M-Audio Hammer 88 - 88 Key Hammer-Action USB/Midi Controller

Here's what M-Audio Say About the Hammer 88

This One’s For The Player

Introducing Hammer 88, a premium, no-compromise keyboard controller, ideal for professional, semi-pro players or students seeking the realistic grand piano feel to use with virtual instruments or sound modules. At the heart of Hammer 88 are 88 velocity-sensitive, fully-weighted hammer-action keys that are guaranteed to faithfully capture every subtle nuance of your performance, while providing the unmatched response of a traditional grand piano—classic feel fused with the unrivalled sonic capabilities of virtual instruments. It’s the perfect combination for performers and producers to experience their plugin collection like never before.

Expressive

Put expression center-stage with Hammer 88, thanks to a core range of controls, thoughtfully positioned to complement and enhance your performance. With a unity-locking pitch wheel and a separate modulation wheel, add portamento and glissando effects, or map the Mod-Wheel to any assignable parameter in your virtual instrument collection to reshape and evolve your sound on the fly. With the dedicated Master Volume Fader, you can instantly control the intensity of your performance or MIDI map this to any compatible parameter in your DAW or virtual instrument collection for expanded, hands-on control. Use the assignable Up and Down buttons to select different programs, effects, MMC messages, jump between octaves and more. Add some pedal-based performance articulation using the three dedicated inputs for Sustain, Expression and Soft. With Hammer 88’s performance-centric feature-set, expressing yourself has never been so easy!

Outboard Control

Don’t limit yourself to your computer-based virtual instruments! Take control of your studio equipment with Hammer 88. With its conveniently-located 5-pin MIDI Output, you can send all MIDI information to any compatible peripheral device, including hardware synthesisers, sound modules and drum machines. With Hammer 88, it’s easy get the most out of your external sound generators. This is a controller designed from the ground up to place you firmly in the driver’s seat.

Seamless Integration

An instrument shouldn’t limit your creativity, it should enhance it! Hammer 88 is USB-powered, class-compliant and supports USB-MIDI connectivity for rapid, hassle-free setup that lets you focus on what’s important—your performance. Plus for iOS enthusiasts, Hammer 88 supports seamless connectivity with the Apple iPad Camera Connection Kit (sold separately), enabling you to perform and compose with audio apps on your iPad and other iOS devices.

Touch Loops

Chop up and mix 2 gigs of samples ranging from deep ambient synth pad loops to vintage drum one shots. These are all designed to inspire your music production and provide professional sounding samples that will shine in your mix. Touch Loops perfectly captures the tone and intensity of each sample, so they enhance and complement any song, wherever you use them. This incredible value can be found in your M-Audio account, ready to be downloaded and chopped to your liking!

Features

• 88 fully-weighted, hammer-action keys
• USB-MIDI connection for playing virtual instruments, controlling recording software and more
• 5-Pin MIDI output to trigger external MIDI devices
• Pitch bend, modulation, volume and ± controls for expressive performances
• Multiple keyboard zones for layering, splits and 4-note chords with a single key press
• Inputs for Sustain, Expression and Soft pedals
• USB-powered, no power supply required
• No drivers required, supports plug-and-play connectivity to your Mac or PC
• iOS compatibility using the Apple iPad Camera Connection Kit (sold separately)
• Multiple keyboard zones for layering, splits and 4-note chords with a single key press
• Clean, professional editing with included Hammer 88 Controller Editor
• Power adapter (optional) for stand-alone use
• Includes Music Rest

Premium Software Suite Included

Ableton Live Lite

A fresh and easy way to write, record, produce and perform your own songs.

Mini Grand

Mini Grand is a simple to use yet powerful virtual piano instrument with seven different acoustic piano sounds to suit a broad range of musical styles and production needs. Combining premium quality piano samples, innovative re-pedaling technology, built-in room simulation and equal and stretched tuning, Mini Grand is the go-to plugin for authentic, emotive piano sounds.

DB-33

DB-33 Tonewheel Organ is a virtual organ that recreates the sounds and controlability of classic tonewheel organs such as the Hammond B3, and the rotary-speaker cabinets they are often played through. It includes 122 preset sounds plus an extra-realistic convolution rotary cabinet and tube overdrive emulation. The rotary-speaker cabinet can also be used as an effect in its own right on an audio track.

Velvet

Velvet is a virtual electronic piano that combines five legendary electic pianos from the 60s and 70s into one versatile instrument. Based on the Fender Rhodes Suitcase, Fender Rhodes MK I and MK II Stage Pianos, Wurlitzer 200A and Hohner Pianet-T, Velvet accurately emulates the sound quality, respose and nuances of each original instrument to bring your piano tracks to life.

Eighty-Eight Ensemble

Eight-Eight Ensemble is a world-class piano instrument that authentically captures a 9-foot CD327 Steinway piano. Meticulously recorded and expertly sampled, infuse your production with the breathtaking realism of a world-class grand piano.

Skoove Subscription

With Skoove, you’ll learn to play piano with hundreds of interactive, high-quality online piano lessons structured for beginner, intermediate and advanced players. Skoove’s unique method guides you with real-time feedback as you play, letting you hone your skills faster and learn everything you need to become a complete piano player.

Editor

The Hammer 88 Preset Editor unlocks the true potential of your Hammer 88. This MIDI editor is a powerful preset management application that lets you use your computer to customize the Hammer 88’s keybed and controls (wheels, slider, buttons, and footswitches).

Specifications

• Keys: 88, velocity-sensitive, weighted keys
• Octaves: 10
• Connections: USB port, sustain pedal, soft pedal, expression pedal, MIDI Out
• Dimensions: 11.9” x 5.0 x 55.9”
• Weight: 38.5 lbs

Requirements

• PC: Windows 7 or later
• Mac: OS X 10.8 or later
• Available USB Port