Good midi keyboard recommendation? Need2 Change VST w/ pedal & non-distorted sounds?

I currently have a Yamaha YPT-400 Keyboard and I wanted to upgrade my midi capabilities. I want to do more with it, and sometimes when I press 5 keys at once, my VST gets distorted. (left hand stops even though Im holding the note. Not sure if that's keyboard related)

no, that's not due to your keyboard.  when using a softsynth the polyphony is a function of that softsynth, not the MIDI being sent.  which softsynth are you using?

I would like to be able to switch my VST's and also VST's different samples with my keyboard or a (pedal maybe?) I'm not sure if my current keyboard has that capability.

I've never done this myself, but I think it would be possible using ACT with any keyboard or control surface which has assignable MIDI outputs.

I've always wanted a good piano too. So I was thinking, is the Yamaha YPG-635 or (DGX-620) a good choice? Does anyone have any experience with it?

that really depends on a lot of things.  what do you consider a "good piano"?  do you want a digital piano with its own sounds or do you just want a MIDI controller to control your softsynths?  do you need hammer action?  the action on all keyboards are not the same.  what is your budget?

You should decide the type of key you prefer beforehand, you can find both hammer and synth types within your budget.
Some suggestions:
m-Audio Axiom 61 is the one i'm using now: semi-weighted, 8 pads, 8 rotaries, 9 sliders, 9 buttons, transport... very flexible and configurable, and very good feeling for my taste, but i am not a proficient kb player... It's all plastic and somewhat fragile though.
Fatar/StudioLogic makes affordable hammer-action keyboards of good quality and feeling at affordable prices, there was one in the studio i was working last year and most players liked its feeling very much, and i also know a pianist that uses it.
m-Audio KeyStation and Yamaha KX8 are also affordable hammer ones.

crwexp


so would you say the Axoim is pretty configurable?
 

Yeah, for any element in the keybard you can assign any midi messages and kind of action (toggle, inc/dec, val, modifier, curves, etc). Whole or partial configs can be stored and recalled instantly from nonvolatile memory banks. Either from the keyboard itself (it has a graphical LCD screen), or from the PC through an excellent configuration application. Preconfigured default banks for popular software packages are included and more can be downloaded from the m-audio website or shared with other users. I can handle all necessary tracking operations of SONAR or tweak any synth parameter from it, no need to use computer keyboard or mouse while tracking.
Most midi controllers of this kind are configurable, but any other I knew had much more limitations in the types of messages and the parameters you can define. For example my son uses a Radium, and you can also configure it but in a more limited way.
I can recommend it anytime for synth type, or maybe the Edirol if you prefer a softer touch. For hammer, i'd probably choose the KeyStation Pro for the added controls, or the Fatar if i don't need those. Some Yamahas like the KX8 are good too. Probably I should mention roland here but i can't recommend any of the models i knew, maybe some modern model that i'm not aware of... the one in my avatar is a roland fantom and is nice, but it's an expensive workstation, not a simple controller.
Remember i'm not a proficient player, but i know about configuration and shared opinions of these i mentioned with good players.
 

haha its ok jcatena. you're still more of a player than me :P thanks Beagle and jcatena for the recommendations! Ive took a more in depth look and have decided that a hammer-action keyboard is not for me.

I kind of took Earwax's advise and went to my closest store that pianos on display... Best Buy. I tried out what a hammer-action keyboard felt like and I dont think its for me. It'll be hard to play the fast paced violin samples I come up with in my head. so I've decided on semi-weighted or less. Preferably more than 61-keys, but if I have to get 61, then I'll probably purchase a mixer/midi controller that has knobs/sliders so I can control my vst better. Not sure what you meant by tracking (still learning), but I always assume highly configurable leaves my options open.

If I can get off work EARLY tomorrow, I've decided that I am going to try and make the 4-hour drive to my nearest Guitar Center (hopefully they have them....)

I noticed that the Axiom (only 61-keys :( ), is semi-weighted. Do you guys that have 61-keys ever feel like you dont have enough room to play? Any semi-weighted or less recommendations? Right now I have my eyes set on the Axiom (with it had more keys :/), but am looking for more.

Your recommendations help me a lot! It points me in the right direction as to where to look.

m-audio Keystation 88es is 88 keys semiweighted, without additional automation controls.
Most other 88 or 76 keys controllers i know are of the piano kind (hammer action).
For performances (play with two hands), you will want 76 or 88 keys. For midi editing 61 keys and even less is enough.
 

I missed the CME VX7 semiweighted, as the VX8 has hammer action. Looks good, but i don't know it so i can't say more.
The VX7 has aftertouch, i think buying an axiom too would be redundant. I don't know if the vx7 is more or less configurable, but you should not have much problems with that anyway based in what the product page says. Compare the details in the manuals if in doubt. In some aspects the CME looks better, with more controls and motorized sliders.
The Axiom Pro is pretty much identical to the regular one AFAIK. The pro is the same as the older black (the one i own) but in white. When the pro was introduced, they removed a numeric keypad and rearranged the layout in the new black. So if you can find the older model you can have the same as the pro but in black for less money. These differences are not to worry about anyway.

I spoke to someone different when I called back and they went back on their offer. She spoke to their manager and they said they would loose too much money. I really regret not ordering with the clerk I had before. Anyways, they special ordered me a new Keystation 88 pro brand new for $90, 100 bucks cheaper than ebay offers it, and its weighted, so I hope it turns out good.
My Axiom 61 pro arrived today.... and let me just say. ITS AWESOME!!! So many controls, I have no idea what to do with them! Ive tried learning, but its extremely complicated. They feel great!
 
I bought it for $100 used, in broken condition. I thought I would try and repair it. It said it had scratches and didnt power on when I bought it. When I plugged it in, it worked!!! And like new condition! Best deal I've gotten ever!
Thanks for the recommendation! Cant wait for my other keyboard to arrive :P