New With ??? About My Set Up Options

[torchsong]

Hi, new girl here with lots of questions about hardware and software.
I've read just about everything I can that is somewhat related to my situation but still have ????

I am a cellist and vocalist and want to make backing tracks to play with live and also make demo recordings on my computer. I come from the portastudio school of home recordings so the MIDI stuff is making me nuts!

Here's what I have:
imac running OS 9.2
DX7
Boss DRmkII
Behringer Eurorack
MOTU Fast Lane
Metro 5
OMS 2.3.8 grrrrrrr.....
cello with pickup (although I usually am miked for studio recording)
guitars
cables

I've tried to keep the basic set up simple but am having problems with OMS I think. Metro doesn't seem to like to work with Free MIDI.
I am also having problems playing back audio after recording a track, how am I supposed to hear what I've played to do over dubs?

BTW, I downloaded Pro Tools Free to try it out and just can't get the thing to open (memory error 1,010) so I gave up and went with Metro instead because it was inexpensive to start.

Thanks for any help, this is a great site!

[Tone]

Greetings all

I read the comment by damann on MIDI concerning the Digi and thought it was a good point to jump in.
I started home recording only this year (using a 001 and a Korg Triton Le WS ) and I am happy with the general progress made - thanks to advice from yourselves and other excellent forums.
I must say, the MIDI facilities on my 001 have been a godsend. I can get a tight rhythm section, change the groove and randomise to my hearts/ears content. (and it's flexibility makes it bloody addictive!). Cheating? Maybe, but for somebody at my entry level who is quite far off making the step-up to professional studios and session musicians - its superb!
Now my queries;
1. A common point of critique from others kind enough to listen and offer advice on my songs is the "cheesy" sound from my Triton. Particularly backgroung fillers (strings, soft synths etc) and keyboard sounds. I know you get what you pay for but, like everyone, I would really like to give my comps a better sound. Does anyone out there have any suggestions where and how I can improve (or add to) these sounds. [There is a provision for using a separate sampler card but I didn't buy it and wouldn't know how to get the best from it if I did.]
Maybe a stupid question but I have to ask.

2. I experimented with the "Compressor" plug-in (on the Master Fader only!) with excellent results - more by luck than good management. Are there set rules which elements (Vox/Inst?) usually require compression and under what circumstances would a Limiter be preferred to a Compressor?

I trust the MIDI comments and these two queries are approriate to the forum

Thanks to all
Tony