A lot of this you can find out from m-audio.com, but if you are dabbling with electronic music — the Axiom 25 is an incredible tool.

Some of the key features:

• 25-key velocity-sensitive semi-weighted action keyboard with assignable aftertouch
• 8 trigger pads, 8 rotary encoders, 6 reassignable transport buttons
• backlit LCD screen
• built-in USB bus-powered MIDI interface including standard MIDI In and Out jacks
• 20 non-volatile memory locations; compatible with free Enigma librarian/editor software

Check out the WillBe’s Tube of it (Fake Scratching with Reason)…
 

From M-Audio…

A true hands on device

The Axiom series of mobile USB MIDI controllers has everything it takes to get the most from your MIDI software and hardware. Semi-weighted action complete with aftertouch gives you great feel and expression for both synth parts and pianistic passages. Eight rubberized trigger pads put your drums at your fingertips for programming with feel—or easy fire samples or visual effects.

Endless Midi Possibilites
Assign the eight rotary encoders to mixer controls like panning and effects sends, or to any synth parameters you want to control. Map the nine sliders to software mixer faders or drawbars on your virtual organ. 15 buttons*, pitch and mod wheels, and sustain and expression pedal jacks round out a tour de force of MIDI domination. Assigning controllers is simple, yet has the power to let you delve as deep as you want. Each controller can map to just about any applicable parameter in the MIDI spec, including independent channel addressing for each. The possibilities are limited only by your imagination. * six buttons on the Axiom 25

Smart Programming Interface
M-Audio Axiom MIDI controllers all feature a large backlit LCD screen for visual feedback—and the 61-key and 49-key models also place a 10-key pad right on the front panel for direct, intuitive programming. You’ll also find 9 dedicated front-panel function buttons to easily access common operations like preset / program change or MIDI channel +/-, octave +/-, and transpose +/-. Use the Controller Mute button to prevent parameters from jumping when you change them, for example, then press Snapshot to transmit all current settings. 20 non-volatile memory locations instantly save and recall your favorite presets—and you can manage an entire preset library on your computer via SysEx dumps and the free Enigma software editor/librarian for PC and Mac.

Mobile Nerds Rejoice
The Axiom series is extremely compact and lightweight and all models are powered directly from your computer’s USB bus. Choose the size that’s best for your needs, then take your music anywhere you want to go.

If you have not had the chance to check one out, head down to Guitar Center or Sam Ash and ask the sales pukes there to give you a demo. A real hands on demo. It is the best bang for the buck.

~The MCP