Artist/animator Seeks Help!, what equip do i need to setup? Options

[rustik]

hey all you masters of music....i am an collage artist/flash animator seeking to come up with her own sound tracks for my animations. although i have had over 15 years on the mac working in graphic/web programs, i have no experience whatsoever in the music arena. I have read a few posts but i get dizzy because i know so little!:( i assume the basics of input are similar to art however.

i would like to find out what hardware i need to be able to compose..add to...and change my own songs...here are some questions:
1) is this mode of thinking correct?
you use a digi keyboard to input a basic "tune". this tune is then brought into the mac via a) the input audio on the back of the mac or b) "some hardware" maybe that MBOX box?
shall i assume the mac audio is lamo or inappropriate for most needs...and i would want some other part to bring in the sound? is it necessary? me thinkin costs here...you know.
2) then a software interface is needed to bring in the tune...as in photoshop being your interface to twain up a scanner....? is this protools? logic? reason? i have seen an mbox on ebay that came with protools...makes me think this is the interface...? really lost here.
3) finally, is protools ( or whatever software...) also able to warp out these inputted tunes¿ i would like to add sounds from my house, like beer cans smacking together, and add them to my tune. what will i need to make the basic tune sound like a guitar? or a sax? or a clarinet?
(please don't tell me, a sax, a clarinet and a guitar!!!!)

i know know i am lost with questions. i have looked all over for a decent "you need THIS" article, but the sheer volume of choices and equipments prevents me from finding it!

HELP!!! i am eager to melt visual and audio into one experience!

J>

[rustik]

I am not sure about what software i will end up with! i had MAJOR trouble on the arcuria site....very slow loading or non-loading pages and when i finally got the storm demo from version tracker (ftp:arcuria!), it was corrupt 3 times in a row. so i am not getting anywhere trying out the storm stuff. downloaded the reason 2.0 demo this afternoon. it is WAY lookin like i need to spend time bonding with some manuals!:) aside from the usual demo hassles....i may be able to begin learning some of this right away, even before i purchase anything.


is there anything specific i should be looking for in the way of the keyboard???
i don't understand the idea of a dummy midi keyboard? what is this? virtual synths. ....i am sorry this lingo is still sinking into my gray matter.

as for the MBOX --hardhware--and protools software....i think the sheer cost is keeping me away from it for now. as a beginner, i will keep things simple and attempt to learn stuff one at a time. i am definitely leaning towards Reason at this point.

man, thanx for all this simple and good advice! i would still be reading my 100th sound article if i wasn't HERE!


J>