Hey Opus...

I am about to venture into uncharted waters for myself and need some help. Please take it slow for me cause I don't know a whole lot about this stuff.

I am hoping that someone will be able to help me (and my band) out with this situation. This may be slightly long winded: but I want to setup the scenario as best as I can... and I'm new, so please keep that in mind :)
Here's the deal:

Greetings,

My wife & I have just completed our own Contemporary Christian Pop CD, with no record deal. Sonically and stylistically it is consistent with the electronic pop that's heard on secular radio these days. The CD will be professionally mastered next week, by a "name" mastering engineer at a well known studio.

I'm working with a PC Pentium IV 2,4 mhz, 1 gb ram, motherboard Intel d845pesv, 2 80 gb ide ata 1333 drives, midisport 4x4 usb midi interface, Echoaudio Gina 20 sound card running Windows XP Professional and i'm permanently having crashes, freezed screens, auto reboot, and so on. What do you advice me to do? What do you consider is the best Windows version for digital audio and midi work?

I need a mic preamp at $500 range or less with a better sound that my Samson mixer.
I will use it for vocal and classic guitar recording with a RODE NT2 mic and a Gina 20 Sound card.
I need a clean, transparent and detailed sound.
Do you have any advice for me?
Forgive my bad English

What is in your opinion the best socketA mobo for AUDIO.

I severely do not want any onboard sound or video or NICs, All they do is cause problems...

Ive been using ASUS boards all my life. But Id like to see what yall think.

I've received three of the four Switchcraft 52 point 1/4" TRS full normalled patchbays that I ordered and am in the beginnings of wiring my studio (up until now I've used Fostex PB48B balanced TRS patchbays). I've built my audio panels, had them punched and mounted the XLR & 1/4" TRS jacks.

Here's the story. I have recently been approached by an investor who is willing to fund my studio. Renovations, equipment upgrades, whole new facility, whatever. I just need to com up with a solid plan.
I know enough that I can't get too trigger happy, because if I spend too much it will drive prices up, and business down.

Here's the story. I have recently been approached by an investor who is willing to fund my studio. Renovations, equipment upgrades, whole new facility, whatever. I just need to com up with a solid plan.
I know enough that I can't get too trigger happy, because if I spend too much it will drive prices up, and business down.

Hi, I have a project I am doing as a favour for a friend he is recording his book to CD, and I have not had any experience with Micing for this purpose. it should be a natural appealing sound that is not super compressed/close miced - that is I'm not after a typical in your face " radio " sound, just a clear natural clean and appealing recording.