I've been a guitarist for many years and was a professional musician. My experience with home digital audio is working with audio in video and recording voice-overs. My old PC setup has a M-Audio Delta 66 card, a Mackie mixer and a pair of Event PS-8 monitors. I've got a Behringer B-1 (I know people that them) that I've used for quick VO work.

I want to get into making music with keys and samplers, and also add guitar and vocals. I'm looking for suggestions and recommendations on a controller/keyboard.

I want something with weighted keys, pitch wheel and probably pads. I don't need 88 keys, but more than just two octaves. I'd like to stay under $400 or $500. I was looking at the M-Audio Keystation 88es, but I need something that's got more controllers for samplers and stuff rather than just a keyboard (plus it was too big). I'm mainly Mac based and will use Logic and Reason, but I've got a PC too and have been doing loop based stuff with Acid for a few years, so something that works well with both platforms is a must.

I'm also looking at an Eridol FA-66. I prefer firewire over USB, need something I can plug a mic or guitar into as well as MIDI I/O. Low latency is important as I'll be doing a lot of overdubbing, especially with vocals and guitar.


Thanks a lot,
Olivia