I use the Roland A-37 as my contoller. It has a good key feel and allows me to save 128 total setups (voices & effects). With this I operate all the controls of forte Ensemble and the various samplers and associated effects.

When you use something like Kontakt and voices of the Bardstown Bosendorfer Piano, VRSound Sax, Scrabee Bass, Garritan Strings, VSL Orchestra Instruments quality it comes very close to sounding like the real thing. These virtual instruments are expensive but worth it. For live performances you may not need this high a quality of sound but for studio work you will quickly see (hear) the benefits!!!