I'm after this program: http://www.u-he.com/cms/images/screenshots/divascreenshot_sm l.jpg

I'v downloaded and installed http://www.u-he.com/downloads/Diva/Diva101Mac.zip but I don't see any DIVA application icon in my applications folder.

I'v had a look though the Readme PDF but that didn't help...

Am I missing something obvious here?... I feel it shouldn't this hard to try out a demo of DIVA...

Diva runs as a Audio Unit, VST or RTAS plug-in inside of an application that hosts plug-ins. You should have Garage Band on your Mac, you can use the Diva Audio Unit in Garage Band.

Ah right I see. Thanks.
I had a feeling it was a plugin, but I wasn't quite sure to what.

Would this be a good place to ask about usb keyboard recommendation?
I'm new to all this and I don't want to buy something crap.

The getting started forum will be a great place to find out about all that stuff! http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=74

If you're looking for a very simple plugin host Apple provides one with the Xcode developer tools. It's called AU Lab.

You can find the XCode developer tools on your Mac OS X Install DVD. Once installed you will find AU Lab on your system drive at /Developer/Applications/Audio/AU Lab.

https://developer.apple.com/library/ios/#qa/qa1731/_index.ht ml

Anywhere on KVR will probably be helpful. I'd suggest listing a few and asking for a comparison, there's quite a bit out there and just the feel can be really different for similar quality stuff.

keyboard depends on your musical background. do you play piano?