Hey, Im looking for a good, cheap MIDI keyboard/Controller. nothing too fancy as im just startin out. any suggestion would be great. thanks TYler

Do you play full scale or do you just want something to lay down small riffs here and there?

If you're a player you won't appreciate anything lower than 61 keys and even that's stretching it.

And what exactly is cheap? Under a $100? Obviously the cheaper the better right?

Well Most 25 key boards run $100 and up. M-Audio's Oxygen 8 I see on zzounds.com for $119 new and an Emu Xboard 25 key controller at $125. But it doesn't really get an no-frillier than the keystation e series also from M-Audio.

Again, looking at zzounds.com (my overall favorite online gear retailer) I see their 49 key controller at only $99.

I reiterate if you fancy yourself a player at all you won't dig anything below 61 and preferrably some weighted action. That's when prices really jump! If you stay within the keystation series they also make an 88 key model that don't do much more than the other models than have a full range. Oh and it's not weighted at all of course.

Out of all these I've only actually used the Emu boards and I kinda dig their action. The knobs seem kinda flimsy, but it's really all in the action.

Hope this gets you thinking! Just do a search on zzounds.com or sweetwater. Heck find a product you like and see if someone is selling it cheaper on the eBay.

Tony