help me

I think most of it uses programmed, electronic instrumentation. You may sometimes get an assortment of other instruments thrown in, but the vast majority of it must be programmed. You do sometimes get other traditional instruments thrown in. I think I hear real congas, for instance, on one Vico C song, and Calle 13 use trombone and electric guitar, but they are kind of atypical.

This is widely considered a good discussion of the technical side of reggaeton (including instrumentation), though it's not necessarily going to be an easy read:

http://wayneandwax.blogspot.com/2005/08/we-use-so-many-snares.html

also, the human voice

by the way, r_s, thanks for the CD, it's great! if my wife's computer wasn't busted, I'd burn you that Great Mex Stuff disc I've been threatening to burn for like six months now

Glad you like it. I forgot about that offer. I don't need the Palmieri CD any more. I've already heard it and meh I don't like most of his straight up Latin jazz blah blah blah I've said it a million times I am just repeating myself.