Hey guys,

I'm new to the whole recording game, and I'm trying to get started. Here's what a buddy of mine uses, with pretty good results, and what I'm trying to approximate:

-Podfarm
-PreSonus Firepod (not sure what model)
-SM-57
-Cubase
-EZDrummer/Drumkit from Hell

Alright. Hopefully there is someone who has a knowledge of recording and would love to share. Here is my situation:

I currently record a lot of guitar + vocal covers using a Canon Vixia HV30. After noticing the sound quality was lacking, I purchased a RODE Videomic which was definitely a step up, but still was not at the level I was expecting.

I'm starting a "random play" database of local songs to be played from a link. (just imagine a localized streaming pandora, but just basically a link they pull up on their browser), I have found a few great streaming softwares, though looks like none of them really talk about streaming music off of music stored online.

Is it negative to use one HD Monitor with two computers. My eyes are poorer so I need a big screen and I have little room to put a second monitor.
I have a second PC ready for internet. Whats the best way to hook this all up clean and simple?

KVM switch yes ? Any suggestions on what you use?

thanks!

Win7 64bit / 8 gig of RAM optimizing your PC for recording, I'm wondering what the best virtual memory settings should be? How do you set yours or do you even do this? I'm also interested how the mobile laptops do this with external drives attached?

I have 3 HD plus an OS:

C Drive OS

I bought a refurbished Focusrite Saffire Pro 40 (with full manufacturer's warranty), and I'm running into a problem (maybe with my brain). Here goes:

When I insert an XLR cable into any of the 8 inputs, the signal is fine...and angels fly. However, when I insert an unbalanced 1/4" cable (either a mic cable or from a preamp), the signal is so low it's unusable.

Anybody else have the M-Audio Q40 headphones? I'm fairly happy with the sound quality, but they are really tight on the head and actually hurt/ irritate after a short while. Any other headphone recommendations within their price range that are comfortable ($150)?

Okay, bordering on SPAM again. Please, if this offends you, just say so and I will delete it. I just think it's great to get stuff like this for free.

Recently I bought a new device, the H4n and I turned on the M/S Matrix feature. I did not know it applied to the XLR inputs so I M/S Matrixed a source that was already perfect stereo. I know there is a way through inversion and all sorts of other stuff to create an M/S mix after the fact. Is there any wya to undo an M/S mix to get the original stuff back?

Juno keyboards with the USB flash-drive function on top panel that can play back WAV, MP3, AIFF, etc.

Downloaded manuals for all applicable models, searched through instructions, analyzed MIDI Implementation charts, and still have no conclusive answer.

Emailed Roland, got zilch. Following is my email, and their non-answer: