M-Audio Axiom 61 or EMU Xboard 61 Pro?

skyform · 21st January 2009

I would like to know which of this two midi keys is better. I heard that EMU has better keys and Axium more functions, is that true?

If someone knows any better midi key for a similar price please let me know.

Simon The Gooch · 21st January 2009

I picked up an Edirol PCR-300 recently and it's been pretty excellent, you might want to take a look at the PCR-800. I played with the Axioms and they just felt much cheaper and I didn't like the knobs at all. The Edirols have nice smooth rubberized knobs and sliders, plus velocity sensitive keys and drum pads and aftertouch. I like the MIDI crossfader as well.

rayzr · 10th February 2010

I may be too late, but I've owned by the Axiom 61 key and the E-mu Xboard 49.

I have to say the Xboard is far superior in terms of build quality and
key-action.

The Axiom's knobs are cheap and one of mine was actually bent,
the keys also are known to stick.. which my c3 key was of course.

The Xboard is an amazing controller, the most natural feeling keys
and best of it's kind.

Let me also note that I paid $170 for the Axiom 61 and sold it off
for $75 (I wanted the space more). The Xboard was purchased
from a pawn for $35, best deal i've come across and I do not regret it.

Axiom49 · 13th March 2010

axiom sucks man dont buy this shit...

baron.von.case · 21st October 2010

I agree the Xboard's keys feel the best... till you've turned it on. The black keys transmit at about double the velocity as the white keys, which, if you're playing anything but constant leads and organ sounds, is a disaster. Also, it's going to stop working after not too much time. That's why 5 months after it came out, they dropped about $150 in price. They're so affordable because they don't work.

It's fashionable to rag on the Axiom, but it does everything and does it well. The keys do not transmit finicky velocities like the Edirol PCR-800 and Xboard, and the aftertouch is very responsive. If you're an expressive player, you'll want the Axiom.

The Edirol is great, except you need to put your whole body weight into it to get the aftertouch to work. Very unresponsive.

I have owned all three and played them extensively. It's only after a long time that you can notice such faults shining through. The Axiom's knobs and faders may "feel cheap" to some, but the controller has never given out on me or stopped working in any way. If you care about the keys and playing with nuance, responsive aftertouch and a full range of natural-feeling velocities, get the Axiom.

21st January 2009	#1
skyform Gear nut Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 115 Thread Starter	M-Audio Axiom 61 or EMU Xboard 61 Pro? I would like to know which of this two midi keys is better. I heard that EMU has better keys and Axium more functions, is that true? If someone knows any better midi key for a similar price please let me know.

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21st January 2009	#2
Simon The Gooch Gear maniac Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 161	I picked up an Edirol PCR-300 recently and it's been pretty excellent, you might want to take a look at the PCR-800. I played with the Axioms and they just felt much cheaper and I didn't like the knobs at all. The Edirols have nice smooth rubberized knobs and sliders, plus velocity sensitive keys and drum pads and aftertouch. I like the MIDI crossfader as well.

10th February 2010	#3
rayzr Gear interested Joined: Feb 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 6	I may be too late, but I've owned by the Axiom 61 key and the E-mu Xboard 49. I have to say the Xboard is far superior in terms of build quality and key-action. The Axiom's knobs are cheap and one of mine was actually bent, the keys also are known to stick.. which my c3 key was of course. The Xboard is an amazing controller, the most natural feeling keys and best of it's kind. Let me also note that I paid $170 for the Axiom 61 and sold it off for $75 (I wanted the space more). The Xboard was purchased from a pawn for $35, best deal i've come across and I do not regret it.

13th March 2010	#4
Axiom49 Gear interested Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 5	axiom sucks man dont buy this shit...

21st October 2010	#5
baron.von.case Gear interested Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 17	I agree the Xboard's keys feel the best... till you've turned it on. The black keys transmit at about double the velocity as the white keys, which, if you're playing anything but constant leads and organ sounds, is a disaster. Also, it's going to stop working after not too much time. That's why 5 months after it came out, they dropped about $150 in price. They're so affordable because they don't work. It's fashionable to rag on the Axiom, but it does everything and does it well. The keys do not transmit finicky velocities like the Edirol PCR-800 and Xboard, and the aftertouch is very responsive. If you're an expressive player, you'll want the Axiom. The Edirol is great, except you need to put your whole body weight into it to get the aftertouch to work. Very unresponsive. I have owned all three and played them extensively. It's only after a long time that you can notice such faults shining through. The Axiom's knobs and faders may "feel cheap" to some, but the controller has never given out on me or stopped working in any way. If you care about the keys and playing with nuance, responsive aftertouch and a full range of natural-feeling velocities, get the Axiom.