Avid Keystudio

The original Keystudio, then branded by Avid’s sister company Pinnacle, was released about a year ago and was designed to provide amateur musicians with an affordable package that contained all the hardware and software they needed to create and record their own music.

It was a good idea, but the software included in the package was too complicated for newcomers who didn’t already have a fair amount of experience with music software.

Bearing that in mind, Avid has now released a new version of Keystudio that’s much easier to use. The keyboard remains the same – it’s a solidly constructed 49-key model that plugs into a USB port on your computer and felt very comfortable to play.

However, the new Protools SE software has been completely redesigned. There’s a new Quick Start screen that includes a number of tutorials for new users, as well as a selection of demo songs that help the user to see how a multi-track recording is constructed.

You can also create your own recordings by using ‘session’ templates that are set up for specific types of recording, such as a simple keyboard composition, a podcast, or even a full-scale film soundtrack complete with an accompanying video track. There’s also a big selection of synthesized software instruments.

Songs are saved in the Keystudio format and can be exported as WAV files but if you want to save them as MP3s you’ll have to pay an extra £15 to activate the converter add-on – Avid tells us this is due to licensing costs but it’s quite annoying. Also, many programs, including the free iTunes, will convert from WAV to MP3 so it’s not entirely necessary.

The new software is much easier for amateur musicians to use, but it does still have a few rough edges. There are four different manuals provided in PDF format on the disc, which often makes it a bit tricky finding the info you need.

As with the original version, you still have to plug a small adapter into a USB port on your computer in order to use the program, and if you lose the adapter you won’t be able to use the software anymore.

The price has also increased by £30, which Avid puts down to the poor UK exchange rate and the new features in the software. But while the new Keystudio is more expensive than its predecessor, the improved software does mean that amateur musicians will be able to use it much more easily, so it’s actually better value if you’re looking for an affordable entry into the world of digital music.