Control is the Key (M-Audio Oxygen8)

Member Name: mo79

Product:	M-Audio Oxygen8
Date:	04/02/06 (2689 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Nicely priced, portable, durable, essential features

Disadvantages: Not suitable for everybody

If you own any kind of music software that would vastly benefit from a MIDI controller to input those notes and turn those knobs, this is perhaps the product for you if you've yet to invest in one. I can't recommend it more if you need a portable solution and don't require many keys and knobs.

M-Audio's Oxygen8 is one of the first and still most popular mobile MIDI controllers out there. It's part Kenton Control Freak (a box that featured an array of knobs) and part 25 note keyboard (with a range that can be extended or reduced up to 5 octaves by simple button presses).
The light plastic, silver bodied device can comfortably sit on your lap (making it a viable alternative to Creative's Prodikeys range), be tucked under your arm or seated on a small stand – making it one of the most attractive minimalist keyboard products available, and for stage use.
Due to not being a full sized keyboard this is of less value to pianists than those who indulge in the creation of bass lines or simply within-octave riffage. While one hand's tapping away at the keys I can simultaneously twiddle those knobs to affect the sound in real time. Standard pitch/mod wheels also feature here.

Installation is an easy affair but as with anything it's worth a glance at the instructions before you dive in. Once installed, the device should appear as a MIDI device option ready for use and tweaking in your software of choice.
Do note however that the drivers only make themselves visible when the unit's plugged in and turned on; therefore you'll have to do this before you start your program so it can be recognised. Tedious it may be but the Oxygen8 isn't really designed to be kept attached to your machine all the time. It's not on mine anyway. When disconnecting you must follow the safe remove procedure.

Do remember too that this is a controller unit, therefore it features no sounds of it's own, but it's fortunately compatible with both PC and Mac and features USB and MIDI connectivity. When you plug in via USB there's no need to install (6 AA) batteries or run from an adaptor (sold separately). Win98 SE and Mac OS 9.2.2 are required at minimum. MIDI connectivity is standard one in and one out, enough for a single user's chain as it includes a 16 channel interface – and proves that you can control hardware sound modules just as much as software ones.

I use the Oxygen8 primarily with a software studio program called Orion and it serves the job well, nothing more nothing less. I can play riffs into pattern allocations rather than clicking them in, complete with humanity such as velocity and timing etc. And the properties of virtual instruments etc. can be assigned to any of the 8 knobs (which is where the 8 in the product name comes from) for real-feel control. With low latency ASIO drivers on compatible soundcards you should barely notice delay of any sort between what you do and what is heard. Though older cards using MME and DirectX are still catered for (not worth it though, upgrade to an ASIO card).
Via the Data Slider and MIDI/Select button you can gain access to other useful interface functions; of most benefit to traditional sequencer/VST users. A 3 digit red LED display also features.

The current Oxygen8 software bundle features a lite version of Ableton Live 4 – an award winning program that is more an instrument itself than just a composition capturing/production tool. When I purchased the unit I got a cut down version of the popular Reason; a soft-synth studio of same vein as Orion, Storm and FL Studio – which I think is the core partner for the Oxygen8.

You can also purchase a number of add-ons, one being a sustain pedal that plugs into the Oxygen8's back. Carry cases are another optional add on.

Without meaning to, I've dropped my unit a few times – not drastically – and despite general wear and tear of usage (I've had it for around 2yrs now) it's tough and reliable. I'm not sure how the unit is built, but not having it's own set of sounds eliminates problematic damage occurring. I've yet to experience erratic behaviour of any sort.

If more keys and knobs are needed there are higher models in the M-Audio range. If however you are a laptop musician, have limited needs, budget and space constraints, then Oxygen8 is the perfect MIDI controller for you. It's also probably one of the most simplest ways to break into MIDI usage.

Summary: The original and still the best? Indeed!