Sampling?, what programs do i need for that Options

[moneytrain]

hi,
i'm new to the whole digital autio thing an have some questions cause i know basically nothing. in several months i'll be buying an ibook, and i would like to create some music on it. so i have read something about samplers and stuff, but can you use them as standalone products, or do you need programs like garageband, and why? as i am into hip-hop, i took a look at the jampack2 from apple, and i kinda like it, but i read you need garageband to use it. i also took a look at native instrument's battery 2, would i need garageband to use it? i have no clue.
which programs would you recommend for a total beginner?

thanks a lot,

(p)

[Dave Bourke]

All Native Instruments samplers and synths will run both as standalones and as VST or AU plug-ins. MOTU's Mach 5 is a plug-in only. Linplug instruments are plug-ins only, too.

The rule is: if it's a plug-in, you need a sequencer or a VST or AU host to get sound out of it. If it's standalone, it turns your iBook into a synth module.

For a total beginner, I'd recommend Mackie's Tracktion. Very, very, very good, and a more powerful sequencer than GarageBand (and less of a resource hog). It's normally $80 but they're doing a free licence giveaway at the moment. Details at the Mackie site, I believe.

Kind regards.