Review this set up please!

[restland]

Wow, you guys really know your stuff. I've done some 4 track work and I'm trying to break into computer recording. Can someone give me advice on this setup? I've read a bit from this BBS and elsewhere, and I think I've put together an ok system that I can afford. (Smash your head on the indie rock!)

Purpose: recording drums, guitars, bass, vocals

Proposed setup:

P4 2.0GHz/512MB DDRRAM/40 GB/WinXP
(is Dell ok?)
(vs. AMD Athlon XP 2000?? see ebay item#2042569342)

Option 1:
Delta44 w/breakout box
(which driver??? i'm lost on that issue)
2 Audio Buddy Pre-amps (for 4 mics on drums)
(other 4 ch pre-amps <$160?)

Option 2: (cheaper, settle for only 2 drum tracks)
Audiophile
Behringer MX602A Mixer (L/R => 2 mono trks)

Cubase + SoundForge
(am I ok using Cubase as my mixer, for recording mixing mastering? any other software essentials?)

Things I have:
Lexicon MPX100 - will this be useful now?
Tascam 424mkII - useful for anything now?
4 mics, headphones, and stereo system for mix monitors

***
Thanks a bunch for your help doods... I hope this isn't too many questions... just trying to be clear and complete.
restland

 

[ambi]

well, obviously the delta 44 would be better than the audiophile, and i would definatly have to recomend getting it. It has 4 ins and 4 outs, as opposed to the audiophiles 1 in. So you would only beable to get 1 stereo signal with the audiophile, and 4 preamps would be useless cause you could really only use 1, unless you had them all record into one channel, which would be a bad idea. So yea, delta 44 i think is the way to go, if you can't afford it, maybe look around for a cheaper soundcard with 4 inputs, or save a bit...

 

[SPINSTERWUN]

.... if you can't afford it, maybe look around for a cheaper soundcard with 4 inputs, or save a bit...

If you can't afford it, then save up for it. Do not get a cheaper soundcard.

 

[SPINSTERWUN]

BTW..................

What will be your financial budget?

 

[restland]

other pre-amps?

Thanks... I figured a budget of $1000-1400 for the computer/soundcard/pre-amps. I guess I'm trying to decide: since I'm just starting out (and starting med school), do I need to spend so much or maybe spend $200 less and eat better.

so far: I'm going to settle on a slower processor... AMD Athlon XP1800, but still with 512MB DDR and 40GB 7200rpm hard disk (I'm assuming 256MB RAM would be unacceptable). That way I can afford a delta 44. Software is taken care of.

i still need some more advice:

-if i need 4 mics pre-amped, is there a better alternative to having 2 audio buddies ($80x2)?

-this might be more of a taste issue: i've got a lexicon MPX100 effects processor (mostly reverb). after say, recording a dry guitar or vocal track, should i use the lexicon to add reverb, or is it better to keep the signal "digital" by sticking with software/plug-in based effects?

Thanks a bunch.
restland