Best current MIDI keyboard and/or knob filled controller

The other keyboard topic got me wondering about MIDI keyboards and input devices so, to not pollute the other thread, I thought I'd start a new one.
 
I haven't been keeping up with new gear lately (lack of money can do that for you) and I have two pieces of gear with keyboards (a Korg N5 and a Korg MS-2000), but both are stuck in storage and I'm not sure if I have enough room in my current living arrangement for something of that size anyway.
 
I used to have an Oxygen 8 that filled the role, though the keyboard range was pretty short, but I lent it to a friend who was just getting interested in music about two years ago and he's loving it (and making music) so I don't have the heart to ask for it back.
 
Which means, that I currently have no MIDI input device other than a computer keyboard.  The last time I did any research at all, the Oxygen 8 was the "latest and greatest" (yeah, it's been awhile!), so what would you guys think are the best input devices for MIDI and controlling stuff (including real-time adjusting)?
 
I have several rack synths (in storage) and a lot more soft-synths so I'm not necessarily needing to resolve the replies down to just one device either.  Sure, when I get enough room again, I'll probably use the N5 as my primary input device, but having a dead MIDI keyboard that either has a lot of knobs or other input methods (like sliders, joysticks, wheels, etc.) or having two devices (a keyboard and a separate board with all the knobs, etc.) can always be useful down the road.  I used to have a Roland SP-808 so, even though you can certainly use a keyboard to play back samples, I'm not ruling out a separate device that has sample pads as an option (for a second device - I'd still need a keyboard).
 
In other words, I'm not looking for a cheap synth that will be unused once I get my gear out of storage, but something to get me by now AND still be useful when my full studio is set back up.  Plus it gives my friends that stop by keys, pads, knobs and sliders to play with (so they don't have to mess with settings I want left alone - lol).
 
Thanks for all opinions!

I've been considering another keyboard or controller after selling my motif.  I miss having knobs, sliders and synth keys touch.

the oxygen series actually has been on my short list.

The Oxygen 8V2 works well with X1 here. I managed to pick one up 2nd hand for £30 / $55.

The 25 keys is a bit of a limitation at times, but the transport buttons are a nice plus.

As is the ability to step through vst presets via 2 keys on the Oxygen itself, although this doesn't work with every soft synth unfortunately.

Prior to that I had a Novation Remote 25 SL MkII which I sold because I wasn't really using half of the functions on it. AutoMap was nice, but is fairly redundant with ACT being built-in to X1. Imho the sliders are fairly pointless unless they are motorized but that's a matter of opinion. The vast amount of assignable controls on it were great to begin with but you need a lot of patience to set it up properly / map them to vst's, etc...

Then there's also the Akai MPK25 & Oxygen 8 v3. And the Akai MPK Mini might be worth looking at as too as a budget option.

If I had the money to burn I'd probably go for a Cakewalk A-300 which is basically the same as what Anubis posted but has pads instead of a crossfader.

Anubis


If you want knobs and sliders, buttons, and nice keys, the Edirol PCR-300 can't be beat. It also hits the sweet spot of 32 keys. The only drawback is no pads.

 
 
 
 
 
 

This has been discontinued.  check sweetwater and zzounds, MF, none of them have them listed any more.
 
the replacement is the A-300 PRO
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/A300Pro
 

I own two Akai MPK controllers-- the MPK25 and the MPK49. The setup within Sonar for all MPKs are the same. Every feature it includes functions without issue except for key aftertouch that I can't seem to figure out how to get to work. Aftertouch for the pads functions right out of the box. For whatever reason, aftertouch for the keys does not appear to function when I program my synth to react to it. This is either me doing something wrong in setup, or the controller not correctly supporting it. Not sure.

The controller is an excellent build quality that will last many years. The keys have an excellent feel, imo.

Other than the aftertouch issue I mentioned above, everything else works perfectly. It is completely programmable on its display and controls right on the unit, so you really do not even need to install its customizer. The only snafu I ran into with its Sonar setup was that you should not use the Sonar preset built into the unit. You must use one of the generic presets instead.

Aftertouch works fine for me on my MPK49 (Both on pads and keys). I didn't have to do anything to get it to work either.

Nope.  I don't think it's the synth at fault at all in regards to aftertouch.

Neither MPK is sending it at all.  There is definately a change in behavior between using the pads where aftertouch does work versus uses the keys where it does not.  My MOTU MIDI Express 128 shows all data being sent on every port.  When I use the pads on my MPK, I see that MIDI data is sent initially on the first press as well as when I fluctuate the pressure while continuing to hold down the pad.  The light on the port continues the flash as I fluctuate the pressure on the pad.

I see no such behavior when I use the keys on either my MPK25 or MPK49.  I see the light flash just once during the initial key press, but it never flashes again when I fluctuate pressure with the key still being pressed.  Velocity works with no issue for keyboard keys, but aftertouch does not.

Both units are running the latest firmware...