Best computer recording setup for $3k?

[nuemes]

I'm looking into my first computer-based recording setup with a $3k budget. I have mild computer experience so building a computer is not an option for me. The purchase must include computer, interface & software - basically a whole computer recording setup.

This will be used for recording bands, songs for low budgetr films & radio spots.

Below is what's been what's recommended to me by a friend who's an engineer. He based this on the fact that in his experience Pro-Tools is in 99% of studios so clients will be able to interface their recordings made in larger studios with mine.

Would you use this setup for the $3k or something different? I already have good preamps, mics etc; just looking at the computer, software & interface.


Digi 002 rack / Protools LE with Dell 9100:

Digi 002 rack w/ software bundle: $1,550
http://www.samedaymusic.com/product--DGDMX002R

Dell 9100: $862:
- Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor 630 with HT Technology (3.0GHz, 800 FSB, 2MB L2 cache)
- Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition
- 1 GB Dual Channel SDRAM at 533MHz - 2DIMMS
- 160GB3 Serial ATA hard drive
- 128MB ATI Radeon X300SE
- 17" (16.0"vis) Monitor

http://www1.us.dell.com/content/products/compare.aspx/desktops?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs

 

[dgatwood]

Don't feel like ProTools (and particularly the 32-track-max version that ships with the Digi 002 LE) is a requirement. All the better DAWs these days have the ability to import/export some fairly standard audio and EDL files (OMF/AAF). Anything that can export an OMF file should enable your clients to switch to a ProTools studio.

Don't limit yourself with the functionality of Protools LE (32 track maximum) if you can help it. You'd be far better off with almost ANY other DAW. You can get a decent FireWire audio interface and a piece of audio software that doesn't have such a low track limit for less than you're talking about spending for the Digi 002. M-Audio has a nice 8-channel FireWire interfaces for $500. That's a pretty big chunk of extra change for such a limited DAW.

 

[nuemes]

I was thinking that 32 tracks was a lot - do you run into instances where you use more often?

 

[02o [Otto]]

sounds good though have u looked into building your own PC or a friend building it, looke at www.newegg.com you could probley build a nicer computer with a better motherboard more ram for close to that price, just sompthing to think about, when u start using recroding gear like u want its realy good to research what motherboard the company reccommends or just do research on that kind of stuff

i built a pc here are the specs and its been running awsome
cpu = P4 3.0 under 200$
motherboard=Abit ic7 max2 around 130$
Ram =2 gig u can get a gig stick for under 100 bucks now

just a sugestion
good luck