| | |  | Controllers | Home » » » » » » » Alesis 49-Key Usb-Midi Keyboard Controller | | | | | | | Description: | | The Q49 is a 49-note keyboard controller that works with virtually all music software and MIDI hardware devices. The compact controller features USB-MIDI and traditional MIDI jacks for easy connection to Mac, PC and MIDI hardware. The Q49 provides keyboard players with a full compliment of controls including pitch and modulation wheels, octave up and down buttons, an assignable data slider, and the ability to send program changes from the keys. The Q49 comes with a copy of Ableton Live Lite, Alesis Edition software, for performing, recording, and sequencing music right out of the box. The Q49 is also the perfect choice for controlling hardware MIDI devices. Its compact size and portability make it ideal for fitting into existing rigs and then hitting the road. Place it a tier above an existing workstation keyboard and utilize Q49's streamlined layout to maximize your sound and performance options. You can even send Program Changes from the Q49's keys to change programs, patches, and more. | | | Features: | |
• 49-key keyboard controller for use with virtually all music software and MIDI devices
• USB-MIDI and traditional MIDI jacks for connection to Mac, PC and MIDI hardware
• Pitch and modulation wheels, octave up and down buttons, assignable data slider
• Send program changes from keys
| | | Product Details: | | | Product Length:
| 7.0 inches | | Product Width:
| 32.0 inches | | Product Height:
| 2.25 inches | | Product Weight:
| 5.0 pounds | | Package Length:
| 36.7 inches | | Package Width:
| 10.4 inches | | Package Height:
| 4.8 inches | | Package Weight:
| 7.0 pounds | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 27 reviews |
| | | | Customer Reviews: | |
Average Customer Review:
 ( 27 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
38 of 42 found the following review helpful:
Best $99 I've spent in a whileJun 30, 2010
By Cameron O'Rourke
I took a look at a bunch of keyboard controllers before settling on this one. This keyboard is to just sit on my desk so that I can bang things out when the mood strikes. I compared it against several other inexpensive keyboards like the Keystation and KeyRig and thought this one felt the least flimsy. It is also black instead of some lame silver color which looks better on my desk.
I was considering a semi-weighted keyboard like the M-Audio AXIOM 49 Advanced 49-Key Semi-Weighted USB MIDI Controller, but frankly, I have a piano at home and was really underwhelmed at the feel of all the semi-weighted keyboards. There was just not enough improvement over a non-weighted keyboard to justify the weight or expense. So I decided to go with something cheap.
The other benefit of cheap is that there are a minimum of knobs and sliders on this thing, so the depth is minimal. It sits right between my monitor and typing keyboard very nicely.
The fun part is that it comes with Ableton Live Lite, which I've been having tremendous fun with. It is very easy to learn, with its on-screen help and tutorials, and has a kind of unique user interface compared to programs like GarageBand, Logic, or Cubase. I'm really happy with the sounds and creative options. And it runs great on my Mac with Snow Leopard.
The only reason I'm giving it 4 stars instead of 5, is that I think there is still room on the case for at least some LED indicators for midi modes above the keyboard. If I was designing this, I would ditch the pitch and mod wheels on the left for additional controls including a small LED screen and some transport controls. I might invest in some kind of outboard control surface.
But, overall, for $99 I'm very satisfied with this small keyboard and Ableton Live Lite.
22 of 23 found the following review helpful:
 Plug and play on Mac with GaragebandApr 08, 2011
By R. Ferguson
After two weeks of using this with the kids, I am compelled to write a glowing review. I was looking for a medium size keyboard that would serve as a teaching tool for the kids. I wanted something that worked out of the box with an older Mac laptop (a G4 running an old version of Garageband). I wanted something compact and easy to move about the house, but nothing so small that you quickly ran of out room while performing. I also wanted something simple with as few controls as possible; we have a professional synth in the house and all of those knobs and buttons just distract the kids.
The Q49 fits the bill. It is terribly simple and has worked perfectly. I unpacked it, plugged it in to the USB port, started Garageband, and we went straight to having fun. I'm very delighted with this product. Bravo Alesis.
Now let's be honest, this is a budget product. While I find the Q49 to be solid (and sharp looking), the keys are very light and have a little left-right wiggle (nothing to worry about). But for the price, you're not going to do much better. You'll have to pay many times the amount to really start to see dramatic improvement in the feel of the keyboard.
Please note!!! Invariably there is someone who buys a keyboard controller thinking it is a synthesizer. The Q49 does not make sound on its own; it needs a computer with music software or a synthesizer. It is an input device, just like a computer mouse. If you are considering a budget synthesizer (e.g., for your kids), the nice thing about the budget synths is that they can have everything in one device (e.g., no cable running to a computer, no computer hooked up to speakers). There are multiple downsides: cheap synths usually have a demo button that, with some kids, becomes the primary method of playing; all the buttons on the synths distract kids from actually spending time playing; the keyboard action (i.e. velocity sensitivity) and instrument sounds will not be as good as a similarly priced controller hooked up to a laptop running something like Garageband.
Alesis, if you've never heard of them, is a U.S. company that has been making budget, yet innovative, audio products for professionals for about three decades. They've had some category defining products and provided interesting competition for Roland, Korg and Yamaha. After a turn in bankruptcy a few years ago, they were bought by the same group out of Delaware that owns Ion Audio, Numark, and Akai Professional.
Additional notes: I have the laptop hooked up to a Logitech Z515; this makes a nice, compact budget music workstation. With Garageband, the keyboard slider defaults to volume control. I am not using the enclosed software (Ableton Live Lite), nor have I made use of the MIDI controls. Again, my goal was to keep things simple for the kids. Finally, this is available at below MSRP and, cost-wise, the main competitor is the M-Audio Keyrig 49. The Keyrig came out in 2008, I believe, and the Q49 in 2010.
23 of 27 found the following review helpful:
 Good Features, But A Major ProblemOct 03, 2011
By Robert C. Darby
This unit has some wonderful features, including easy controller assignments, and it is very competetively priced. But, until Alesis addresses a major problem, this model will be fairly useless to many of us. I owned one of these for about a month. At first i used it to control VST's that didn't need a sustain pedal. Then I plugged in a sustain pedal and found that once used, the sustain continued until the unit was re-started. I searched for a fix online, only to learn that the problem was very common, and was caused by an internal design flaw that I could never repair. Fortunately, the vender with whom I deal treated me well and gave me a full refund. Do your research before you buy this. Alesis is a good company, but this is a troubled product. Once they get the fix in place, it should be fine.
6 of 6 found the following review helpful:
Surprisingly Nice.Jun 18, 2011
By Rain
I bought this as a replacement for my defunct M-Audio Keystation 49. The deciding factor was weight, as both the Q49 and the Keystation are approximately the same price and I needed something as light as possible without settling for anything under 49 keys.
Though the keys feel a bit less solid than the ones on the M-Audio, the unit, on the whole seems fairly solid. As for functionality, I was pleasantly surprised. Not only does this thing cover the basic functions that my M-Audio Keystation did, it also adds a few very nice touches.
As mentioned by another reviewer, the fader is automatically mapped to the volume control of the selected track (using Logic), whereas, the fader on the Keystation was primarily dedicated to velocity control. You could map it I guess, but having this done automatically is nice. Considering that I'm using it as part of my portable rig and that I can't carry a dedicated control surface with me, that's a major bonus. You just scroll through the tracks using the arrow keys on the laptop w/ one hand and adjust the volume for the tracks you select w/ the fader on the Q49. I find myself using that feature constantly.
Similarly, if you push the midi/select button, the fader can be used to adjust a variety of midi parameters which you select by pushing dedicated keys (midi channel, velocity, pan, reverb depht, bank, program, transpose, etc).
Another reviewer mentioned that he'd prefer to see the mod wheel and pitch wheel ditched for other functionalities, such as a led screen. To each his own. For me, the modulation wheel is essential - it allows you to control things like filters in real time. And any parameter change I need to see is available on the computer screen. Also, since I bought this controller primarily due to its weight, I'm actually glad that it sticks to the basic set of wheels and buttons.
5 of 5 found the following review helpful:
Nice no frills budget performance keyboard - needs a free USB port (no hubs)May 01, 2011
By Bobby W.
The Alesis Q49 is about the best choice you can make if you are looking for a compact budget priced keyboard controller that you can play with both hands.
The Q49 is very spartan in its feature set - 49 full size keys, full size pitch & mod wheels, octave up/down buttons, sustain switch input and just 1 dedicated data entry slider - note that it has no assignable data entry knobs or controller (drum) pads.
It can be powered either by a USB port on your computer (there is a USB cable included - it's tucked into one of the foam endcaps in the carton) or it can be powered by a 9V power adapter (NOT included). As most people will probably be using this device with a computer, please be aware that the Q49 USB connection may not work with a USB hub - i.e., you may have to plug it directly into a free USB port on your computer - Alesis mentions this in their trouble shooting guide, and that was my experience.
That said, I really like this keyboard - First, it's pretty much plug & play - you don't have to mess around with loading a pesky hardware driver (although of course, you do have to configure your software apps to recognize it - I got it to work with Reason 4, FL Studio 9 and all my stand alone software synths with no problems).
It's fairly lightweight and doesn't have a lot of excess plastic, so if you want, you can kick back in your easy chair and rest the Q49 on your lap. The keys do not have aftertouch, but they respond well to velocity changes. Pitch and Mod wheels are the same size as what you find on full-size controllers.
The octave up/down buttons light when they are activated, a nice little feature.
Note that if you are into editing/designing sounds or tweaking parameters on your soft-synths while you play, then this keyboard probably isn't for you because there are no assignable rotary controls - this is where those little two-octave units come in.
As an added bonus, you also get a "Lite" version of Ableton Live.
See all 27 customer reviews on Amazon.com
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