If you are looking for a compact mini-key controller that is feature-rich and affordable, look no further.

If you are looking for a compact mini-key controller that is feature-rich and affordable, look no further.

Oxygen Pro Mini is the smallest of the four Oxygen Pro keyboards and the only keyboard equipped with mini keys. Oxygen Pro Mini is 40 x 19 cm long and only a little over one kilogram, which is very portable. 

Just like Keystation Mini, you have 32 buttons, which is a good number, compact design, and easy to combine. We have to say that the PrecisionTouch semi-weighted action feels great. The only disappointment: no aftertouch.

PrecisionTouch semi-weighted action feels great

In addition to the USB and sustain pedal connection, there is also a MIDI output. This is on a mini jack, to use it, you need a converter cable, alas, it is not included. However, once connected, you can set the MIDI output to come from the keyboard, DAW, or both. Therefore, Pro Mini also doubles as a MIDI output interface for external MIDI devices. 

One of the great advantages of Oxygen Pro series is extensive performance control, Pro Mini will not disappoint. The 8 RGB backlit velocity-sensitive pads not only feel great in the hand, but also have convenient options such as instantaneous and locked note repetitions. 

You also have two pad banks, doubling the number of available pad positions. Assignable faders, knobs and buttons (four each) are mapped according to the on-board DAW presets, making setup a breeze. You also have six dedicated transmission controls. Many buttons are backlit, which is convenient and feels precise, although it is a bit noisy when pressed.

Pro Mini controls DAW and soft synthesizer/plug-in in one of two different modes-DAW and Preset-and you can switch between them using dedicated buttons. You can extensively edit presets on-board using the push-button rotary encoder and OLED screen. However, there is also a downloadable software editor, and although it uses a more lengthy send/receive process, we have found that it is faster and more intuitive for a wider range of changes. 

Oxygen Pro Mini comes with a good software package, including Ableton Live Lite, Pro Tools First M-Audio Edition, MPC Beats and many AIR soft synthesizers, so it is not surprising that there are many ready-made mapping presets for AIR synthesizers (Mixed, Velvet, Xpand! 2 etc.).

Oxygen Pro Mini has some more convenient playing options, including an on-board arpeggiator with range, gate, and swing settings, and two smart options-chords and scales. The latter is particularly cool if you are not a good keyboard player, because you can set the key and scale type, and then if you hit any notes outside the keys, they will be played to the closest scale notes.

Overall, Oxygen Pro Mini has an impressive feature set, is easy to use and feels solid and professional, and despite some minor issues, £100 is definitely worth the money.

MusicRadar conclusion: If you are looking for a compact mini-key controller that is rich in features and affordable, then look no further.

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