Help me buy a digital multitracker & PC software

[Hoodoo]

I am fairly new to PC recording, so I'm looking for your advice. I want to record some songs (digitally to .wav/MP3) I've written using a variety of "analog" and digital instruments.

My instruments include my (sucky) voice, Fender Strat, bass, drum machine (Roland R-70), harmonica, and possible piano (at another location), Boss SE-70 Effects Processor, old Marantz 6-channel mixer/4-track cassette recorder, and a variety of stomp boxes, mics, etc. My setup also includes a high-performance PC (mostly used for gaming) with the following specs:

- 3.2 Ghz Intel P4 (w/HT)
- 1 Gb RAM (Corsair)
- SB Audigy 2 (without the Pro input box)
- ATI Radeon 9800 All-in-Wonder
- CD/DVD burner

I believe a standalone digital multitracker is what I need, such as the Fostex MR-8 or Zoom MRS802 since I need some portability. I also would appreciate advice on the best sequencer/mixer software for PC (FLstudio, Cakewalk, Adobe Audition, etc.)

I value EASE OF USE and LOW LEARNING CURVE (i.e. hobbyist/prosumer) over super-powerful/feature-rich solutions, as I've got young kids meaning LIMITED TIME.

So, my questions to the experienced PC musicians on this board:

1. What's a good digital multitracker (4 or 8 track) for $200-600?

2. What's a good software package for $100-300 to take tracks from the recorder (which you'll tell me to buy in #1 ;^) and mix down to CDs?

Thanks! I'll post my purchase, setup, and successful recording experiences based on your input. Appreciate your advice.

 

[pgm]

What's up HooDoo,
If you look in the fostex forum you'll here praise all day for the Fostex MR8 and N-Track studio combo.It's like they were built for eachother.The MR8 is 300 and N-trck studio is 45-65 based on the version you buy.You can download a demo version of N-track at hitsquad.com.I have it on my comp and it's very very cheap,yet it has tons of features.Hope that helps.


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[NYMorningstar]

Hey Hodoo welcome to the BBS. Before you purchase you should read this article then figure out what you want to do and plan your budget appropriately.
http://www.digido.com/admin/admin/m..._id=35/pageAnc=More Bits Please#anchor2088293

 

[jcnoernberg]

hey i use the MOTU 828 firewire interface with my laptop (1.6ghz, 256mb ram). it lists for like 800, but get it from ebay and dont pay over 425 for it. just keep bidding that on an item until you win one. i use n-track solely for recording the tracks simultaneously (it supports the ASIO, which allows the simultaneous recording of multiple tracks at once). for some reason it will lock up all time, so i just hit record then the X. once i have my tracks, i use adobe audition for the editing. its very easy to use, and stable. i am not an expert on this sort of stuff, its just a hobby for me and my band. ive been messing around for a few years and have stuck with the above equipment.