All this sounds very difficult, and it can be if you really get involved and want to really involved in it. It didn't take me long to get comfortable with, but I still learn something new everyday. I consider the time spent learning my sequencer to was nothing compared to what I got out of it. It's the equivalent to learning a new instrument, and a LOT easier than that. I have talked about effects a lot previously, but I can't stress the value of using a compressor.
All types of music can benefit from.
Virtually every commercial recording uses them. They are compressing it. It doesn't allow loud notes to go over a threshold that you set. Even when pro engineers in Nashville or New York or California record instruments with state of the art tube microphones placed perfectly, they will somewhere add some compression to the sound. When you first turn it on it doesn't sound like it's even working, but try some recordings and play with the controls a little.