Pro Tools M Powered? Options

[Foxyphil]

I have recently purchased a Focusrite Saffire soundcard, which comes bundled with cubase le. I also bought the Native Instruments "Essentials" package - Battery 2, Kompakt, Abysynth 3 and Pro 53.

My original plan was to use Pro Tools because of the esoteric RTAS plug ins, and session compatibility with PRO tools TDM if I saved up to book a day in an equipped studio.

As a newbie to puters, I got a bit freaked by the mixed feedback on the M audio stuff and the M Box. Too impatient to save for the firewire Digi 002. My question is this. Could I cover my bases by sequencing in VST or AU environment (I am mainly midi- based), using the instruments in those formats - and then put the resultant files into Pro tools?

I am toying with idea of getting an M audio m powered keyboard (Ozone or Ozonic) so I could make this switch when the time came for applying effects. Or is this just not feasible?

My other plan is to upgrade from Kompakt to Kontakt - which comes with loads of sounds, "intelligent midi- scripts" to make the bundled hi resolution samples sound very realistic with layers and articulations etc - and just forget about Pro Tools until Im ready to mix.

Any ideas or observations would be well appreciated.

Take care foxy ps I really rate the Abysynthe b t w. Awesome possibilities.