[sfitz]

Most MIDI keyboards aren't really made for piano performance or even really for piano practice. If you want a MIDI controller for this reason, I'd recommend going to a music store near you (if applicable) and playing a few and feeling the keys and go with the one that feels nicest for your budget.

[lsaferite]

I bought my wife a Yamaha Arius YDP-184 and she loves it. It's not 100% like the baby grand she does lessons on, but it's close enough for most purposes. It has a MIDI interface, but it's not really easily portable.

[mh-]

I'm just a hobbyist, but I've been playing on and off since I was a kid. I have this exact model.

I definitely recommend it, but I'd suggest trying it out in-person if possible. The key weights seem very heavy to me.. but it's entirely possible that this is how higher-end pianos feel and I lack the experience/familiarity.

[illwrks]

Seconded. My daughter plays piano, and we have one of these. The YDP line of pianos from Yamaha are very good value, obviously not the same as a grand piano but very very good for a digital piano, and has midi out.

[mh-]

It has midi out and presents itself as a USB audio interface. So if you go into the menu on the YDP itself and turn off the local sound, you can connect it to your laptop via USB and play virtual instruments on it, with the audio going right back out to the YDP's speakers.

I thought that was super cool when I realized that.

[illwrks]

Amazing, I didn't know that at all!!

[klodolph]

Agreed—I think the economics just don’t justify production of good MIDI controllers. Outside of one or two models, they’re mostly bad. You have to try keyboards out in the store to find one you like. They won’t be a good replica of a piano, but they may be something you like.