MIDI Controller Advice?

Looks like I need a new keyboard to control soft synths. Some keys have stopped working on my ancient Roland D-50. The battery went dead years ago and all the internal sounds were lost, so I use it only as a controller. I'm not a keyboard player. I just play chords and some percussion. As a guitarist, I know squat about MIDI, so my question is, what should I buy? Are there features I won't be able to live without, or features that I will never use? I'm used to the 61 keys on the D-50, and as a non-player I rely on the sustain pedal, so those are kind of my only requirements.
Awaiting enlightenment and guidance. Thanks!

Mine's an M-Audio Axiom 49 I got for REALLY cheap used in excellent condition. I think the larger versions have weighted keys, but either way this one is brilliant and very simple to use, with loads of functions - 8 pads, 8 knobs, 9 lides+ buttons, built-in octave shift and transpositions, playback buttons and pitch bend/mod wheels.

AndyB01
If you want a midi controllerthat feels like a piano and don't need all those pads, knobs, faders and buttons the Roland A-88 is hard to beat imho.

A-88 has Ivory Feel G Roland mechanics, the future development of PHA alpha II, so light mechanic. Its competition are other light actions (Fatar, Yamaha, Korg, Kawai and Casio). Not absolutely, but some people think it wins there. But not against in-house PHA II/III and all other heavier things (RH, GH, etc.)
General statement "hard to beat" can not be applied to A-88, VPC-1 is the only portable MIDI keyboard with real piano mechanics. "Portable" does not mean light, 30kg (double A88 weight) is the price for all that wood... So "beat in which parameters" should be defined before the winner can be chosen
All that is about hammer actions, so I guess off-topic...

AndyB01
All fair points, these things are incredibly subjective although the A-88 is no lightweight at 27Kgs

Weights:
Kawai VPC-1 (RM3) 29.5 kg
Studiologic SL88 (Fatar T40Wood) 20.8kg
Roland A-88 (Roland G Feel) 15.9kg
NI S88 (Fatar TP100?) 14.4 kg
Yamaha P-45 (GHS) 11.kg
 

I stand corrected - no idea where I got 27Kg from - takes some lifting on and off the stand that's all I know. 😂

AndyB01
I stand corrected - no idea where I got 27Kg from - takes some lifting on and off the stand that's all I know. 😂

Just to make it clear, my replies was not thought as offense, attempts to correct, etc. Please excuse me if from the text they can be perceived as such (English is not my native language).
 
When I was looking for DP, then for MIDI controller(s) and later dealing with Control Surfaces, I have noticed that hardware producers tend to be inaccurate in technical specification. Especially common components and old technologies used in new products are normally not mentioned explicitly. That is fine and an obvious part of marketing, new product should be seen by potential customers as innovative, exclusive and the best overall. But I think for end users, it is good to know all these details. Normally the reality is not bad, just not as shiny as in official ads. 

azslow3

AndyB01
I stand corrected - no idea where I got 27Kg from - takes some lifting on and off the stand that's all I know. 😂

Just to make it clear, my replies was not thought as offense, attempts to correct, etc. Please excuse me if from the text they can be perceived as such (English is not my native language).

None taken (offence I mean), your English looks pretty good from here. 😊

When people are asking for advice, opinion is important but the information has to be accurate so you were right to call it out. Mea culpa (Latin not my first language) 😉

Andy

Thank you everyone for all the advice. I've been away for a few weeks so didn't see most of these posts until now. I feel more confident in shopping for a new controller.