Nanocompressor vs. software compression (+ question about upgrade priorities)

[randumbdots...]

Hi,

I'm just getting back into all this. Here's what a I have for recording vocals (purchased 8 - 10 years ago):
- Sennheiser MD735 dyn mic
- ART Tube MP pre
- Alesis Nanocompressor
- my laptop sound card (the laptop is relatively new)

I've read that the Nanocompressor is too noisy to use, so I was thinking of not using it and recording to my computer, and then using software compression to avoid the noise. Any opinions out there (other than my gear is woefully poor)?

One more question. How should I prioritize upgrades to the list above? My current thinking is as follows:
1) upgrade the sound card to avoid a lot of computer noise - Tifstorey recommended an Edirol external/USB one on the newbies forum, and I was also looking at the Creative Labs Audigy 2 Z because it's very compact since it uses the PCMCIA interface.
2) probably the mic or compressor is next - the ART pre is not great from what I've read, but it might be the strongest link in my chain

Thanks.
dots....

 

[deepwater]

I would get a new soundcard/ubs/firewire interface first and then some pres. I would recomment that you get something like the Tascam FW1804 for $599.00 which will give you 8 anolge I/O w/ 4 pres, 2 channel of digi I/O and 8 channels of ADAT I/O for a total of 18 I/O and be done with interfaces for long time. Then you can look at pres such as the DMP3, M-Audio Tampa - own two and love them.

This would be my choice setup for starting out -

Tascam FW1804 -$599
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/FW1804/

Tampa - $399.00 (you can find them for $325.00 on Froogle)
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Tampa/

 

[randumbdots...]

thanks

Thanks deepwater - The Tascam FW1804 looks utterly incredible, but I'm on my own, so I don't need that many channels. I'm going to put another post out there with more info on what I'm trying to do. Thanks again...dots...