Will this set-up work?

[Hexenmeister]

I've been reading information on recording like crazy over the past few days, trying to figure out exactly why I need to record my drums. I know there is no ONE way to do it. Finally, I think I've decided on a set-up. I just need someone to tell me whether it will work, basically, if there's any link in the chain that I am forgetting.

Drums --> Microphones --> Mackie DFX12 mixer ---> M Audiophile 2496 sound card ---> Laptop (AMD Turion 64, 2GHz, 512MB RAM) ---> Software (Audacity, at the moment until I can find something better)

So, if I bought all of this, would I be able to record my drums?

My question about the soundcard is, will it work with my laptop? It doesn't seem like there'd be room to fit it in the machine. Can it be external?

Secondly, should I upgrade the RAM on my laptop to 1 GB?

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

 

[altitude909]

My question about the soundcard is, will it work with my laptop? It doesn't seem like there'd be room to fit it in the machine. Can it be external?

uh no, you cannot use a pci card in a laptop. I would look at firewire interfaces

Secondly, should I upgrade the RAM on my laptop to 1 GB?

it would help overall performance, so yes

I would lose the mixer and go straight into a Presonus firepod ($500 now)

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Firepod/

 

[Hexenmeister]

uh no, you cannot use a pci card in a laptop. I would look at firewire interfaces

I see. I thought that didn't look right.

I would lose the mixer and go straight into a Presonus firepod ($500 now)

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Firepod/

If I bought that, do I have to worry about a new soundcard?

 

[studiomaster]

If I bought that, do I have to worry about a new soundcard?

Firepod is "the" soundcard here.

 

[Hexenmeister]

Firepod is "the" soundcard here.

That's what I thought, but, keep in mind, I am a complete idiot when it comes to this stuff. I have to be completely sure I know what's what. Pretend I don't speak English or something and you have to over-explain everything.

Another dumb question:

How do I know if my laptop is compatible with the Firepod?

 

[altitude909]

I would play it safe and just buy and adaptec PCMICA firewire card

http://www.adaptecstore.com/index.cfm?source=ubnl11tp&curr=USD&lang=US&productid=2053200&bhcp=1

that will for sure be compatable with any prosumer audio interface and it will free up the onboard firewire port for a faster hard drive down the road

 

[tnjazz]

If you absolutely have to have the PCI card you could buy a Magma chassis for it. Then you could use it with your laptop.

 

[altitude909]

PCI card you could buy a Magma chassis for it.

lol, spend a $1000 on a chassis for a $100 sound card