Multitrack recording hardware/software??

[DonQuoxite]

I have been researching a setup to go with my computer and mixer. What I have now is a Mackie 1604VLZ and an AMD Athlon 650MHz pc with the 756 chipset. I am looking for hardware which is rack mountable as the Motu and echo Layla units. I know I need a new sound card (pci card) to be able to do the multitrackin thing. Currently I use a Platinum Sound Blaster...Its ok for playin around but I am ready to move up to true multitracking/editing recording functionality. I have read from echo that the only AMD chipsets compatible with their gear are the 760 chips. I realize I have choices here...I can upgrade my mother board assuming I go with the echo Layla. So, my question is to any echo Layla users. How does this unit perform in battle?? I know it comes with Cool Edit Pro which is easy to use. I am unfamiliar with all the choices of recording software. I am open to suggestions as to what direction to go. My intentions are to build a professional quality recording studio. I am not in it to make money. Just to have fun and jam with musicians in my area. I just love the art of recording. I became involved with recording by attending Dead shows and never kicked the habit.

Thanks..
Don.

 

[chesterfield]

Don........... I have the Echo Gina card, I believe the identical converters to Layla, with fewer inputs. Easy to install and use, and absolutely quiet. Echo cards come with Cool Edit SE - 10 track limit, few(no?) efects, $250.00 to upgrade to the full package. If you haven't already, check with Echo tech support; they may have updated info about AMD chipset. Hope this helps.

 

[DavidK]

Hello Don,

as Chesterfield said ( Quincy? I was born in Weymouth),
the Cool Edit Se shipped with the Echo cards is
not much, more like a usable demo than anything
else. There are no effects that I know of. Certainly
dont expect to have this as your only software.

I use Cakewalk, and the new SONAR version looks
mighty cool, we will see shortly.

My little Echo Darla24 works great, love it.