Logic - Where To Start!?!?, Need help with equipment and setting up Options

[maxryzone]

Ok...I have this software, installed it...and I thought it would be easier to use. I actually thought it would be like SOUNDTRACK. However, I am seeing how wrong I was...

Can anyone help me to tell me what I need to do to get started? what equipment I need (MIDI, equalizer)? If anyone can show me a visualization of connections that would be great. Please help...

[ROBBO2003]

Been a professional logic user since 2000. Here are some observations.
1) logic has improved in performance over the years. Logic Pro 7 being the best yet.
2) Most problems arise from Emagic having to make an extremely
complex app work on many computer platforms and still be relatively simple to use. Obviously this didn't work too well, so now it's a Mac App only. Looks like it's based on Cocoa now, and thankfully, is much more stable. I really believe that the problems most users have been dogged with are not Emagic's fault, but rather
the vagarities in differing OS's and Hardware set-ups.
3) I still run LP6.3 in OS9 as well as Pro 7 in OS10.3. Pro 7 is much more efficient but I keep LP6 for some special plug-ins.
4) Here's the kicker: I'm still using the Mac G4 450Mhz DP I purchased in 2000!!! If anything, the performance has improved a lot with OS10.3, and I don't use OS9 for music much now at all.
This machine is five years old!!!
5)Logic has allowed me to produce top quality projects for myself and many others. (I have a new CD out - totally produced in Logic.)
6) To use Logic and similar software properly, you need a good understanding of music theory and audio engineering. Being able to get around a piano keyboard is also an advantage.
7) Full range monitoring quality speakers and high quality microphones are a must!!! You can't mix what you can't hear, so most computer and bookshelf type speakers don't cut it. You should spend at least the same amount of money on these items as you would on the computer and software.
8) To my mind, you can't make good music without training. These apps do speed the process up a bit but nothing substitutes for hard work (many, many hours) and talent (the X factor).
9) I don't think Logic was ever a hobbist's app. It's touted that way but don't believe the hype. Let's just hope Apple don't "dumb" it down anymore than it already is just to sell more copies. Rocket science it isn't, but neither is it a "walk in the park on a sunny day".