Hammer 88

Hammer 88 is a keyboard controller with 88 velocity-sensitive, fully weighted hammer-action keys. It is meant for pianists, producers and students who want a realistic piano touch while playing software instruments or external sound modules.

Performance controls include a unity-locking pitch wheel, a separate modulation wheel, a master volume fader and assignable Up and Down buttons. The buttons can select programs, send effects or MMC messages, or shift octaves. Three pedal inputs cover sustain, expression and soft pedals. Keyboard zones allow layering, splits and four-note chords from a single key press, and the Hammer 88 Preset Editor lets a computer customise the keybed and controls.

The keyboard connects over USB-MIDI, is class-compliant, needs no drivers and is bus-powered, with an optional power adapter for stand-alone use. A 5-pin MIDI output drives hardware synths, sound modules and drum machines. It also works with iOS devices through the Apple iPad Camera Connection Kit, which is sold separately. A music rest is included, along with a software bundle and a sample pack of loops and one-shots.