M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3

The M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3 is a straightforward entry-level 49-key MIDI keyboard designed for focused music making. Despite its very affordable price, it delivers a piano-style keyboard with velocity sensitivity, along with pitch and modulation wheels – plus arrow keys, transport controls, play, stop and record buttons, and a volume control that all make working with a DAW far more comfortable. Realising this core functionality, M-Audio has also included an array of software options, making this a compact production suite straight out of the box. At the same time, the device's onboard features are intentionally kept to a minimum, placing the spotlight firmly on the keys' playing feel and the expressive four octave layout.

M-Audio has stripped away unnecessary features on the Keystation 49 MK3 and concentrated on what truly matters in a keyboard, namely the playing experience. At a very reasonable price, it provides a generous 49-key layout housed in a sturdy case that works just as well at home as on the move. Support for Apple's Camera Connection Kit allows the keyboard to control GarageBand on an iPad, adding flexibility for mobile setups. The comprehensive software package is rounded out with the beatmaking DAW MPC Beats, a 2GB Touch Loops sample library featuring over 500 sounds, and AIR Xpand!2, for creating unique multitimbral patches.