To get started, you will want either a "workstation" keyboard or a "production center"-style drum machine/sampler.

A workstation keyboard is a keyboard that has a sequencer. Most keyboards are simply controllers or synthesizers. With those, you need something else, like a computer, to actually compose the beats. All a synth does is makes sounds. A workstation combines the sound generation of a synth with the ability to record tracks into the sequencer. On a workstation, you can lay down the beat track by track, recording every sequence, and it will play it back — basically, all in one. They all have tons of built-in sounds and the ability to edit sounds, and some include sampling capability. Yamaha’s Motif, various Korg products, and Roland’s Fantom are all popular workstations. You can buy older products on eBay, such as the Korg Trinity and Triton workstations, which are still great production tools. In fact, sometimes I even dust off my old Korg N364 workstation, which still turns out music you could never make on Fruity Loops.

A "production center" is basically an over-blown drum machine, sampler, and sequencer all in one. They have pads on them instead of a keyboard, but they work basically the same way as keyboard workstations. You can lay down a whole track, sound by sound, by using the pads. Some people prefer these to keyboard workstations. They let you tweak the sounds more easily than a keyboard and they are simpler for laying down drums, but nothing beats a real keyboard for laying down bass lines, chords, and melody. I think it’s like comparing tacos and hamburgers: sometimes you want a taco, sometimes you want a hamburger. I use both, something together connected by midi. Akai’s MPC series is considered the industry standard, although I like several Yamaha machines, as well as some of the Korg Electribes. MPC’s have the best ability to deal with samples, but I personally like the synthesis of the Electribes the best. Electribes have a worthless sequencer, though, so you would need a workstation or computer-based sequencer.

Industry-wide, most people would recommend an MPC. With that, you’ll have a blast chopping up samples and sequencing hot beats. You should still consider a keyboard workstation, though, because you can do different things with them.

Pro tools le 8…..Reason….Logic…But i like Cubase the most….As far as software goes…

Keyboards…Korg M3, Roland fantom G8,Yamaha Motif XS8

For hardware…MPC 2000xl…..MPC 4000…..MPC 3000…..MPC 60II….MV-8800…..

Some good turntables…..nice monitors(speakers)….a good mic. Bass Guitar….(Mine is a Goth Thunderbird)

I personally like the hardware for than software. It feels better than just clicking with a mouse. Also the sample will only sound as good as what you put into the machine, so get good samples…get real music…nothing synthesized. Also real Drums are a lot better than stuff taken from cd samples….if your going to sample…sample good. I would say watch just blaze or Pete Rock.