Best Keyboards for Professional Musicians

Yamaha CK-88

• Pros:
  • Great price for its features.
  • Suitable for professional musicians.

Comments: "Yamaha CK-88 is awesome for its price and hits all those needs you’re looking for except the drums."

Roland RD08

• Pros:
  • Known for 88 weighted keys.
  • New model available for $1000.

Comments: "Probably a Roland RD08 that just came out, assuming you want 88 weighted keys."

Arturia

• Pros:
  • Offers a variety of high-end 88 key weighted MIDI controllers.
  • Known for durability and quality sound.

Comments: "Arturia would be my go-to. They make a lot of cheaper options that stem away from the 'professional producer' bit you're looking for."

Nektar LX88+

• Pros:
  • Full-size option.
  • Quieter keys compared to others.

Comments: "Nektar LX88+ is a good one if full size is an option. It's also more quiet than the others with the key clanking so it'd be nice for you!"

Native Instruments S-Series

• Pros:
  • Offers software/hardware integration.
  • Compatible with major DAWs.

Comments: "Native Instruments S-Series are very nice. Through the Komplete Kontrol software, there’s lots of software/hardware integration and it works in pretty much all major DAWs."

Native M32

• Pros:
  • Affordable price.
  • Positive reviews.

Comments: "Native M32 (32 keys is plenty) is like £90 or thereabouts on Amazon, I plan to get one myself, it gets great reviews."

Additional Advice:

• Get him a gift card to choose his own controller.
• Consider his DAW, VST, and software preferences for compatibility.
• Look into models from Arturia, Novation, Akai, M-Audio, and Alesis.
• Take him to a store to pick out the keyboard that suits his needs.

Overall Summary:

• Yamaha CK-88 and Roland RD08 are popular choices for professional musicians based on features and price.
• Arturia offers high-end MIDI controllers suitable for professionals.
• Nektar LX88+, Native Instruments S-Series, and Native M32 have their own advantages worth considering.
• Customization and compatibility with existing setup are key factors in selecting the best keyboard.