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!

Try this.   $292 from Musician;s Friend
 
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/keyboards-midi/roland-a-800pro-61-key-midi-keyboard-controller
 

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
 

Thank you kind posters, perhaps my local music store has its wires crossed and maybe Winter NAMM 2014 will shed some light on the subject.  I could I guess continue with my XP-50 and take a wait and see perspective with the new Behringer Motor 61 versus the Roland A-800PRO / Edirol PCR-800.
 
$292 from Musician's Friend: I can't get that good a total pricing delivered to my door, actually not even close due to brokerage fees, exchange rates, international delivery charges, etc. as I live in Canada.

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.

I have had the Edirol PCR-800 since they first came out and have no issues with it.  When my friend went to get a similar product last year, he instead bought the Akai 61 counterpart and he loves it.  
 
I couple my PCR800 with a Studiologic 88 key weighted keys (which I use for pianos, and for keyswitching like the previous post).  Even if the PCR800 is discountinued, Roland has drivers for Win 8 and Win 7 64bit; so you should be okay with it for a while.

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.

cecelius2
I have had the Edirol PCR-800 since they first came out and have no issues with it.  When my friend went to get a similar product last year, he instead bought the Akai 61 counterpart and he loves it.  
 
I couple my PCR800 with a Studiologic 88 key weighted keys (which I use for pianos, and for keyswitching like the previous post).  Even if the PCR800 is discontinued, Roland has drivers for Win 8 and Win 7 64bit; so you should be okay with it for a while.

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?
 
 
I have given thought to two keyboard controllers, one 61 and one 88.  My hesitation in this regard is that I am a guitarist / singer / ITB programmer more than I am a two-handed traditional keyboardist, plus I do not have any allegiance to piano-style action as a requirement to my playing with expression (even though I spent a number of formative years on  conventional piano)

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

 
I hope the A-800Pro is not discontinued as it's at the top of my list for future purchases, and has been for a while,  just not right now.
 
Unless Roland comes out with a similar successor, which would be fine by me.