1.) I'd stick with Logic. Don't get me wrong, I love Ableton (9) and have used it since Rev 3 (along with Reason, Logic & Sibelius). Logic is industry standard - if you need to a) take your project to another studio to mix or master or b) collaborate with someone else online, etc. - chances are MUCH higher that they are using Logic or ProTools. Also, Logic is much more robust than Ableton - where Ableton really excels is in audio manipulation. If you were going to focus on remixes, mash-ups, etc. - I'd say go with Ableton - if you're doing conventional recording, go with Logic.
2.) I have both Soundcloud and Reverbnation - what I like about Soundcloud is that is allows me to upload full-fidelity wav files. Nothing like working weeks on a project, only to have it sound lackluster online because it's been compressed into an mp3.
3.) Stick with your M-Audio keyboard for the time being. First off, both Logic and Ableton will come with a massive amount of sounds and synths, and VSTs like Omnisphere are a lot cheaper than a Nord keyboard. Once again, not throwing Nord under the bus - I own an Electro/76 and a C2D - but I'm an old fart with the wherewithal to buy anything I want musically - buying a Nord Lead to use as your master keyboard is a waste of money at this point in your musical journey.
4.) As Biz pointed out - an interface is your most important investment right now - don't scrimp on it, otherwise it may make a dandy paperweight in the future. I'm big on M-Audio; I use the ProjectMix I/O which I don't think they manufacture any more, but I love that interface - it's served me well over the past eight years or so. Your choice of a Blue mic was good; you'll be wanting to upgrade from it eventually to more substantial condenser mic.
5.) As for your questions re: playing to your track live. Do not go with a combo/keyboard amp - these are designed for a keyboardist in a live band, wherein he/she is positioned somewhere onstage/in the panning field. You need to run your backing tracks into stereo monitoring (either through the house PA or the new portable stereo performance PAs) - otherwise your output will sound like monophonic mud; all your pre-prep mixing will be meaningless because it's all coming out of ONE speaker/location.
4.) Focus on the music, the rest will follow. The more you KNOW about music, the better - read and study as much as your can, and practice the fuck out of your instruments...good luck!
2.) I have both Soundcloud and Reverbnation - what I like about Soundcloud is that is allows me to upload full-fidelity wav files. Nothing like working weeks on a project, only to have it sound lackluster online because it's been compressed into an mp3.
3.) Stick with your M-Audio keyboard for the time being. First off, both Logic and Ableton will come with a massive amount of sounds and synths, and VSTs like Omnisphere are a lot cheaper than a Nord keyboard. Once again, not throwing Nord under the bus - I own an Electro/76 and a C2D - but I'm an old fart with the wherewithal to buy anything I want musically - buying a Nord Lead to use as your master keyboard is a waste of money at this point in your musical journey.
4.) As Biz pointed out - an interface is your most important investment right now - don't scrimp on it, otherwise it may make a dandy paperweight in the future. I'm big on M-Audio; I use the ProjectMix I/O which I don't think they manufacture any more, but I love that interface - it's served me well over the past eight years or so. Your choice of a Blue mic was good; you'll be wanting to upgrade from it eventually to more substantial condenser mic.
5.) As for your questions re: playing to your track live. Do not go with a combo/keyboard amp - these are designed for a keyboardist in a live band, wherein he/she is positioned somewhere onstage/in the panning field. You need to run your backing tracks into stereo monitoring (either through the house PA or the new portable stereo performance PAs) - otherwise your output will sound like monophonic mud; all your pre-prep mixing will be meaningless because it's all coming out of ONE speaker/location.
4.) Focus on the music, the rest will follow. The more you KNOW about music, the better - read and study as much as your can, and practice the fuck out of your instruments...good luck!