ChrisMack99 wrote: So maybe I'd have a drum track and some lead synth sounds playing and I'd pick up my bass and play it, but then in the next scene I'd have a crushing bass line and I'd play ambient sounds on my midi keyboard (also through Ableton, but not pre-recorded). Stuff that finds ways to involve both pre-recorded clips coming from Ableton and real time (likely improved) playing.
Novation SL + LP would serve your purpose the best-covering all your needs for least money, though APC + MPK would be as good. Forget the rest, Novation and Akai have the best keys, both sets are excellent, wont say one is better than other, Novation-less weight and size but Akai bit more solid but more weight and size. I had Akais but settled for Novations- keys feel better (for me but does not mean generally better than Akai, just different). I dont use Automap server just regular automaping of SL and LP. Bought Noctrun as well just to realize that i dont need it, SL+LP cover Live fine - both studio and stage (depending on situation I use more keyboards and controllers mainly for other softwares, modules etc).