M-Audio
Oxygen Pro 49
$299
Released 2021
Best MIDI Keyboards · head-to-head
Oxygen Pro 49 vs nanoKEY2
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. nanoKEY2 is cheaper at $99.99. Every spec and price links to its source.
Korg
nanoKEY2
$99.99Cheaper
Released 2011
Which is better: the Oxygen Pro 49 or nanoKEY2?
On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The nanoKEY2 is the cheaper at $99.99.
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Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | Oxygen Pro 49 | nanoKEY2 |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $299 MSRP / street price | $99.99 |
| Brand | M-Audio | Korg |
| Released | 2021 | 2011 |
| Keys | 49 | 25 |
| Key type | semi_weighted | synth |
| Drum pads | 16 | 0 |
| Knobs | 8 | 0 |
| Faders | 9 | 0 |
| Aftertouch | Yes | No |
| Connection | usb_midi_din | usb |
| Bundled software | Ableton Live Lite, Pro Tools First, MPC Beats, AIR Hybrid 3, Mini Grand, Velvet, TubeSynth | Korg Kontrol Editor |
| Release | 2021 | 2011 |
Sources — Oxygen Pro 49: m-audio.com (verified 2026-06-19). nanoKEY2: korg.com (verified 2026-06-19).
What's the difference between the Oxygen Pro 49 and nanoKEY2?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (8 of 8). Matching specs are omitted.
- Keys: Oxygen Pro 49 49 vs nanoKEY2 25
- Key type: Oxygen Pro 49 semi_weighted vs nanoKEY2 synth
- Drum pads: Oxygen Pro 49 16 vs nanoKEY2 0
- Knobs: Oxygen Pro 49 8 vs nanoKEY2 0
- Faders: Oxygen Pro 49 9 vs nanoKEY2 0
- Aftertouch: Oxygen Pro 49 true vs nanoKEY2 false
- Connection: Oxygen Pro 49 usb_midi_din vs nanoKEY2 usb
- Bundled software: Oxygen Pro 49 Ableton Live Lite, Pro Tools First, MPC Beats, AIR Hybrid 3, Mini Grand, Velvet, TubeSynth vs nanoKEY2 Korg Kontrol Editor
What reviewers say
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
Oxygen Pro 49
Two hands-on reviews of the Oxygen Pro 49 survive verification: Sound on Sound (May 2021) and MusicRadar (27 May 2021). Both recommend it as a feature-rich, competitively priced controller, and both flag the light, springy keybed and the time needed to learn the feature set. Neither outlet published lab measurements. Note that MusicRadar's build-quality passage is a verbatim reprint of Sound on Sound's text under its 'The web says' heading, so chassis assessment rests on one independent source, not two. No claim is made here about coverage by outlets that were not fetched. (2 sourced reviews, 2 lab-tested.)
Praised: Backlit pads are a highlight — responsive to varied playing pressure and triggering reliably across their surface; Smart Chord, Smart Scale and the arpeggiator add real performance value, including for non-keyboardists; Generous bundled software suite for the asking price.
Flagged: Keybed is light and springy — Sound on Sound also calls it noisy, with plasticky clatter at the bottom of the stroke; Steep learning curve, with many features buried behind the Shift button and menu-diving; Documentation for many features and software tie-ins is sparse.
nanoKEY2
One verified review of this exact model survives: MusicRadar (by Computer Music), 1 June 2011. It rates the nanoKey2 a clear improvement on the original nanoKey — velocity response is now consistent regardless of where you strike the key, the keys no longer catch on the casing, and the overall feel is much better — while noting the action stays very light and a little awkward, and that the original's CC Mode was removed. The verdict is 'The new hardware looks and feels better, though some may be disappointed that certain features have been left behind.' All judgements are subjective; no measurements are published. (1 sourced review.)
Praised: Velocity response is far more consistent than the original nanoKey, and keys no longer stick against the edge of the casing; Improved design and build with notably better key feel, at a highly affordable price (listed at £48 / $65); Class-compliant USB-powered operation across the nanoSeries 2 — no drivers or external power supply needed.
Flagged: The original nanoKey's CC Mode was removed, so functionality was lost from the first series rather than the feature-set being expanded; Very light, non-traditional key action still feels a little awkward and takes getting used to; Deeper settings such as velocity curve and pitch/mod button timing still require the separate Kontrol Editor software.