To comment on the original topic,
I don't know. Right now, I have two keyboards. One is a MIDI Keyboard controller (an Axiom 25) that I got so I could have it right in front of me on my desk while I'm composing / doodling. There are two major issues I have with it, though. 1) It feels terrible to play. I mean, I'm no keyboardist, but the Axiom just feels gawd-awful. Cheap, hard-edged plastic keys... and it's "semi-weighted" feel is really just a fancy way of saying it take a little more pressure to play the keys than a synth action keyboard. I was in Guitar Center the other day and felt the keys on an Axiom PRO and they really didn't feel any better to me. It's just no fun to sit down and feel your way through a melodic line with the Axiom. 2) It's too small. 25 keys isn't enough, and although it fits on the desk right in front of me, which is great, you can't put both your hands on it and play something.
That said, I also have an OLD (like... 17 years or older perhaps) Korg 01/w Pro Workstation keyboard. It's only a synth action keyboard but it feels ALOT better than the Axiom--just FAR better made. The problem with it though is that it's so old that the LCD screen is barely readable because the backlight has faded so much. Some of the buttons on it are not very responsive anymore, and it's just got an incredibly antiquated interface and is pretty much impossible to save anything you create with it because of a long dead 3-1/2 floppy drive.
Given all that, I see in my future getting a hardware synth of some kind. Most dedicated MIDI keyboard controllers are cheaply made and just feel terrible. And to get one that feels good you might as well spend a little extra money and get a keyboard with sounds on it. That way I can doodle around without firing up Cubase. It's not going to happen tomorrow... but eh... one day.
If you're referring to M-Audio's original Axiom series,I don't believe that they were marketed as being "semi-weighted" and they certainly had nothing more than the most useless synth-action I had ever come across,which is why I waited for the pro series.
I very much like my Axiom Pro 49,as it has full size keys and although it's not the most pristine in semi-weighted keyboards,the price wasn't too bad,considering the auto-mapping technology inside.
In recent years though,M-Audio has re-issue of the Axiom series,but with the pro-quality keybed-of which is a tremendous value....if your on a tight budget and want some halfway decent action.
Since I have two PC workstations,I also have a Kurzweil PC3LE6 hardware keyboard,which I use as a midi controller....I got one for $1300 and it has 1,000 built in sounds & has excellent key-bed action....perhaps it might be something you would be interested in.The Korg SV-173 73-Key Vintage Stage Piano,has the best action I have ever felt and it would be absolutely perfect for use as a midi controlller,but it's $2,000....still though,the action is so wonderful,that it almost justify's the price tag.
