Music (especially Keyboard) junkies help me out

[MiccyNarc]

I'm thinking about getting a keyboard and starting to learn again (I played a long time ago so I'm familiar with basic chords, etc)

I have a renewed interest in music and would love to learn again.

I like heavy metal music (symphonic especially) and that's the style I want to gear my playing towards. I want to be able to connect it to the computer, preferably by USB. If it comes with software so much the better, I would like to be able to record and then modify what I'm playing.

Something with a wide variety of sounds (such as drums, etc.) and the flexibility to be able to mix it up once I have more experience (long term, like a year from now), maybe composing my own music.

I'm a poor college student, making about $200 every other week, but I'm only spending around $25 a week....this will probably be a Christmas present to myself if I get my GPA up.

Suggestions?

 

[Vegeta897]

So you'd like a digital piano that you can hook up to a PC via USB? With an arranger too?

You do not want a much much cheaper solution of a midi keyboard controlling software?

Edit: This looks like what I'd go for. http://keyboards-midi.musiciansfrie...ctive-Arranger-Electronic-Keyboard?sku=701860

Surprisingly cheap, especially for Roland.

Edit 2: More expensive version with USB. http://www.zzounds.com/item--ROLGW8

 

[Viperidae]

Um, reasons (punnnn) against using software? It'll be much, much cheaper.

 

[StardogChampion]

http://www.bizrate.com/keyboardsmid...9-key-midi-keyboard-controller--pid297258002/

http://www.flstudio.com/documents/what.html

Those'll do...

 

[MiccyNarc]

You do not want a much much cheaper solution of a midi keyboard controlling software?

If software is better so be it, I'm a newbie at all of this.

 

[Vegeta897]

So then, since most software can be um, acquired, at little cost*, you need to decide how much money you have to spend on a midi keyboard. They're not too expensive. The cheapest bare-bone feature ones are around 100 dollars. You'll want at least 49 keys. A decent-featured one like mine, (16 knobs, aftertouch, zones) will run you $170. It's the E-Mu Xboard 49. HOWEVER, when buying a keyboard, it's a good idea to test them out if possible. If you live near any music stores, go see what they have on display so you can get a feel. The Xboard has a fairly distinct feel to the keys. You may not like it.

*none

 

[Viperidae]

I'd recommend against semi-weighted. They're generally made poorer.

 

[Vegeta897]

I'd recommend against semi-weighted. They're generally made poorer.

I'd recommend against anything this man says, because he's a stickler for proper weighted keys.

Actually I'm joking, but you should really see what you like yourself.

I don't know about 'poor' keys. Unless you're pounding on them with a hammer, I don't think you have anything to worry about. Especially if you buy a good brand.

 

[Viperidae]

Er, I was speaking against semi-weighted midi, as theyre generally crap. Fully weighted costs you about $2000, so that would obviously be out of the picture.