Best Software For Hardcore Electro-ish & Vst's? Options

[vittles]

hey everyone,
I am obviously new at this..
and only treating as a hobby at this point, no laptop battles for me yet..
so I have a few questions about my 'setup' so far, software for the future, etc..
here we go:
I am using an old g4 dual 450, os x panthra, 512mb etc. etc.
stock sound card
Reason 2.5, that i paid for fully...
Tracktion (for multi-track & sequencing) which I just got 3 days ago & am still learning
Peak for mushing around & recording into.


pardon the total newbie ?'s:

//I really want to make fast drumbeats, more intricate than typical amen jungle, is ReCycle good for this? recording it via rewire in Tracktion?
If not ReCycle then what is good for this?

//what is a vst, some sort of virtual instrument right ? I know I can use it in tracktion, but where does one get started with these?

// besides this forum, where are some other places to learn about all this?

I'll try and be more in depth later, I know it is vague to ask how to make sounds thata exist only in my head.

thanks a lot for the help..

ROCK,
cwht.net

[dten]

VST is a protocol for audio software to communicate with each other, kinda like ReWire.

It's most often used for music instruments (synths, samplers, etc.) and effects software to "plug in" to a VST-compatible host program, like Tracktion.

Lots of forums about VSTs are at www.kvr-vst.com

Can't speak to the ReCycle part, I'm trying to figure that out too.