• Record and create an unlimited number of audio and MIDI tracks.
• Arrange and score video files, adding transitions, visual effects, music, sound effects, and voice-overs with ease.
• Includes over 6000 professionally produced music loops and sound effects in a wide variety of popular styles, from dubstep to folk rock.
• Includes 11 virtual instruments, ranging from modelled vintage synthesizers to high-quality sampled acoustic instruments, and an inspiring collection of studio-quality acoustic and electric drums.
• Includes 22 high quality effects, ranging from studio standards such as reverb,chorus and delay, to ultra-realistic guitar amp simulators, vintage tube EQ, vocal reduction, multi-band compression, and more.
• Powerful, professional features include ReWire hosting, multi-take loop recording, time stretching and pitch shifting, support for unlimited hardware inputs and outputs, support for multi-channel VSTis, and much more.

Check more at http://www.acoustica.com/mixcraft/

Via: http://www.weareroli.com/

M-Audio Keystation Mini 32

http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/KeystationMini32.html

This is the one I currently use. Great compromise between portability and control. The keys are actually very musically to play! You can choose between different velocity curves (I personally find #0 to be great playing the piano). The range of 32 keys is also very good. Pitchbend controller/expression buttons works surprisingly fine with adjustable bend time. Sustain latch button and rotary controller adds to a very complete and affordable package. I can't actually find anything to complain about :)

Akai LPK25

http://www.akaipro.com/lpk25

Up until the keystation arrived, this was my choice of mini keyboard. But compared to the Keystation the keys are spongy and having just 25 is a bit claustrophobic.

Korg Microkeys 37

http://www.korg.com/microkey

This is the one to get if you hate mini keyboards ;) Great key action that allows very rapid playing and controllable, consistant velocity. Only downside is bulky size (won't fit easily into my laptop bag) and the keyboard lacks any sustain control (the 25 version has a sustain button, though)

Korg Nanokey

http://www.korg.com/nanoseries2

This was my first venture into mini keyboards. Don't get this. You get better control playing on your laptop keyboard ;)

The evo is a pure keyboard controller that is connected to a computer via an Ethernet interface, and that communicates via Midi, OSC or our own in-house protocol with synthesizers, sequencers or similar. The keys are the special feature here. Every single key is equipped with a sensor that allows evo to read the finger position on a certain area of the key surface. Thus, every key offers, in addition to pitch and velocity, an additional level of polyphonic data input that can be used for continuous control of independent notes.

More at - http://www.endeavour.de/evo/overview.html

Music Computing, a leader in touch technologies and advanced computer enhanced musical instruments releases ControlBLADE ES, a budget-friendly professional keyboard production station.

ControlBLADE ES is an all-in-one music production station, which allows users to compose, record, and mix songs that are ready for radio or direct Internet distribution.

ControlBLADE ES is powered by high-performance computer cores utilizing an Intel® Dual-Core 2.6GHz third-generation (Ivy Bridge) processor that is perfect for today's demanding musicians and the virtual instruments and software applications they use. The Windows 7 (64-bit) operating system is preconfigured for music production and can run virtually any software application or plug-in and is ready to use right out of the box without any bloatware to uninstall.

Run multiple plug-ins at once, record and sequence many audio and MIDI tracks simultaneously, and store millions of sound presets, the ControlBLADE ES packs a serious punch for the money.

“We designed the new ControlBLADE ES to allow virtually anyone on any budget to be able to produce radio-ready music.” Said Victor Wong, CEO, Music Computing. “However, it is still by far more powerful than any other traditional keyboard workstation and can do much more for half the price.”

The ControlBLADE ES is a 61-key model and comes standard with 4GB of RAM, which is upgradeable to 8GB, a 500GB 7200 rpms hard drive with upgrade options of 1TB, 2TB and 3TB, a DVD Burner, an external USB mini audio interface with 2ins and 2outs with various upgrade options, and bundled software including Windows 7 (64-bit) Home Premium OS, SonicSource Producer (8GB of VSTi sound presets), Audacity audio editor and recorder, and Tracktion audio production software.

Features for Audacity include: · Record live audio · Convert tapes and records into digital recordings or CDs · Edit Ogg Vorbis, MP3, WAV or AIFF sound files · Cut, copy, splice or mix sounds together · Change the speed or pitch of a recording

Features for Tracktion 4 include: · Native FX plug-ins ranging from dynamics to modulation, reverb and more · Support for available third party VST and VSTi plug-ins · Mix Automation · Safe Record · Loop Recording · 64-bit, 192 kHz Mix Engine · Audio Clip manipulation · MIDI Editor · Filters – Volume / Pan, Level Meter, 4-Band EQ, Aux Send & Return and FX · Export to a variety of formats such as .wav, .aif, and .mp3

The ControlBLADE ES provides two (2) video monitor ports, which can be connected to standard LCD / LED TVs, general purpose computer video screens or Music Computing MotionCOMMAND touchscreens.

Good idea to get good affordable midi keyboard and fully integrate modern computer in it. This guys did it for quite long time, but mostly at premium prices and with big touchscreens.

http://www.musiccomputing.com/controlblade

Not cheap, but interesting. Also note that different synth keyboards actually have slightly different key widths :-)

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/instrumentslab/touchkeys-multi-touch-musical-keyboard

Uses special optical sensors measuring each key position.

• USB MIDI Interface. Generates “Polyphonic Aftertouch” MIDI messages to transmit the Key-Swing.
• Standard-sized Keys
• Anodized Aluminum Housing
• 25 and 49 keys versions

http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/ndvr-note-masterkeyboard--68

This is new one

Just today noon MEST my review of the Roland BK-7m arranger module was published on the

http://www.roland-arranger.com

Have fun reading... and even more letting your musicality and creativity free!!

Kurt Markussen

• Comes with Launchkey app and Launchpad apps for iPad and the powerful Novation V-Station and Bass Station synth plug-ins for Mac and PC
• Novation DAW control with Launchkey – ‘InControl’ technology connects hardware controls directly to all major DAWs. Quick, hands-on control of your mixer, transport and more in Ableton, FL Studio, Pro Tools, Reason, Cubase and Logic
• Launchkey launch pads – 16 velocity-sensitive multi-colour launch pads for playing and sketching out drum beats, or launching and improvising with loops using the Launchpad app – they also launch clips and scenes in Ableton Live
• 50 faders, knobs, pads and buttons (35 on 25-note version)
• DAW control with Novation Launchkey – Instant access to major DAW control parameters – with no assignment necessary
• Bus powered – Launchkey is fully bus-powered, even with iPad. Just plug it in and go, with no power supply or batteries
• Launchkey includes one gigabyte of Loopmasters sample content including artist packs, drum samples and sound FX
• Ableton Live Lite – Ableton’s ground-breaking performance and production software is included with Launchkey

• Launchkey 25 MSRP $189.99
• Launchkey 49 MSRP $249.99
• Launchpad 61 MSRP $299.99

Is out there something like that? Midi mapping is a very nice solution used in music production that could be used for grading as well.