When I started getting into making music as a hobby I made the mistake of buying a Yamaha CS2X synth for over £300 (and even that was rather cheap for it then!). It was a good synth, but I found myself only using it as a midi controller, hence leaving about 80% of it's functions left alone. The synth was also large and bulky, and with not enough knobs to control parameters within VST's.
That's when I decided I wanted a midi controller that was designed for that very purpose. The M-Audio Oxygen 49 seemed like the perfect choice; simple, designed with many knobs and sliders, all the basic controls one would ever need in a midi controller. I was very impressed when this got delivered, it's VERY light, compact, does what it says on the tin.
Just make sure to read the manual that's on the CD you get with the Oxygen, there is only a printed "quick start" manual that's rather useless.

I spent a long time deciding on which controller to get and decided to get the M-Audio because of a) price and b) M-Audio has a fantastic reputation!

I tried out some other controllers in shops and found the keys to feel a bit cheap and flimsy, whereas on this one the feel as rock-solid as non-weighted keys can be!

I plugged it in and it worked without problems straight away.

The only slight glitch though is only being able to use it with one USB port on the Macbook running 10.4.10 (this isn't a problem in 10.4.9 though, and I was told M-Audio are working on an update for it).

It's rare to find controllers that are so well priced, so portable AND so rock-solid.

Great product!

M-Audio part of Avid the makers of pro tools... From a big name like that you expect big things and for the money that you pay you dont expect it to push the boat much but this has lots to give. with all the functions you would like to find on the entry level keyboared and more. definatly getting your moneys worth on this baby. The software included once you find your way round it makes the oxygen seem like you have just brought the most expencive 1 in the shop with all the extra features that are all programable to suite your needs definatly makes you wonder how it can be jamed in for that price. for that i would give it a 10 top of its class

You'll never find out something better for that price: all the knob and others controls are smooth and sensible, the dinamic has 12 curves and let you play every different style, sure it has not hammer-meccanic and you can easly feel this aspect... but we have to remember that there is no hammer-meccanic controller under 400€.
As a synth it's fantastic and the programming is easy. I had no chance to try the midi out, but I'm sure that has good quality as the other stuffs.
Some little negative aspect who takes the 10 away:
sure it is all plastic and not seem to be so resistent, so be carefull if you use it on stage or travelling. and it is not officially compatible with linux systems(really not so much controller are) I can use it perfectly on windows using the included drivers, but I'd like to use it under the penguin too, and I think i'll have some hard work to let it play.
So it is absolutely perfet for studio midi composing, Synth usage, and for some, not extreme, live playing.

Thanks to dolphin music for the profesionality: quick spedition and good packing, and great also the price, I am italian and I've bought it from Manchester.. find out your own conclusions.

I really found the M-Audio Oxygen 49 a easy instrument to use and intricate into my home studio. It comes with a usb connector to connect your usb connection in your pc or laptops usb connection (also compatible with mac osx and +).

1.)Connection - easy to connect easy to use
2.)Compatibility - compatible with all programs and settups
3.)Sound - Endless, will play any wav or midi file
4.)Overall - Awesome midi controller, good price, strongly recommend

Your only limit is your imagination

This piece has no delay and is amazing for synth and home recording midi work. It works well with everything I use, live, and in the home. If it broke, I would be sure to buy it again. The only issue I have with it, is that I cannot find the serial code to the software which is included with it in order to properly unlock it. Otherwise, it's amazing.