[billygomberg]

that's good advice. I have the yamaha mixer and love it. clean and flexible. I wouldn't recommend a behringer for the sound or build quality, but if you are looking to cut a corner and are going to be gigging a lot, behringer's take a beating and are dirt cheap (if it breaks it won't break yr wallet or, worse, yr heart!).

Getting one well built and deep synthesizer will keep you going for years. Invest wisely, but don't short yourself here if you are really looking for an instrument. Reaktor does do great "pad" sounds, dig deep in the user lib or get programming! If Reaktor does indeed do what you need, you can save some money on hardware.

I don't know from drum machines. unless you are cashing in on some vintage gear, modern drum machines are not blowing minds much these days. I'd recommend routing this $$$

I purchased an m-audio axiom 25 used at a good price. it's not fantastic, it's not teensy, but it does what i need it to do.

and at the very least, get a MOTU interface for your computer.

I guess, uh, there's a lil echo in here....