[Some basic hardware/setup questions]

To be fair I didn't get the PC yet:p If you can find something that beats building from scratch from newegg that is. That site beats others (bestbuy etc) for a reason:P

[Some basic hardware/setup questions]

Made the purchase today! Couldn't be happier, even though most things won't be here for 1-2 days. Taking home the Korg with no speakers was such a tease:(

Maybe I'll make some mixes one day to send in, I've been playing for years but never messed with real recording.

Thanks all, many thanks and best wishes!

[Some basic hardware/setup questions]

Decided to make my own off of newegg (has been like 5years since I last done it) and indeed there's no better option. That solves that! Same specs / half off. Incredible. Nerve wrecking but such a geeky joy putting one together too.

Now all that's left is to decide on Reason, or something similar. Though I don't see how I could go wrong with it..

[Some basic hardware/setup questions]

The one I was looking at specifically was

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883147177

Of course anything looks good to me, Cubase seemed to work pretty decently on my 2g ram and standard processor, so I couldn't imagine how smoothly things would run on that. I suppose I'll have to check out individual parts too though.

[Some basic hardware/setup questions]

Looking at newegg's prebuilt PCs alone they seem to range from 1000-1500 compared to 2000+ for same specs. Phoo does it pay to research!

[Some basic hardware/setup questions]

Well the M50 my friend was mostly set on, ever since drooling over the Korg Triton and dreaming for years.. keeping the MIDI out in mind too, of course. I have guitars and mics (and wanting the keyboard) for recording. I was just thinking of Reason for things like drum and bass, but would also like to play with a number of different sounds over top my recordings.

I know Reason doesn't have the VST support, but there just seems to be such a vast number of options in Reason.. while using Cubase for recording. Just seemed difficult to me to find VSTs that would match Reason's bulk of sounds.

[Some basic hardware/setup questions]

Hijacking my threat back, here's a list of what I should be getting:

Cubase 5

Reason 5

GR4/Amplitube

Saffire Pro 40 AI

KRK VXT 8 monitor speakers

Korg M50 keyboard

And of course a PC. (i7, 8gb ram, 1TB HD and 1TB external, Win7)

Should be making a purchase within a week, as I'm trying different places for the lowest cost. The thing I was most iffy with was Reason, I hadn't used it much before but this is also a 1 time deal, as I don't know when I'd have the money again so I'm trying not to miss anything.

Any words to make me feel better about my purchases are much welcome:P I think the PC is a bit overkill, I wish I could find something cheaper. Made from pudgetcomputers.com

Thanks again all, you helped me more than you know!

[Some basic hardware/setup questions]

Might as well add this on there: 24-64bit isn't sound quality? And XP vs Windows 7 vs Mac? Cubase, Reason, Fruity Loops, Guitar Rig/pograms mainly, but like to keep an open mind about future products.

[Some basic hardware/setup questions]

So a friend stumbled into some money and asked me to help him build a little setup. My setup right now is basically a Guitar-> Tascam US144 MKII USB interface -> Laptop(cubase, amplitube etc). But with more money I'm not quite sure of what next.

What I'm thinking for a basis is Mic/Keyboard/Guitar -> xxxxxx -> PC. Maybe the USB interface isn't the way to go here, as it's 24bit(I'm still learning about the bit) but I'm looking for any ideas or suggestions. There is an old mixer/processor he has too, which I assume the instruments could plug in that, then go from that into xxxxxx into the PC. I'm also building a new PC for it - so maybe I'd need a certain sound card?

Thanks for any advice and your time:) I will continue researching elsewhere, but this of course would be the first place I come for advice.

[Couple of questions - a bit new.]

Thanks so much guys. Got all my questions answered, now I will just look around for the right things to buy:p

[Couple of questions - a bit new.]

Ahh ok I understand now.. thanks soo much for the help.

Last question is still the preamp device.. What exactly do they do? Would it be viable to have one with 4 inputs for keyboard/mic/guitar/bass?

[Couple of questions - a bit new.]

Thanks for the reply guys, much appreciated.

I'm not looking for any real recommendations really.. I'm doing this with my dad - and he kind of alway shad his eyes set on like a Korg Triton(or one alike) Now assuming it has a MIDI control or whatever, it will double as a normal keyboard with it's own effects, and still be able to play as a MIDI board? What's the difference of recording when using the MIDI and normal?

As for the preamp - is there good ones for say a 4way line in? mic/guitar/keyboard/bass

to suzumebachi: I meant mic for voice/guitar.

[Couple of questions - a bit new.]

Well, so far I have cubase, reason, and guitar rig 2. Good start right?

I'm gonna go on a little shopping spree and I need to know some things:

PC/mac? Any recommendations, pros, cons? A nice little laptop and a good soundcard.

Preamp/processor device: I'm plugged straight into the line-in atm(Guitar Rig 2). What's different on using one of these? Not too familiar.. I plan on getting a keyboard(my next question) and recording with microphones. I'd like to have something with a pedal for GR2 effects too. All into the pc.

Keyboard/midi keyboard: What's the difference? Can a normal keyboard be used the same? What all is a midi keyboard used for?

Speakers: Is 2 monitor speakers plenty? I see they have a surround sound set and a subwoofer.. Is there a standard set for use of a keyboard/guitar/everything?

I think that's it for now.. thanks much in advance for the advice!