Music producers and musicians in search of a professional-grade 88-key MIDI control with advanced smart controls and auto-mapping capabilities will be impressed with the M-Audio Hammer 88 Pro, an 88-key graded hammer action USB MIDI controller with advanced high-speed key bed scanning technology for an ultra-expressive playing experience and customizable assignable aftertouch for added expression and control.

With its front and center OLED screen, the Hammer 88 Pro allows you to quickly and easily search for and test sounds, map controls, and mix and edit your sessions. Control any DAW and automatically map commonly used functions such as transport, faders, pan controls and much more. Weather you use Logic Pro X, Pro Tools, Studio One, or any other major DAW, just select the map and let Auto-Mapping take care of the rest. Automap also instantly maps all the virtual instruments included in the software bundle.

With the Smart controls, you can harness the power of Smart Chord and Smart Scale to propel your imagination seamlessly across all 88 keys. Smart Chord allows you to play chords with a single key or pad. Choose from a variety of chord structures and modes or create your own via the custom mode. Smart Scale allows you to set the keybed, so that only notes in the selected scale can be played, allowing you to play within a chosen scale without the risk of playing wrong notes. Other notable features include note repeat and the arpeggiator. Note repeat allows you to hold down a pad and hear a repeated rhythmic pattern at a selectable note division. Activate note repeat momentarily or use latch mode for continuous operation. The built-in arpeggiator generates patterns based on note or chord combinations. Adjust the timing and division on-the-fly for inspired performances.

The Hammer 88 Pro includes a variety of software, including DAWs such as Pro Tools | First M-Audio Edition, Ableton Live Lite, and Akai Professional MPC Beats performance/recording software, plus nine MPC Beats expansion kits. Also included is an AIR Music Technology instrument bundle, with Hybrid, Velvet, Mini Grand, Xpand!2, Vacuum, Boom, and DB-33. The keyboard comes with a USB Type-A to USB Type-B cable.

88-Keys with Aftertouch and Zones    16 RGB Backlit, Velocity-Sensitive Pads    8 Assignable Knobs and Buttons    9 Assignable Faders    DAW Mapped Controls and Parameters    Pitch and Mod Wheels    Smart Chord and Scale Modes    Advanced Arpeggiator    Includes Music Rest and MIDI Editor    DAW and Virtual Instrument Software

• Best-in-class 88 graded hammer-action keys with aftertouch and assignable zones
• 16 RGB, backlit, assignable, velocity-sensitive pads with note repeat for beat production, clip launching, and more
• Eight assignable knobs and buttons for controlling virtual instruments, mix plug-ins, DAW controls, and more
• Nine assignable faders for controlling virtual instruments, plug-ins, DAW faders, and more
• Preset and DAW buttons for auto-mapped DAW controls and plug-in parameters
• Smart Chord mode enables playing of enharmonic or custom chord voicings
• Smart Scale mode eliminates wrong notes making it easy to craft a perfect song
• Arpeggiator with Type, Octave, Gate and Swing controls
• Ergonomically designed pitch and modulation wheels, 3 footswitch pedal inputs, and expression pedal input
• USB-MIDI connection and 5-pin MIDI input and output for connecting to external MIDI gear
• Intuitive layout featuring an OLED screen for quick control edits
• Includes music rest, MIDI editor software and a complete software production package featuring Pro Tools | First M-Audio Edition, Ableton Live Lite, MPC Beats, 7 virtual instruments from AIR Music Technology (Hybrid, Velvet, Mini Grand, Xpand!2, Vacuum, Boom, DB-33) and 9 MPC Beats expansion packs

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. How good is the XLR to 3.5mm cable? Could this potentially work with the Zoom H1 without too much hiss?

A: Hi the XLR to 3.5mm cable works, but you would want to replace it straight away. Very little cost to do this, couple of Dollars. The mic works well and you can phantom power it (48v), or runs a very long time on one AA battery. I use a Zoom H1 and had no problems. There is a design fault with the mic switch. I have bought three and use all of them but the switch disintegrates if you don't take lots of care with it.Best to run it on phantom power then you don't need to operate the switch. Of course not possible with a Zoom H1

Q: 2. Bus power

A: If you are asking Does the 18i8 use USB buss power? , the answer is no, it uses a separate AC power supply.

Q: 3. How long is the XLR cable that comes with the kit?

A: The XM88 ships with 2 XLR cables. A 26 ft cable for pole use, and a 16 cable for on camera mounting.

Q: 4. how to replace the battery?

A: First remove the microphone from the shock mount, then the battery compartment is on the bottom you just have to unscrew it. This microphone can also be powered with 48v Phantom power.

Q: 5. What are the differences between the XM-88 and the cheaper XM-55, and would it be worth the extra $25 for the XM-88?

A: The XM-88 offers wider frequency response,and two cardioid patterns,. It is also longer for a more directional pick-up.

Q: 6. Should I use Logic Pro with this? Doing a 4-mic podcast. How do I record the audio sent into it? Sorry, dumb questions.

A: The Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 USB-C Audio/MIDI Interface (3rd Generation) can certainly be used with Logic Pro, or any other DAW of your choosing. As with any software, there will be a learning curve, but with the wealth of online learning resources it should not take long to develop a basic understanding of recording functions within your chosen program.

Q: 7. It says the mac processor should be Intel Core i3. I have i5. Will that still work?

A: Yes, the U-44 should work with your computer. Intel Core i3 is the minimum system requirement..

Q: 8. Can this item be used with a Sony UTX-P1 transmitter

A: This plug-on transmitter will work with this mic but does not provide phantom power. The mic must be powered by one AA battery.

Q: 9. What's the meaning of off camera mode on one of the picture? Does it mean it can be used handheld?

A: I'm not sure what they mean - but they include an adapter for an XLR plugin which can be used with portable digital recorders and they have an adapter for the 3.5mm plug which can plug into the DSLR models that have a microphone plug. One is on camera and one is off camera - so maybe that's what they mean? You cannot capture audio without plugging it into some type of recording device - it is not a stand alone microphone/recorder.

Q: 10. can this microphone be used for a canon rebel T5?

A: The XM88 can be used with any camera that features a 1/8 mic input jack. The T5 has no mic input available. The T5i camera does have an input and is compatible.