[linux-audio-user] Advice on software?

Hi list.

I've taken a break from sequenced music for several years, during which
I changed OS from Windows to GNU/Linux and acquired an older laptop as
an upgrade from my geriatric desktop. Now I'm getting "the call" to
return to it, so I have the fun task of finding a new way for me to
write music!

I'm finding myself trying to recreate the way I used to do it, which
consisted of using a MIDI loop sequencer for my hardware sampler and
synthesisers, recording sequenced loops into the PC, munging them with
cool plugins and setting up loop points etc, exporting them to my
sampler, then arranging using a MIDI sequencer and my sampler.

But having read about the wonders of Jack, and playing briefly with a
few Jack-ed apps, I've come to suspect that I will have more fun and
get more done by exploring some alternative toolchains ;-)

The main problem I am having is that there is just so much info to trawl
through and so many apps! Can anyone recommend something stable that
could function as a jack-connected sampler player, and something else
stable that could function as a regular MIDI sequencer and/or MIDI
loop/drum sequencer for my external synths?

The other thing plaguing me is that the sound card in my laptop is
complete rubbish (Neomagic AC97 thingy) and I'd like to get something
external to pipe the audio from my hardware synths in, any suggestions
on something USB or PCMCIA and well-supported with good latency? I
would only use stereo.

Thanks for any and all advice!

--
Darren
New Zealand