heyyyy my man! yes indeed, and once you start using a midi controller keyboard, it is impossible to do without. for real man, know that. two octaves is really quite doable, make sure it has like 6 knobs and some drum pads too, possibly faders. faders are nice to hook up to the faders and then do your mixdown with your hands instead of the mouse. doesnt sound like much but it is, its really a thing. so i am a huge fan of e-mu products, and really like the x-board. this is a very personal thing, and it is not necessarily the best choice for you what with being a noob and all. but dont get any of those mini things, get the full size keys. its just better. you dont have to get weighed keys, the plasticy ones are fine. but get the good size keys and a reasonable amount of octaves. which leads me to m-audio gear. its good gear for really cheap. this guy is 169 pounds
http://www.amazon.com/Novation-Laun...th-weighted/dp/B00B9QONQQ?tag=audiowebazon-20 just an example off the top of my head. i wouldnt want to spend more than 100 eur so this guy is looking like my boyfriend
http://www.thomann.de/nl/arturia_mi...origin=boost&gclid=CKephPOlp8kCFUS4GwodkngNAA
this one is looking a tad too squashed together, like i said, i want the keys to be nice and full body size, the mini keys are not conductive for creativity imo
http://www.thomann.de/nl/akai_mpk_mini_mk2.htm?sid=5f630d628abfe75fee2ec0b76d74f312
this one looks kind of nice, but i would like faders, and its a tad too expxensive.
http://www.thomann.de/nl/novation_impulse_25.htm
whats your price range? and what genre are you going to be producing masterworks in? and what programs?
id say the emu x-board 48 actually. might be hard to find, since they dont make them any more, but they are groovy. its like my acoustic guitar, its this really obtuse shaped guitar from spain, its really rigid, oak plank, that doesnt feel comfy to play at all when you first try it, but once you get into it, its the only guitar.