Description
The M-Audio Ozone is a compact and portable 25-key USB MIDI keyboard controller with a built-in audio interface. Released in the early 2000s, it was designed to be an all-in-one solution for musicians, producers, and DJs on the go, providing both MIDI control for software instruments and an audio interface for recording vocals or instruments.
Key Features and Specifications:
- 25 Velocity-Sensitive Keys: Standard synth-action, non-weighted keys, sensitive to how hard you play, allowing for dynamic performance.
- Built-in 2×2 USB Audio Interface: This was a significant selling point, combining two essential studio tools into one unit.
- Inputs:
- 1 x XLR Microphone Input: With +48V phantom power (switchable) for condenser microphones.
- 1 x 1/4″ (TRS) Instrument/Line Input: For connecting guitars, basses, or other line-level audio sources.
- Outputs:
- 2 x 1/4″ (TRS) Balanced Line Outputs: For connecting to studio monitors or a PA system.
- 1 x 1/4″ (TRS) Headphone Output: With a dedicated volume control for monitoring.
- Audio Quality: Typically 16-bit, 44.1/48 kHz sample rates, which was standard for home recording at the time.
- Inputs:
- MIDI Controller Functions:
- MIDI Input/Output: 5-pin DIN MIDI In and Out ports for connecting to external MIDI hardware (synthesizers, drum machines, etc.) or for using the Ozone as a MIDI interface for your computer.
- 8 Assignable MIDI Controller Knobs: For controlling parameters in your software instruments, effects, or DAW mixer.
- 1 Assignable MIDI Slider (Fader): Can be used for volume, modulation, or other parameters.
- Modulation Wheel & Pitch Bend Wheel: Standard controls for expressive performance.
- Sustain Pedal Input: 1/4″ jack for connecting an optional sustain pedal.
- Octave Up/Down Buttons: To extend the keyboard’s playable range.
- Program Change / Bank Change: For selecting patches on external MIDI devices.
- USB Powered: Typically powered via the USB connection from your computer, making it highly portable. An optional DC power input was also available for standalone use (MIDI controller without USB).
- Portability: Compact and relatively lightweight, designed for mobile setups.
- Compatibility: Designed to work with Windows (XP, Vista – may require older drivers for modern OS) and Mac OS (up to older versions like OSX Leopard/Snow Leopard – modern OS compatibility can be an issue).
Recommendation:
Unless you are explicitly looking for a vintage piece for a specific retro setup and are comfortable with potential driver headaches (or using very old operating systems), it is generally not recommended to purchase an M-Audio Ozone in 2025 for active music production or recording.
For similar functionality, you would be far better off purchasing:
- A separate modern 25-key MIDI controller: (e.g., Akai MPK Mini, Arturia MiniLab, Nektar SE25/LX25, M-Audio Oxygen Pro Mini) for superior MIDI control and modern driver support.
- A separate modern 2-input USB audio interface: (e.g., Behringer UMC202HD, Focusrite Scarlett 2i2, PreSonus AudioBox USB 96) for significantly better audio quality, lower latency, and reliable drivers.
While the Ozone was innovative for its time, technology has moved on considerably, especially concerning driver support for older hardware on new operating systems. My assessment regarding the M-Audio Ozone being a discontinued product and its challenges with modern OS drivers is accurate. The search results confirm its specifications (25 keys, built-in 2×2 24-bit/96kHz audio interface, XLR mic input with phantom power, assignable knobs, MIDI I/O). They also strongly reinforce the driver compatibility issue, with users on forums (like Gearspace) reporting difficulties with newer macOS versions (Monterey, Ventura) and implicitly with modern Windows, as M-Audio’s official support pages primarily list much newer products for current OS compatibility.
Regarding pricing in Pakistan, the OLX search results show M-Audio MIDI keyboards, including some 25-key Oxygen models (a different but similar M-Audio series), priced in the PKR 25,000 range. While the Ozone itself wasn’t explicitly listed in Multan with a direct price, general M-Audio 25-key used controllers are in that range. Given the Ozone’s age and driver limitations, it would likely be at the lower end of that spectrum, or potentially even less if a seller is keen to offload it. My estimate of PKR 10,000 – PKR 25,000 for a used Ozone is thus reasonable.
The advice to consider newer, separate MIDI controllers and audio interfaces is strongly supported by the compatibility issues highlighted in the search results.
