Introduction

The M-Audio Preset Editor Hammer 88 is a premium USB MIDI keyboard controller designed for musicians and producers seeking an authentic piano experience. Featuring 88 fully-weighted, hammer-action keys, it replicates the feel of an acoustic piano, allowing for expressive performances. The controller includes pitch bend and modulation wheels, as well as customizable MIDI buttons for enhanced functionality. With a price of $199.00, the Hammer 88 combines quality craftsmanship with versatility, making it an excellent choice for any music setup.

Specifications

The preset Editor for the Hammer 88 includes several key features:

Customizable key sensitivity and velocity curves
Assignable controls for pedals, knobs, and buttons
Preset management with save and recall functions
User-friendly interface for easy navigation and adjustment
Compatibility with both Windows and macOS operating systems

Description

Users may adjust the behavior of their instrument by using the Preset Editor, a software program that connects directly to the Hammer 88 keyboard. Users may modify parameters like aftertouch, pitch bend range, and control assignments via its graphical user interface. Creating and managing many presets is another feature of the program that allows for easy switching between various performances or projects.
The Hammer 88 is a vital instrument for professional musicians and producers because of its degree of customisation, which guarantees that it can be adjusted to match the unique requirements of different musical genres and production techniques.

Installation

Double-click the .exe (Windows) or .pkg (macOS) installer file you downloaded.
Follow the on-screen instructions.
After the installation has been completed, open the Hammer 88 Preset Editor by doing the following:
- Windows: Click the Start Menu, click All Programs, click the M-Audio folder, and then click Hammer 88 Preset Editor.
- macOS: Double-click Hammer 88 Preset Editor in Applications.

Getting Started

To open the Hammer 88 Editor:

Optional: Connect your Hammer 88 keyboard to your computer using a standard USB cable. (If you are connecting your keyboard to a USB hub, make sure it is a powered hub.) You can still use the editor without connecting a Hammer 88, but you will not be able to send presets to it or retrieve presets from it.
Open the Hammer 88 Editor. The window will show a graphical representation of your Hammer 88 with all of its editable controls.

Preset Editor Hammer 88 Operation

Managing Your Presets

About Presets

A preset is a preset file (.h88) containing all of the MIDI control assignments you make in this editor. Using presets lets you maintain several different control configurations to use in different situations. For instance, you may use different presets with different kinds of software, or you may use some presets for production and others for performance.

Your Hammer 88 keyboard can store one preset at a time, though you can store additional presets on your computer to load onto your Hammer 88 keyboard using this editor. This chapter explains how to load presets into the editor (Loading & Retrieving Presets), save presets onto your computer (Saving Presets), and send presets to your connected Hammer 88 keyboard (Sending Presets).

Loading & Retrieving Presets

To edit a preset, you first have to load it into the Hammer 88 Editor. You can load a preset from your computer or retrieve a preset from your connected Hammer 88 keyboard’s internal memory (RAM).

To load a preset from your computer, do one of the following:

Click File and then click Load Preset.
Press Ctrl+O (Windows) or Control+O (macOS).

After that, locate the desired preset file (.h88), and click Open.

To retrieve a preset from your connected Hammer 88, click File and then click Retrieve Preset. Alternatively, press Ctrl+Shift+R (Windows) or Control+Shift+R (macOS).

Saving Presets

Saving a preset on your computer lets you edit it or send it to your Hammer 88 in the future. All MIDI assignments that you see in the editor will be saved in the preset.
To save the preset, do one of the following:

Click File and then click Save Preset.
Press Ctrl+S (Windows) or Control+S (macOS).

If this is the first time you are saving the preset, select the desired location, enter a file name, and click Save. The preset will be saved as an .h88 file.

Sending Presets

Sending a preset to your connected Hammer 88 lets you transfer the preset from the editor to your Hammer 88 keyboard’s internal memory (RAM). All MIDI assignments that you see in the editor will be sent to your Hammer 88.
To send a preset to your connected Hammer 88:

Click File and then click Send Preset. Alternatively, press Ctrl+Shift+S (Windows) or Control+Shift+S (macOS).
Click Send to confirm your choice, or click the X in the upper-right corner to close the window and cancel the operation. (Sending the preset will overwrite the preset on your Hammer 88.)

Editing the Controls

Overview

The upper part of the window is a graphical representation of your Hammer 88 plus a menu that determines the “global” MIDI channel. When a type of control is not set use to a specific MIDI channel (e.g., Channel 1, Channel 2, etc.), then it will use the global MIDI channel.

To set the global MIDI channel, click the Global MIDI Channel menu, and select one of Channels 1–16.

The lower part of the window is the control panel, which shows the current parameters of the selected Hammer 88 control. The button for the currently selected type of control will be highlighted.

To show and edit the parameters for a control on your Hammer 88, click one of the five buttons in the middle of the window.

Click one of the types of controls to jump to that section of this user guide:

Fader + Expression Pedal
Foot Switches
Buttons
Keybed + Zones
Wheels

To use a drop-down menu, click it to reveal the menu options, and then click an option to select it.

to_use_a_drop-down_menu_m-audio_preset_editor_hammer_88.png

To use a value field, do any of the following:

to_use_a_value_field_m-audio_preset_editor_hammer_88.png

Click it and enter a number (0–127).
Click the up (∧) or down (∨) arrows next to the field.
Click it and then use your computer’s up () or down () keys.

To use a checkbox, click it to check (enable) or uncheck (disable) it. Enabling or disabling checkboxes may reveal or hide additional parameters that you can edit.

Fader + Expression Pedal

Click Fader + Expression Pedal to set the MIDI assignments for the fader and expression pedal on your Hammer 88.
Click the Type menu and select one of the following options. The parameters below will depend on your selection.
- Aftertouch: The fader or pedal will send aftertouch messages within the specified range when you move it. See Aftertouch to learn about the available settings.
- CC: The fader or pedal will send values within the specified range for a specific controller change (CC) message when you move it. See CC to learn about the available settings.
- Pitch Bend: The fader or pedal will send pitch-bend information within the specified range when you move it. See Pitch Bend to learn about the available settings.

Aftertouch

When set to Aftertouch, the fader or pedal will send aftertouch messages within the specified range when you move it. These are the available parameters:

Chan: The fader or pedal will send its messages over this channel. Select the global channel (Global), all channels (Omni), or a specific channel (Channel 1–16).
Min: This will be the lowest value that the fader or pedal can send (0–127).
Max: This will be the highest value that the fader or pedal can send (0–127).

When set to CC, the fader or pedal will send values within the specified range for a specific controller change (CC) message when you move it. These are the available parameters:

Chan: The fader or pedal will send its messages over this channel. Select the global channel (Global), all channels (Omni), or a specific channel (Channel 1–16).
Min: This will be the lowest value that the fader or pedal can send (0–127).
Max: This will be the highest value that the fader or pedal can send (0–127).
CC: The fader or pedal will send its MIDI messages using this CC number (0–127).

Pitch Bend

When set to Pitch Bend, the fader or pedal will send pitch-bend information within the specified range when you move it. These are the available parameters:

Chan: The fader or pedal will send its messages over this channel. Select the global channel (Global), all channels (Omni), or a specific channel (Channel 1–16).
Min: This will be the lowest value that the fader or pedal can send (0–127).
Max: This will be the highest value that the fader or pedal can send (0–127).

Foot Switches

Click Foot Switches to set the MIDI assignments for the sustain pedal and Footswitch 2 (FS2) on your Hammer 88.

Click the Type menu and select one of the following options. The parameters below will depend on your selection.

Note: The sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 will send a MIDI note message when you press it and stop the note when you release it (“momentary” behavior). See Note to learn about the available settings.
Note Latch: The sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 will send a MIDI note message when you press it and stop the note when you press it a second time (“latching” or “toggle” behavior). See Note Latch to learn about the available settings.
Program: The sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 will send a combined program number, Bank MSB, and Bank LSB number. This can be useful for selecting a preset from a specific bank of a virtual instrument or synthesizer (the instrument or synthesizer must support these messages). See Program to learn about the available settings.
Program Latch: The sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 will send a program number when you press it and send a different program number when you press it a second time. This can be useful for switching between two presets on a virtual instrument or synthesizer (the instrument or synthesizer must support these messages). See Program Latch to learn about the available settings.
Program Inc: The sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 will increment the program number by 1 each time you press it. After it reaches its highest program, it will “wrap around” and start again at its lowest program. In other words, pressing the sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 will ascend (and cycle) through its entire range of programs by increments of 1. See Program Inc to learn about the available settings.
Program Dec: The sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 will decrement the program number by 1 each time you press it. After it reaches its lowest program, it will “wrap around” and start again at its highest program. In other words, pressing the sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 will descend (and cycle) through its entire range of programs by increments of 1. See Program Dec to learn about the available settings.
CC Absolute: The sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 will send a CC message with one value when you press it and another value when you release it. The values will alternate with each press. See CC Absolute to learn about the available settings.
CC Latch: The sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 will send a CC message with one value when you press it and send a different value when you press it a second time (“latching” or “toggle” behavior). See CC Latch to learn about the available settings.
CC Inc: The sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 will increment the CC number by 1 each time you press it. After it reaches its highest CC value, it will “wrap around” and start again at its lowest number. In other words, pressing the sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 will ascend (and cycle) through its entire range by increments of
- See CC Inc to learn about the available settings.
  CC Dec: The sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 will decrement the CC number by 1 each time you press it. After it reaches its lowest CC value, it will “wrap around” and start again at its highest number. In other words, pressing the sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 will descend (and cycle) through its entire range by increments of
- See CC Dec to learn about the available settings.
  MMC: The sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 will send a MMC (MIDI Machine Control) message. MMC is a transport control protocol that is used to remotely control some recording hardware and DAWs. See MMC to learn about the available settings.

Note

When set to Note, the sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 will send a MIDI note message when you press it and stop the note when you release it (“momentary” behavior). These are the available parameters:

Chan: The sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 will send its messages over this channel. Select the global channel (Global), all channels (Omni), or a specific channel (Channel 1–16).
Note: The sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 will send this MIDI note number when you press it.
On Vel: The sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 will send the MIDI note number with this velocity when you press it to turn it on.
Off Vel: The sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 will send the MIDI note number with this velocity when you release it to turn it off. This value will usually be 0 (to turn the note off).

Note Latch

When set to Note Latch, the sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 will send a MIDI note message when you press it and stop the note when you press it a second time (“latching” or “toggle” behavior). These are the available parameters:

Chan: The sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 will send its messages over this channel. Select the global channel (Global), all channels (Omni), or a specific channel (Channel 1–16).
Note: The sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 will send this MIDI note number when you press it.
On Vel: The sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 will send the MIDI note number with this velocity when you press it to turn it on.
Off Vel: The sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 will send the MIDI note number with this velocity when you press it to turn it off. This value will usually be 0 (to turn the note off).

Program

When set to Program, the sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 will send a combined program number, Bank MSB, and Bank LSB number. This can be useful for selecting a preset from a specific bank of a virtual instrument or synthesizer (the instrument or synthesizer must support these messages).

These are the available parameters:

Chan: The sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 will send its messages over this channel. Select the global channel (Global), all channels (Omni), or a specific channel (Channel 1–16).
Program: The sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 will send this program number when you press it.
MSB: The sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 will send this Bank MSB (Most Significant Byte) number when you press it. LSB: The sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 will send this Bank LSB (Least Significant Byte) number when you press it.

Program Latch

When set to Program Latch, the sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 will send a program number when you press it and send a different program number when you press it a second time (“latching” or “toggle” behavior). This can be useful for switching between two presets on a virtual instrument or synthesizer (the instrument or synthesizer must support these messages). These are the available parameters:

Chan: The sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 will send its messages over this channel. Select the global channel (Global), all channels (Omni), or a specific channel (Channel 1–16).
Program 1: The sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 will send this program number when you press it the first time. Program 2: The sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 will send this program number when you press it the second time.

Program Inc

When set to Program Inc, the sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 will increment the program number by 1 each time you press it. After it reaches its highest program, it will “wrap around” and start again at its lowest program. In other words, pressing the sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 will ascend (and cycle) through its entire range of programs by increments of 1. These are the available parameters:

Chan: The sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 will send its messages over this channel. Select the global channel (Global), all channels (Omni), or a specific channel (Channel 1–16).
Min: This will be the lowest value that the sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 can send (0–127).
Max: This will be the highest value that the sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 can send (0–127).

Program Dec

When set to Program Dec, the sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 will decrement the program number by 1 each time you press it. After it reaches its lowest program, it will “wrap around” and start again at its highest program. In other words, pressing the sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 will descend (and cycle) through its entire range of programs by increments of 1. These are the available parameters:

Chan: The sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 will send its messages over this channel. Select the global channel (Global), all channels (Omni), or a specific channel (Channel 1–16).
Min: This will be the lowest value that the sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 can send (0–127).
Max: This will be the highest value that the sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 can send (0–127).

CC Absolute

When set to CC Absolute, the sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 will send a CC message with one value when you press it and another value when you release it. These are the available parameters:

Chan: The sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 will send its messages over this channel. Select the global channel (Global), all channels (Omni), or a specific channel (Channel 1–16).
CC: The sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 will send its MIDI messages using this CC number.
Min: The sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 will send this value when you release it.
Max: The sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 will send this value when you press it.

CC Latch

When set to CC Latch, the sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 will send a CC message with one value when you press it and send a different value when you press it a second time (“latching” or “toggle” behavior). These are the available parameters:

Chan: The sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 will send its messages over this channel. Select the global channel (Global), all channels (Omni), or a specific channel (Channel 1–16).
CC: The sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 will send its MIDI messages using this CC number.
Min: The sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 will send this value when you release it.
Max: The sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 will send this value when you press it.

CC Inc

When set to CC Inc, the sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 will increment the CC number by 1 each time you press it. After it reaches its highest CC number, it will “wrap around” and start again at its lowest number. In other words, pressing the sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 will ascend (and cycle) through its entire range by increments of 1. These are the available parameters:

Chan: The sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 will send its messages over this channel. Select the global channel (Global), all channels (Omni), or a specific channel (Channel 1–16).
CC: The sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 will send its MIDI messages using this CC number.
Min: This will be the lowest value that the sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 can send (0–127).
Max: This will be the highest value that the sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 can send (0–127).

CC Dec

When set to CC Dec, the sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 will decrement the CC number by 1 each time you press it. After it reaches its lowest CC number, it will “wrap around” and start again at its highest number. In other words, pressing the sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 will descend (and cycle) through its entire range by increments of 1. These are the available parameters:

Chan: The sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 will send its messages over this channel. Select the global channel (Global), all channels (Omni), or a specific channel (Channel 1–16).
CC: The sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 will send its MIDI messages using this CC number.
Min: This will be the lowest value that the sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 can send (0–127).
Max: This will be the highest value that the sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 can send (0–127).

MMC

When set to MMC, the sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 will send a MMC (MIDI Machine Control) message. MMC is a transport control protocol that is used to remotely control some recording hardware and DAWs. These are the available parameters:

Device ID: The sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 will send its messages over this channel: 0–127.
Note: The most commonly used Device IDs are 1–16.
Setting the Device ID to 127 will send messages to all devices on any channel.
MMC: The sustain pedal or Footswitch 2 will send this MMC message when you press it: Stop or Play.

Keybed & Zones

The keybed (the piano keys) on your Hammer 88 can be divided into 1–4 “zones.” When a zone is active (i.e., when its checkbox is checked), it can send its controls’ MIDI messages over its own MIDI channel. Zones are independent and can overlap each other, as well.

Tip: This feature is great for dividing your Hammer 88 between different virtual instruments or synthesizers. For example, you can create two zones, each using a different MIDI channel, and play and control two virtual instruments simultaneously—one with each half of the keys.

keybed_&_zones_m-audio_preset_editor_hammer_88.png

Click each of the Zone 1–4 checkboxes to enable or disable each zone. Use each zone’s parameters to set the MIDI assignments for it on your Hammer 88. All 4 zones have the same parameters, which operate independently.
Note: If any keys on the keybed are not assigned to a zone, they will continue to send their messages over the global MIDI channel and use the Octave and Transpose menu settings above the Zone checkboxes.
Note: Each zone’s Octave and Transposition settings are independent from the keybed’s Octave and Transposition, but all of these affect the note that a key sends out.

These are the available parameters for the entire keybed, which work in conjunction with any zone settings:

Octave: The keybed will send its notes using this octave shift (from its original position on the keybed) (-6 to +6).
Transpose: The keybed will send its notes using this transposition (from its original position on the keybed) (-12 to +12).
Velocity Curve: This setting determines how much force is required to generate a note with a specific velocity:
- Hard: The keybed will require a lot of force to generate high-velocity notes. This is the default setting as it creates the most realistic “feel” for a hammer-action keyboard like Hammer 88.
- Soft 1 & Soft 2: The keybed will require little force to generate high-velocity notes. Use one of these settings if you want to play high-velocity notes more easily.
- Linear: This is a straight “linear curve”—the note generated will always be proportional to the amount of force used.
- Fixed 64, Fixed 100 & Fixed 127: These settings “lock” all notes at a single velocity, regardless of how much force you use to play them. 127 is the maximum velocity. 64 is considered half-velocity.

These are the available parameters for each zone:

Chan: The zone will send its messages over this channel. Select the global channel (Global) or a specific channel (Channel 1–16).
First: This will be the lowest key of that zone (1/A0 – 88/C8).
Last: This will be the highest key of that zone (1/A0 – 88/C8).
Octave: The zone’s keys will send their notes using this octave shift (from their original position on the keybed) (-6 to +6).
Transpose: The zone’s keys will send their notes using this transposition (from their original position on the keybed) (-12 to +12).

Wheels

Click Wheels to set the MIDI assignments for the modulation wheel (the left wheel) or the pitch-bend wheel (the right wheel) on your Hammer 88.

The pitch-bend wheel can send out pitch-bend information only, within the specified range when you move it. These are the available parameters:

Chan: The pitch-bend wheel will send its messages over this channel. Select the global channel (Global), all channels (Omni) or a specific channel (Channel 1–16).
Min: This will be the lowest value that the pitch-bend wheel can send (0–127).
Max: This will be the highest value that the pitch-bend wheel can send (0–127).

The modulation wheel can send aftertouch, CC, or pitch-bend messages.
Click the Type menu and select one of the following options. The parameters below will depend on your selection.

Aftertouch: The modulation wheel will send aftertouch messages within the specified range when you move it. See Aftertouch to learn about the available settings.
CC: The modulation wheel will send values within the specified range for a specific controller change (CC) message when you move it. See CC to learn about the available settings.
Pitch Bend: The modulation wheel will send pitch-bend information within the specified range when you move it. See Pitch Bend to learn about the available settings.

CC

When set to CC, the modulation wheel will send values within the specified range for a specific controller change (CC) message when you move it. These are the available parameters:

Chan: The modulation wheel will send its messages over this channel. Select the global channel (Global), all channels (Omni), or a specific channel (Channel 1–16).
Min: This will be the lowest value that the modulation wheel can send (0–127).
Max: This will be the highest value that the modulation wheel can send (0–127).
CC: The modulation wheel will send its MIDI messages using this CC number (0–127).

Aftertouch

When set to Aftertouch, the modulation wheel will send aftertouch messages within the specified range when you move it. These are the available parameters:

Chan: The modulation wheel will send its messages over this channel. Select the global channel (Global), all channels (Omni), or a specific channel (Channel 1–16).
Min: This will be the lowest value that the modulation wheel can send (0–127).
Max: This will be the highest value that the modulation wheel can send (0–127).

Pitch Bend

When set to Pitch Bend, the modulation wheel will send pitch-bend information within the specified range when you move it. These are the available parameters:

Chan: The modulation wheel will send its messages over this channel. Select the global channel (Global), all channels (Omni), or a specific channel (Channel 1–16).
Min: This will be the lowest value that the modulation wheel can send (0–127).
Max: This will be the highest value that the modulation wheel can send (0–127).

Setup Guide

Use the following procedures to use the M-Audio Preset Editor with the Hammer 88:

Use USB to connect the Hammer 88 keyboard to your PC.
Install the Preset Editor program after downloading it from the M-Audio website.
Choose the Hammer 88 as your device and open the Preset Editor app.
To modify parameters like key sensitivity, velocity curves, and control assignments, go through the different tabs.
Store your personalized settings for convenient access in subsequent sessions.

Software Menus

File

Send Preset: Select this to export the current settings from the Hammer 88 Editor to your connected Hammer 88 keyboard. Alternatively, press Ctrl+Shift+S (Windows) or Control+Shift+S (macOS).
Retrieve Preset: Select this to import the current settings from your connected Hammer 88 keyboard into the Hammer 88 Editor. Alternatively, press Ctrl+Shift+R (Windows) or Control+Shift+R (macOS).
Load Preset: Select this to locate and load a preset file (.h88) on your computer to the Hammer 88 Editor. Alternatively, press Ctrl+O (Windows) or Control+O (macOS).
Save Preset: Select this to save the Hammer 88 Editor’s current settings to your computer as a preset file (.h88). Alternatively, press Ctrl+S (Windows) or Control+S (macOS).
Exit: Select this to close the Hammer 88 Editor.

Troubleshooting

Typical problems and fixes include of:

Connection problems: Verify that the computer is correctly recognizing the keyboard and that the USB connection is safe.
Preset Not Saving: Verify that the preset file is being saved to the right location and that you have enough disk space.
Program Crashes: Make sure your operating system is up to date and update the Preset Editor program to the most recent version.
Advice and Caution: Before making any big changes, always make a backup of your settings. Update your program frequently to prevent incompatibilities.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Detailed customization choices for exact control
An intuitive user interface makes navigating simple.
For flexible usage, many preset management
Suitable with both macOS and Windows
Improves the Hammer 88 keyboard's overall performance.

Cons

Because there are so many alternatives, it may be intimidating for novices.
Needs a steady USB connection in order to work.
Compared to competing editors, some users might find the software's UI less user-friendly.

Customer Reviews

Customers commend the Preset Editor for enabling the Hammer 88 keyboard to reach its full potential. Many value the extensive customization choices that enable a highly customized configuration. The software may be complicated, though, and may take some time to become accustomed to, according to some users.

Common Complaints

Occasional connection problems and the requirement for regular software upgrades to maintain stability are typical grievances.

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