I also interested in stone quality cables, worth the price. What protection do you wear? 
Same here, my Nord is input into the soundcard and i make a mix. But when some problems rise i can go to the Nord. Iâve been in to make trouble situations on stage. Some due to bad software, some due to bad soundcards, some because there was a power engine running behind stage and the behringer soundcard was powered by USB. You live you learn lol.
But lately i was even looking for a cheap Yamaha mx49 as second keyboard. Pity it doesnât have aftertouch otherwise i wouldnât hesitate.
I just bought a 3th Graphite in stead 
Serious, itâs cheap and practical with all the features.
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Thx! Useful info. Iâll check mine
Thanks for starting this thread and Brad for putting me onto it, I am exactly here, starting with first Controller Keyboard.
Have been looking between M-Audio, Alesis and Novation.
The overwhelming number of models across brands, features and bundled software is, just that, overwhelming, so all the comments here by experienced users is a great resource, cheers everyone.
Sergei
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I have one and have used it for 4 years, I only had to clean the key contacts once after about 2 years and other than that itâs been fine. Very good with C3 because of all the controllers. Great piano action.
Dave
Thanks Dave, nice to know. Iâm replacing my SL880 that has no controllers at all and this does look like a good contender for the job :-).
Chris, if youâre still lòoking to get the M_Audio, I have one Iâm selling.? 
If he isnât interested I might be- Iâm in the market.
Dave, I will be cleaning my M-Audio 88es soon as I get a break. Any advice would be welcome. Iâve seen several videos on it, but not sure which direction to go.
Corky
Hi Corky,
The vids are all pretty good, I have the weighted Oxygen 88 so the disassembly would be a little different but you basically lay it face down on some pillows and remove the perimeter screws and some of the screws across the middle of bottom the keyboard, this will free the lid with controllers. Be careful not to unscrew the keyboard itself, you can leave it anchored to the bottom plate. Now while holding firmly flip it over and remove the lid watching for and disconnecting the keyboard ribbon connectors. Get a small flat-head screwdriver to help release the keys you want remove to access the contact strips below, the strips are usually an octave or so long so you need to remove enough keys to get at what you want to fix. Remove the contact strips and clean the small round carbon contacts on them. Clean the circuit board contacts as well, let dry, check for fibers and re-assemble. The one thing I do thatâs different is I use shammy leather instead of cotton q-tip for cleaning, it leaves no fibers. I also use magnetic head cleaner instead of alchohol. (no residue) Some alchohol is residue free however if you want to use that. Hope this helps ⌠hope it goes well!
Dave
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Thanks a lot Dave. I really appreciate the info.
Regards
Corky
I use a MOXF8 on the bottom. It has a lot of decent sounds, and it acts as a 4 in 2 out USB audio interface. I plug my electric and acoustic guitars directly into it and use VSTs for audio processing (Guitar Rig 5 Pro, etc.). Less stuff to carry and plug in is always better!
I also use an MPK261 on top. I love all the programmable knobs, buttons and faders.
Apologies for the delayâŚlol What money was you after.
Chris
ÂŁ250?
Studio use only and Iâve got the boxâŚ
I could arrange shipping but to be quite honest youâre probably better off coming to get it, Iâm in Sussex, but I wonât be back there until aug 20âŚ
Cheers,
Toaster
Iâm wondering. Do you find any 61 keyboard with decent keys? I hate âsynthesizer keysâ (korg ps60, juno di, etc). I really like âsemi weighted keysâ (for example kurzweil sp4-7), but the problem that is heavy I donât want to carry more than 8kg keyboard and no more than 110cm (to fit it in the car). There is a good one keybed on a light keyboard?
Kurzweil sp4-7 are almost perfect, but it is 12 kg and my back is a bad one, so lifting the keyboard+stand+wires+notebook+gears is not so good.
I picked up the Akai MPK249 and I really like its semi-weighted keybed. Iâm sure the MPK261 shares the same keybed âfeelâ though Iâve never played it. Pretty lightweight.
So⌠Highly recommended!
I also have an MPK225, which I picked up for around the house, and it has the same keybed as the MPK249. Love that little thing!
Terry
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Thank you terry, youâre always so helpful! Iâve already checked it out but this review http://practicalusage.com/review-akai-mpk261-keyboard/ made me reconsider!
I definitely would not describe it as âheavyâ though there are all-plastic ones that are lighter (flimsier). When he says âbuilt like a tankâ he is correct - this wonât break easily. But I definitely would not consider it to be heavy. Just sturdily built.
His admitted ignorance as to what comprises a âsemi-weightedâ keyboard caused him to launch into a diatribe where he basically says, âI donât like semi-weighted keysâ. But that is no reflection on the quality of this keybed - it is stellar! And the pads are the best there are.
You should just pick one up from Amazon or Sweetwater or somewhere else that makes for easy returns and give it a thorough workout yourself.
Terry