Recording Computer Requirements Please Help

[RJ Aus]

Hi

I have recently set about setting up a small home recording studio. Its small amature and cheap, but Im not looking for a professional sound, just somethign worth recording. I have purchased some equipment and I have tested it all out and I am quite happy with the quality thus far.

Instruments I mainly record are vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass, and i would like to possibly do some drum work, but I understand this is the hardest.

I have the M-Audio Firewire Audiophile. Seems to work pretty good.

The problem is the computer I am using to record with. It just doesnt cope and I didnt expect it to, its very low spec.

Its about 700mhz 196mb ram. Yea thats bad I know, i can record 44.1 qual for about 2 or 3 tracks and then its all over red rover.

Im looking to use Cakewalk Sonar 4. I was wondering what computer spec I should look at purchasing to get some quality recording. I would probably never want more than 10 - 12 tracks Max. Im quite happy with 44.1 quality.

If anyone knows what spec's I need, and what I can expect to produce from them I would greatly appreciate the advice. Thank You.

Also if you have another program that you think is better suited that would be nice. I have tried a few and Cakewalk Sonar 4 just looks like it has the best features.

 

[thane1200]

I'd say most *current* PC packages will be better than what you are running. Anythin 2.0Ghz or above will be smashing and you'll nee 512Mbs RAM possibly 1Gig if you want to use plugins.

I use an AMD Athlon64 that was sold as a 1.1Ghz processor but in reality it runs at 2.0Ghz, I use 1Gig of RAM.

I persoannly do not like buying PCs "off the shelf" But if I were to, I would stay away from Gateways and Dells, I would probably look more towards an HP.

Hope this helps.