M-AUDIO Hammer 88 USB MIDI Keyboard Controller

The M-AUDIO Hammer 88 USB MIDI Keyboard Controller was $549 when we checked it on 2026-09-14. It has not moved from that price across 4 checks since 2026-08-18. Best for: Someone who wants real hammer-action piano feel and doesn't need pads or DAW control.

M-AUDIO’s new Hammer 88 is an affordable, fully weighted, hammer action keyboard for professional and semi pro players or students looking for a realistic grand piano feel to use with virtual instruments or sound modules.It features fully assignable MIDI buttons, pitch bend and modulation wheels, sustain pedal, secondary pedal and expression pedal inputs-while providing a clean aesthetic for players more concerned with compositional accuracy than editing and tweaking.Hammer 88 is USB powered, class compliant, and supports USB MIDI connectivity. Plus, Hammer 88 supports iOS connectivity with the Apple iPad Camera Connection Kit (sold separately), enabling you to perform and compose with audio apps on your iPad and other iOS devices. Please note that when you press a key on the keyboard, you

Why we picked it

Best for: Someone who wants real hammer-action piano feel and doesn't need pads or DAW control.

Fully weighted hammer-action keys with sustain, expression and soft pedal inputs, the thread's direct answer for "straight up keys only."

What we like

+ Fully weighted hammer-action keys, the thread's top answer for real piano feel
+ Three pedal inputs (sustain, expression, soft pedal), more than most boards this price
+ USB bus-powered and class-compliant, no drivers or external power needed
+ Free 3-month Skoove subscription plus a full software bundle included

Watch outs

- No pads, faders or screen at all, purely a keys-and-pedals board
- Heavy relative to its price, built around a real hammer mechanism
- No DAW transport control or assignable knobs of any kind

M-AUDIO Hammer 88 USB MIDI Keyboard Controller price history

4 weekly checks of our own, from 2026-08-18 to 2026-09-14. How our price tracking works

$549.00

Aug 18Aug 31Sep 7Sep 14

$549.00 at all 4 checks we have taken, Aug 18 to Sep 14, 2026.

Every observation (4)

Date	Price	Source
Aug 18, 2026	$549.00	Weekly check
Aug 31, 2026	$549.00	Weekly check
Sep 7, 2026	$549.00	Weekly check
Sep 14, 2026	$549.00	Weekly check

About this item

Perfect Feel, Ultimate Response - 88 fully-weighted, hammer-action velocity-sensitive keys deliver natural piano feel, faithfully replicating every subtle nuance of your performance
Plug-n-Play - Driverless class compliant and USB powered specification provides seamless USB-MIDI connection for playing virtual instruments, controlling recording software and more
Express Yourself - Conveniently located pitch bend, modulation, volume and octave controls for immersive, expressive performances
All The Right Connections - Expanded control options for Inputs for Sustain, Expression and Soft pedals included
Free Online Lessons - Includes FREE 3-month subscription to Skoove; The easiest way to learn piano with interactive piano lessons for beginners and advanced players
Pro Software Suite Included - MPC Beats, Ableton Live Lite, Eighty Eight Ensemble, AIR Music Tech’s Velvet, Mini Grand, DB33, and Touch Loops

Details

Connectivity Technology: USB
Compatible Devices: Computers, MIDI-compatible equipment
Color: Black
Material Type: Plastic
Brand Name: M-AUDIO
Model Name: HAMMER88
Model Number: HAMMER88

#keyboards-88 #reddit-pick

M-AUDIO Hammer 88 USB MIDI Keyboard Controller: common questions

Is the M-AUDIO Hammer 88 USB MIDI Keyboard Controller worth it?

Fully weighted hammer-action keys with sustain, expression and soft pedal inputs, the thread's direct answer for "straight up keys only." Its Amazon listing shows 4.4 out of 5 stars across 437 ratings, which is the retailer's figure and not our verdict.

How much does the M-AUDIO Hammer 88 USB MIDI Keyboard Controller cost?

The M-AUDIO Hammer 88 USB MIDI Keyboard Controller was $549 when we checked it on 2026-09-14. Prices change often, so the live retailer link carries the current number.

Is now a good time to buy the M-AUDIO Hammer 88 USB MIDI Keyboard Controller?

We have checked the M-AUDIO Hammer 88 USB MIDI Keyboard Controller 4 times since 2026-08-18 and the price has not moved from $549. Our record shows no drop and no rise.