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M-Audio’s new Hammer 88 is an affordable, fully-weighted, hammer-action keyboard for professional and semi-pro players or students looking for a realistic grand piano feel to use with virtual instruments or sound modules. The assignable controls transform the Hammer 88 Pro into a multi-function production powerhouse rather than just a great piano. Faders and knobs Smart Scale technology allows you to set the key bed so that only notes in the selected scale are able to be played. This allows you to play within a chosen scale without the risk of playing any “wrong” notes. You can choose from 16 different scale variations when assigning a scale to the keyboard. Smart Scale is easy to activate and deactivate and allows you to set the scale parameters you need to keep you focused on creating. Professional Controls Introducing Hammer 88, a premium, no-compromise keyboard controller, ideal for professional, semi-pro players or students seeking the realistic grand piano feel to use with virtual instruments or sound modules. At the heart of Hammer 88 are 88 velocity-sensitive, fully-weighted hammer-action keys that are guaranteed to faithfully capture every subtle nuance of your performance, while providing the unmatched response of a traditional grand piano—classic feel fused with the unrivalled sonic capabilities of virtual instruments. It’s the perfect combination for performers and producers to experience their plugin collection like never before.
Generally, we are happy with the connectivity, but it would have been even better to see CV connectivity. Software bundle 4.5 Hammer 88 Pro’s best-in-class 88 graded hammer-action key bed combines professional, graded, weighted hammer action with advanced high-speed key bed scanning technology for an ultra-expressive playing experience. This custom key bed also features Assignable Aftertouch, giving users added expression and control. Assignable Aftertouch enables you to affect the sound of a virtual instrument plugin by continuously scanning how much pressure you apply to any key after initially pressing it. This makes creating the mood, dynamics and emotion you want to deliver in your music natural and fast. NewFeaturesandImprovementswithv2.1.1 FirmwareUpdate I love the appearance. I think the simplicity is very elegant, and I like the way the pitch and modulation wheel glow red (it's a slightly muted effect, but it looks quite striking in late night sessions). The Hammer 88 Pro offers a solid mix of productivity-enhancing features and an authentic piano experience. ArpeggiatorThankfully, we needn’t worry; the Hammer 88 Pro has the same authentic hammer-action feel as the original. The keys are responsive through any playing style, and in our experience, that responsiveness should last for years. OK, this might seem like a strange alternative to list. But, if you want the feel of the Hammer 88 Pro without all the bells and whistles, get the original, and save some cash. The OLED screen provides a massive workflow boost whatever DAW you use because it makes browsing and demoing sounds faster and easier (it could be a little bigger). You also get six virtual instruments from AIR Music Tech. Hybrid 3.0 is the most expansive of the included instruments, and it’s a real workhorse synth engine for all types of music. It works with Vacuum, which is a monophonic virtual analog synth. Note Repeat allows you to hold down any of the custom-made M-Audio performance pads and hear a repeated rhythmic pattern at a selectable note division. The Note Repeat feature can be activated momentarily or can be used in Latch mode. If you choose Momentary, holding the Note Repeat button will make the note played by the pad automatically repeat. If you choose Latch, pressing any pad will cause its assigned note to repeat without you having to hold down the Note Repeat button.
I deducted a point for features. Not for the absence of pads and knobs, because I wasn't looking for them (if that's what you need, try the "Pro" version). And not for absence of an on/off (power) button; I don't care about that. I gave it four stars rather than five because it doesn't have a "graduated" action (i.e. the resistance and response of the keys don't change as you move from the lower to the higher octaves). This would have increased realism, but it would also have increased the price. The "Pro" version _does_ have a graduated action...but it also has lots of controllers I don't need (which makes it look cluttered); I decided it wasn't worth the extra money. There are two significant upgrades to the keyboard compared to the Hammer 88: firstly, the Pro is equipped with aftertouch, either globally or on a per‑MIDI channel or per‑Zone basis. Secondly, the keyboard itself has a graded hammer action, described by M‑Audio as ‘best in class’. The grading (a heavier action at the bottom, becoming lighter towards the top) seems more evident than some other graded ‘boards I’ve played; keys bounce satisfyingly with staccato playing, and the overall action feels subjectively livelier than the Hammer 88, and distinctly more adept at playing fast repetitions.Built into the Hammer 88 Pro are features that are essential to creating modern pop, electronic, hip hop, and dance music. Note Repeat and the built-in Arpeggiator open up a world of precise music production and live sound techniques to make your music sound professional. But, if we had one concern, it was that the quality of the action would suffer for the sake of adding more features. Utilise 8 assignable buttons and knobs for precise control over mix plugins, DAW parameters and virtual instruments. This Software, including Documentation, is provided with RESTRICTED RIGHTS. Use, duplication or disclosure by any Government or Governmental agency is subject to restrictions as set forth in subparagraph (b)(3) of the Rights in Technical Data and Computer Software clause of DFARS 252.227-7013 or subparagraph (c), (1) and (2) of the Commercial Computer Software-Restricted Rights clause of 48 CFR 52.227-19, as amended, or any successor or substantially similar or comparable regulations and/or restrictions . Hammer 88 is USB-powered, class-compliant, and supports USB-MIDI connectivity. Plus, Hammer 88 supports iOS connectivity with the Apple iPad Camera Connection Kit (sold separately), enabling you to perform and compose with audio apps on your iPad and other iOS devices.
The Pro 88 offers a choice of Low, Medium, High and Linear velocity response curves (plus a variety of fixed values). Tests revealed the Linear setting to be the best response curve for reliably achieving a MIDI value of 127. On a critical note, the resolution in the very lowest velocity range is fairly coarse for all four settings, so fine control in that area can be rather hit and miss.
The Keylab 88 Mk2 is the most direct competitor to the Hammer 88 Pro, and it’s fantastic. Not too long ago, we would have said it was the best full-size, full-function controller around; now, the Hammer 88 Pro narrowly edges it.
Everything about it is solid and doesn’t have that delicate feeling that comes with some MIDI controllers. It even manages to look pretty sleek, despite its size and weight. Compared to other keyboard controllers The Hammer 88 Preset Editor, showing the fader assigned to Breath Control (CC2) and the Expression Pedal assigned to Expression (CC11). Both are transmitting on the Global MIDI channel (Ch1) across their full zero to 127 range. The Preset Editor With Smart Chord activated, pressing a single key or pad will play a full chord rather than just one note. The key or pad you press will determine the root note in the chord. The rest of the chord’s properties (major, minor, etc) are determined by the settings you choose. Smart Chord also has a Custom Mode that lets you determine the chord structure that will be assigned to each key by manually playing it. For example, if you select Custom Mode, and play a 1-b3-5-b7 chord, every key will then be assigned to play this chord structure. The note of the key you press will serve as the root of the chord and all of the parameters can be edited right on the Hammer 88 Pro! As well as playing a single instrument across the full key range, the keyboard can be split into up to four Zones, each of which can transmit on separate MIDI channels, with its own octave and transpose settings. Zones can of course overlap each other to create layered sounds. The settings you make can be saved to file, thus a library of presets for different applications can be stored for future recall. Keyboard Action For those familiar with M-Audio products, the design and function of the hardware interface have been mainly migrated over from the Oxygen Pro series, including the Chord and Scale technology.
Customer Added Media
We were pretty surprised to see pitch and modulation wheels on the original Hammer 88, but we’re pleased to see the Pro still has them.
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