Hello! I am searching for a good midi-(master?-)keyboard. - 49 keys - keys should make fun to play with! - keyboard should be easy to use (functionable) - keyboard should work well together with Sonar X1 studio (and softsynths, especially those from Komplete) - use it only with notebook / usb-midi-interface, audio no necessary - price: 100-200 Which of the following keyboards would you recommend? Perhaps you have another advice? In the internet, I found those: - Alexis QX49 - Behringer U-Control UMX 490 - Roland A-500 Pro (a little bit too expensive) - M-Audio Axiom 2nd Generation - Samson Carbon 49 (perhaps too simple?)

The Roland A-500pro and A-500s both have 49 keys. A-500pro costs $350 A-500s costs $200 I purchased my 500s from Amazon. I am just a beginner so I cannot comment on the quality difference. I just thought the 500s would be a good introductory module.

I would lean toward the A500 Pro, although I like the AlesisQX49.
I have had an Edirol PCR-M50(predecessor to the A500) for six years. It has been subjected to some fairly aggressive treatment in that time, and has never missed a lick.
You will probably want to get an audio interface, though. Playing a MIDI controller realtime requires the sound card to be able to handle very low latency. The sound card in your notebook is designed to run optimally at 500ms latency. That's half a second. While that is perfectly fine for playing movies or you tube videos, it is horrible for real time recording with a controller and soft synths. Plan on setting around $200 aside for a proper interface.