49 key controller suggestions

[guitarboi89]

hi, after giving back my friends little casio fm synth i have found myself wanting/needing something to compose and record with. I record on my pc and am not currently midi equipped.
I figured getting a midi/usb controller and using soft synths would be a better option than trying to ebay a synth for the same price.

So i am looking for a 49 key usb/midi controller preferably with sliders or knobs (for soft synths) for about £80 (absolute maximum is £95)

I was looking and ive found a b stock m audio radium 49 for £90. This seems good for my needs but online review says it feels cheap and has driver problems.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!
p.s. i tried to search the forum but "49" is too short as a keyword

 

[sixways]

Hey man.

I've got a Radium 49 and it works fine...don't sweat it "feeling cheap" they're actually pretty durable. Mine has fell off of my desk a few times and didn't chip or crack or anything. Driver wise, again, no problems. The only issue I've had is if you unplug it from the USB drive, it reinstalls when you hook it back up...which, really, isn't a big deal. It works great with soft sythns and for controlling programs (ableton live for example).

My only beef, I kinda wish I would have went for more keys, maybe the 61 key model.

6

 

[guitarboi89]

thank, that a bit more reassuring!
ill just add that i dont play keyboard or piano as my main instrument so its only to write fairly basic synth/string parts

 

[noisewreck]

You might also want to take a look at the Novation offerings.