At the 2007 Grammy Producers Panel, several producers marveled at how many songs started by typing notes on the computer keyboard in Apple GarageBand. ("Nice K there!" "I think the chorus needs more V.")

Computer keyboards are hardly expressive controllers for music, though, so manufacturers have developed dozens of USB MIDI controllers. I posted some advice on choosing compact MIDI keyboards a while back. Since then, I've also been impressed with the feel of the Alesis Photon controller keyboard, with its nifty infrared sensor. I'm currently testing an even wilder controller.



But, having started loading up my new laptop with music programs, I'm still looking for a really compact yet expressive USB MIDI keyboard. I'm thinking the Edirol PCR-M1 might fit the bill, but I haven't played it much. Any recommendations?

Hi David,

Be sure to have a look at the Line6 KB37 which has lots of built-in FX as well as an audio interface. I'd buy it just for those cool looking retro VU meters though - what great eye candy! Apparently its quite funtional too as you can choose various sources to meter.

http://line6.com/toneportkb37/photogallery.html

What I miss the most from all MIDI controllers I've seen so far though are nice long-through programmable MIDI sliders. I've been using an older Lexicon MRC. Actually, as it turns out, this works quite nicely as the little sliders are exactly a fingers movement long. So I get nice control with just a finger wiggle!

CME makes a pretty wild looking (particularly if Soviet-Red isn't your first color choice) "semi-compact" CME VX5 MIDI controller with 49 semi-weighted keys with aftertouch and...."get this"...9 motorized MIDI sliders. Not the cheapest compact, but definitely a candidate for the coolest and possibly the most expressive. So like they say, choose any two out of the three.



Good luck with your quest! But don't wait too long, its an elusive search like waiting for the perfect computer so grab something now and get creative with technology!

Gregory D. Moore

Thanks, Greg. The KB37 looks way cool (I do like those VU meters), but I'm really looking for something I can toss in a backback, hence the small Edirol. If only laptop computers had velocity-sensitive keys....