ElmerJFudd Posted March 9, 2021 Share Posted March 9, 2021 [video:youtube] https://m-audio.com/hammer-88-pro Dimensions 56.0' x 11.1' x 5.0' 142.2 x 28.2 x 12.7 cm Weight 40.8 lbs. 18.5 kg Key Features Best-in-class 88 graded hammer-action keys with aftertouch and assignable zones (16) RGB, backlit, assignable, velocity-sensitive pads with Note Repeat for beat production, clip launching, and more (8) assignable knobs & buttons for controlling virtual instruments, mix plugins, DAW controls, and more (9) assignable faders for controlling virtual instruments, plugins, DAW faders, and more Preset and DAW buttons for auto-mapped DAW controls & plugin parameters Smart Chord mode enables playing of enharmonic or custom chord voicings Smart Scale mode eliminates wrong notes making it easy to craft a perfect song Arpeggiator with Type, Octave, Gate and Swing controls Ergonomically designed pitch and modulation wheels & (3) footswitch pedal inputs and (1) expression pedal input USB-MIDI connection and 5-pin MIDI Input and Output for connecting to external MIDI gear Intuitive layout featuring an OLED screen for quick control edits Includes music rest, MIDI editor software and a complete software production package $799 Quote Yamaha CP88, Casio PX-560 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnchop Posted March 9, 2021 Share Posted March 9, 2021 Commence "no wheels on top" and "76-key version" comments! I wonder if this is the same action as the previous version, which ranged from "nice" to "crap" in various user reviews. Quote I make software noises. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Docbop Posted March 9, 2021 Share Posted March 9, 2021 Looking forward to a review comparing this to a Native Instruments S88 especially from a keybed POV. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoken6 Posted March 9, 2021 Share Posted March 9, 2021 +1 to Johnchop's comments. At least it's got 5-pin MIDI. Weight is reasonable if it's a quality hammer-88 action. Can it send program changes, I wonder? What's an "enharmonic...chord voicing"? Cheers, Mike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Docbop Posted March 9, 2021 Share Posted March 9, 2021 What's an "enharmonic...chord voicing"? Like enharmonic notes a C# and Db are two names for the same note they are enharmonic. I'm assuming since you set the key you're in it uses the correct chord name/type for chords based on the key signature. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Konnector Posted March 10, 2021 Share Posted March 10, 2021 They could've just not mentioned anything about the action as the "Best in Class" marketing jargon bs means absolutely nothing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mighty Motif Max Posted March 10, 2021 Share Posted March 10, 2021 Wow! What timing. I was just wishing the Hammer 88 (regular) had more controllers. It's going to be between this and a Komplete Kontrol S88 for me. Quote Yamaha: Motif XF8, MODX7, YS200, CVP-305, CLP-130, YPG-235, PSR-295, PSS-470 | Roland: Fantom 7, JV-1000 Kurzweil: PC3-76, PC4 (88) | Hammond: SK Pro 73 | Korg: Triton LE 76, N1R, X5DR | Emu: Proteus/1 | Casio: CT-370 | Novation: Launchkey 37 MK3 | Technics: WSA1R Former: Emu Proformance Plus & Mo'Phatt, Korg Krome 61, Roland Fantom XR & JV-1010, Yamaha MX61, Behringer CAT Assorted electric & acoustic guitars and electric basses | Roland TD-17 KVX | Alesis SamplePad Pro | Assorted organs, accordions, other instruments Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fleer Posted March 10, 2021 Share Posted March 10, 2021 Why would one get this if an RD-88 is not much more expensive? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mighty Motif Max Posted March 10, 2021 Share Posted March 10, 2021 Why would one get this if an RD-88 is not much more expensive? It might have a better action, it has way more controllers (faders and pads particularly), and if one cares about pitch/mod placement it has those at the left of the keys as well. Quote Yamaha: Motif XF8, MODX7, YS200, CVP-305, CLP-130, YPG-235, PSR-295, PSS-470 | Roland: Fantom 7, JV-1000 Kurzweil: PC3-76, PC4 (88) | Hammond: SK Pro 73 | Korg: Triton LE 76, N1R, X5DR | Emu: Proteus/1 | Casio: CT-370 | Novation: Launchkey 37 MK3 | Technics: WSA1R Former: Emu Proformance Plus & Mo'Phatt, Korg Krome 61, Roland Fantom XR & JV-1010, Yamaha MX61, Behringer CAT Assorted electric & acoustic guitars and electric basses | Roland TD-17 KVX | Alesis SamplePad Pro | Assorted organs, accordions, other instruments Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoken6 Posted March 10, 2021 Share Posted March 10, 2021 What's an "enharmonic...chord voicing"? Like enharmonic notes a C# and Db are two names for the same note they are enharmonic. I'm assuming since you set the key you're in it uses the correct chord name/type for chords based on the key signature. I know what enharmonic means. I didn't understand it in the context of a controller. Does it display chord names/voicings? Cheers, Mike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicky Posted March 10, 2021 Share Posted March 10, 2021 "Smart Scale mode eliminates wrong notes" Man this is great! Why don't all keyboards have this feature?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Beaumont Posted March 10, 2021 Share Posted March 10, 2021 I've been burned way too many times with M-Audio gear. I had a ProKeys 88 that the G4 key was dead after 6 months, the keys turned mustard yellow in the case in my closet after a year of storage. Out of about 5 pieces of M-Audio gear I can name off the top of my head only a set of 5 inch powered monitors lasted or worked as advertised. I haven't bought anything from them in nearly 10 years since the ProKeys but I'm not willing to spend my money to see if their quality has changed. Quote Boards: Kurzweil SP-6, Roland FA-08, VR-09, DeepMind 12 Modules: Korg Radias, Roland D-05, Bk7-m & Sonic Cell Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mighty Motif Max Posted March 10, 2021 Share Posted March 10, 2021 [video:youtube] [video:youtube] Quote Yamaha: Motif XF8, MODX7, YS200, CVP-305, CLP-130, YPG-235, PSR-295, PSS-470 | Roland: Fantom 7, JV-1000 Kurzweil: PC3-76, PC4 (88) | Hammond: SK Pro 73 | Korg: Triton LE 76, N1R, X5DR | Emu: Proteus/1 | Casio: CT-370 | Novation: Launchkey 37 MK3 | Technics: WSA1R Former: Emu Proformance Plus & Mo'Phatt, Korg Krome 61, Roland Fantom XR & JV-1010, Yamaha MX61, Behringer CAT Assorted electric & acoustic guitars and electric basses | Roland TD-17 KVX | Alesis SamplePad Pro | Assorted organs, accordions, other instruments Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gg22 Posted March 11, 2021 Share Posted March 11, 2021 Why would one get this if an RD-88 is not much more expensive? "Smart Scale mode eliminates wrong notes" - this alone might be a good reason to buy it! Plus is has a power switch and comes with a USB cable Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnotherScott Posted March 11, 2021 Share Posted March 11, 2021 Why would one get this if an RD-88 is not much more expensive? $800 vs $1300. Or if you want sliders, trigger pads, or aftertouch. Quote Maybe this is the best place for a shameless plug! Our now not-so-new new video at https://youtu.be/3ZRC3b4p4EI is a 40 minute adaptation of T. S. Eliot's "Prufrock" - check it out! And hopefully I'll have something new here this year. ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wd8dky Posted March 11, 2021 Share Posted March 11, 2021 I've been burned way too many times with M-Audio gear. I had a ProKeys 88 that the G4 key was dead after 6 months, the keys turned mustard yellow in the case in my closet after a year of storage. Out of about 5 pieces of M-Audio gear I can name off the top of my head only a set of 5 inch powered monitors lasted or worked as advertised. I haven't bought anything from them in nearly 10 years since the ProKeys but I'm not willing to spend my money to see if their quality has changed. I watched an older EWF concert where their keyboard player was using an M-Audio controller without issue. Maybe you got duds, or are more particular than he was. Quote http://www.weisersound.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fleer Posted March 11, 2021 Share Posted March 11, 2021 Mmmmmmmmm-Audio Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mighty Motif Max Posted March 11, 2021 Share Posted March 11, 2021 I've been burned way too many times with M-Audio gear. I had a ProKeys 88 that the G4 key was dead after 6 months, the keys turned mustard yellow in the case in my closet after a year of storage. Out of about 5 pieces of M-Audio gear I can name off the top of my head only a set of 5 inch powered monitors lasted or worked as advertised. I haven't bought anything from them in nearly 10 years since the ProKeys but I'm not willing to spend my money to see if their quality has changed. I watched an older EWF concert where their keyboard player was using an M-Audio controller without issue. Maybe you got duds, or are more particular than he was. I've only had one piece of M-Audio gear - an SP-2 sustain pedal. Worked fine for about four years, then failed. I believe it's an issue with the internal cable connection. I've never had any other pedals fail, but to be fair, I know others have had all manner of pedal failures with many brands. Quote Yamaha: Motif XF8, MODX7, YS200, CVP-305, CLP-130, YPG-235, PSR-295, PSS-470 | Roland: Fantom 7, JV-1000 Kurzweil: PC3-76, PC4 (88) | Hammond: SK Pro 73 | Korg: Triton LE 76, N1R, X5DR | Emu: Proteus/1 | Casio: CT-370 | Novation: Launchkey 37 MK3 | Technics: WSA1R Former: Emu Proformance Plus & Mo'Phatt, Korg Krome 61, Roland Fantom XR & JV-1010, Yamaha MX61, Behringer CAT Assorted electric & acoustic guitars and electric basses | Roland TD-17 KVX | Alesis SamplePad Pro | Assorted organs, accordions, other instruments Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delaware Dave Posted March 11, 2021 Share Posted March 11, 2021 I just purchased a mint Code 61. Has all of the controllers on it that I need; 11 pounds. This beast is 41 pounds. Allot of weight for just a controller. Quote 57 Hammond B3; 69 Hammond L100P; 68 Leslie 122; Kurzweil Forte7 & PC3; M-Audio Code 61; Voce V5+; Neo Vent; EV ELX112P; GSI Gemini & Burn Delaware Dave Exit93band Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnchop Posted March 11, 2021 Share Posted March 11, 2021 I wish controller manufacturers could sort out a form factor that puts knobs above sliders while still keeping the buttons below the sliders. Or perhaps give us longer throw sliders in one section with a separate knob/switch section. And a pony. Quote I make software noises. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnotherScott Posted March 11, 2021 Share Posted March 11, 2021 I wish controller manufacturers could sort out a form factor that puts knobs above sliders while still keeping the buttons below the sliders. Arturia Keylab Mk II, Akai MPK261, Nektar Panorama P, Viscount K4/K5, Kurzweil PC4/PC4-7 Quote Maybe this is the best place for a shameless plug! Our now not-so-new new video at https://youtu.be/3ZRC3b4p4EI is a 40 minute adaptation of T. S. Eliot's "Prufrock" - check it out! And hopefully I'll have something new here this year. ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnchop Posted March 11, 2021 Share Posted March 11, 2021 Ah, yes, the more premium ones, since it adds depth and therefore cost. But these are all good examples of you get what you pay for. Quote I make software noises. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElmerJFudd Posted March 11, 2021 Author Share Posted March 11, 2021 I wish controller manufacturers could sort out a form factor that puts knobs above sliders while still keeping the buttons below the sliders. Arturia Keylab Mk II, Akai MPK261, Nektar Panorama P, Viscount K4/K5, Kurzweil PC4/PC4-7 side note: arturia's design choice to put faders on the right and drum pads on the left is irksome for what otherwise looks like a decent line of controllers. Quote Yamaha CP88, Casio PX-560 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Docbop Posted March 11, 2021 Share Posted March 11, 2021 I just purchased a mint Code 61. Has all of the controllers on it that I need; 11 pounds. This beast is 41 pounds. Allot of weight for just a controller. It's the hammer action that adds the weight and all hammers action board weigh more. A Montage workstation is 61 lbs, my StudioLogic SL88 Grand controller with hammer action weight as much as my RD-2000 and it a full stage piano. You want acoustic piano feel on a keyboard it's going to be heavy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aellison62 Posted March 11, 2021 Share Posted March 11, 2021 So, what is the keybed? TP100L ?? Just like the M-Audio hammer 88 ? The reviewer doesn't say. Quote Kurzweil Forte 7, Mojo 61, Yamaha P-125, Kronos X61, Nautilus 73 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GianfrixMG Posted March 22, 2021 Share Posted March 22, 2021 So, what is the keybed? TP100L ?? Just like the M-Audio hammer 88 ? The reviewer doesn't say. The Hammer 88 has a Medeli K6 keybed AFAIK. I think the Pro has a different keybed because it's graded and has aftertouch. Definitely not the TP100LR as reviewers say it's not an heavy action. Quote Yamaha MODX7 | iPad Mini 2 | Raspberry Pi 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fleer Posted March 23, 2021 Share Posted March 23, 2021 The Kurzweil PC4 is graded (with aftertouch), while the SP6 one is not. So I"m thinking the Kurz PC4 and M-Audio Hammer Pro have a Medeli K6S action, while the Kurz SP6 and M-Audio Hammer have the base K6. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffincltnc Posted March 23, 2021 Share Posted March 23, 2021 It's actually heavy for a board with Medelli action (which I'm not a fan of anyway). 40 lbs should deliver something like a Yamaha NW-GH or a Kawai RHIII quality if it's in a plastic chassis with an external power supply. Quote Yamaha U1 Upright, Roland Fantom 8, Nord Stage 4 HA73, Nord Wave 2, Korg Nautilus 73, Viscount Legend Live, Lots of Mainstage/VST Libraries Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mighty Motif Max Posted March 23, 2021 Share Posted March 23, 2021 It's actually heavy for a board with Medelli action (which I'm not a fan of anyway). 40 lbs should deliver something like a Yamaha NW-GH or a Kawai RHIII quality if it's in a plastic chassis with an external power supply. I believe it"s a metal chassis/build. Quote Yamaha: Motif XF8, MODX7, YS200, CVP-305, CLP-130, YPG-235, PSR-295, PSS-470 | Roland: Fantom 7, JV-1000 Kurzweil: PC3-76, PC4 (88) | Hammond: SK Pro 73 | Korg: Triton LE 76, N1R, X5DR | Emu: Proteus/1 | Casio: CT-370 | Novation: Launchkey 37 MK3 | Technics: WSA1R Former: Emu Proformance Plus & Mo'Phatt, Korg Krome 61, Roland Fantom XR & JV-1010, Yamaha MX61, Behringer CAT Assorted electric & acoustic guitars and electric basses | Roland TD-17 KVX | Alesis SamplePad Pro | Assorted organs, accordions, other instruments Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffincltnc Posted March 23, 2021 Share Posted March 23, 2021 Good to see that! Quote Yamaha U1 Upright, Roland Fantom 8, Nord Stage 4 HA73, Nord Wave 2, Korg Nautilus 73, Viscount Legend Live, Lots of Mainstage/VST Libraries Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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