if you want a really cheap way to get started: - Reaper isn't free, but it has an unlimited, 0 trade-off trial period For some free open source synths: - Vit

if you want a really cheap way to get started: - Reaper isn't free, but it has an unlimited, 0 trade-off trial period For some free open source synths: - Vital is a great wavetable synth - Dexed is a DX7 close that is phenomenal - dsp56300emu emulates a bunch of classic high quality synths, notably the virus - Surge Synth ...there are so many excellent open source VSTs you really do NOT need to spend any money. I don't really know of any high quality open source DAWs, unfortunately.