Software Sequencing

[batninja]

I'm getting ready to take the plunge into doing some software sequencing for my small variety band. I'd like to be able to run the sequences in stereo from an onstage laptop to the house mix, but ALSO send the drummer a click track via headphones. My basic math skills tell me this is three outputs instead of the normal two. Is this even possible? Is there extra hardware to buy in order to make this happen?

I haven't decided on the sequencer software I want to use, but I think I'll be starting with Acoustica Mixcraft 5...for now. Open to suggestions of course. I'm still a newbie at this stuff, and the demo looked pretty easy to navigate.

[X-Trade]

You want what is called an 'audio interface'. usually there is an even number (not three) but typically you will find models with two or four outputs. some audio interfaces have the same number of outputs as inputs even. Also useful in a studio environment for connecting external effects processor etc.
Most popular audio interfaces use USB or FireWire too these days so you'll have no problem connecting it up.

Alternatively if the software you are using supports MIDI, you could try to get a cheap MIDI interface connected to a cheap sound module (even a little casio keyboard, provided it has MIDI, and then sequence the click track).
However you'll find that a professional audio interface will give much better quality audio output than your laptop's built in audio anyway (although built in audio is getting quite good, the headphone sockets are always fiddly and you are also putting your laptop at more risk).