A few questions for the production-savvy...
 

1. What kind of mic would be most effective for recording acoustic piano?

2. Is it logical to sample real piano recordings and use them to make beats?

3. Can you get a decent quality electric keyboard to record directly into a computer with for under $1000?

1. depends you can get some decent dynamic mics for recording instruments but you can also get decent condenser mics for doin the same job

also make sure the polar pattern is suitable for where you put it over the strings on the piano

2. as long as you use a metronome when recording it is perfectly logical so you know the bpm of the sample you're creating

3. yep you jus gotta shop around for the best deal