cakewalk is a decent program to learn the basics on but you'll want to upgrade to cubase or logic audio after awhile. look for some decent used synths. there's always the 303 for those classic synth lines. if you want more software based studio (which will save you money if you get "test" copies of the softsynths off the internet) look at simsynth, reaktor, fm7, etc. fruityloops has a synth built in and it's really easy to create drum tracks with. reason is a great bit of kit. danny tangelia has used it to create entire tracks. it's got tons of stuff built into it. multiple softsynths, a sequencer, virtual mixer, effects and a lot more. you'll absolutely want to get a good set of near field studio monitors and a good soundcard that was built for recording! cheers.

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i also would say cubase and reason with a midi synthesizer or usb anyway you should have need to have 1 for producing though!

I don't mean to be a prick at all but there is aproducing forum right below this one. they would probably answer your question much better there...

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