i just recently started performing live dance music - and it took me a while to get things scaled down to where i could bring out just the laptop. anyway - now i use my old powerbook g3/250 running supercollider 2.2.10 with a peavey 1600x midi controller. sample at: www.soundmangle.com/mp3s/longlivejammin.mp3 all randomly generated rhythm/pitch/sound patterns that are controlled in real time... i spent about 3 months programming in supercollider (www.audiosynth.com) to be able to do this. max/msp and reaktor are also good options for live interactive performance...
peace ben -- ben milstein aka mintyfresh www.soundmangle.com - your home for experimental dance music...