Hello, and welcome to RO!

First off, I think you could save a bit of money if you chose a more modest computing solution. For your goals, the system you have picked out is massive overkill. An Athlon XP / ASUS A7N8X based system would be a lot cheaper and would give you more power than you would ever need.

Second, on board audio is simply not an option due to its terrible sound and lack of low latency performance. Also, I think you could do away with the mixer if you went for something like the Echo Layla 3G, which gives you preamps, monitor outs, and a headphone amp, all the things you need that the mixer would give you.

Third, I think the NT1-A will do OK for you, but you should either pick up another one, or get another pair of condenser mics for recording the guitar. Acoustic guitars love to be recorded in stereo, and with two mics of the same type, you will have lots of options for this.

Let us know if you have any more questions.

David French wrote: Hello, and welcome to RO!

First off, I think you could save a bit of money if you chose a more modest computing solution. For your goals, the system you have picked out is massive overkill. An Athlon XP / ASUS A7N8X based system would be a lot cheaper and would give you more power than you would ever need.

Second, on board audio is simply not an option due to its terrible sound and lack of low latency performance. Also, I think you could do away with the mixer if you went for something like the Echo Layla 3G, which gives you preamps, monitor outs, and a headphone amp, all the things you need that the mixer would give you.

Third, I think the NT1-A will do OK for you, but you should either pick up another one, or get another pair of condenser mics for recording the guitar. Acoustic guitars love to be recorded in stereo, and with two mics of the same type, you will have lots of options for this.

Let us know if you have any more questions.

Thanx David!

I actually just built the PC for other intentions then recording. I am a recreational gamer and also tend to do some simple video editing.

So I guess I would be better off going with two Shure SM57's for the guitar?

Ill have to look into the Echo Layla 3G. As far as software is Sound Forge worth taking the time to learn or should I be heading in a different direction before I invest the time of learning the software?

Any suggestions for a mixer or pre solution that has 3 mic inputs? Is firewire, USB 2.0 and PCI all equivalent as far as speed for recording?

Does anyone have any feedback on the Sonus Firepod?

You could do better than two SM57s for acoustic guitar. Look at Studio Projects C4, R0DE NT5, Kel Audio HM1.. there are others also.

SoundForge is a great program, but it is a two track editor, not a multitrack recorder. It matters little which software you choose as just about all of them will meet your needs. You may even be happy with the free program [[url=http://[/URL]="http://audacity.sou…"]Audacity[/]="http://audacity.sou…"]Audacity[/]. Also, if you go with a Layla 3G, you will have Mackie's Tracktion. Other products have software bundle deals as well.

For three inputs, you can either go for a larger product like the firepod, a large product without pres and external pres, or a small product, like the Layla 3G, with external pres going onto an auxillary input.

David French wrote: You could do better than two SM57s for acoustic guitar. Look at Studio Projects C4, R0DE NT5, Kel Audio HM1.. there are others also.

SoundForge is a great program, but it is a two track editor, not a multitrack recorder. It matters little which software you choose as just about all of them will meet your needs. You may even be happy with the free program [[url=http://[/URL]="http://audacity.sou…"]Audacity[/]="http://audacity.sou…"]Audacity[/]. Also, if you go with a Layla 3G, you will have Mackie's Tracktion. Other products have software bundle deals as well.

For three inputs, you can either go for a larger product like the firepod, a large product without pres and external pres, or a small product, like the Layla 3G, with external pres going onto an auxillary input.

Thanks David. I decided to order another Rode NT1 so that I have two for the guitar and I think I'm going to go with the Echo Layla.

Sounds good. Let me know if there's anything else.

Good luck!

David French wrote:
For three inputs, you can either go for a larger product like the firepod, a large product without pres and external pres, or a small product, like the Layla 3G, with external pres going onto an auxillary input.

David one more question... Can you explain what you mean above? Are you saying that I will need pres in addition to a firepod or layla?

Also I am also leaning towards the firepod for future expansion availability but I read a review on musicians friend that said he couldn't get a good sound out of his Martin guitar with the Firepod. Have you heard anything similar? Acoustic guitar is the main reason I am buying all this equipment so if this is the case I need to stay clear.

Also I would like to be able to use this with my laptop as well which only has usb. Would it be sufficient to buy a adapter card for firewire for my laptop to record on the go?

As far as sound how would you compare the Digidesign Mbox, firepod, and Layla? Thanx again for your help,

Some have pres. Some don't. The Firepod has pres. The Layla don't. Sometimes you feel like a nut...

I think the firepod should be fine if you decide to go that way.

A PCMCIA firewire card should work just fine.

I haven't heard the firepod, but the M-Box and the Layla both sound good.