Heres my bit:
Reason will do you well
www.propellerheads.se (demo download online)
make your own beats with a drummachine, one included in Reason and most other soft systems, its more fun, more original, and theres plenty of notes on this board
get every instrument and drum sample you can get your filthy mitts on
dont give up too early- its gonna take a while
dont smoke too much weed, youll need every micron of brainpower
If you feel up to it, try figuring out how a synthesizer works
Get some mates to help out if you can
concerning the large amounts of equipment: If all else fails, read the fooking manual (RTFM). Doing this from the start might be the best idea, but blind luck will get you some way.
Basic knowledge of the musical note system will help a lot, like if you know how to play guitar bass, piano or something.
Same goes for the drum section, hence: you might need a spare hand
expensive hardware is definetly optional, although a midi controller (and a keyboard maybe) will be useful.
This is from the computer tech side of things, if youre a vinylist, a mixer and some decks will get you there, along with a sampler and a synthesizer.
beware the advice of successful people, they do not want company.
apart from those assholes, try to hook up with the right people from the start, but make sure you come to them with some real skills, not just hot air.
If youre not having fun, stop doing it.
oh yeah- good luck
