Hey, you can get one of these for under 100 bucks.

http://www.soundstagedirect.com/media/n ... e_pt01.jpg

I don't have one but I will soon. and many people round here like it.

As for a MIDI controller, you can play the samples on the 404 with the keys, or use your keyboard to sync the tempo w the 404 if the controller has its own sequencer. The only thing i find disappointing is the fact that you can't record a resampled performance using the controller that would be dope.