Roland A-800PRO / Edirol PCR-800 discontinued, help!

Hi y'all
 
It seems the Roland A-800PRO / Edirol PCR-800 has been discontinued and was being blown-out at discounted prices (but no more?).
 
There does not at this time seem to be a Roland / Edirol replacement for it although a showing at Winter NAMM 2014 may prove otherwise.   The new Behringer Motor 61 looks promising however it's not available until spring / summer and it is semi-weighted (although by how much is unknown thus it might still be a contender) http://www.behringer.com/EN/products/MOTOR-61.aspx
 
The new-ish Axiom Air 61 looks OK I guess, but the reviews I have read so far are mixed, in part because the support software is underdeveloped, and in part because Axiom keyboard controllers often get reviews of very average build quality
http://m-audio.com/produc..n_us/AxiomAIR61New.html
 
The Akai MPK61 looks promising and the reviews are generally quite favourable, however the reviews mention that the semi-weighted key-bed requires a rather firm touch (I do not have any allegiance to piano-style action) and the pads sometimes get mixed reviews (but can be modded) http://www.akaipro.com/product/mpk61
 
I am using a Roland XP-50 in the interim, but it's not really doing it for me as it's not a modern dedicated keyboard controller.
 
So, I am looking for a non-weighted (or very lightly weighted) modern dedicated keyboard controller that can seamlessly and quickly integrate with Sonar X3, but there does not seem to be one that meets my criteria as referenced.
 
Does anyone know if the Roland A-800PRO / Edirol PCR-800 can still be found for the blown-out discounted pricing?
 
Might y'all have other recommendations for a non-weighted (or very lightly weighted) modern dedicated keyboard controller that can seamlessly and quickly integrate with Sonar X3?
 
I am not overly inclined to have a weighted or semi-weighted key-bed, and it needs to include faders and/or rotary encoders and pads.  Polyphonic after-touch and after-touch on the pads would be a bonus (the new Behringer Motor 61 has motorized faders plus after-touch on the pads...pretty slick!)
 
I am not wanting to spend a bunch of cash on it however, as modern dedicated keyboard controllers are really one-trick-ponies given they produce no sound of their own, so my budget would be $500 maximum.  I am not interested in getting another older synth as a keyboard controller as I already have the Roland XP50.
 
Obliged for your input!

That seems like a good deal for the Roland.
 
I am intrigued by the Behringer Motor 61, and look forward to checking it out.  I will be replacing one of my current controllers later this Spring or early Summer.
 
Bob Bone
 

I have an Akai Pro MPK 88, which is fully weighted. Don't know about the 61 key version, but I am very happy with the build quality of the MPK 88. The software to program the pads and controls is very easy to use and ACT setup in Sonar was straightforward. I picked it up before the holidays for about $550 US. I like having the 88 keys for working with VSTs that use key switching (like Kontakt instruments often do).
 
But the keys are really weighted so if you are interested in the Akai MPK61 it would probably be a good idea to try it in store if at all possible.

DRanck
I have an Akai Pro MPK 88, which is fully weighted. Don't know about the 61 key version, but I am very happy with the build quality of the MPK 88. The software to program the pads and controls is very easy to use and ACT setup in Sonar was straightforward. I picked it up before the holidays for about $550 US. I like having the 88 keys for working with VSTs that use key switching (like Kontakt instruments often do).
 
But the keys are really weighted so if you are interested in the Akai MPK61 it would probably be a good idea to try it in store if at all possible.

Thanks for the thoughtfulness DRanck, as I mentioned in my first post,  the Akai MPK61 looks promising and the reviews are generally quite favourable, however the reviews mention that the semi-weighted key-bed requires a rather firm touch (I do not have any allegiance to piano-style action) and the pads sometimes get mixed reviews (but can be modded) http://www.akaipro.com/product.  As I'm not wanting a semi-weighted firm touch key-bed (let alone fully weighted) the MPK series is likely a no-go for me.

Have you looked into the Novation Launchkey series?  They are pretty nice, the keys are synth weighted, and the price is decent.  Plus you get a copy of Live Lite, Bass Station and V-Station with it.  The 61 key is $250.  Not a bad deal for the price.
 
http://global.novationmus...-controllers/launchkey

Chumer
Obliged for your input, could you expand on what you mean by "key switching"?  Do you mean octave transposition perhaps and thus that's why the 88 keys with Kontact?
 

Key switching is used by some Kontakt libraries and instruments to change the articulations or variations of that instrument.  Some instruments might use a designate key to change to a different instrument or setting.  Often the lower octaves (or the highest octaves) are used for these keyswitches.  On a 61 note keyboard, the keyswitchs might be too low of an octave to be selected.  
 
Take a look at the link to Native Instruments' video tutorial on Action Strings and you will see some keys shaded pink; these are the keys used for keyswitching on that instrument; the blue keys are the ones used to play the instrument; see this: http://www.native-instruments.com/en/products/komplete/orchestral-cinematic/action-strings/?content=2463  or see this video that shows keyswtiches [in pink] on the Scarbee PreBass :http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-F8PbLE1CE .  [around 4:50 in this video]
 
Just type "keyswitching kontakt" in the youtube search box and it will show numerous videos on the use of keyswitching.
 
Hope this helps. 
 

Very much thanks for the info on key-switching kind posters!  I have used variations of that idea to have one key trigger a particular loop or sequence.  I was not aware that Sonar (I own) and Kontact  (I may purchase but do not own) would be hindered by a 61 note keyboard controller.
 
I now understand why Kontact could be hindered by not have extra unused octaves for triggering, but why would Sonar be hindered with a 61 note keyboard controller versus an 88 assuming that I have the following configuration:
 
Sonar X3 (I own)
Acer T232HL 23" touch-screen to lie horizontally (I own)
Two 27" LCD's  for general viewing (I own)
Wireless computer keyboard & mouse (I own)
Roland A-800 Pro (I may purchase but do not own)
Behringer BCR2000 (I may purchase but do not own)

Hello cecelius2,
I am obliged, the additional particulars and kind words are a benefit!