ATTN: Keyboard/Synth players

I'm looking to add some new "orchestra" sounds to my music, so I thought it'd be easier to replicate them on a keyboard/synth instead of learning a bunch of new instruments.

Any keyboards/synths you would recommend (somewhere in the $300-$400 range).

Also, what kinds of instruments can keyboards/synths commonly recreate?

I have the Casio WK3000. It cost me £300 several years ago, so I would imagine it would be in your price range. The keyboard does pretty much every instrument, and you can create your own tones and use DSP (digital signal processing) effects, which are all fully customizable, and then you can store them in the keyboard's memory.

Are you using software to record?

if you have a Midi controller keyboard you can use VST's to emulate different sounds by interfacing with your PC.

Yeah, I use audacity.

i don't think it has a built in midi controller. if you used reaper, then it would. what you can do is get something like this...

http://www.guitarcenter.com/M-Audio-Keystation-61es-USB-MIDI-Controller-102791126-i1155202.gc

it has not hardware sound capiblitites and will rely on your computer. you can then use SVT's to make it make sound using your soundcard midi ports.

I have been thinking about getting one for a while now.

Well, I have a workstation with midi inputs/outputs, so that should be no big deal.