Given the limited controls, a good number of options are available. The fader, mod wheel, buttons and the three footswitches can all be configured to send a wide variety of messages ranging from notes, CCs, program changes and MMC commands. The message types available are appropriate to which controller you’re editing, so obviously you can’t assign the fader to send program changes (imagine trying to do that accurately!). Minimum and maximum values can also be specified for continuous controller values. The three footswitches can also be assigned to various functions, bearing in mind that the Exp (expression) is designed for continuous footpedals, and the Sustain and FS2 are for momentary footswitches. It should be noted that the fader, mod wheel and expression pedal can all be assigned to send Aftertouch messages — the keyboard itself is sensitive only to velocity. The functionality and control surface of the Hammer 88 Pro also happen to be identical to M‑Audio’s Oxygen 49 and 61 Pro; the 49‑note Pro model was reviewed in depth by Robin Bigwood in SOS May 2021 issue, so his detailed account of those features is recommended reading. This review therefore focuses on the physical enhancements to the 88‑note Pro above and beyond the original 2017 model. What Else Is New?

Note Repeat allows you to hold down any of the custom-made M-Audio performance pads and hear a repeated rhythmic pattern at a selectable note division. The Note Repeat feature can be activated momentarily or can be used in Latch mode. If you choose Momentary, holding the Note Repeat button will make the note played by the pad automatically repeat. If you choose Latch, pressing any pad will cause its assigned note to repeat without you having to hold down the Note Repeat button.

Customer Reviews

Smart Scale is slightly similar; this time, when activated, you will only be able to play the notes that exist in your selected scale.

The Editor - The software editor for adjusting the settings is plain and simple to use, but also gives the options to adjust the velocity curve (although better done in your VST settings), functions, and zones of the controller.The Keylab 88 Mk2 is the most direct competitor to the Hammer 88 Pro, and it’s fantastic. Not too long ago, we would have said it was the best full-size, full-function controller around; now, the Hammer 88 Pro narrowly edges it. 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 Smart Chord is a function that lets you trigger complex chords from a single root note. The notes added to your root are determined by the settings you choose using the OLED screen. Smart Scale We were pretty surprised to see pitch and modulation wheels on the original Hammer 88, but we’re pleased to see the Pro still has them.

The Hammer 88 Pro has all the ingredients for a speedy workflow; the layout doesn’t totally convince us, but others might love it. Connectivity 4.6 From within the Editor, seven key velocity curves are available to suit your playing style: Hard, Soft 1, Soft 2 and Linear are the four continuous curves, along with three fixed values of 64, 100 and 127. Being normally used to a 76-note semi-weighted keyboard, I personally found the Linear curve to be the most comfortable; its velocity response is smooth and comfortably controllable across the range, although I found accurately homing in on low values between one and 30 difficult to achieve predictably. The maximum of 127, whilst achievable, does require a little extra determination (see box). As we mentioned above, the rotary knobs are not being by the faders, and that’s an issue because it’s easier to use them in tandem when they are closer. It comes up when automating expression or other parameters in synth or strings VSTs. Hammer 88 is USB-powered, class-compliant, and supports USB-MIDI connectivity. Plus, Hammer 88 supports iOS 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.For those familiar with M-Audio products, the design and function of the hardware interface have been mainly migrated over from the Oxygen Pro series, including the Chord and Scale technology.

Similarly, the Scale function lets you choose from various key signatures, including modal scales such as Dorian and Locrian. Once set and activated, you can haphazardly press any key on the keyboard, but you will only hear the notes of that scale. Instead of playing a ‘wrong’ note, such as a B♭ in a C major scale, you will hear the closest corresponding note in the scale, which in this case would be a repeat of notes B or A. Here, the keyboard is split into four non-overlapping zones, each transmitting on different MIDI channels. Zones 3 and 4 are also transposed downwards by one and two octaves respectively.Hammer 88 Pro features M-Audio’s brand-new Smart Chord and Smart Scale technology. These functions open up your imagination and help blend your hardware seamlessly with your ideas across all 88 keys. Creating music on your computer has never been this intuitive and inspiring thanks to these workflow-centric features.