[linux-audio-user] Midi/USB "control" board question

Hello fellow linux audio users :) I'd like to get suggestions of available and working midi control boards: interface with faders, knobs, possible vu meters that's suppose to control computer software. I'm thinking of faders in Ardour, and all kinds of thinkable applications in pure-data and supercollider. I've seen the BFC-2000 looks promising but why an USB interface anyway? How does fader control of Ardour work? In pure data, i can imagine how it would/should work: just sort out the desirable midi message [ctlin] and do something with it. I'm sure there are less expensive options than behringer - any suggestions both cheep and expensive are welcome. -- Zachris Trolin <zachris(a)phreaker.net>