Keyboard For Soundtrack / Gargageband?, Best one for novice? Options

[edge]

I've been using Soundtrack for some time, will probably add GarageBand to the mix, and I want to expand the possibilities with an inexpensive ($200 or less) keyboard. Apple recommends two keyboards on the GarageBand page, so I'm currently looking in that direction, but I don't know if these or others are best for me.

They are:

1) M-Audio Keystation 49e USB Midi Keyboard ($79)
2) Edirol PCR-30 MIDI Keyboard Controller ($169)

About them:

- One has 49 keys while the other has 32 (does that matter to me?)
- One is titled a 'controller' while the other is not (whatever that means)
- One has more nobs and buttons than the other (but maybe these are not necessary and effects can be handled via software...?)

About me:

- I don't necessarily need/want to learn to play piano, just want to be able to create new melodies and loops.
- I played drums for six years so I have rhythm.
- I'm a music nut and know what sounds good.

Any recommendations? It's more a hobby, but partially for business.

Thanks ahead of time!

[rickenbacker]

The Oxygen 8 is cool. There are also others from companies like Edirol that do exactly the same thing - some even have audio onboard, too, like the Ozone or the PCR-1. I have an Oxy 8 and it's OK. The drivers need to be reinstalled periodically for some reason, but otherwise it's fine. Fine for two-finger chords and triggering loops, anyway, which is what you seem to want to do. Too short for two-handed playing, though - I use an old Roland Midi keyboard for that. Both now run through an Emagic MT4 - that way I don't have to bother about updating drivers, as I just plug both keyboards into the one Midi interface.