Just Gettin' Started, What software is good for starters Options

[monkeyman]

I am interested in creating music and would love to start creating more again. However, I don't have much software. I am mostly interested in electronic music, and don't really see the possibility of the need to use real instruments. Therefore, can anyone recommend a decent starting point. I have heard of a software program called Reason. Would this be seen as the best piece of software for an electronically focused musician ?

Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[charlieb]

In a similar vein to the leading question in this thread.
What I would like to do is create background music for hypnotic inductions, and other background music to play when people are practicing various exercises. Basically I am looking for an ambient kind of sound, and would not need to much in the way of "real instruments" effects.
I want to create some tracks on my computer using software only if possible and no hardware (again, if possible), and then be able to burn these tracks onto a CD so they can be played on a portable CD player.
Oh, and one thing more <g>
I would also like to add my voice to some of the tracks once the tracks are made.
What would I need in total?
I want to go for a easy to use solution that is flexible, and without too steep a learning curve, like the six months mentioned for Logic.
Currently I am using a Mac Powerbook and system 9.2.2

Thanks in advance for any and all help.
Charlie