you mean u wanna buy keyboard with sound? not a midi controller?
in my case i connect my yamaha keyboard & when i choose the sound on the keyboard it also changes the selected sound on the software. but since the names of the sound are not the same, i normally choose the sound on the software & don't touch anything on the keyboard. i hope u understand what i mean

when connect to the pc via midi out, a keyboard & a midi controller will function the same, ie acts as input to control the software. midi controller by itself does not have any sound source on it's own, while keyboard does. but midi controller is designed to control the software, hence it has many more buttons & knobs to control the software parameters

so i suggest since u are more into programming, get a midi controller instead.

This post has been edited by ajay67: Mar 19 2009, 07:43 PM

well.. it depends on your priority :
more control on the software : m-audio
can play keyboard independently : yamaha

we can't decide for u. good luck

btw, how do you plan to connect the keyboard to the pc?
u've already got a midi interface?

the yamaha also has usb? if that's the case it's fine

u are referring to a term called latency. well a midi interface also uses usb cable so it should be similar performance. if u're worried, bring yr laptop to the shop & connect the keyboard or controller & try for yourself first before deciding to buy. that's what i did when i bought a midi interface & I asked the shop to connect a midi controller to it & play it to feel the latency.