Cheap USB Midi Controller

I'm in need of a cheap USB keyboard to use as a MIDI controller. What would you recommend?

I remember seeing a site that shipped a bunch of cheap USB gadgets out of Hong Kong. They had a huge selection of novelty items at great prices. I do remember seeing a couple of little keyboards (some of them were the flimsy type that can be rolled up) and I recall them being described as MIDI controllers. Does this ring a bell to anyone? I'd like to find that site again, or something like it. It was great for gift ideas.

At any rate, I don't know what my budge is right now. If I have to spend much more than $100, I'll just get the M-Audio Key Rig 49. I would prefer something smaller, like the M-Audio Key Rig 25 (for the sake of portability) but they appear to be the same price. The extended range would be nice for just playing around.

Anyway, what would you suggest? I'm an amateur so I won't be requiring any sick features at the moment (but the pitch modulation wheel would be nice).

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I've sort of narrowed it down to the Korg nanoKEY. It is priced at $50. The Korg has pitch modulation (a button, so I don't know how well that would work) and a bunch of other features. However, it looks slightly odd and I don't know how comfortable it would be. Korg sounds like a trusted name, so I feel like it should be decent.

I am still open to suggestions. I'm not going to pick one of these up for a little while still so I'll be looking around a bit more.

 

Oh cool, I thought you were talking about a computer keyboard that folded out and Ive never seen one. Is there one? lol

The nanokey looks good. As far as the fold out ones go, they arent too great. You have to press them in the right spot or else they wont work and that gets pretty annoying. My friend got one for christmas and I was thinking about getting one, but I passed. Good luck with the nanokey if youre going to get it!

 

Consider Korg Nano Series... the K25 is a great value, try in Amazon... you may end up with nice price. But for me the M-Audio products are pretty good, I personally am a huge m-Audio fan now. I have the Keystation Pro 88.

 

I do believe that I'll be avoiding the fold out version as well. It probably isn't worth the trouble and I haven't found one that is less than the price of the Korg.

I read a few reviews on Musician's Friend about the Korg and it seemed rather mixed. Some were complaining about it being a cheap plastic product with poor build quality and others were praising it as serving its purpose well. I'll keep it as an option.

I did place a bid on eBay for an M-Audio Oxygen 8. It is an older version, unlike what is on their website. It has a pitch wheel. The auction only down to ten hours and the price was still low so I had to jump on it. If I get out bid I don't mind. The M-Audio Key Rig 49 is only $85 on MF as a scratch and dent item, or $99 as a new product.

Thanks for the responses, guys.

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Wow, the Korg is small! That would be perfect for moving around if it were more durable. It looks fun.

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5/15/09

I've decided to just get the M-Audio Key Rig 49. As much as I would love the portability of the Korg, I can't shake off the reviews that said it was not as durable as expected. I also really like the appearance and the pitch wheel, as opposed to the button. The M-Audio also looks a lot more comfortable. I figure $50 isn't that much extra to spend if the product will last longer (hopefully) and have the features that I'm looking for. It doesn't offer the portability that could come in handy, but I can swing it. If portability really becomes an issue I could pick up the Korg. I'll deal with that when it happens. I expect that the M-Audio KeyRig 49 will satisfy all of my needs.