Reddit mentions of AKAI Professional APC40MKII | USB-Powered MIDI Controller for Mac / PC with Clip Launch Matrix, Knobs & Faders, and Pro Software Suite Included

Here's what I would do (and have done) to get started:

Visuals

• Get a laptop with a decent graphics card
  
• Download Resolume Arena 6 (free, with watermark on output)
  
• Download free visuals from Beeple to play with
  
• Optional: Buy a MIDI controller to make control easier, especially for future performances. This is my personal favorite, but you could use something like this too.
  
• Optional: connect to a projector and point it at something weird in your room and try to projection map it
  
  Lighting
  
  
• Download GrandMA2 and MA3D
  
• Watch a LOT of tutorials (Console Training to start, Christian Jackson for more advanced things)
  
• Start making small rigs and visualize them using MA3D, controlling them with MA2
  
• Optional: Learn how to connect a MIDI controller using remote inputs
  
• NOTE: to actually output from MA you need MA hardware. This is expensive, but you are also learning the most used lighting software in the entertainment industry and it will be invaluable information. If you want to get outputting lights using professional software for a relatively affordable price, consider the Elation M-Touch.
  
  
  Lasers
  
  
• Download the QuickShow demo
  
• Learn how to use it
  
• Learn and understand rules around using lasers at events and what is required (I.E. variances!)
  
• Take proper training as you could literally blind someone if you do this wrong
  
  Pyro
  
  
• Ask a professional for real training
  
• Absolutely do not do this yourself
  
• ...That is, unless you are interested in fire spinning on stage AKA flowarts, in which case, I can help you with that too. But I am assuming you are talking about controlled pyrotechnics here.
  
  Atmospheric
  
  
• Learn the difference between a fogger, hazer, and Co2
  
• Learn the difference between an oil based hazer and a water based one

id go for
https://www.amazon.co.uk/AKAI-Professional-APC-Bus-Powered-64-Button/dp/B00J3ZCVCS/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1519217690&sr=8-13&keywords=akai

then add

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Numark-Portable-Controller-Serato-Interface/dp/B074D5NXT7/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1519217793&sr=1-1&keywords=numark+dj2go2

when you have more money or......

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00J3YYSUW/ref=sxbs_sxwds-stvpv2_2?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_p=1624861107&pd_rd_wg=lSpZx&pf_rd_r=462H3VBSR0JEHG872W0Y&pf_rd_s=desktop-sx-bottom-slot&pf_rd_t=301&pd_rd_i=B00J3YYSUW&pd_rd_w=ba3Kj&pf_rd_i=akai+mpc&pd_rd_r=1d8e7736-eb44-4a74-bbbe-f9b7e9149ace&ie=UTF8&qid=1519217874&sr=2

or similar second hand

I've had an APC40 for years and I love mine to death, but that's my biggest gripe with it too. Keep an eye out for deals on the APC40 Mk II, it's layout is a little different and would probably necessitate some workflow changes, but it's USB-powered.

This one here. The faders and knobs respond the same way in Lightkey which gives me a lot to work with.