AXiS-49
[49-2A]

3 years ago I developed tendonitis, after looking around for controllers and instrument that did not required too much strength to be played I came across c-thru and their Axis controllers. I bought two Axis 49s a year ago and I’m not happy, I am amazed!
About the hardware can be said that they are compact, Light and most important build to last.
Probably you are going to need a couple of days to get used to how the Axis feels. Due to its compact design it does not responds the way a regular MIDI keyboard does. It just feels different. Which, lucky me! Was what I wanted, although at first was kind of odd.
Some months ago C-thru released the “selfless” mode which is great. I use Live and Max for Live and now with “selfless” mode for example I can make my Axis to behave like if they were a couple of Launch Pads which is really cool.
Another great thing is that you do not need any kind of software; you just plug them and vioala! Your DAW sees them.
All that should be enough to give the five stars but I’m really giving the 5 stars because of the harmonic table:
I’ve been into music since I was 8 now I’m 36 and I can say from experience that playing around with this device most be the fastest way to learn and play music, I think this is true because:
1.-you can see how harmony works even if you don’t want to.
2.-you don’t need to memorize complex info (accidentals for example) if you can Picture the Axis array in your mind all the answers are there for all 12 keys, this is terrific!
3.-you only need to remember one of any thing (chord, scale, riff, etc) and it remains constant for the 12 keys.

Punch line: “Axis is so easy to play that I feel like I’m cheating”