MIDI keyboard controllers for $100 or less?

So I think I should get a cheap controller until I can get something fancier. I need it do be reasonably easy to move around (not too heavy) with decent keys. Not necessarily full scale but big enough to play chords and melodies at the same time without too much goofing around. I am considering smaller scale ones too though but I really think I'd be better off with more keys. I've started a list and maybe you guys can help me add to it. I'm particularly interested in this one at the moment: M-Audio Keyrig 49 http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/KeyRig49/# and the Samson Carbon 49 looks like it might do the trick as well... http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Carbon49 Any of you guys using these units? I'd eventually like to get a Roland but those are way out of my price range for now. This would obviously be to control X1 producer and all it's wacky synths so I posted here. Cheers.

Yeah the MPK is quite nice and I was gonna go that route. I really like the pads and stuff but I decided I should get something I can play chords and melodies on simultaneously as I want to learn to play proper piano/key parts. It's a drag because I REALLY like the look of that MPK. Wish I had more money.

I just checked sweetwater and they have the MPK for $99

Yup. I was looking at it earlier. My retailer has it too. As I said though as much as I'd like to own that device I need something with more keys. IDK... maybe I'll change my mind by the time I have the money but I really would like to learn how to play properly. I do have my old DX-7 but it is HUGE and I just don't have the room to set it up. Cheers.

Beep, i have an Maudio axium 49 i do not use anymore. Ill give it away for $100 plus shipping. Its in brand new condition and they retasil for $300. IK have not recorded in a few years now, so its sitting in my very soon to be baby's room closet.

Pm me if your interested

@CJaysMusic. Really? That's cool man. I wouldn't be doing this until at least next month but I am certainly interested. Thanks. I'll be in touch and congrats on the baby. :-)

@damon... Yeah, I haven't really poked around ebay for something yet but it ends up being a bit of a hassle for me because I haven't set up an account (I do have friends with accounts though) and I'm in Canada so a lot of sellers don't want to ship up here. Then there's customs. Ugh... duty is insane.

Hi Beepster,

I have the KeyRig 49, and I like it a lot.  Full size keys (the MPK and Mini 32 are tiny), and it plays pretty well.  I think 49 keys are necessary if you are trying to play full pieces.  The KeyRig 49 doesn't have the other fun stuff like sliders, knobs and pads, but for an inexpensive keyboard controller it seems to fill the bill nicely.

I also have a full blown Roland APro 300, but I find myself using the KeyRig most of the time.

Beepster


@daveny... really? I wouldn't be going crazy on the thing. I'd just like to work on getting my hands working together properly. I figured 49 keys should accommodate that. When I have more room I can use the Yammie for more intense stuff. Also I have to keep the price under a hundred bucks. I just can't afford any more. Heck... I can't even afford that really but I know I'm gonna need something soon. Cheers.

I said if you wanted to develop any piano playing chops i.e., playing with 2 hands, you need 88 keys. I used to have a 60 key keyboard and I could not play most sheet music. Once I got my 88 key controller, then I could play any music. If that's not your goal, then get whatever suits your needs. 

i bought the m audio oxygen 49 about a month ago for 99.00
the difference between the keyrig and the oxygen though is that the keyrig has no controls,its just a keyboard with a pitchwheel and sustain wheel.
the oxy has faders,pan knobs stop/play/record/ffw/rrw/loop controls.
this way you can use it for controling the tracks by using faders and knobs and not clicking a mouse every 5 seconds,the keyrig and oxy are almost the same price right now because the new models are about to come out.
get the oxygen even if you dont use the controls much,atleast youll have them incase you deside you want to explore that route,
also sonar has the built in mapping so act is ready for it.
its preset 23 on the oxygen

You know, actually there IS another route to take.  Just about any old keyboard can be a decent controller, provided it has MIDI out and velocity sensitive keys.  My last controller was a really old Casio, and while it didn't exactly have great "action" it did the job just fine.  You might be able to get a much larger keyboard for a fraction of the cost by hitting the thrift stores and garage sales.   Just a thought!  :)
 
PS:  I actually gigged with that old Casio.  I covered the logo in black electrical tape, and plugged the MIDI into my Roland JV-1010.  Played great and sounded awesome.  :)

Hey there CJ, how the hell ya been and grats on the soon to be little one.
I was just scrolling through this thread about to post the same exact message. (Minus the baby part)
Ya beat me by about 5 hours lol.

LOL< Well i think you need to get busy (with the baby part) :)

@Heather... Hi there. Yeah, like I said I do have my DX-7 which I intended use VIA din cables but I would need to set it up semi permanently because it is too big and heavy for me to move all the time (I'm disabled). Unfortunately my current studio area is jam packed because it's actually my bedroom (sucks but I'm moving soon). Once I get a better place I can take another look at that idea. What I'd REALLY like is to get a keyboard stand on wheels that I can just roll out of the way when I'm done for the day if need be. Doing it this way would indeed cover most of my loftier keyboard goals even though it's only 61 keys. So this is why I kind of need something smaller and lighter in the meantime just get my feet wet as far as MIDI input (I am a complete beginner to MIDI). As far as hunting around for deals I'm pretty much limited to the internet because I can't really get around very easily. Because I don't know much about keyboards in general and kind of don't have the time or money to mess around I'm hesitant buy used because if something screws up I just won't have much recourse and I can only invest once on this. If I get burned I'll be stuck with no controller at all. Meh. It's a real problem but I've had pretty good luck through my current retailer so even though it's bit more costly the peace of mind makes it worth it. Knowaddimean? I like how you think though. That's exactly how I would have done things in the old days. Cheers.

@guitarhacker... Hello. Again definitely something I'd like to do but I'm very limited in what I can do as far as physically getting out and looking for deals. When I have a little more financial breathing room I'll be willing to take a few more risks as far as ebay and craigslist but right now I have to be very careful I don't make a mistake because then I'll be stuck with my purchase. Lame I know but this is how I live at the moment.

@CJaysmusic... I gave your offer some thought and I'd love to grab that keyboard but I don't think it's gonna happen, at least not in the next few months. Figured I should just tell you now so I'm not stringing you along (I hate when people do that to me). When I'm in my new place and have my situation sorted out a bit better I'd definitely snag it if you haven't sold it yet. I mentioned that I'm worried about getting burned but I'm not concerned about that with you. I've seen your posts and how others here regard you and it's all good. I also just get a good vibe from you in general so that is certainly not a problem for me. My issue is with the postal system and sending stuff cross border. If I were to buy it I'd want to pony up for a proper courier. I've bought quite a few things from the US in the past via USPS and Canada Post and they suck for this kind of thing. I don't mind so much for smaller things or even guitars (if they are in a case) but I know there is a high probability something as sensitive as a controller will get damaged somehow. So between a courier and customs I'd probably be looking at at least an extra $100 on top of the asking price (which is still an awesome deal because they are actually selling for $350 up here) and I just can't swing that extra dough right now. The other thing is it really might be too big for me to use in my current set up and I'd hate to snag the thing and have it end up sitting in the corner with my DX-7 because I can't set it up easily. As I said though, if you still have it when I am ready to get something a little fancier I'd definitely like to buy it. For now though maybe you could call around some of your local schools or youth centers and see if they'd be interested in buying it for their A/V lab. That'd be kind of cool. Those kiddies need nice stuff to work with and with the state of school budgets these days getting a deal like that is super helpful to those types programs. I love getting the kiddies up and running in the music world. It saved me from destroying my life as a young lad so I guess I'm a bit of a bleeding heart in that area. Anyway, thanks so much for the offer and sorry I can't make it happen but keep being awesome and I'm sure we'll see each other around here in our sonic adventures. Cheers.

Epic post is epic. Sometimes I get a little verbose. This is apparently one of those times. :-p

@MondoArt... Oh yeah, broker fees. Ugh. In some cases I really don't mind paying the extra if the math works out to me getting a better price in the end or it's something I just can't find up here but in general I try to avoid it these days. It's just such a hassle if something goes wrong. When I was waiting for my guitar there were quite a few weeks of anxiety. Fortunately it all worked out well (even though they completely mangled the box). IDK... for my music stuff I'm realizing just getting it straight from my retailer saves me way more in stress. These guys keep in touch with me throughout the whole thing and when an issue arrived they went to bat for me against a specific manufacturer. That extra level of service and peace of mind is so worth it to me now that I don't have the energy to get into epic battles with unscrupulous sellers and the post office (it generally takes 2-3 months to get an insurance claim through with Canada Post).

Anyway guys, I think I've made up my mind that I should get something smaller and more versatile. That Akai MPK looks like it would do the trick. I am concerned about the keys though. If they are smaller than standard keys that might be a deal breaker so if anyone could clarify that for me I'd appreciate it. Also are there any other similar devices in that price range I should be looking at as well?

Ya'll can just call me Captain Flip Flop. I tend to go through these types of indecisive periods every time I buy something musical. It's a pain but it usually ends up in me getting exactly what I need in the end. Thanks for all the comments thus far. It has really helped me clear my mind on this matter. Cheers.

The akai mpk is a lot smaller than regular keys. I have the mini 32 and they are about the same size as the Akai. I use mine for very basic stuff like, adding drums or a chord here and there. One thing I will say about it is, It was plug and play. No problems at all.