If youre only making 'throwaway' music to use as themes for your podcasting I'd recommend FL Studio, formerly fruity loops. You can knock up a track throwing loops togther in no time and in costs far less than cubase or logic. If you've got a mac have a look at garageband, thats full of loops designed for exactly your situtation. Incredibly simple program.

If your serious about making quality techno then I'd recommend going on a music tech course somewhere.