M-Audio is an American music-technology and professional audio brand best recognized for its MIDI controllers, USB/MIDI keyboards, audio interfaces, studio monitors, microphones, headphones, and other computer-based music-production equipment. The brand has established a strong reputation in the Philippines and globally for providing accessible and affordable hardware tailored for home studios, musicians, producers, educators, and performers.

The roots of M-Audio trace back to 1988, when engineer Tim Ryan founded the company under the name Midiman. Initially, the company focused on resolving technical challenges associated with connecting MIDI equipment, audio hardware, and computers for electronic music production 1. Today, M-Audio operates as part of inMusic, an American music-equipment group that also owns brands such as Akai Professional, Alesis, and Numark 2.

Quick Facts

1988–1990s: The Midiman Era

M-Audio began its journey in 1988 as Midiman, founded by engineer Tim Ryan. Ryan possessed a background in electronic musical instruments and computer music, including work with synthesizers and MIDI software. The company’s initial mission was specialized: to simplify the connection between MIDI devices, computers, tape machines, and audio equipment 1.

Early product offerings included MIDI synchronization equipment and interfaces. Notable early products were the Midiman synchronizer, Syncman products, and later the MIDISPORT and Bi-Port MIDI interfaces. These items helped build the company’s reputation for compact and affordable MIDI connectivity solutions 3.

As computer-based music production gained prominence during the 1990s, Midiman expanded beyond MIDI utilities into digital audio conversion and computer audio interfaces. Products such as the Flying Cow, Flying Calf, and DMAN 2044 marked this strategic expansion into digital audio 3.

2000: Introduction of the M-Audio Brand

In 2000, Midiman introduced M-Audio as the brand name for its audio products. The company subsequently applied the M-Audio name across an increasingly broad range of music-production hardware 1. This period was pivotal as the company transitioned from being primarily a specialist MIDI-interface manufacturer to becoming a broader computer-music and recording-equipment company.

2002: Oxygen Keyboards and Studio Monitors

A significant milestone occurred in 2002 with the introduction of the first Oxygen keyboard controller. The original Oxygen8 was a compact 25-key MIDI controller designed specifically for computer-based music production. Its combination of a small keyboard, knobs/buttons, portability, and relatively accessible pricing helped popularize the concept of the portable MIDI keyboard controller 1. The Oxygen family subsequently became one of M-Audio’s most recognizable product lines.

Around this time, the company also entered the studio-monitor market with products such as the Studiophile SP-5B 3.

2003–2004: Evolution Electronics and Avid Acquisition

In 2003, Midiman acquired British MIDI-controller manufacturer Evolution Electronics, strengthening its position in the keyboard-controller market 3.

In 2004, Avid Technology acquired M-Audio/Midiman for approximately US$174 million. At the time, Avid was deeply involved in professional digital audio through its Pro Tools ecosystem and Digidesign business 3. The acquisition gave Avid access to M-Audio’s strong foothold in the more affordable and consumer-oriented computer-music hardware market.

During its years under Avid, M-Audio continued to expand its product portfolio. Its offerings moved beyond basic MIDI interfaces and controllers into areas including:

• Audio interfaces
• MIDI keyboards
• Studio monitors
• Digital pianos
• Microphones
• Headphones
• Guitar processors
• Portable digital recorders
• DJ hardware
• Control surfaces
• Music-production software

Notable products from this era included the Black Box (developed with Roger Linn Design), ProKeys 88, MicroTrack recorders, ProjectMix I/O, and Torq DJ products 3. M-Audio also maintained an important relationship with Avid’s Pro Tools ecosystem, offering hardware/software bundles and versions of Pro Tools designed to work with M-Audio hardware.

In 2012, Avid sold M-Audio to inMusic, a music-technology group that already owned prominent brands such as Akai Professional, Alesis, and Numark 2. This transaction significantly altered M-Audio’s corporate position. Rather than being part of a company primarily associated with professional digital-audio software and Pro Tools, M-Audio became part of a broader group focused heavily on musical instruments, DJ equipment, electronic instruments, controllers, and consumer/prosumer music technology. M-Audio remains part of the inMusic family today.

M-Audio’s current portfolio covers a broad range of music-production equipment. The company describes its products as including MIDI interfaces, keyboard controllers, drum machines, recording monitors and subwoofers, headphones, and microphones 1.

MIDI Keyboards and Controllers

M-Audio is particularly associated with MIDI keyboard controllers. Major families include:

• Oxygen: Compact and full-size MIDI controller keyboards.
• Keystation: Straightforward MIDI keyboards designed primarily for playing virtual instruments.
• Axiom: Controller keyboards with additional production controls.
• Hammer: Weighted-key MIDI controllers aimed at piano-style performance.

These products are commonly used with DAWs and virtual instruments rather than functioning solely as traditional standalone keyboards.

Audio Interfaces

M-Audio has produced numerous USB audio interfaces for recording microphones, instruments, and line-level sources into a computer. These products generally target home recording enthusiasts, singer-songwriters, podcasters, small project studios, musicians, music students, and producers. Historically, the company’s audio interfaces have occupied the accessible entry-level and mid-range segments of the market.

Studio Monitors

The company has developed nearfield studio monitors, including the Studiophile series and later monitor families. These are designed for monitoring music during recording, mixing, editing, and general computer-based production.

Microphones and Headphones

M-Audio offers microphones aimed at recording and content-production applications, including condenser microphones and USB-oriented products. Additionally, the company produces both studio-monitoring and general-purpose headphones, emphasizing affordable equipment for musicians and producers.

Digital Pianos and Keyboards

Beyond MIDI controllers, M-Audio has produced digital pianos and keyboards, including products aimed at beginners and players seeking a more traditional piano-style experience.

DJ and Performance Equipment

Throughout its history, M-Audio entered the digital-DJ market, most notably with its Torq platform and related hardware 3.

The Oxygen line deserves special attention as it became one of the defining product families associated with M-Audio. The original Oxygen8 demonstrated the commercial potential of a relatively inexpensive, compact controller designed specifically for computer music. Instead of requiring musicians to use large traditional synthesizer keyboards, it provided a smaller control surface capable of operating software instruments and DAWs.

Later Oxygen generations expanded the concept with more keys, knobs, pads, faders, transport controls, and software integration. The basic concept remains central to modern music production: a physical keyboard/controller acting as an interface for software instruments and a DAW.

M-Audio’s historical importance stems partly from the era in which it developed. During the late 1980s and 1990s, connecting musical instruments to computers could be complicated and expensive. MIDI interfaces, synchronization equipment, sound cards, external converters, and specialized software were often separate pieces of equipment.

M-Audio’s predecessor, Midiman, concentrated specifically on solving those connectivity problems 1. As computers became increasingly powerful and digital audio became commonplace, M-Audio expanded alongside the market. This positioned the company between two worlds:

Traditional musical instruments → MIDI/audio hardware → Computer → DAW/Software instruments

This history explains why M-Audio has long had such a strong presence in MIDI controllers and computer-oriented recording equipment.

M-Audio is generally associated with the entry-level to mid-range music-technology market, although its historical catalog has also included more sophisticated professional equipment. Its appeal has traditionally been based on several factors:

• Relatively accessible prices
• Broad product selection
• Computer-focused design
• MIDI compatibility
• Beginner-friendly equipment
• Home-studio orientation
• Products suitable for both musicians and producers

In practical terms, M-Audio has often been a brand encountered by individuals beginning to build a home studio or computer-based music setup.

Depending on the product category, M-Audio competes with different manufacturers. For MIDI controllers, relevant competitors include brands such as Novation, Arturia, Native Instruments, Akai Professional, and Nektar. For audio interfaces, competitors include Focusrite, PreSonus, Behringer, MOTU, and Steinberg. For studio monitors and other recording equipment, competition comes from a much larger group of manufacturers.

M-Audio is currently one of the brands within inMusic. The group operates a portfolio of music-technology companies and brands, giving M-Audio access to a much larger corporate ecosystem than it had during its original Midiman period. The broader inMusic family includes brands such as Akai Professional, Alesis, Numark, and other music-technology companies 2.

M-Audio’s identity has historically centered on the idea of making computer-based music production more accessible. Where some traditional instrument manufacturers primarily focus on instruments themselves, M-Audio’s heritage is strongly tied to the connection between musicians and technology. That is visible in its product categories:

Keyboard → MIDI controller → Computer → DAW → Virtual instruments → Audio interface → Speakers/Headphones

Rather than specializing in only one of these components, M-Audio has participated in many parts of that workflow.

The dates and ownership history above are supported by M-Audio’s own history and contemporary/secondary historical accounts 13.

If you encounter M-Audio in a music store, studio, or online marketplace, you are generally looking at a company that specializes in making the hardware that connects musicians and computers. Its historical journey can be summarized as:

Midiman (1988)
↓
MIDI interfaces & synchronization hardware
↓
Computer audio & digital interfaces
↓
M-Audio brand (2000)
↓
Oxygen & other MIDI controllers
↓
Keyboards + audio interfaces + monitors + microphones + DJ/recording products
↓
Avid ownership (2004–2012)
↓
inMusic ownership (2012–present)

The company’s own description today still emphasizes this heritage, describing M-Audio as a major name in computer music interfaces, studio integration, keyboards/controllers, and essential music hardware 1.

1. M-Audio
2. M-Audio, AIR Join Akai, Alesis, Numark at inMusic: Q&A With New Owners, and a Timeline – CDM Create Digital Music
3. M-Audio