ok mate like already mentioned fruity loops is a great user friendly program, and you will gain a good understanding of varied rythms that exist in dance music.

seqencer: cubase, logic

synths: absynth, juno x, fm7, junglist, pro 52/53, model e

drum machines: battery, dr-008, waldorf attack, rebirth

samplers: hailon, kontakt

all these are renowned for dance music, and if you dont all ready buy it, get computer music magazine(monthly) its packed with free software, tutorials etc

hope this helps, good luck!!!