I use a cheap small form factor keyboard with trackpad in my studio space. it's on a sliding drawer so I can move it out of the way. It may just be me, but I don't use the keyboard much while recording. I have templates that already label tracks that i use often in sessions, so the keyboard/trackpad is there to give file names to sessions and to sometime set looping points to punch in or overdub a section.
Even with the keyboard drawer tucked away, I can cheat, and reach in and hit the space bar to start or stop the transport.
If I was better or more dedicated to engineering (rather than a man o'many hats) I keep better session notes where'd I'd really be "typing", but basically I care little for the the comfort or ergonomics of the studio space computer keyboard. I may be setting a bad example in this regard, but this is one user's report. I know if I was a real keyboard instrument player, I'd care much much more about the musical keyboard being placed right in the studio.
When my long-time keyboard player friend was able to play in the studio space he used keyboards on stage stands away from the recording computer altogether.
In my small home office "Studio B" where I do most of my mixing, fine editing, and so forth, I do care about the computer keyboard. I use combination monitor riser and keyboard drawer that sits on top my desk surface, and when pulled out the computer keyboard drawer slides both out and down. This keeps the monitor at eye level and the keyboard at the proper comfort level. When I want to record an overdub of a guitar part in "Studio B", the keyboard drawer once more can slide out of the way. It's this 3M one:
3M monitor stand, keyboard tray
I type a great deal in my home office. thousands of words every week on top of the recording work. There I care about the computer keyboard quite a bit.
As to operating a keyboard and a DAW, I use a MIDI controller from the Nektar Impact line. The key action is good enough for the (hack!) likes of me and there are full DAW transport controls on the keyboard.
Nektar Impact keyboard controllers at Sweetwater
How do I use a MIDI controller keyboard in the tight confines of my home office? I put in my lap, and it stays tucked in a corner on it end when not in use. Again, I'm not recommending that for real keyboardist players, but it works for me in my tight space. Anybody who gives me grief about that and I'm breaking out a keytar!
