Review M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3 MIDI keyboard. Where to buy it?

M-Audio is a business unit of inMusic Brands that designs and markets digital audio and MIDI interfaces, keyboards and MIDI controllers, synthesizers, speakers, studio monitors, digital DJ systems, microphones and music software. I’ll tell you how this post is built. First I will list the features of this M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3 keyboard. Then you have a video or two, purchase links and useful comments from other users and then you have one of the most useful parts; comparison tables with similar keyboards so you can compare.

• 49 Speed-Sensitive Keys
• Pitch bend and modulation wheels
• Octave switch
• Transport buttons for DAW control
• A fader
• 6.3 mm jack input for optional sustain pedal (not included)
• USB bus-powered
• Plug&Play for Mac and PC
• Includes Pro Tools First M-Audio Edition, Ableton Live Lite, AIR Mini Grand, AIR Velvet, and AIR Xpand!2
• Dimensions: 822 x 189 x 68 mm
• Weight: 2.1 kg

This MIDI keyboard is usually priced at around €88/£75/$87 and offers 49 speed-sensitive keys, allowing you to compose and perform a wide range of musical ideas on your favorite DAW.

In its control functions we have an assignable fader, 3 transport buttons (stop, play, rec) for the control of the DAW, octave up/down buttons, keys for movement and modulation and pitch bend wheels.

The M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3 features a built-in sustain pedal input and a USB connection. Also included are the Pro Tools First M-Audio Edition, Ableton Live Lite, AIR Mini Grand, AIR Velvet and AIR Xpand!2 licenses.

Now that we have seen the features of this M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3 keyboard, watch these related videos to learn more.

Posts you may be interested in

• Ranking with the best midi keyboards
• My selection of cheap midi keyboards.
• Best MIDI Software to work with.
• MIDI Basic Guide.
• Midi Keyboards by Brand.

M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3 vs M-Audio Keystation 61 MK3

The M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3 MIDI Keyboard is priced at €88/£75/$87 when the M-Audio Keystation 61 MK3 is priced at €155/£133/$154. Let’s move on to the face-to-face:

• The M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3 offers 49 sensitive keys and the M-Audio Keystation 61 MK3 offers 61 sensitive keys.
• Both offer an assignable fader, 3 transport buttons (stop, play, rec) for DAW control, octave up/down buttons, keys for movement, and modulation and pitch bend wheels.
• Both feature a sustain pedal input and a USB connection. The M-Audio Keystation 61 MK3 also features a MIDI output and an external power supply input (not included).
• Both include the Pro Tools First M-Audio Edition, Ableton Live Lite, AIR Mini Grand, AIR Velvet, and AIR Xpand!2 licenses.

Let’s put the features of these keyboards in a table so you can compare

In the first comparison, we have two M-Audio branded MIDI controllers, the Keystation 49 and 61 MK3, having the main differences that one has 49 keys and the other has 61 keys and so also has the MIDI output connections and one more external power supply input (not included). For one small difference, we have certain advantages, which are really worth having. Go for the M-Audio Keystation 61 MK3, you will surely be more comfortable with it.

And here’s a video of the M-Audio Keystation 61 MK3

If you want to know more about this option, click on the following link to see the M-Audio Keystation 61 MK3 review.

M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3 vs Akai LPK 25

The M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3 MIDI Keyboard is priced at €88/£75/$87 while the Akai LPK 25 is priced at €42/£37/$42, with a difference of €46. Let’s take a look at it face-to-face:

• The M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3 offers 49 sensitive keys and the Akai LPK 25 offers 25 mini-sensitive keys.
• The M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3 offers an assignable fader, 3 transport buttons (stop, play, rec) for DAW control, octave up/down buttons, keys for movement, and modulation and pitch bend wheels. The Akai LPK 25 offers to sustain, tap tempo, arpeggiator, and octave up/down buttons.
• The M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3 features an integrated sustain pedal input and a USB connection. When the Akai LPK 25 only offers a USB input, it is also powered by the same means as the M-Audio.
• The M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3 includes the Pro Tools First M-Audio Edition, Ableton Live Lite, AIR Mini Grand, AIR Velvet and AIR Xpand!2 licenses. The Akai LPK 25 includes a software editor for Mac and PC.

Let’s put the features of these keyboards in a table so you can compare

In this somewhat unfair comparison, we have on the one hand our well-known M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3, and on the other hand, the Akai LPK 25 which offers 25 mini keys, sustain buttons, tap tempo, arpeggiator and up/down an octave. As we noticed it is a somewhat minimalist MIDI controller.

The best option will always be the M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3, thanks to its greater number of keys and control functions, however, the Akai LPK 25 has its advantages of having great compatibility with numerous DAWs, and great portability that can still be carried in a hand or bag. Surely more than one will be interested.

And here is a video of the Akai LPK 25

If you want to know more about this option, click on the following link to see the Akai LPK 25 review

M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3 vs M-Audio Oxygen 49 Mk4

The M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3 MIDI keyboard is priced at €88/£75/$87 when the M-Audio Oxygen 49 Mk4 is priced at €122/£105/$122, with a difference of $36. Let’s go head-to-head:

• Both offer 49 sensitive keys.
• The M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3 offers an assignable fader, 3 transport buttons (stop, play, rec) for DAW control, octave up/down buttons, keys for movement, and modulation and pitch bend wheels. The M-Audio Oxygen 49 Mk4 offers 8 Sensitive Pads, 8 Freely Assignable Rotary Buttons, 9 Freely Assignable Sliders, 4 Transport buttons for DAW control, Octave Up/Down buttons, Pitch Bend and Modulation wheels.
• The M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3 features a built-in sustain pedal input and a USB connection. The M-Audio Oxygen 49 MK4 is also available.
• The M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3 includes the Pro Tools First M-Audio Edition, Ableton Live Lite, AIR Mini Grand, AIR Velvet and AIR Xpand!2 licenses. The M-Audio Oxygen 49 MK4 includes the Ableton Live Lite (Software) and Sonivox Twist (Software) licenses.

Let’s put the features of these keyboards in a table so you can compare

In this comparison we have two MIDI controllers, on the one hand, the M-Audio Keystation MK3 with its functions and features that we have already analyzed, on the other hand, we have the M-Audio Oxygen 49 Mk4 that offers 49 sensitive keys, 8 sensitive pads, 8 freely assignable rotary buttons, 9 freely assignable sliders, 4 transport buttons for DAW control, octave up/down buttons, pitch bend and modulation wheels.

The advantages of the M-Audio Oxygen 49 include many more control features such as pads, buttons, and a larger number of faders, making it a better MIDI controller, and a slight price difference between the two. Go for the M-Audio Oxygen 49 MK4.

Here is a video of the M-Audio Oxygen 49 Mk4 keyboard

If you want to know more about this option, click on the following link to see the M-Audio Oxygen 49 Mk4 review.

M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3 vs Alesis Q49

The M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3 MIDI Keyboard is priced at €88/£75/$87 and the Alesis Q49 is priced at €75/£63/$72, with a small difference of £14. Let’s go head to head:

• Both offer 49 sensitive keys.
• The M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3 offers an assignable fader, 3 transport buttons (stop, play, rec) for DAW control, octave up/down buttons, keys for movement, and modulation and pitch bend wheels. The Alesis Q49 offers 1 fader, MIDI/Select button, octave up/down buttons, pitch bend and modulation wheels.
• The M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3 features a built-in sustain pedal input and a USB connection. The Alesis Q49 also offers an external power supply input and a MIDI output.
• The M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3 includes the Pro Tools First M-Audio Edition, Ableton Live Lite, AIR Mini Grand, AIR Velvet and AIR Xpand!2 licenses. The Alesis Q49 includes Ableton Live Lite and Alesis Edition.

Let’s put the features of these keyboards in a table so you can compare

In this comparison, we have again, on the one hand, the M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3 that we have seen before and on the other hand the Alesis Q49 that offers 49 sensitive keys, 1 fader, MIDI/Select button, octave up/down buttons, pitch bend wheels and modulation.

As we can see both are very similar MIDI controllers, both offer 49 keys, a fader, octave up/down buttons, and pitch bend and modulation wheels. The advantages of M-Audio are its transport buttons. And on the side of the Alesis Q49 we have as advantages a MIDI Output. Depending on whether you use these functions you can make a decision accordingly. If you use the transport buttons on your DAW a lot, you will be better off with the M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3, if you require a MIDI output the Alesis Q49 will be better off.

And here’s a video of the Alesis Q49

If you want to know more about this option, click on the following link to see the Alesis Q49 review.

M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3 vs Miditech Midistart Music 25

The M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3 MIDI Keyboard is priced at €88/£75/$87 when the Miditech Midistart Music 25 is priced at €58/£51/$60, with a difference of £31. Let’s see the face-to-face:

• The M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3 offers 49 sensitive keys and the Miditech Midistart Music 25 offers 25 full-size keys.
• The M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3 offers an assignable fader, 3 transport buttons (stop, play, rec) for DAW control, octave up/down buttons, keys for movement, and modulation and pitch bend wheels. The Miditech Midistart Music 25 features a joystick for pitch bend and modulation, octave up/down buttons, and an assignable fader.
• Both integrate a sustain pedal input and a USB connection.
• The M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3 includes the Pro Tools First M-Audio Edition, Ableton Live Lite, AIR Mini Grand, AIR Velvet, and AIR Xpand!2 licenses. The Miditech Midistart Music 25 includes the Magix Samplitude SE license.

Let’s put the features of these keyboards in a table so you can compare

In this comparison, we have on the one hand the M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3 with its functions and features that we have already analyzed before, and on the other hand, the Miditech Midistart Music 25 that offers 25 large keys with sensitivity, a joystick for pitch bend and modulation, octave up/down buttons, and an assignable fader.

The M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3 is a better MIDI controller because of the advantages it offers, including the largest number of keys and transport buttons. If you want a more compact controller, the Miditech could be a good choice, but the M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3 is still a better choice.

Here’s a video of the Miditech Midistart Music 25 keyboard

If you want to know more about this option, click on the following link to see the Miditech Midistart Music 25 review.

Which is the best of these MIDI keyboards if I am a beginner on a low budget?

While the answer to this question lies mostly in what specific need you have, for example, if you want to have a keyboard with the widest range of notes possible, or if you want to have as many control functions as possible, or perhaps a mix between the two, that is without leaving behind the different connections and software licenses that most MIDI controllers offer, we will give an objective opinion according to our experience in music production and thus also with the price that the controllers demand, a kind of value for money.

In this comparison we have a set of MIDI controllers that have a maximum price of 125 Euro, therefore we have cheap controllers. And the star product we mentioned in this post is the Miditech Midistart Music 25, which offers 25 full-size keys, which is excellent for its price, it also offers an assignable fader, a joystick for pitch bend and modulation, octave buttons and it also has a sustain pedal input. It really is an excellent controller for a beginner.

Where to buy the M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3

Amazon

• Free Shipping and the possibility of shipping in one day with Amazon Premium.
• Full Guarantee but they are no experts in music equipment.
• Sometimes a better price.
• He’s got worse stock than Thomann.

 

Thomann

• Free Shipping.
• Full warranty. If you have any problems, they take care of everything.
• 100% reliable payment.
• A leader in trouble-free shipping.
• Usually the Best price.
• Best Reputation: They are the leading online store in Europe and have the best catalog and information.

 

Also, look at these models with a similar price and features:

• Novation Launchkey Mini MK3
• Akai MPK mini Mk2
• Akai MPK miniplay
• Roli Lightpad Block M Studio Ed.
• Arturia MiniLab MKII
• Roli Beatmaker Kit
• Novation Impulse 25
• Akai MPK mini MK2 white
• Alesis V25
• CME Xkey Air 25
• IK Multimedia iRig Keys I/O 25
• Akai APC Keys 25
• Akai LPK 25
• M-Audio Code 25 black
• Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol A25
• Novation Launchkey Mini MK2
• Alesis V mini
• Arturia MicroLab Black
• Akai LPK 25 wireless
• Akai MPK mini Limited Black
• Arturia MiniLab MKII Inverted Edition
• M-Audio Oxygen 25 Mk4
• Korg nanoKEY Studio
• Swissonic EasyKey 25
• Korg nanoKEY 2 black
• Korg nanoKEY 2 Limited Orange
• Korg nanoKEY 2 Limited Blue
• Akai MPK mini MK2 white – AIEP3 Bdl
• Nektar Impact LX25+
• Novation Launchkey 25 MK2
• Alesis Q25
• Akai MPK 225
• Korg microKEY 25
• Miditech Midistart Music 25
• Alesis VI25
• Korg nanoKEY 2 white
• Arturia MicroLab Blue
• Nektar SE25
• Korg microKEY Air 25
• IK Multimedia iRig Keys 25
• Midiplus X2 mini
• Icon iKeyboard 3X
• Keith McMillen K-Board
• CME Xkey 25 silver
• Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol M32
• Alesis V49
• Arturia Keystep Black Edition
• Swissonic EasyKey 49
• Arturia Keystep
• Arturia KeyLab Essential 49
• Nektar Impact LX49+
• M-Audio Code 49 Black
• IK Multimedia iRig Keys 2 Pro
• M-Audio Keystation 49 MK3
• M-Audio Keystation Mini 32 MK3
• Novation Impulse 49
• Nektar Impact GX 49
• Novation Launchkey 49 Mk2
• Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol A49
• M-Audio Oxygen 49 Mk4
• Alesis Q49 Keyboard Controller
• Roland A-300 Pro
• IK Multimedia iRig Keys I/O 49
• Alesis VI49
• Midiplus AK490
• Alesis Vortex Wireless 2
• M-Audio Axiom Air Mini 32
• Alesis Vortex Wireless 2 Network
• IK Multimedia iRig Keys 37 Pro
• Arturia KeyLab Essential 49 BE
• Haken Audio Continuum Half Size
• CME Xkey 37 LE
• IK Multimedia iRig Keys Pro
• Korg microKEY 49 MkII
• IK Multimedia iRig Keys 2
• Miditech Midistart Music 49
• Roland A-49 Black
• Korg microKEY 37 MkII
• Swissonic ControlKey 49
• Roland A-500 PRO
• Nektar SE49
• Korg microKEY Air 37
• Korg microKEY Air 49
• Roland A-49 White
• Nektar Panorama T4
• Miditech Garagekey mini
• Miditech Minicontrol-32
• Midiplus X3 mini
• Miditech i2-Control 37 Black
• Icon iKeyboard 4X
• Miditech i2-mini 32
• Midiplus X4 mini
• Miditech i2-mini 32 Bluetooth
• Icon iKeyboard 5X
• Acorn Masterkey 49
• M-Audio Code 61 Black
• Arturia KeyLab Essential 61
• Nektar Impact GX 61
• M-Audio Keystation 61 MK3
• Alesis V61
• Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol A61
• Swissonic EasyKey 61
• M-Audio Oxygen 61 Mk4
• Roland A-800 Pro
• Korg microKEY Air 61
• GSi DMC-122
• Nektar Impact LX61+
• Alesis VI61
• Novation Launchkey 61 MK2
• Icon iKeyboard 6X
• Acorn Masterkey 61
• Miditech i2-61 Black Edition
• Midiplus X6 mini
• Korg microKEY 61 MkII
• Midiplus X-6 II
• Viscount Physis Piano K5 EX
• M-Audio Keystation 88 MkII
• Kawai VPC1
• Doepfer LMK2+ 88 GH
• Doepfer LMK4+ 88 GH black
• Swissonic ControlKey 88
• Viscount Physis Piano K4 EX
• Doepfer LMK4+ 88 GH grey
• Nektar Impact LX88+
• Haken Audio Continuum Full Size
• Midiplus Stage 88
• Studiologic Numa Concert
• Icon iKeyboard 8X
• Doepfer LMK2+ 88 GH without Case
• Midiplus X-8 II
• Doepfer LMK4+ 88 GH GR without Case