I am just myself making beats on my computer.. i flick between fruityloops 5 and reason 3...
beenn making beats 4 years
drum and bass, iron maiden, sepultura, trip hop (shadow, vadim, krush).. beethoven, debussy, punk, ska whatever really.. music has no limit it is all influential.. otherwise you is blinkered
amd xp2000+, 512 ram, creative soundcard.. casio ctk-651 (does the job!!)JVC surroundsound stereo, couple of mics, 12 string, bass, electric guitar..