Drum tracks

[draynes]

what is the best way to get whole drum tracks with the ability to change tempo and create from scatch? Should I get a drum machine or a drum control surface with software or a midi controller like a key board?
Any help would be great, I have no knowledge of these and the power of the software. Looking at spending around 200 dollars

 

[johnnymegabyte]

I use a freeware sequencer program called JAZZ-PLUS-PLUS (Jazz++) from www.jazzware.com for 4 years
check the website for features.
This software will run on a Pentium I - 90 mhz and 32 meg of RAM.
You can add audio, but I haven't tried that

I program all my drums, some bass guides, and strings, organs

If you have a soundblaster soundcard, with the 8 meg soundfont and set to GS MIDI, you'll have 10 decent drum kits.