Yep, it's all pretty much been covered, but I thought I'd throw in a tidbit of info regarding midi sound. I use the $40 Forte as my normal composing synth, but when I get close to a finished product, I am now using the sound card in my Yamaha PSR 2000. I get much more realistic sound, and can convert that midi to audio and add effects that usually give me close to what I'm trying to acheive. With midi, sound source is critical, then what you do with it after that comes with trial and error and experience.

The newer keyboards have even better sound engines, so if you don't like the DXi format, find a decent price keyboard which can also double as a controller for you, and will help add certain parts if you know your way around a keyboard.

Good luck

Rob

Dang....This is addicting.

http://www.reverbnation.com/roberttrippmusic