Lately I've been noodling around with my software synthesizers using my recently purchased Alesis V25, a velocity-sensitive 25-key USB MIDI controller with 8 pressure-sensitive drum pads, 4 configurable buttons, 4 configurable knobs, Pitch Bend wheel, and Modulation wheel, all in a US$89 package. It's perfect for beginners, and professionals who are cramped on space... well, almost perfect. The drum pads do have a tendency to occasionally double-trigger, resulting in unwanted notes for drum beats. There is a firmware update that addresses this problem, but I'm not sure where I can find said update, and Alesis's own site offers the same firmware version that's already on the keyboard. But then again, that's the only shortcoming that I can think of. The keybed does have a tiny bit of stiffness to it, compared to my Yamaha YPG-235, but this is probably because the Alesis uses springs (like in the old days of synthesizers) to return the keys to their resting position, and not by way of the cheaper, more fragile plastic hinging mechanism.

I picked the Alesis V25 not only because it was less expensive than competing brands like Akai Professional, but the V25 seems quite a bit more rugged than its competitors. Plus, I am more familiar with Alesis than I am with Akai Professional. Despite its minor shortcomings, I am overall very pleased with the Alesis V25, and I think it will make a great complement to my Yamaha YPG-235 portable digital piano. Perhaps I could even figure out how to control the YPG-235 from the V25.