Dec 6, 2004 8:00 AM, By Mix Editors

M-Audio is now shipping the Keystation 88es USB MIDI controller and has announced Ozonic, an integrated FireWire audio/MIDI production and performance tool.

Ozonic includes audio and MIDI interfaces with a full-featured MIDI controller. The compact unit features a 37-note, velocity-sensitive, synth action keyboard with three zones and assignable after-touch. Ozonic’s 40 assignable MIDI controllers includes a joystick (with two assignable controllers per axis), eight knobs, nine sliders with drawbar mode, nine buttons, pitch and mod wheels, sustain pedal input and expression pedal input. The five transport controls are also MIDI-assignable.

All MIDI controllers are fully programmable to MIDI controller number and unique MIDI channel. The Controller Mute function mutes controller output to avoid parameter jumps until the Snapshot feature is invoked.

The controller also includes a 4x4 analog audio interface that operates at up to 24-bit/96kHz fidelity. Inputs include XLR mic input with phantom power, 1⁄4-inch instrument input and stereo 1⁄4-inch TRS line ins. The Ozonic also features two pairs of 1⁄4-inch outputs (TRS and TS) with volume sliders, as well as a headphone output with independent level control for mixing and monitoring flexibility. The unit also features direct hardware monitoring with level control, and software mixing allows for routing of any input pair to any output pair.

The Ozonic is FireWire bus-powered for mobile operation or can be powered via a 12-volt DC adapter. Registered owners can download a free copy of the Enigma editor/librarian for managing and storing unlimited setups.

The Ozonic will ship in December 2004 with a MSRP of $599.95.

With 88 semi-weighted, velocity-sensitive keys, the Keystation 88es incorporates a built-in USB MIDI interface for Macs and PCs, including a separate MIDI Out jack for controlling MIDI hardware. Pitch-bend and modulation wheels are accompanied by an assignable volume/control slider, advanced function button for programming and assignable data up/down buttons, and sustain and expression pedal inputs.

Class compliancy with Windows XP and Mac OS X allows for plug-and-play setup. The 22-pound unit is bus-powered, so one USB cable is the only connection required. The unit ships with M-Audio’s Maximum Audio Tools software bundle and a 6-foot USB cable.

MME and Mac OS X Core MIDI technology make the Keystation 88es compatible with most music education and studio software. Minimum system requirements for PC are a Windows 98SE/Me/2000 (SP4)/XP (SP1). Minimum system requirements for Mac are OS 10.1.5 (native USB port required; G3/G4 accelerator cards not supported).

Programming options on the Keystation 88es include octave shift, transpose, program change, bank LSB, bank MSB, MIDI channel, MIDI Out from USB, reset all controllers, wheel assign and slider assign. MSRP: $299.95.

For more information, visit www.m-audio.com.

For more new product announcements, visit http://mixonline.com/products/new/.