Okay so recently I've decided to become productive and start creating some musex. (lol joke lol)

ANyway, I know that my friends brother has a musical keyboard that plugs into his computer and he can jam with that. He uses Garage band for that.

So 2 questions:

Whats an AFFORDABLE keyboard that I could buy? I want something thats good and will handle all of a hobbyists needs, but not something thats top of the line.

Second question:
What kind of software would I use for this? I have the fruity loops demo... but thats all I know of.

If you would use just VST's (basically, virtual synths), a simple keyboard like M-Audio e-keys49 would be fine.. I guess.

It would work if you just mess around with Fruity or something.

Yeah, if you're just fooling around with virtual synths (Reason, Fruity, Garageband, and any VSTi's), a simple MIDI controller would be the easiest and cheapest way to go.

I use an Evolution (made by M-Audio) MK-461c. Awesome feature set for the price. If you're into piano playing, however, look into getting a full-size 88-key with decent hammer action. I would suggest CME for that, their UF-8 controller is ****ing awesome.

MB, I have a copy of Steinberg Cubasis VST that came with my E-MU 1212m, if you want it. Apparently it's pretty damn good. Steinberg invented ASIO, that's got to be worth something.

If I were to buy the keyboard that Shintock posted, what else would I need to get up and running just playing through the various VST things I have lying around?

The keyboard should have all the USB/etc. cords with them, so (at least when using Fruity Loops)... well, it should work.

Would there be a way to play through the VSTs without use of a large software package? I mean, whilst I have access to FruityLoops i'd prefer to be able to play a keyboard you know... legally.

Many VST's do have standalone programs. Mostly commercial ones, though...

Detty, the keyboard plugs via USB and creates its own MIDI port. Otherwise, you can use an AC adapter and plug via MIDI into whatever interface you might have if you don't want to use USB for some reason.

Also, you can use something free like MiniHost (there are plenty of others, just search for VST standalone hosts) to use your VSTi's outside of your illegal software. :p

http://www.hitsquad.com/smm/programs/MiniHost/

Edit: A few things I forgot to mention.

Steinberg not only invented ASIO, the VST protocol is also theirs.

And if you're planning on using virtual synths, you should have a rather fast (2 ghz +) computer with a decent sound card, or else you will be plagued with latency. I find anything over 128 samples of latency to be completely unworkable, but I have friends that can work with 512 without a problem. I could get down to 128 with my Audigy 2ZS that I had before, so we're not talking about requiring uber-professional cards either.