If you are a piano player, you will want a 88 note weighted, hammer action slab style keyboard or a digital piano. Something that 'feels' like a real piano. You cannot change how it feels or how it looks. All of the digital pianos will will have some on board sounds so you can also play w/o a computer hooked up. When it is connected with a computer and a DAW, the sounds available are only limited by the software you have. 
 
I would also recommend having a smaller synth type keyboard for edits and for recording other sounds such as bass, lead lines, violins etc. I found using a fully weighted keyboard (piano) cumbersome for recording these sounds, so I have an M Audio Keystation 49ex. Inexpensive, full size keys and touch sensitive. Lots of choices in this category. You might like a keyboard with little drum pads for instance to input your own drum patterns.
 
AFA a DAW goes, lots of advise and opinions above. Personally, I'm a huge Sonar Platinum fan and have used it pretty much exclusively. So no opinion on other DAWS.

Is Sonar Platinum Too Much for A Beginner?
 
If you dive in at the deep end and try to learn things on the fly then yes.
 
On the other hand, if you take your time, work through the tutorials, watch instructional videos and read as many articles as you can, then no.
 
Sonar is a very complex, deep program that requires you to invest an appropriate amount of time in order to learn it, a bit like learning an instrument.

Consider the Casio PX-5. It has a surprisingly good keybed and even a decent piano and a capable synth section. It's very light and affordable too.

All - I sincerely appreciate all of the friendly advice that has been proferred here. I'm amazed at the disparate opinions on things. This is interesting to me as technology and software do not intimidate me, but I have zero background in recording.
I do understand the importance of having a good computer to run the DAW. I build my own computers (don't judge), so that will generally not be an issue. My current rig is an overclocked Core I7 with 32 GB of RAM. I'll probably build another computer at Christmas, due to my other hobby (Flight Simulations, again, please don't judge). I'm a PC (and Android) guy, so Ipads and Macs do not interest me.
What everyone relayed about the Artist, Pro, and Platinum sharing the same basic characterstics makes sense. On that note, perhaps SPLAT is the way to go. I have downloaded and played with all the trials, but again, I don't really know which one would "fit" my workflow. (TBH, I'm not even sure what that means.) I do like the look and feel of the Sonar and Studio One products better than Reaper.
 
I did grow up playing the piano(started lessons at age 5, hated it for years until high school. That's when I figured out that girls really dug a guy that could play the piano. I learned every Chicago and Journey song on the planet then - OK, go ahead and judge on that one). I still have a piano, but play it rarely - I'm more interested in syntheizers and sounds now. I've thought about a Midi controller only, but I do want the flexibility to just turn it on and play, and not need to worry about the computer and DAW. So I have rather limited myself to keyboard workstations. I agree, the "workstation" aspect will not be all that useful, but, to be honest, I can amuse myself for months on "learning" it. I have a local dealer that has both the FA-08 and MOX8 - I do prefer the FA-08 "feel" a bit better, but I am not opposed to either. The Yamaha seems more popular, though I don't really know if that matters. Is there such a thing that is not a workstation, that has 2000 or so sounds, and has 88 keys? I can start looking into that, unless someone knows offhand. I only have room for one keyboard (and I am set on 88 key), otherwise I might look at two different types were suggested (Digital piano + smaller midi controller).
 
I appreciate the groove3.com and video suggestions. I'll probably buy a video or two. On that note, are those better than the videos that are sold on the Cakewalk store?
 
A note on the interfaces. I posted a similar question on the Homerecording BBS, but got VERY confused on the answers. Both the FA-08 and MOX8 have built in audio interfaces. However, everyone seemed to think that buying an external interface (like the Komplete Audio) was better due to Latency. Is this true? I believe I could do basic recording (sounds from the keyboard) as well as Midi through the USB connection of the keyboard. Is latency an issue there? If I connect things that way, I plug the monitors (or headphones) directly into the keyboard. Can I hear the virtual instruments in this configuration?
 
If I have an AI, I assume I connect both the lineouts and midi out of the keyboard into the Audio interface, as well as the monitors. In this configuration, I assume there is no need for a USB connection to the computer? Also, in this configuration, you set up your DAW to use this interface, and not the Creative Z that I already have?
I was looking specifically at the Komplete Audio product, as it does include Kontakt as well as several gig of sounds. I thought it may be a good introduction to VST instruments and Midi.
 
One final question.  On the Cakewalk site, they are advertising SPLAT with lifetime for $499;  however, when I log in and put it in my cart, it shows a price of $525.  Any reason why?
 
Again, my sincere thanks to each of you who has responded with advice.

If you're looking for the best deal hit up Larry in the 'Deals' Forum.
 
Rocky

The core program is the same for all versions of Sonar - the differences lie in the bells and whistles. However, if you're focusing on synth work, etc, I would sink the money into NI Komplete and get a cheaper DAW. That'll give you more mileage in the short term and give you the enormous playground of Komplete to play around in, and that'll be way more fun than trying to learn everything about a DAW.
 
Yeah, forgot about the workstation - the DAW fills that job way better.  If you're playing ONLY piano, then get an 88-key hammered keyboard controller. Otherwise, get a 61-key semi-weighted controller and it'll be more flexible for playing organ, strings, synths, basslines, drums, as well as good for piano too - again, a lot of the stuff that's in Komplete.  And the NI plugs are way more user-friendly and usable than what comes with Sonar.
 
I used to look to Sonar for the plug-ins, then invested in Komplete, and then bumped down to the "Studio" version of Sonar. Only now I'm considering going back to Platinum for the lifetime updates (whatever that means, but at least good for a few years, I figure), and the added effect plug-ins, not so much the synths.

husker
 
A note on the interfaces. I posted a similar question on the Homerecording BBS, but got VERY confused on the answers. Both the FA-08 and MOX8 have built in audio interfaces. However, everyone seemed to think that buying an external interface (like the Komplete Audio) was better due to Latency. Is this true? I believe I could do basic recording (sounds from the keyboard) as well as Midi through the USB connection of the keyboard. Is latency an issue there? If I connect things that way, I plug the monitors (or headphones) directly into the keyboard. Can I hear the virtual instruments in this configuration?
 
If I have an AI, I assume I connect both the lineouts and midi out of the keyboard into the Audio interface, as well as the monitors. In this configuration, I assume there is no need for a USB connection to the computer? Also, in this configuration, you set up your DAW to use this interface, and not the Creative Z that I already have?

I can recall the learning process that I went through when I first set up my MIDI studio.  The signal routing and such was confusing at first.  In the old days you pretty much needed an external mixer to (a) provide decent pre-amps and (b) to connect all the line outs from the external synth hardware and such, and route them to your sound card.
 
But with today's sound interfaces, when they are hooked up to your PC and powered via USB, the PC becomes the mixer in a mixer-less configuration. Everything gets mixed "in the box", and you only need one set of speakers or studio monitors.  Actually, you could still use an external mixer, but the signal path and learning curve becomes more complex, and is not really necessary in a basic studio setup.
 
Since you mentioned the Komplete Audio 6, here is a diagram from NI that shows a basic setup:

A few things come to mind here.  The first is that the keyboard is shown using the MIDI cables run to the Audio 6.  This would be common for a pro keyboard, but many controllers also come with a USB connection and/or MIDI, so you can run straight to a PC USB port which will be running a USB-MIDI driver.  No audio is passed over the USB-MIDI connection, unlike the Audio 6 which sends both midi and audio as digital data over it's USB path.
 
All that being said, you voiced a desire earlier to be able to hear the internal sounds from your keyboard.  So your next decision is going to be where to route your audio line outs from the keyboard.  That is not shown in the diagram. The setup shown above will only let you hear the virtual instruments being played via MIDI control "in the box", over the monitors connected to the Audio 6.
 
There are a couple of options. 
 
One will require you to fire up that PC if you want to hear your keyboard sounds, and with the benefit of being able to record the audio line out from your keyboard when desired.  To do that simply to plug the line outs from your keyboard into the Audio 6. 
 
The playing without a PC option will probably require another set of speakers or amp connected directly to your keyboard line outs, with no recording option for the audio from your keyboard.  There are other options that could include an external mixer, but that is probably beyond the scope of this thread.
 
Best of luck to you and I wish you success!

husker
Abacab (my fav Genesis song, BTW)

Mine too :-)
 
I don't know the specifics on that NI interface, but it's very likely that the mixer software is part of the driver that runs on the PC.  It also seems to be completely USB bus powered.
 
Maybe somebody else here, or the sales team at NI, can clarify this for you. 
 
Here is a list of audio interfaces on the Cakewalk Knowledge Base:
http://www.cakewalk.com/S...n-Audio-Hardware-Guide
 
And there is at least one on that list that can function as a standalone mixer - no personal knowledge here, just what I read :-)
http://www.motu.com/products/motuaudio/audio-express
"Stand-alone operation — bring the Audio Express to your gig, with or without a computer. Just plug in the included power adapter and you are ready to go. Need to tweak the mix? Just turn the front-panel knobs."

Bristol_Jonesey
On the other hand, if you take your time, work through the tutorials, watch instructional videos and read as many articles as you can, then no.
 

One day I plan to do just that.
 
Welcome to the forum husker. Some cool dudes and ladies here willing to help (as you've already witnessed).
 
Not much to add other than I'm still an IT guy (programming in PHP at 63.5 years old). I also made the full transition from tape (originally 8 track Tascam R2R, the 24 channels of ADAT) to DAW.
 
I own Studio One 3 Pro, Reaper and Harrison's MIxbus 32/32C.
 
SONAR Plat is the easiest to navigate IMO and as others have said, start out just learning to record, edit and mix. Since you're a keyboard player I would focus on MIDI in the following two ways.
 
1. As pure MIDI using a soft synth such as Dimension Pro or Rapture. Your keyboard should be able to drive those sounds. 
2. Then, learn the ins and outs (literally) of how to get the sounds out of your keybaord (assuming you decide on that route).
 
Then when you're ready to really go down the rabbit hole, get a copy of KOMPLETE Ultimate (10 is current but 11 will be out before we see 2017). Now we're talking lots and lots of samples of nearly everything you can think of. And the you'll be ready for the 3rd party add-on products for KONTAKT and be broke just like me .
 

The keyboard TS outputs plug into the input combo XLR/TS jacks on the focusrite.  Those cables use the standard 1/4" jacks. Get shielded cables if possible (not 2 wire ribbon).

husker
I do understand the importance of having a good computer to run the DAW. I build my own computers (don't judge), so that will generally not be an issue.

Unfortunately there's a bit more to building a good Windows PC DAW than sheer speed and processing power. Very often Windows-based wifi and low audio latency don't go hand in hand for example (though ethernet is generally less troublesome). Low latency audio (around 10-12 milliseconds or less between an audio signal going into an interface, the DAW processing it and it emerging as audio again) is asking Windows and the hardware to do things it's designers didn't always pay as much attention to as we might like. Power saving settings that most PC users, including gamers, would never notice at all can bring things to a popping and crackling halt.

Then there's keeping the mechanical noise of the PC down, especially if you need to use microphones anywhere near it.

Despite all that, a good DAW can be built without too much difficulty, I suggest browsing the "computers" part of the forum for some pointers, and we have some good and experienced commercial DAW builders around if you decide to look for a pre-built and configured system.

husker
My current rig is an overclocked Core I7 with 32 GB of RAM. I'll probably build another computer at Christmas, due to my other hobby (Flight Simulations, again, please don't judge). I'm a PC (and Android) guy, so Ipads and Macs do not interest me.

As it happens I'm a *nix/OS X sort of person by inclination and the only PC we have around is the (currently a bit poorly) one that runs Sonar :-) My "other DAW" is Logic Pro. Which at times makes me tear out what's left of my hair at least as much as Sonar ever has. And Sonar is far better documented and, in my opinion, has a better and more useful forum.

husker
What everyone relayed about the Artist, Pro, and Platinum sharing the same basic characterstics makes sense. On that note, perhaps SPLAT is the way to go. I have downloaded and played with all the trials, but again, I don't really know which one would "fit" my workflow. (TBH, I'm not even sure what that means.) I do like the look and feel of the Sonar and Studio One products better than Reaper.

Think of "workflow" like this. On your right is a big Moog Modular. Every function has a dedicated control and every control has a single function. On your left a workstation keyboard with a display and relatively few controls each carrying out many functions depending where you are in the operating system. The person who finds the Moog fits them best might find the workstation impenetrable, while someone else finds the workstation logical and straightforward but the Moog a mess of knobs and wires.

But in the end the Moog and workstation do the same thing - they make music.
 

husker
I'm more interested in syntheizers and sounds now. I've thought about a Midi controller only, but I do want the flexibility to just turn it on and play, and not need to worry about the computer and DAW. So I have rather limited myself to keyboard workstations.

It still might be worth your while considering adding a small 25 to 37 key controller with a faster synth action and aftertouch as well. But I'm not a pianist, so feel free to disagree.

Or even one of the smaller analogue monosynths like the Arturia Brutes, MS-20 etc.

husker
 A note on the interfaces. I posted a similar question on the Homerecording BBS, but got VERY confused on the answers. Both the FA-08 and MOX8 have built in audio interfaces. However, everyone seemed to think that buying an external interface (like the Komplete Audio) was better due to Latency.

There are two different issues, both confusingly called "latency" in DAWs. Audio latency, which is where the interface and its drivers come into play is basically how long it takes audio to get converted to digital 1s and 0s or vice versa. When you play a software synth it's the delay between pressing the key and a sound emerging from the speakers. The delay is caused by the time it takes for the DAW to process the audio. If you want to monitor an audio source you are recording through the DAW (so you hear any applied effects while recording) latency is how long it takes the audio to enter the DAW, get processed and sent out again to the monitors or headphones.

It's the bane of computer audio. To get audio latency acceptably low as possible and keep the DAW working stably what are known as "ASIO drivers" which provide low latency and let you configure it are usually required. Most audio interface manufacturers supply dedicated ASIO drivers for their kit, but it has to be said that not all are created equal. The best way, I think, to shop for interfaces is to work out what inputs and outputs you think you need, add at least a couple more then see what's available and within your budget. And feel free to ask for opinions and suggestions before commiting yourself.

You can only use one interface at a time using ASIO by the way, unless the manufacturer has written their driver specifically to cater for more than one interface from the same manufacturer.

There's a driver that's sometimes recommended or advocated around the internet called ASIO4ALL. It's intended to let you try to use the PC's built-in sound-chip as if it has a dedicated ASIO driver. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't and it can be a beast of a thing to configure. It's particularly useful if you have a laptop PC and need to use the built-in audio rather than a proper interface. Other than that specific use, a proper ASIO driver from the interface manufacturer will 99.99999% of the time do a better job.

The other kind of latency is "delayed procedure calls" when Windows has to stop giving it's attention to the DAW software and give time to another process. Which has bad consequences for audio playback and recording if dpc latency is too high. Some PCs don't suffer much from it, others do and unless the DAW has been built by a capable specialist often it can only be diagnosed and (usually) sorted out once the PC is up and running.

husker
If I have an AI, I assume I connect both the lineouts and midi out of the keyboard into the Audio interface, as well as the monitors. In this configuration, I assume there is no need for a USB connection to the computer?

USB connections can be very useful. Often not so much for audio unless the instrument has very good ASIO drivers for its interface, but for MIDI. Every MIDI device plugged directly into a PC is identified by Windows as a seperate MIDI port (sometimes more than one). Sonar in turn uses those ports and you can set up which instrument (port) controls which MIDI track and vice versa very easily. Much easier than having several instruments connected by 5-pin DIN to a single MIDI interface or daisy-chaining MIDI gear.

Another thing USB is useful for is if a synth has a software editing programme available. If you want to program your own sounds then the instruments's interface becomes crucial and many don't have a particularly user-friendly display, use a few controls for lots of different functions or can involve a lot of "menu diving" to get to functions. Modern software editors can make that job much, much easier.

I hear ya!  Best thing is to start out simple, and build up from there.  No need to over think it.  You already have a computer that should work just fine for a beginner DAW, if not more, with some tuning later.
 
Here's a plan to sleep on!
 
Get a good audio interface, one that you can grow into and hopefully won't need to replace soon. 
 
Get some good powered studio monitors.
 
Get a cheap USB MIDI controller keyboard to play around with the virtual instruments in your chosen DAW.
 
Hook it up and have fun :-)
 
You can always add more workstations, pianos, etc, later if you feel the need (or as your budget allows).  That's what the forums are for, LOL!!!

I can understand your concerns as you are at the foot of what appears to be a very large mountain. Once you hook up your first few pieces of gear it will be easier to understand. It's kinda like being read the NFL rule book. The game seems really complicated until you see or play it for a little while.
 
As a word of warning (perhaps that is too strong of a word) but you can expect some challenges. Getting everything to play nicely is sometimes a bit of a struggle. But, IMO, the rewards are worth the struggles. Case in point, I had a recent issue with the system not seeing my midi interface. Turned out to be the computer power save options were putting the USB ports to sleep and not waking them up when I started Sonar. It stemmed from my power save options getting changed by the Samsung SSD installer. Not a big deal in the end (no thousands of dollars wasted or needed) but it took some time to ferret out the issue.
 
In regards to what filtersweep was saying, I occasionally have the same desire to just play without having to start Sonar. If you shut down your computer it would take even longer to start (my Sonar system is on all the time anyway). Anyway, I have an old synth module (Dr Synth DS-330) that I got way before VSTI's were even a twinkle. With my particular midi interface (midisport) I can push the bypass button and the keyboard controiller and synth module are directly connected so I can tinker/play without starting Sonar. Probably not something you would want to duplicate but just to point out that there are different ways to skin a cat (as it were).

What this thread shows best is that everyone has their preferences :)

Taking a step back is a good idea. The most important things you should ask yourself, in my opinion, are
1. What are you hoping to achieve recording wise - just your own noodling or also record vocals, drums, etc.
2. How do you write your music - do you mind a fair amount of beat programming, etc, or do you prefer playing piano and letting the music take you wherever? This is a workflow question.

I think workstations are nearly obsolete in a pro environment except for sketches, but I know plenty of guys who like to compose on one for the immediacy it gives. Find a sound, play it, get inspired, hit rec, find the next sound, etc.

All the interface stuff and which DAW to pick is kinda secondary, really. Plenty of interfaces work fine, some workstation/USB based interfaces work fine, and essentially most DAWs are interchangeable (yes I said it). If you go with a DAW, the best suggestion I can give is to really learn the one you pick. As a software professional, I'm sure you can appreciate that a program works best when the user knows where to look and what to click.