Does your friend need a keyboard with a sequencer or will he be recording directly to the computer (or what ever recording tool he uses)?

For about $800 you may have to look at an arranger like the Yamaha PSRs or the Korg pa50 or even check out the new Roland GW7.


If you can extend the 800 a little, have a look at the Roland Fantom XA (it is the Fantom X with a few less features).