Reply to DIY controller, midi fighter style

I was believeing, I love those midi controllers, but isn't it to expensive for only 16 buttons controller, when you can have the same with velocity for half the price (mpd 18, or other like that one). Then I thought it would be awesome if I could build my own one, but the problem is that I don't know how to use those midi/usb interfaces (not sure of that word, check the french translation if you don't get it).
Anyway, I came to the conclusion that the easyest way to make my own midi fighter would be to use a cheap, velocity-pad style controller, and to remix it into an amazing midi fighter style super-explosive-awesome-controller. After browsing the internet, I've set my choose on the korg nanopad 2, witch provides 16 pads, that can be turned in buttons, and 4 banks, plus a nice looking tactile section that can be very nice to play with, and some nice gate features.
So the basic idea is to take the nano pad, f**k it up to keep good parts (electronic, usb stuff, plus the touch-sensitive area), and replace the pads with good arcade buttons, LA style (YEAAH).
I've not started yet the project, but it's comming soon. I hope you guys like the idea, tell me what you believe about it, if you have any advices, I'm ready to take the all, else, if you have some questions, don't hesitate!

Stay tuned, more comming soon