[Arakk]

Currently I am set to graduate with a bachelor's in finance for summer '08. Math is great, in the respect that it comes easily to me, but for years now I have always thought about how if I could choose, I would want to be a trance artist.

Getting started in one aspect is dropping a few thousand dollars on some tables, mixer, pa system, and other equipment to practice on. That much is clear to me. If I were to set this as a path I wouldn't want to simply be a jukebox of sorts at clubs and the like, though I understand thats the method of getting on the scene and figuring things out etc.

As far as professional creation of trance and electronic music in general I am totally clueless. I know there are lots of programs out there that can put a significant dent in the wallet, naturally all of the companies say they're professional quality and the best and whatnot.

Is there any sort of equipment, software, or otherwise available and "affordable" tools out there that are professional quality? Some specifics would be appreciated. If creating your own work can be done primarily through software (at least starting work) what programs might I consider? I would like to start getting familiar with such things before summer '08, at which point I plan to be some sort of financial consultant by day and a dj by night/weekends at least to start and really see if its a career I can see myself committing to.

I really don't want to get anything that I'm going to want to replace a few miles down the road, so please don't let cost affect your suggestions, I would really like to hear what "the best" is (regarding software).

Thanks.