patch changes, editing

I have been using GarageBand '11 for performance purposes (although, it's not intended for such), and it does really well - the sounds are great, and the effects add many great options. There are some things, though, that it can't do which I need it to. Since I am new to the software-synth thing, I don't know of any realtime software-synth apps that would be as user friendly as Apple software. I tried Google searches to find something comparable, and I'm still lost and confused as ever.

So, I was wondering if there was something that would make it easy to :

• program an order of patch changes for realtime keyboard playing
• edit patch changes for transpositions, ranges, splits, etc.
• program pedal placement
• program foot switch for patch changes

I don't need any loop editing, recorded sequence, or score editing features, though. Thanks for any info!