Please help an old fogey!

[billisa]

Hi all, right now I am making radio commercials in various studios, but would like to do so at home. Mainly, all I need is a 4-track capability, with a need to use CD's for music beds and a mike for voice over. I had first thought of getting a Tascam or Korg 8 track unit, but I like the idea of editing on a monitor, so I'm now thinking of getting a refurb P3 laptop and using that approach... So, a guy at GuitarCenter was sterring me into: Cakewalk HomeStudio 2002 and MAudio Dou 24/96. I would be using the USB port, but would only be transferring 2 tracks at a time, max. Any thoughts? Your help would be MOST appreciated.

 

[laptoppop]

Unless you really need the portability of a laptop, a normal desktop computer will give you a lot more for your dollar.

You might want to consider the Aardvark DirectPro 24/96 interface. It has 4 combination mic pre/line in inputs with solid quality mic preamps. It comes bundled with Cakewalk Pro Audio 9, which is all the software you are likely to need in this case. It runs about $500.

Just a thought,
-lee-

 

[Track Rat]

That's not bad advice. I'd add to that Soundforge 6 as a two track editor. Couple that with something like a EV RE-20 or a Shure SM-7 (not a 57) mic and you'd be armed to the teeth.