MIDI Controller v Low End "Synth"?

[80SR]

I have heard people really liking the DX7 as a MIDI controller even though its MIDI implementation was very rough being the novelty of it at the time.

[Rakrum]

I know that's true - I'm looking for something I can buy on Amazon though (not to be difficult) so in the new market nowadays, seeing "master controller" go from center stage (literally) to basements, being replaced by "daw controllers" and heavily targeting up to the prosumer level, they are not treated like musical instruments anymore, but rather like computer peripherals, and that is what I'm trying to avoid - I really like the Maschine because I can use it "without" the computer (i.e. turn off my monitor if I wanted) and I guess I'm looking for that feeling overall - the power of the computer without CONSTANTLY needing it. If anyone has seen the Nektar Panorama P4 (for Reason) that's sort of what I'm talking about - but I don't use only reason, so I tried the SL instead, and it just felt too "computery" for me (see: cheap). Perhaps it's an Arturia controller, but they have no transport controls, which, you know, are really nice to have...

[zzzxtreme]

$100 or less on EMU XBoard

I've own N5,wavestation,xp80, m1,sy77,sy85,01w,etc.. etc... I can tell you the Xboard is FANTASTIC. plus, it can be battery powered

[Rakrum]

Just found out the Arturia 49/61 have transport controls, that might put them above the XW-P1/MM6 (and also I started looking at the Korg MicroArranger) Anyone have/love an arturia controller?

To make sure I'm not missing anything, I checked all the right boards so far, right? M-Audio, AKAI, and Novation? Is there a name I missed?