New system for Computer Audio Creation [opinion please]

[absolut][krypkn0t]

Just ordered:

COOLER MASTER Centurion 540 RC-540 (has the "upside down" motherboard mount for better airflow, 2 x5.25, 2 x3.5, 2 i3.5)
GIGABYTE GA-K8N51GMF-9 (mATX nForce430 w/4 SATA2 (raid 0,1,0+1,5) 2 PATA, GbLAN, Onboard GeForce6100 video)
AMD 4400+ X2
Arctic Silver 5
ZALMAN CNPS9500 LED 92mm 2 Ball Blue LED Light Cooling Fan/Heatsink (the one that looks like a copper flower. I figured with the way this case is setup, this will help airflow even more and possibly will be even more effective at cooling than even in a regular case)
2Gb Twinx1024-3200c2pt (x2 = 2gb)
Western Digital Caviar SE WD3200JD 320GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA150 (x1)
Maxtor 60gb 7200rpm (x2 in Raid 0 - brought over from older system as temporary boot setup)
M-AUDIO Revolution 9900-40901-00 8 (7.1)

For now this will be my setup until I can afford to make a video card purchase and some SATA2 300-400gb drives to utilize the onboard RAID 5 I have available...

I chose the m-audio card because it is the cheapest card I could find that supports Asio/Asio 2 AND 7.1 channel 24/96 audio

I hope to be able to purchase 3 wd4000yr's and an x800/x850 within 2 months to truely complete the system... any ideas on setup would be welcome!

 

[absolut][krypkn0t]

I forgot to add...

I will be running WinXP Pro (A stripped version)

software will include:

Reason 3
Cubase SX + VSTi's
Ableton Live
Wavelab

and also some web content creation apps like macromedia and zend studio

I went with the 4400+ because of the price point and also it has 1mb per core which I think will help with the heavy cpu load of the audio apps...

 

[gemini8026]

Awesome system, BUT why would you put a "gaming/multimedia" soundcard into a music creation system.

You would be better off going with the 2496, or 1010lt if you want a "professional" grade setup. After spending all that $$$, I say you would be MUCH better off with a 1010lt if your getting into more serious recording!

 

[ranger0900]

with all that software are you just mixing already recored tracks?

 

[Vertigo Acid]

Awesome system, BUT why would you put a "gaming/multimedia" soundcard into a music creation system.

You would be better off going with the 2496, or 1010lt if you want a "professional" grade setup. After spending all that $$$, I say you would be MUCH better off with a 1010lt if your getting into more serious recording!

Exactly. The 2496 can be had under $100, as can the EMU 0404. Either one will be better suited than the 7.1

 

[absolut][krypkn0t]

Awesome system, BUT why would you put a "gaming/multimedia" soundcard into a music creation system.

You would be better off going with the 2496, or 1010lt if you want a "professional" grade setup. After spending all that $$$, I say you would be MUCH better off with a 1010lt if your getting into more serious recording!

well to tell you the truth I have a Terratec dmx 6fire 24/96 card with breakout box... but I wasn't sure It would fit in the case... and just wanted to have something for a backup so that I wouldn't be dead in the water if it didn't fit... also I plan on getting the x-fi with breakout once I can afford it...

also all I really need for what I'm doing is the Asio/Asio 2 support... the ins/outs aren't that necessary as I just use a couple USB DAW controllers...

 

[absolut][krypkn0t]

with all that software are you just mixing already recored tracks?

no this is for production... ableton would be for any "gigs" so that i can live mix/remix my music on the fly...etc...

 

[gemini8026]

Go to a studio and ask if they use Sound Blaster cards in any part of their production

Serious, you have a powerhouse of a system, and even the new Creative product wont give you the flexxability and power and sound quality of a M-audio 1010lt.

Sound Blaster is a multimedia card and yes has some music creation support, but it's for enthusiasts and when dealign with any high end applications such CubaseSX, it REALLY pays to have a low latency card with high quality ins and outs!!!

 

[absolut][krypkn0t]

I need nothing more than Asio/Asio2 support and good sound... x-fi has both and is also a damn good multimedia card... this is not by anymeans a professional studio i'm working with here... i have heard some incredible stuff made on much lesser of a system... you wouldn't even be able to tell... the m-audio 1010 or similar products are for people who need multiple ins/outs neither of which i need and by the time i do i will be in position to upgrade my card... thanks for all the input though guys... i can't wait to start playing with it... it'll be in my hands on the 28th so help UPS doesn't do something retarded to it... heh... anyways... hope everyone has a wonderful holiday... w00t!!!