I'm in the market for an audio interface for my laptop and I am wondering if my computer (all of 4 years old) is too antiquated to use something that's worth buying.
Computer:
A Dell Inspiron (so I can't use MBox) 4000
running Windows ME (it's old, but I'm not interested in upgrading.)
128 mb of RAM (this I could see myself boosting up)
10GB Crive and an 80GB external hard drive that uses a firewire card bus.
The crappy soundcard that comes with the system.
A USB 1.0 port
One free Firewire port
No more card ports.
No editing software whatsoever.
A cdrw that is yet to be purchaced.
What I want:
To record at least two channels simultaneously,
Phantom power for condensor mics,
Ability to make for-fun cds for myself, family
To spend 1000ish bucks by the time the whole project is finished (that means 500ish on the interface)
LOW MAINTAINCE recording system that, once in place, I can continue to use for 5+ years without having to dump a lot more money into just to make it go.
I have read A LOT of related threads, but I can't get a lock-down on what will work for me. Right now, the M-Audio Duo seems like my best, maybe only, choice. I am very tempted to give up the computer-based system and get a Boss BR864 stand-alone which I know will work for what I want. I live in Rome, Italy and some of the coolest equipment is here, but most people (store clerks) don't know what it does, making browsing somewhat fruitless.
And if that's not needy enough, here's my total newbie question: If I have an audio interface and an editing program, do I still need a (better) soundcard?
Whew. If you've read this far, I'd love some input on which interface you'd suggest or if you'd reccomend just going to a stand-alone.
Thanks a ton (that includes authours of all the threads I've puroused, tool,) Kipper
Computer:
A Dell Inspiron (so I can't use MBox) 4000
running Windows ME (it's old, but I'm not interested in upgrading.)
128 mb of RAM (this I could see myself boosting up)
10GB Crive and an 80GB external hard drive that uses a firewire card bus.
The crappy soundcard that comes with the system.
A USB 1.0 port
One free Firewire port
No more card ports.
No editing software whatsoever.
A cdrw that is yet to be purchaced.
What I want:
To record at least two channels simultaneously,
Phantom power for condensor mics,
Ability to make for-fun cds for myself, family
To spend 1000ish bucks by the time the whole project is finished (that means 500ish on the interface)
LOW MAINTAINCE recording system that, once in place, I can continue to use for 5+ years without having to dump a lot more money into just to make it go.
I have read A LOT of related threads, but I can't get a lock-down on what will work for me. Right now, the M-Audio Duo seems like my best, maybe only, choice. I am very tempted to give up the computer-based system and get a Boss BR864 stand-alone which I know will work for what I want. I live in Rome, Italy and some of the coolest equipment is here, but most people (store clerks) don't know what it does, making browsing somewhat fruitless.
And if that's not needy enough, here's my total newbie question: If I have an audio interface and an editing program, do I still need a (better) soundcard?
Whew. If you've read this far, I'd love some input on which interface you'd suggest or if you'd reccomend just going to a stand-alone.
Thanks a ton (that includes authours of all the threads I've puroused, tool,) Kipper