Getting back into music making

[neelo]

Hope this question isn't too newb. I would like to noodle around on the guitar and keyboards. I used to play them aeons ago and would like to pick it up again. I'm also an electronica music buff so would like to knock up some tunes of my own. I am already an avid computer-based music listener so I own some 'pro audio' equipment. Here's what I have already:

Mixer: Mackie Onyx 1640 (currently used to route the gaming / general purpose PC's audio for output to speakers and headphones)
Monitors: Genelec 8050a (currently used in the kitchen to amp my streaming player)
Soundcards: RME Fireface 800, MOTU 828 Mk II, Focusrite Saffire, Edirol UA-25. (None of these are used for recording, just playback with the likes of iTunes.)

In terms of computers I intend to use for this purpose, I have a Macbook and Macbook Pro 17", with second monitors. I also have Windows machines I can use for this task if that's a better solution.

I'm not a singer but I intend to purchase a proper mic for Skype. It should double as a general-purpose mic (haven't decided what to get yet. Blue 8-ball looks nice). Guitar wise I have a Clapton Strat and a '65 Deluxe Reverb amp that I purchased on a whim quite recently. Technology wise I have a low patience threshold and a dislike of things which don't 'just work'... not a "workaround geek".

What I think I need is a very user-friendly sequencer / looper / audio editor, a keyboard controller, some sort of hardware controller like the Behringer BCF2000, some means of feeding the guitar into the soundcards and some virtual effects/instruments. I imagine my mixer will be redundant in this particular use.

I have tried messing around with Garageband and I'm not really up to speed with it yet. If there's something with as moderate a learning curve but offering more power and flexibility I'd like to go with that.

What would you recommend to complete gearwise my initial music-making endeavors in my circumstances? What should I know before I start? I'd appreciate any advice, thanks.