Creative's Prodikeys PC-MIDI dual purpose keyboard

If you're the musical type, and can excuse the name, you might find Creative's Prodikeys PC-MIDI keyboard to be an aid in reducing a bit of desk clutter. It's pretty much what it looks like, a keyboard of the typing variety playing host to a keyboard of the 37-key variety, giving you quick access to both. It plugs in via USB, comes with a little bit of software to play around with, and does the whole media keyboard mojo. Nothing else really going on here, but it should be available this month for around $40, which is less than you can buy most USB MIDI keyboards, so it might be worth it just for that.

[Thanks, Rubylized]

[ross. @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

This product's older than the hills.

It been available here in Australia for at least 4 years now, doing the rounds on the 24/7 shopping channels...the Creative Prodikeys...they always have the inventor on too, some top guy at Creative.

[pachi @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

yes, you are right.

i have never seen it here in austria, but i have seen it ages ago on the creative website...

[muhahah @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

Ross, I'll take it that you're the type that never paid attention in class.

This is Creative's newest model. The prodikeys you've probably seen around for 4 years as you say is probably either the original white version or the newer DM (black) version. The DM version streamlined the original design, but both versions stuck with the ps/2 connection.
This new version shown above is an even newer redesigned model and Creative has finally added a USB connection.

[autoy @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

This is a new version of the well known proidikeys. This one seems to have some laptop-like keys and a bit more stylish. Could have been useful if they had thrown in a pitch/modulation stick or wheels. And (why not?) some midi knobs too. At least the midi keyboard is velocity-sensitive.

[cy7 @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

40 bucks?! i want one!

[jonno @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

I'm only interested in it if they've still got that crazy Singaporean dude teaching me how to rock and roll.

[Matt Baron @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

Definitely solves the deskspace problem that has my controller stuffed in a closet most of the time. Add optional wireless and it would be really happening...

[Gordy @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

Hey, maybe I'll teach myself piano again. I'll take 1 please...

[Ethan @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

Everyone says it's been around forever, but it's the first time I've seen it, so I'm ready for some music-based passwords. I'm thinking Rachmaninoff from the chocolate factory.

[Steven @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

If this works with Garageband, I'm all over it.

[Roamer @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

just wondering, does the midi keyboard slide under the regular keyboard or is it always sticking out like that? If that was the case I'd be really interested in this product, but I don't think having a piano as a wrist wrest for typing.

[Brian Norman @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

anyone seen it on a website store yet?

[Seth @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

Roamer -- try clicking the link, it's right there on the page...

[pcha @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

HAHAHA! I love the crazy asian guy! He totally knows how to rock out!

I saved the video here:
http://webfiles.uci.edu/pcha/videos/5_Drums_Low.wmv

[Manys @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

it would be nice if engadget could actually link to the product rather than themselves.

[fierywater @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

Err #15, apologies.

[Av4rice @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

Manys, it would be nice if you could actually try clicking the link that says "Read"

[Muggle @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

$40 my ass! Online stores are selling them for $75-99. The retail price is $99! Get your sources right!

[Navie @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

It would be cool to use with Apple Motion's MIDI controls.

[rye&ginger @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

very limited use with no knobs/sliders/pitch controls. Those are more usfull than the keyboard part in most cases.