PX-s3100 which gives me a very nice, weighted but also balanced graded keybed for pianos and it is very good. Came in at $600. I sat it on the table next to the main desk and I can reach both. I find I play the piano a lot and love the touch. Sounds are fine for practice and it has a pitch wheel and two assignable knobs for synths. This choice gave me two very different playing experiences for the cost of just one of the weighted controllers and I didn't need to give anything up. Also the piano lets me practice computer free when I just want to noodle sounds. Sometimes you need two hammers for a construction project. Seems the same applies to controllers. Also the Roland RD88 was my 2nd choice. More control, escapement, but a lot heavier, and I wanted to be able to move it easily room to room. In practice I don't experience any significant difference in playability between the Casio and Roland for someone who is a key player used to a wider range of instruments.
@@nonbinarymetv Ahh thanks for the update. Nice choice with the arturia mkii, I was really thinking buying it a few days ago because it has everything and the keybeds doesn't look too bad. I wanted weighted or hammer keys but when I looked at the SL 88 studio and grand but I don't know I always find issues on keyboard when i do some research.
@@Bozo--- For the price of the Arturia 88key, you can get into a digital piano with nice action and the Arturia 61 key. I am so happy I did this. The Casion PX-s3100 cost me under $600 on sale and it is quite nice action. The Roland F30x is a different kind of action that is also very nice around the same price (it was very expensive in Japan otherwise I would have gone with that one). but I like the Casio and having both boards in our little studio is great. The Casio action is so much nicer than the Fatar beds in the Artruria, SL and NI 88 key controllers.
@@nonbinarymetv can you please test the Cascio using a piano VST compared to your Arturia? I have a novation SL MKiii that I want to return, and am trying to decide what to replace it with. I have that Cascio in a wish list as a potential. Cre8iv from this video said his Yamaha didn't do as well using Keyscape. I would really appreciate your feedback :)
Did you end up getting a chance to check out the Arturia KeyLab 88 mkII in the flesh? If so, how did you find the keybed and what made you choose the Hammer 88 Pro over the Arturia?
How soft(quietly) can you play a note on the pro 88? The dynanics from softer to louder seem there, but I can't find any video or resource online talking about how soft you can go, and when i mean soft, I mean really really delicate slow touch that makes a barely audible sound, like one can generate on the yamaha p515, roland fp 30 to 90x seriers, kawai vpc1, etc... If anyone can give a definite answer please do
@@Cre8ivKeyboards Thanks for choosing to consider that in your next video - have been sadly obsessing over this dynamic range issue in my next piano purchase - the range from ppp to fff that can be achieved on acoustic pianos is something I am looking for in my next digital piano and I have been on the fence with the mp11/vpc1/p515 due to their price range 1.5k to 3.5 k, and their actions are capable to produce the range for ppp to fff(softness to loudness), but if the hammer pro 88 can be programmed( i hear their are velocity curve editors for it but can't find any info about it) for broader softer to louder range and it is only 700~800 bucks, then I will definitely purchase that over the others. Will be on the lookout for your next video for the hammer pro 88
Hello friend, please, I would like to know your opinion and advice, I am not a pianist, I work orchestral music, from movies, and I have a ni s61 mkii keyboard, I saw that you also have it, I am looking for a keyboard that is a little heavier than the one nor s61 mkii, but that it is not tiring like a studiologic sl88 studio, which I also have, it is fatar tp100 and the keys are very heavy, they are tiring. Please, I would like to know your opinion to know what I decide. thank you so much.
Good Luck. I've owned two of these and the pitch control went haywire (sending random pitch change signals) after a year or two. I thought it was a fluke and bought a second one. Nope, second one did the same thing. Garbage cheap parts that the company won"t fix. Key triggers also fail... NEVER AGAIN!...
Write a letter with m-audio 88, arturia 88 Typewriter. And finger pain arm pain.... You play one hour. Men can build chest muscle. Women can use it to reduce their breast size. Keep pain relieving cream with you. Will be needed. Very bad keybed tp100
This keyboard is unacceptably loud, to me. If I heard that clunky sound, right out of the box, I’d package it back up and return it. I have definite issues with the quality of M-Audio keyboards. I had two 88 note semi weighted keyboard controllers from M-Audio. I take extremely good care of my equipment. The first keyboard had several notes lose their touch sensitivity in 2.5 years. The second had the very same issue in 1.5 years. Had to throw them both in the trash. Wouldn’t have been worth the cost to repair them. I’m done with M-Audio. They are simply not dependable. I have switched to Nektar controllers. Keybed feels better and is much quieter. And, in four years have had no problems, at all.
There is a lot of competition in the midi controller keyboard market and this is I guess M-Audio's long overdue replacement for their old Keystation Pro 88 which in its day was a superb instrument. If you use Kontakt a lot then you cannot beat NI S series Mk2 keyboards (I own the S49) but if not then there are numerous options of which I own a few. The Nektar Impact series are a really nice keyboard for the price as is the Novation Impulse both of which I own having the 88+ Nektar and the 61 key version of the Novation. But what matters varies on the user, for me the keys are important but so to is the integration with the DAW software and plug-in control (midi cc), and I would always consider the NI Kontrol as my source to compare other keyboards with. Clicking keys are common on most mid priced instruments and some complain that even the keys on Kontrol are noisy, TURN THE VOLUME up and it disappears !! The NI Kontrol might not be cheap but its integration with Kontakt is as you would expect Komplete making it hard to beat if not impossible, anything else is just a compromise unless your a seasoned pianist then you will probably look at a professional type of Keyboard with Alps keys and they also do not come cheap !!
just the thought of selling this M audio .. makes me think that a complete midi piano is the S88 .. but the software does the great thing ... I THOUGHT FROM ZERO EXPERIENCE TO GET A ROLAND RD 88 ... at least not I am dependent on the computer what do you think ... do you have to work more on the computer or on the piano keys?
@@morenotardivel8607 For me I am not interested in the internal keyboard sounds since I use Vsts like Serum, Dune, Nexus to name a few, or even the GForce OB-E probably the best Oberheim sounding plugin. For me its about the keys, not that I would call myself a pianist its just nice to have decent key action. I set up the specific instrument presets so I only need to use the keyboards knobs and rotors the computer is simply what stores the files and runs the apps, everything else I do from the keyboards. Keeping the computer up to date is a pain and comes with annual costs for upgrades but the flexibility is what matters most for me, there is endless sounds and other instrument emulations like the Arturia plugin Synths, Korg and even the Roland Cloud suite which are all also very good. Its all about the individual and what you want to use the instrument for
@@uselessoldman7964 now I understand but you are already a musician let's say you compose music .. but I have to learn the propaedeutic to the piano and a right compromise for me who am a beginner without having the pc connected .. to get lost as sound engineering ... CONGRATULATIONS A YOU .. AND THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME A ELUCIDATION ... OF USE ...
@@Cre8ivKeyboards Hi, curious to understand your thoughts to switch to NI S88. I tested the keybed of NI S88 an found it heavy and awful. It‘s not the clicking but the vibrations of the key even when released. So what was it you were not satisfied by the Hammer Pro? Any mid-term issues? Thanks Achim
It is so refreshing to see an honest review without associate links! Thank you and looking forward to the more detailed review! 😄
Glad you liked it!
I could listen to you play forever!
Thank you so much! quietsoulpiano.com/
Wow! I was looking for a review and info on this midi controller, but I am now just a fan of your playing... You made this review so relaxing! Thank you! I have the 88 hammer and would like to get more buttons and knobs to control my soft synth. I was thinking of the Komplete 88 but it is pretty pricey!
You might enjoy the Hammer88Pro if you like the 88! Lots of knobs and sliders that I don’t need though.
Thanks, that was surprisingly wonderful. Your delicious playing really showed off the dynamic range well.
Thank you so much.
Excellent unbox & initial review. I have to say that was a very bold adventurous move selling your Yamaha P515, and going with this 88 Key Controller without any prior hands on. That P515 Keybed is terrific. I'm a guitar player, that needs a Keyboard now and then. I played a Yamaha P80 for 20 years, just replaced with a Roland FP-50E, very heavy action. Anyway, I'm a banger, you sir have skill. Enjoyed your playing, the board sounds great.
Yeah, and it's particularly hazardous because you can't put your hands on many of these. Some of these are only available by order. I am about to release a video and eBook that may help people with this problem.
There are good reviews and there's this amazing clean one!!! Thank you!
Nice! Thank you!
Your playing is beautiful! Thank you! Have a nice day! CL
Thank you! You too!
Must have for me. Christmas is coming.
wow...
heavenly sound
loved it
Thank you!
Hi! How are you feeling about this keyboard after 2 years? Sounds very nice, that playing was sweet :D Thanks!
Had to ditch it. Just too thunky. But found my dream 88 note piano feel in the SL88 Grand!
Nice playing
If it had a shortcoming. It would have minimized his create...the music was great..
Thank you for your wonderful video and great playing. This is encouraging as I just order the Hammer 88, but not the Pro model as I have other ways to control my midi needs. Unless you may happen to know otherwise... and it is for home studio use only. I am assuming that the key bed will be the same for the Pro and and non-Pro models. I always enjoy your videos. Thank you for helping all of stay more connected with good information.
Thank you so much. Trying to improve the videos with new content coming soon!
I really enjoyed to listen to your piano play!
Thank you very much!
Is it possible, you make tutorial how you work with keyscape and make your sound, how is connected to your Computer etc?
It sounds realy good... maybe you like to share with us. Great play.. Keep Jammin
Sure that is a great idea!
Thank you for showing how noisy this keyboard is. In my small apartment I would have regretted if I had bought it.
Yeah, about to put out a final quick wrap on this keyboard before I sell it.
So what makes it better than P515? You were about to start saying something at 13:45 but you didn't really finish the thought.
The control is better with Keyscape and other plugins. It’s more responsive, more exacting, and certainly has more controls that work with the daw. Plus the pads, and faders. Still working with it.
@@Cre8ivKeyboards Still using it? Currently an unhappy NI KKMK2 user and mulling it.
I have a small M-audio midi axiom keyboard 25 keys and the delay related to the computer ( windows system) is a very annoying issue. Have You've ever had that? I know it depends on various factors but...i gave up on it to tell truth. I'm just an beginner amateur player and you're pretty much pro-professional level with highly expensive gear so i don't know if you even realise these kinds of issues happen but anyways , nice video and sound and noticed there's not a fraction of a second regarding to delay response ( key touch and processing ). Thanks
I didn’t notice it and haven’t with MAudio boards in the past. That would make it very difficult to work!
@@Cre8ivKeyboards yes.
... Basically impossible to work
Lovely playing!❤
Thank you!
Great review. How are you getting on with it after a few months? I keep circling back to this keyboard vs. Studio Logic's SL73 or SL88 or Arturia's Keylab 88 Mkii. The M-audio graded bed sounds wonderful. But also keep seeing the same issues reported. Would love to hear your updated views.
same, i can't make a choice between SL, maudio and arturia. But definitely one that has aftertouch at least.
@@Bozo--- I ended up being able to play all of them in a local shop. I came away really not liking any of the models with the Fatar. Side by side with higher end digital pianos and with real pianos, the touch was far too heavy. Also Arturia, SL and NI all had at least one sticky slow returning key.
The graded M-audio felt much better, but even the shop staff said they get a lot of return issues with key failures. So I ruled that out. Then looked at higher priced performance boards. The Studio Logic Numa X Pianos were nicer keybeds, as were some of the very expensive Yamahas. So my potential spend jumped from about $1000 USD (Japan's import prices are higher than US market), to nearly three times that amount.
So I decided that I would find a compromise. I like the Artuia interface and have their V collection. So I bought an Arturia Keylab 61 mkII that will fit nicely into my keyboard drawer and give me DAW control and aftertouch with enough keys for 80% of what I do. Cost on sale for the holiday about $500 USD.
Then went to another shop and bought a Casio PX-s3100 which gives me a very nice, weighted but also balanced graded keybed for pianos and it is very good. Came in at $600. I sat it on the table next to the main desk and I can reach both. I find I play the piano a lot and love the touch. Sounds are fine for practice and it has a pitch wheel and two assignable knobs for synths.
This choice gave me two very different playing experiences for the cost of just one of the weighted controllers and I didn't need to give anything up. Also the piano lets me practice computer free when I just want to noodle sounds.
Sometimes you need two hammers for a construction project. Seems the same applies to controllers.
Also the Roland RD88 was my 2nd choice. More control, escapement, but a lot heavier, and I wanted to be able to move it easily room to room. In practice I don't experience any significant difference in playability between the Casio and Roland for someone who is a key player used to a wider range of instruments.
@@nonbinarymetv Ahh thanks for the update. Nice choice with the arturia mkii, I was really thinking buying it a few days ago because it has everything and the keybeds doesn't look too bad. I wanted weighted or hammer keys but when I looked at the SL 88 studio and grand but I don't know I always find issues on keyboard when i do some research.
@@Bozo--- For the price of the Arturia 88key, you can get into a digital piano with nice action and the Arturia 61 key. I am so happy I did this. The Casion PX-s3100 cost me under $600 on sale and it is quite nice action. The Roland F30x is a different kind of action that is also very nice around the same price (it was very expensive in Japan otherwise I would have gone with that one). but I like the Casio and having both boards in our little studio is great. The Casio action is so much nicer than the Fatar beds in the Artruria, SL and NI 88 key controllers.
@@nonbinarymetv can you please test the Cascio using a piano VST compared to your Arturia? I have a novation SL MKiii that I want to return, and am trying to decide what to replace it with. I have that Cascio in a wish list as a potential. Cre8iv from this video said his Yamaha didn't do as well using Keyscape. I would really appreciate your feedback :)
I actually felt bad when you said you sold your P515.
I still feel bad. ;(
Hi, thanks for the video! really helpfull, can i ask u which preset of keyscape did u use? the sound of the piano is really really great! thanks!
I use Cinematic a lot of times and then change the brightness and tone.
Did you end up getting a chance to check out the Arturia KeyLab 88 mkII in the flesh? If so, how did you find the keybed and what made you choose the Hammer 88 Pro over the Arturia?
Review coming soon! Stay tuned!
@@Cre8ivKeyboards In the end I actually bought the KeyLab MkII first but returned it and swapped it for the Hammer 88 Pro.
I always joke w/ my sales engineer that I get a free keyboard w/ my $2,000 bag of candy 😉!
LOL!
Great vid. What stand is this you had the Hammer 88 on @ 0:14?
QuikLok W-550
I see you have a keyboard from Native Instruments, how do you feel with the M audio differences?
Well, my S61 is synth action and the MAudio is piano action, so hard to compare them. Will be doing bed ad function reviews on both next!
How soft(quietly) can you play a note on the pro 88? The dynanics from softer to louder seem there, but I can't find any video or resource online talking about how soft you can go, and when i mean soft, I mean really really delicate slow touch that makes a barely audible sound, like one can generate on the yamaha p515, roland fp 30 to 90x seriers, kawai vpc1, etc... If anyone can give a definite answer please do
It’s not bad. I am working on a new short review for this keyboard this week. Will see how that works.
@@Cre8ivKeyboards Thanks for choosing to consider that in your next video - have been sadly obsessing over this dynamic range issue in my next piano purchase - the range from ppp to fff that can be achieved on acoustic pianos is something I am looking for in my next digital piano and I have been on the fence with the mp11/vpc1/p515 due to their price range 1.5k to 3.5 k, and their actions are capable to produce the range for ppp to fff(softness to loudness), but if the hammer pro 88 can be programmed( i hear their are velocity curve editors for it but can't find any info about it) for broader softer to louder range and it is only 700~800 bucks, then I will definitely purchase that over the others. Will be on the lookout for your next video for the hammer pro 88
Any idea if this would work for learning piano on Piano Marvel on a Mac instead of a digital piano?
Yes it would it works via usb
Sweetwater are great!
Hello friend, please, I would like to know your opinion and advice, I am not a pianist, I work orchestral music, from movies, and I have a ni s61 mkii keyboard, I saw that you also have it, I am looking for a keyboard that is a little heavier than the one nor s61 mkii, but that it is not tiring like a studiologic sl88 studio, which I also have, it is fatar tp100 and the keys are very heavy, they are tiring. Please, I would like to know your opinion to know what I decide. thank you so much.
I would suggest the Arturia Keylab 88 Essential. Terrific buy for 88 semi-waited keys.
Just by hearing the sound of the keys i can feel how it plays, istn that wierd..
You forgot to connect the USB as it was still in the package lol that's funny.
These 88 keys are always mapped to MIDI Note [Piano key # 0-based] + 21 (A) and it works fine
😂oh!its nice i buy not hummer keyboard it’s no good m-audio
so your pianos sounds is butefl what sound ivory?or mini piano?
Keyscape is what I love right now.
Good Luck. I've owned two of these and the pitch control went haywire (sending random pitch change signals) after a year or two. I thought it was a fluke and bought a second one. Nope, second one did the same thing. Garbage cheap parts that the company won"t fix. Key triggers also fail... NEVER AGAIN!...
I'm a beginner, so not qualified to reply... but updating the firmware fixed that for me.
I've heard others say that but no trouble for me so far.
@@Cre8ivKeyboards It will take a year or two to fail. My music now suffers because I have no pitch or mod wheel. I had to disconnect it..
How did you make keyscape sound so open?
One of the things I always do is start with Cinematic and then change the tone of it. It's a great starter patch!
@@Cre8ivKeyboards Thank you so much! I really liked what you did. Good job! ☺️
Write a letter with m-audio 88, arturia 88 Typewriter. And finger pain arm pain....
You play one hour. Men can build chest muscle. Women can use it to reduce their breast size. Keep pain relieving cream with you. Will be needed.
Very bad keybed tp100
This keyboard is unacceptably loud, to me. If I heard that clunky sound, right out of the box, I’d package it back up and return it. I have definite issues with the quality of M-Audio keyboards. I had two 88 note semi weighted keyboard controllers from M-Audio. I take extremely good care of my equipment. The first keyboard had several notes lose their touch sensitivity in 2.5 years. The second had the very same issue in 1.5 years. Had to throw them both in the trash. Wouldn’t have been worth the cost to repair them. I’m done with M-Audio. They are simply not dependable. I have switched to Nektar controllers. Keybed feels better and is much quieter. And, in four years have had no problems, at all.
It’s done OK, but time for the next one to try.
There is a lot of competition in the midi controller keyboard market and this is I guess M-Audio's long overdue replacement for their old Keystation Pro 88 which in its day was a superb instrument. If you use Kontakt a lot then you cannot beat NI S series Mk2 keyboards (I own the S49) but if not then there are numerous options of which I own a few. The Nektar Impact series are a really nice keyboard for the price as is the Novation Impulse both of which I own having the 88+ Nektar and the 61 key version of the Novation. But what matters varies on the user, for me the keys are important but so to is the integration with the DAW software and plug-in control (midi cc), and I would always consider the NI Kontrol as my source to compare other keyboards with. Clicking keys are common on most mid priced instruments and some complain that even the keys on Kontrol are noisy, TURN THE VOLUME up and it disappears !! The NI Kontrol might not be cheap but its integration with Kontakt is as you would expect Komplete making it hard to beat if not impossible, anything else is just a compromise unless your a seasoned pianist then you will probably look at a professional type of Keyboard with Alps keys and they also do not come cheap !!
I have a NI S61 MkII which is synth action I will be reviewing soon. I sometimes think about selling this Hammer Pro and getting the NI S88.
just the thought of selling this M audio .. makes me think that a complete midi piano is the S88 .. but the software does the great thing ... I THOUGHT FROM ZERO EXPERIENCE TO GET A ROLAND RD 88 ... at least not I am dependent on the computer what do you think ... do you have to work more on the computer or on the piano keys?
@@morenotardivel8607 For me I am not interested in the internal keyboard sounds since I use Vsts like Serum, Dune, Nexus to name a few, or even the GForce OB-E probably the best Oberheim sounding plugin. For me its about the keys, not that I would call myself a pianist its just nice to have decent key action. I set up the specific instrument presets so I only need to use the keyboards knobs and rotors the computer is simply what stores the files and runs the apps, everything else I do from the keyboards. Keeping the computer up to date is a pain and comes with annual costs for upgrades but the flexibility is what matters most for me, there is endless sounds and other instrument emulations like the Arturia plugin Synths, Korg and even the Roland Cloud suite which are all also very good. Its all about the individual and what you want to use the instrument for
@@uselessoldman7964 now I understand but you are already a musician let's say you compose music .. but I have to learn the propaedeutic to the piano and a right compromise for me who am a beginner without having the pc connected .. to get lost as sound engineering ... CONGRATULATIONS A YOU .. AND THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME A ELUCIDATION ... OF USE ...
@@Cre8ivKeyboards Hi, curious to understand your thoughts to switch to NI S88. I tested the keybed of NI S88 an found it heavy and awful. It‘s not the clicking but the vibrations of the key even when released. So what was it you were not satisfied by the Hammer Pro? Any mid-term issues? Thanks Achim
Tengo el mismo sustain.
El cable no es tan bueno.
i really dislike this... I can hear you the noise while your pressing on the keys🥲
I did that to show the noise. It's pretty apparent unless you have headphones on.