Looking for MIDI keyboard

[Fimbulin]

I have determined that a good affordable MIDI keyboard would speed up my workflow (and help me out with my college classes). My price range is around $50-100 right now. What would you recommend and why?

1/2 to full size is ok
mod wheels are good *thumbsup*
note velocity is a must
response speed (I don't want a keyboard with lag)
I want to be able to play more than four notes at a time.

[GumsOfGabby]

This is the most affordable keyboard that fits your description. You can get these brand new most places for just over $(AU)100. I've never seen a 49 key and up keyboard sell below $100. I have an Alesis Q49, it works well and is slightly more expensive than the one mentioned above ($10 extra). The keys feel quite plastic-y (but what can you expect for a midi keyboard) and are quite sensitive. I 've enjoyed using it so far and it has enough room to move up and down without reaching the ends of the keyboard. If I do run out of room to play, I just record each hand separately. I would recommend this keyboard if you're more of a hobbyist (such as myself). I can't recommend any keyboards of a larger size, but the brand names to look for (if you're on a budget) are M-Audio and Alesis.

[itroitnyah]

There are a few good midi keyboards you can get for lower prices, but not many. As for the mod wheel, keyboards with those generally cost more, and I've only found higher priced ones for below $100 that have a mod wheel. However, have some options that I've found and would recommend:

Akai Professional - MPKmini Keyboard MIDI Controller

Alesis Q25 25-note USB/MIDI Keyboard Controller

These were the main ones that I could find, that were highly rated as well. So unless you want to go higher than then 100$ price range, I don't think you're going to find one that matches the specifics that you want.

As for the delay and lag in the notes, that's up to your sound card on your computer. If you have a good enough sound card, there won't be any lag

[MRPPony]

This is the most affordable keyboard that fits your description. You can get these brand new most places for just over $(AU)100. I've never seen a 49 key and up keyboard sell below $100. I have an Alesis Q49, it works well and is slightly more expensive than the one mentioned above ($10 extra). The keys feel quite plastic-y (but what can you expect for a midi keyboard) and are quite sensitive. I 've enjoyed using it so far and it has enough room to move up and down without reaching the ends of the keyboard. If I do run out of room to play, I just record each hand separately. I would recommend this keyboard if you're more of a hobbyist (such as myself). I can't recommend any keyboards of a larger size, but the brand names to look for (if you're on a budget) are M-Audio and Alesis.

This is the same one I got. Just a fair warning, not sure what DAW you have but the pitch bend/modulation wheel doesn't work for them, usually only on the program it comes with and there's a bit of lag even with it connected to a USB 3.0 but I can only say its like that with FLStudio. Not sure about any other DAWs.

[Fimbulin]

This is the most affordable keyboard that fits your description. You can get these brand new most places for just over $(AU)100. I've never seen a 49 key and up keyboard sell below $100. I have an Alesis Q49, it works well and is slightly more expensive than the one mentioned above ($10 extra). The keys feel quite plastic-y (but what can you expect for a midi keyboard) and are quite sensitive. I 've enjoyed using it so far and it has enough room to move up and down without reaching the ends of the keyboard. If I do run out of room to play, I just record each hand separately. I would recommend this keyboard if you're more of a hobbyist (such as myself). I can't recommend any keyboards of a larger size, but the brand names to look for (if you're on a budget) are M-Audio and Alesis.

Wow, thanks! This looks like what I've been looking for. I'm definitely looking into these M-Audio and Alesis keyboards. At first I didn't have much hope these would exist for about $100, but these certainly do.

[Friv]

This is the most affordable keyboard that fits your description. You can get these brand new most places for just over $(AU)100. I've never seen a 49 key and up keyboard sell below $100. I have an Alesis Q49, it works well and is slightly more expensive than the one mentioned above ($10 extra). The keys feel quite plastic-y (but what can you expect for a midi keyboard) and are quite sensitive. I 've enjoyed using it so far and it has enough room to move up and down without reaching the ends of the keyboard. If I do run out of room to play, I just record each hand separately. I would recommend this keyboard if you're more of a hobbyist (such as myself). I can't recommend any keyboards of a larger size, but the brand names to look for (if you're on a budget) are M-Audio and Alesis.

Wow, thanks! This looks like what I've been looking for. I'm definitely looking into these M-Audio and Alesis keyboards. At first I didn't have much hope these would exist for about $100, but these certainly do.

I use the Alesis QX49 which was a little over $100 US, but well worth it. There is the Q49 model, which is the exact same thing, just with less midi functions (faders, knobs, and pads), but other than that it's the same; I saw it for around $80 US.

[Fimbulin]

I use the Alesis QX49 which was a little over $100 US, but well worth it. There is the Q49 model, which is the exact same thing, just with less midi functions (faders, knobs, and pads), but other than that it's the same; I saw it for around $80 US.

I'm not doing much synth work at all, because I use mostly just Kontakt anymore, so I don't need all the extra features. The Q49 looks perfect.