Macbook, Motu 8pre, mics - then what?

[Zorlee]

Hi everyone!
I'm a drummer from Norway, and I really want to start recording and composing music in my up and coming home recording studio. It won't be too fancy, but hopefully it'll do the trick.
I'm a complete beginner at this, but I have the following gear:

- Macbook 2,4 ghz, 2gb ram
- Motu 8pre audio interface
- Mics: Shure sm57, Audix D6 and 2x Studio Projects B1
- Cables + Stands
- Old school midi-keyboard

Now, I really want to be able to record good sounding drums + be able to compose and create music using a midi-controller and a good software with many possibilities.
Now I'm wondering - what gear do I need the most? Should I buy a software (I'm really thinking about Ableton Live), a new midi-keyboard or some studio-monitors?

I would really love to have a software where I could either record something using drums or midi-controller OR program it using music notes - is that possible? Without using the awfulsounding midi-sounds from for example Finale?

Okey, a bit too much information here, maybe! But please - help me out here, I just want to record AND compose music that is good sounding, with many sound possibilities!
Thank you guys so much for your help!

Zorlee...

 

[Zorlee]

Anyone?

 

[AndyK12]

Get Logic Pro for your DAW. It comes stock with pretty good sounds, then get Reason 4.0 to fool around with.

 

[SonicAlbert]

You are pretty close already. The 8pre has a midi input, so you can hook your current midi keyboard up to that.

All you really need is the software to do midi sequencing and audio recording, and a software sampler. I use MOTU's Digital Performer and Native Instrument's Kontakt soft sampler, and both have worked out very well.

That's really pretty much all you need at this point. You would then add virtual instruments as you felt the need for them.

If your Macbook can be expanded to 4 gigs of RAM you might want to do that as well.