Software synth & Sequencer

I have a digital piano (Kawai CN33) and I really want to make my own music. The sort of music I'd like to make would be piano based electronic/dance style. Quite atmospheric & trancey - similar to Underworld (but obviously not as good). I would like to lay down a bass line, drums & maybe some other strings and add in some voice and other samples. I don't want to spend a fortune on equipment as I've already spent quite a bit on my piano and I want to be sure I enjoy and am any good at making my own music. Because of this I have decided to go down the software route. Ideally I'm looking to spend under

a. welcome to the forum

b. you need an asio audio interface with midi input > computer (must be a modern machine - faster dual or quad-core highly reccomended)

c. you need a "Host" application like Reaper, CuBase or my fave : LIVE

d. lots of free synths & efx at KVR.com - plug in to the Host

e. you need lots of practice to learn this technology

and Just Keep on Rockin'

Thanks for the reply mister natural.

I'm going to be upgrading to a new PC shortly (probably an i7 quad core). When you say I'll need a you need an asio audio interface with midi input do you mean a sound card such as a M-Audio Audiophile 2496? Also do you think it is worth getting a software synth such as Sylenth1 or Z3ta+ or just go for a free one such as Togu Audio Line TAL-NoiseMaker?

>M-Audio Audiophile 2496? - yup, it's a very proven interface

the Korg Legacy softsynths are nice esp the analog ones, the M1 and Waevstation might sound too much like Robert Miles or Yanni, I like those however

n-track studio is a nice cheap sequencer. You can check it out at http://www.fasoft.com There`s tons of free stuff out there. For bread and butter sounds you can use soundfonts and use softsynths for cool noise. Good Luck!