Need Advice on PC based Recording Setup: Soundcards/Software etc

[Crickett]

!Aloha Everybody!

I have put a couple months research into creating a PC home recording environment and I am now trying to discover everyone elses approach/perspectives in hopes of finding the best territory to stake a claim in.

Out of curiousity and hopefully defining where I need help most in creating a healthy recording environment.
I have a few questions:


1) Does this Hardware (below) seem sufficient for a professional recording setup???

Athlon 64 3500+ processor (2.20GHz, 512K)
2GB DDR2 SD-RAM at 533MHz
160GB SATA II Hard Drive (7200RPM)
Firewire and Usb ports

2) How would You recommend I build my recording environment????
ex. computer hardware 1st, soundcard 2nd, software3rd etc???

3) I have been eyeing the MOTU 8pre FireWire soundcard... yet do You know of any other well praised cards that have 8 instrument inputs and Midi capabilities that are a little cheaper at $350 or under?

4) Do You think it is wise to use a Firewire/USB sound card other than a PCI sound card? Why?

5) What type of recording software do You suggest that is primarly for recoding direct instrument recording (bass, gutar etc.) and multi-miced live drums, woodwinds etc. and that is $500 or under???

6) What type of "box" do I need to connect my direct instrument cords via the sound card? This is where I really need some advice as well!

7) What type of mixing desk or mixing software do You suggest for under $1000?

I am relatively computer savy and have read quite a bit on the whole studio setup process yet any Advice is Very appreciated!!! I am finally moving from a 8-track tascam analog machine to Modern times so I really want to make sure I am headed in the right direction.......

Thanks for Your time
Sincerely

Crickett
csouthern76@hotmail.com

[Bavan74]

I have put a couple months research into creating a PC home recording environment and I am now trying to discover everyone elses
What type of recording software do You suggest that is primarly for recoding direct instrument recording (bass, gutar etc.) and multi-miced live drums, woodwinds etc. and that is $500 or under???
What type of mixing desk or mixing software do You suggest for under $1000?
What type of "box" do I need to connect my direct instrument cords via the sound card? This is where I really need some advice as well!
I am relatively computer savy and have read quite a bit on the whole studio setup process yet any Advice is Very appreciated!!! I am finally moving from a 8-track tascam analog machine to Modern times so I really want to make sure I am headed in the right direction.......
Thanks for Your time

Connect the external audio amplified turntable output to the computer's Line In socket using a stereo audio cable. Any audio editing/ recording software will be of use. Suggests to try FlexiMusic Wave Editor (http://www.fleximusic.com/)for recording and FlexiMusic Composer for mixing of instrumental sounds.

[bob anderson]

I'm a computer guy by trade.. and I think the hardware you mention is more that enough.. I might ad another drive, as i believe it's better to have OS and programs on a different drive than your audio, so the audio drive is tasked with only playing music.

I'm using (ish) pro tools, because i'm in LA and we all have to have pro tools rigs at home... I'm using a korg d3200 32 track workstation and have always had better result with that.

iI's kind of anethama to me.. I build supercomputers for a living.. but can't figure out why my keyboard won't trigger soft synth sounds.. I guess I have no patience for it!

Anyway, hope hope my opinion helps

Bob Anderson

[dpd]

Connect the external audio amplified turntable output to the computer's Line In socket using a stereo audio cable.

If you want the audio recorded from a turntable to sound correct you must have an RIAA-equalized amplifier (which you probably assume. Just checking...)