Am I on the Right Track?

[chestney]

Ok guys. I've been reading and reading, like I'm suppose to. It has allowed me get my own answers for many questions. There is soooo much stuff and different directions one could go, its daunting. I am hoping to get a few direct questions answered, your options are needed.

First, what I’m after: I’m an ex-drummer who wants to learn guitar and get these songs out of my head and down on media. I need to put down ideas, then record other parts to go along. I have figured out that all of these multitrack situations provide that; I can record a bass part, then record a guitar part. This will also help me to learn more guitar. So one big thing is to “jam with myself” (will this grow hair on my palms?) I’ll need to do this often, at first, so latency is important (right?).

I have looked at the workstations, but am sure that PC is for me. I can put together a PC myself, and make that fit my budget.

Official question #1; Will an Intel M.B., 2600 Celeron CPU, 256 MB RAM, 40 G.B 7200 RPM Maxtor HD and Windows ME, cut the mustard?

While I would like to have the option of recording at least 4 tracks at once, for drum tracks and live situations, it looks like that is the point where you invest lots more money. So I figure with the PC situation I can upgrade when it really becomes relevant.

So, after PC construction, I’m thinking the Tascam US 122 and N-Track will get me going. After PC construction I’ll have $200.00 to $300.00 left to start with.

Official question #2: Am I missing something?

O.Q.#3: Does the US 122 work with “on Board” USB port that comes on the motherboard?

I’m sure you have answered these questions before, and I may have read them. But I appreciate your helping me.

Steve

 

[HangDawg]

Non official answer #1

I would go with an Intel MB but not a Celeron processor. I'd get at least 512MB of memory. Scrap the idea of Windows ME all together. It is the worst OS ever. Get Win2k. Very stable.

Non official answer #2

Looks like that would at least get you going.


Non official answer #3

I would think so.

 

[distortedrumble]

somewhat official but not really answer #1.

2Ghz+ celerons will do the trick for something small like what your planning. i have a 1.7 ghz 512 mb(pc133) and an audiophile 2496 granted I only run 2 tracks at a time and not 4 but i think you should be ok. Windows ME did not work with my AP2496! i threw tempertantrums like a rich 2 yearold and nothing work....i actually bought a copy of xp....and comming from years of napster and then kazaa, that was big step for me.(I actually paid for software!) and i still think it was the best.

somewhat official but not really answer #2.

i agree you're doing ok so far

somewhat official but not really answer #3.

it should but wouldnt you rather have a faster means of transporting data like a something to go in a pci slot? i bought an midiman keyboard that uses USB and my latency was so bad that i took it back to the store and told them it didnt work right on my computer...truth is that it didnt work right. the fact of the matter is my computer was the culprit. now i just use the 1/4 jacks instead of usb and get a power supply. a baby grand cant fit in my room and i cant play well enough to justify owning one

 

[chestney]

Ok well theres a few things.....

Hawg, I know tha ME is the pits, but I already have it, thats an important part of the (budget) pic. Is it a complete waist of time for recording, or could I muddle my way along with it, for a while? Can you comment further on whay not a Celeron?


distortedrumble, theres a point I want to get strait! I was assuming that the USB deal was the better situatuion. Is it the general consensis that PCI is better? I could do PCI.

Thanks for your time!!!!!!!!

 

[HangDawg]

I started with a Pentium 400MHZ. Worked OK. Next I got a 1GHz Celeron. It was no better than the old Pentium. Might of been a little slower with some things. It was a better motherboard, faster memory. It didn't make any improvement on the number of tracks or the number of plugins I could run. Now I have an Athalon 2200+ It's much better. Of course, my Alesis HD24 came in the mail yesterday so it's all moot now.