Need Reasonably Priced Home Recording Options

[Alex-I.T.F]

I am trying to decide weather to go for a new Laptop or spend on external sound card and some software for my reasonable desktop.

I used to record on my old XP with a older model Omni Delta M Audio external card with Abletone EZ Drummer and Gutar Rig and that was my set-up over 5 years ago and that's as far as my PC recording knowledge goes.

Ever since I have totally lost track of what's new and need some recommendations on a reasonably priced and user friendly setup.

I am mainly after something that will record at good demo quality without too much messing around trying to figure out the actual software...

Is a used Mac with Garage Band and additional Drum software an OK idea?
Like I said I'm not so PC literate and I wouldn't mind something that I can throw around and bring along to rehearsals etc .

Any ideas are appreciated

 

[MindMunch]

I am mainly after something that will record at good demo quality without too much messing around trying to figure out the actual software...

What you already have (Guitar Rig and ezDrummer) are enough. You just might need a better DAW, like Reaper, because tracking and editing on Ableton or GarageBand is very painful (but not impossible).

ps: Not as painful as your signature, though.

 

[Alex-I.T.F]

What you already have (Guitar Rig and ezDrummer) are enough. You just might need a better DAW, like Reaper, because tracking and editing on Ableton or GarageBand very painful (but not impossible).

No, you see I don't actually have that PC any more so I need to start from scratch and I am liking the idea of a lap top...

 

[Robert W]

For the price of a good laptop you can get a better desktop.

Example,
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Asus+-+...0&skuId=1700116&st=Computer_Systems&cp=1&lp=1

Not that this is an especially great deal, but it will give you an idea of what you can get performance-wise in that price range. Of course if you're one of the tech savvy types you can build your own for much less.

As for recording software, Reaper, as was previously mentioned, in a great DAW and it's free, so to speak. Also, there are tons of great free amp and cab sims out there as well. For an interface, assuming you want a new one, pick up a Line 6 Guitar/Tone Port.

Recommended links,
http://www.reaper.fm/ Great DAW
http://lepouplugins.blogspot.com/ Great amp sims.
http://www.igniteamps.com/audioplugi...amer_1_0_0.zip Best tube screamer sim.
http://www.theserinaexperiment.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=85 Great amp sims.
http://www.recabi.net/ Great commercial cab sims.
http://www.ownhammer.com/ More great commercial cab sims.

I use/used all these sims at one time or another and they are all excellent choices.

 

[Alex-I.T.F]

For the price of a good laptop you can get a better desktop.

Example,
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Asus+-+...0&skuId=1700116&st=Computer_Systems&cp=1&lp=1

Not that this is an especially great deal, but it will give you an idea of what you can get performance-wise in that price range. Of course if you're one of the tech savvy types you can build your own for much less.

As for recording software, Reaper, as was previously mentioned, in a great DAW and it's free, so to speak. Also, there are tons of great free amp and cab sims out there as well. For an interface, assuming you want a new one, pick up a Line 6 Guitar/Tone Port.

Recommended links,
http://www.reaper.fm/ Great DAW
http://lepouplugins.blogspot.com/ Great amp sims.
http://www.igniteamps.com/audioplugi...amer_1_0_0.zip Best tube screamer sim.
http://www.theserinaexperiment.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=85 Great amp sims.
http://www.recabi.net/ Great commercial cab sims.
http://www.ownhammer.com/ More great commercial cab sims.

I use/used all these sims at one time or another and they are all excellent choices.

Thanks for the info !!!