Recording isn't the real drain on a computer's resources; the drain is processing. If you don't plan on using a whole bunch of plugin effects and virtual instruments, then moat computers will be fine. I'm guessing that yours will do the job.

There are lots of programs out there for PC. If all you want to do is record audio tracks and mix them down by adjusting volume, pan, and such, you woudn't have to spend a dime - check out Audacity. Up from that is the very affordable N-Track Studio. Then there's all kind of others like Mackie Tracktion, Cakewalk Sonar (and less expensive variants), Cubase SX (and less expensive variants), Digidesign Pro Tools, etc... You will definitely need a new audio interface, and many of these come bundled with software, so keep an eye out for that.

It sounds like you also need a multitrack input interface? I'm sure your current computer only has the onboard sound card. There are many multitrack products out there, I like and own a MOTU 2408mkII. It allows me to record 8 analog inputs as long as they are line inputs. It also has ports that allows 24 tracks of digital inputs/outputs. Since your new PC may also contain a Fire wire port, I might suggest almost any of the current fire wire capable interfaces. Many of them also feature numerous XLR microphone inputs and can be used in lieu of a mixer. Such as the Presonus Fire Pod which I believe includes 8 microphone inputs? It can also be used with a laptop for on location recording. MOTU also offers a fire wire device that allows for 8 inputs with a combination of microphone and line inputs. They will both set you back around 1 grand but is a worthwhile investment.

Ms. Remy Ann David

RemyRAD wrote: I like and own a MOTU 2408mkII.

How does this connect to the computer?

I was considering buying the M-audio Delta 1010. until i discovered that the AD/DA converters were located on the PCI card, INSIDE my noisy computer....

Is the converters in the MOTU inside the breake-out box?

Yes Hans, they appear to be within the breakout box but on the PCI card there is a rather large chip that takes care of most of the routing duties, I believe? I'm not quite clear as to the difference between the mkII and the mkIII?

Ms. Remy Ann David

I believe (but don't know for sure) that MOTU's converters are in the BOB, as Remy stated, because the different interfaces (2408, 24i/o, HD192) have varying specs w.r.t. conversion.

HTH

Hans, the Delta 1010's AD/DA converters are located in the breakout box. I believe that there is a "light" version of the card that has no breakout box (and converters on the card), but the big-boy version keeps analog signals in the rack.

Well. i Opend the Delta 44. Same as delta 1010.. should be. No da converters inside there :(

I opened up my 1010 breakout box, and there are 4 AD chips and 4 DA chips in it.

I feel cheated.. The delta 44/66 is a hoacks..

hi HansAm, don't know about the delta 44/66 series, but the 1010 full breakout box version is a great card for the money. not the 1010lt.

and as far as i know it's a rather good time for purchase, as there are lot's of great offers for the M-audio PCI cards around, probably doe to the ever growing amount of firewire devices... but the 1010 remains a solid card.

just my 2cents.