M-Audio Oxygen or E-Mu Recommendations

[HomeMadeHitShow]

I think I'm ready to move into the MIDI controller world from my home keyboard. It seems there are a few different low cost options, any thoughts would be appreciated.

http://www.zzounds.com/item--MDOKEYSTAT49
No knobs etc. but a great price

http://www.zzounds.com/item--MIMOXYGEN8
Highly recommended by a friend but no audio interface ( I don't think I need one)

http://www.zzounds.com/item--EMU7705
Seems to include a software sound module - Proteus X LE Desktop Sound Module

Any thoughts on these would be appreciated. Thanks for the thoughts but I'm only interested in a cheaper controller right now not a true synth or anything like that.

Thanks

Tony

[ssscientist]

Emu is brand new on the keyboard controller market, and as such they could sit back and look at what the competition offered and didn't offer.

Aftertouch is one thing the Emu has that most midi controllers in this price range don't, and that software 'Proteus' with 1000 sounds is a nice bonus. It's only got 49 keys, but I get along just fine with my 49 key controller.

[noisewreck]

I haven't tried the E-MU controllers, but a while back I tried some of their keyboard Proteus stuff, and hated it. The keyboards really had a cheap amature feel to them. I hope their controllers are better then that.

[pdadda]

Actually, the keys feel great on the new xboards.

[HomeMadeHitShow]

Thanks, I went with the e-mu, mainly based on the software being a bonus over the m-audio.

I had a chance to try both and the keys felt nice on both though slightly longer on the xboard.

We'll see how it goes.

Thanks

Tony

[noisewreck]

Well, it's good to know they got it right with the xBoards.