What are the possibilities of mini midi controllers?

Hello all,

I've been watching some mini midi controllers for a while and they're getting more and more interesting to me.
Especially the M-Audio products because many of them are full sized.
(I don't like mini keys, and for me personally 25 keys might be enough.)

When I compare these M-Audio devices, the differences aren't that much:
M-Audio Oxygen 25 - 3rd or 4th gen
M-Audio Axiom 25 Mkii Advanced
M-Audio Axiom Air 25 Premium

For the knobs it's clear to me.
With MIDI learn I can simply decide that knob 1 is for example Cutoff, knob 2 resonance etc.

For the trigger pads (all except for the Oxygen 3rd gen have such pads) I don't know their meanings.
Can I simply assign Studio One 2 functions to them?
For example trigger pad 1 = mute/unmute channel
Trigger pad 2 = zoom in etc.
The M-Audio Axiom Air 25 Premium has 16 pads.

Other functions like start, record, stop etc - well, they should do the same as the buttons in Studio One 2.

These midi devices actually have own sounds?
Because I see MSB, LSB and PC, so I'm wondering.
My first idea where that they are just for midi input.

Thanks for any help

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 13/06/2014 17:41:40

The answer to most (if not all the questions) is Yes.

But some devices have their own mapping systems that don't always play nice with Studio One 's Control Link. It is not Control Link that is the issue t is the software and firmware on the device.

Before you buy a specific device it would pay to ask around with Studio One User and even ask the Tech Support guy's (either the Device manufacturer or the Presonus...

You don't wanna spend the $$ and find it is a device with a known issue.

ps. Also search the general Studio One forum here not the Studio One Free forum and see if users are using the device here etc..

You might also try searching on Google for Presonus Studio One along with each of the specific makes and models
you are considering.

Good point christofe
There are a lotta resources out there on the web and on Youtube..