Okay —I've got an M-Audio Oxygen 49. This is a MIDI controller.

Oxygen 49 is a solid controller to learn on.

Step 1 — What I Actually Need

Need two things:

  1. USB cable (standard USB-B printer cable)
  2. Music software (DAW or virtual instrument)

Once plugged into your computer, it sends MIDI data. The software makes the sound.

Step 2 — Free Software You Can Use Right Now

🎹 Easiest Free All-In-One DAWs

  • Cakewalk for Windows (BandLab)
  • GarageBand for Mac (Apple)
  • REAPER for Windows/Mac/Linux, with a fully functional evaluation period (reaper.fm)

Install one of those and you’re 90% there.

🚀 Fastest Path (Windows 11 – 10 minutes to sound)

Step 1 — Plug It In

Use a USB-B cable (printer cable).

  • The keyboard should light up.
  • Windows should auto-install “USB MIDI Device”.

If lights come on, you’re good.

Step 2 — Install Free DAW

Download and install:

👉 Cakewalk

It’s free. Fully professional. Works perfectly on Windows 11.

(You’ll need a BandLab account — free signup.)

Step 3 — Open Cakewalk

When it launches:

  1. Go to Edit → Preferences
  2. Go to MIDI → Devices
  3. Check the box for Oxygen 49
  4. Click Apply

Step 4 — Add a Piano

  1. Click Add Track
  2. Choose Instrument
  3. Pick something like:
    • TTS-1
    • SI-Electric Piano
    • Or any built-in instrument

Press keys.

You should hear piano. 🎹

If You Just Want Super Simple (No Full DAW)

Alternative option:

Install Synthesia
It’s lighter and simpler.

Do you see something like:

  • “Oxygen 49”
  • “USB MIDI Device”

If yes → hardware works.