I am in the market for a new MIDI controller, and software, after these are acquired, I will begin recording original stuff. If any of you know a good Controller (not keyboard) for the neighborhood of $150-$200, with 88 keys that would be great.

Also thinking I will Use the software known as Reaper. If anyone has experience with that product please contact me, somehow...

( Sorry for lack of contact info, unfamiliar with the site)

Welcome aboard..looking forward to your music..Anyways as far as midi controller ,I found and Maudio one for 99$ on sale @best buy original tagged at 159.00 It works rather well for me..Try Ebay or musicians friend too..As far as Reaper no clue I use Fl,Cubase and Adobe audition ,but you might find some tutorials on you tube if you type certain keywords..heres one:
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Reaper++software&search_type=
Good luck and welcome!

I found a studio logic SL- 990 for about $320 and it has hammer action, and 88-keys, really good feel...
just got the rig set-up and a friend is going to give me all of his samples on a DVD soon!

Got the samples in the program, just gotta get familiar with the programs functions, and then record!