New computer?

Hello all and Happy New Year,

I am going to buy a new computer at the end of the month and need some input on a killer system to buy. I will use the computer for Sonar 6 Producer and for Video, DVD and Graphics Production. I am not planning to play games on the system. This will be my computer for creative purposes not gaming.

I generally use PCs but have used Macs at the printing company I worked for. The printing company personnel and a tech friend of mine suggested to go with Mac for anything to do with creative stuff. The PC is geared more for office stuff.

What system, sound card, video card, firewire (internal or external), ram, processor (AMD/Intel Dual Core)/Quad ?), bit size to use, hard-drives (1 or 2) etc., would be the best system for my use.

I use electronic drums and keyboards for midi and will have guitar audio added. I also use a ton of soft synths. I am looking to spend around $2,0000.00.

I also use Moto Ethno and Symphonic Instruments (Music Creation), Vue 5 (Graphic), Motion Artist 3 (Flash Movie Maker) Poser 6 (Human/Animal Figure Design) , Roxio MyDVD Premier software.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Bob

Hello Jim and thanks for the reply.

My recording needs right now are not to record full bands or acoustic drum kits. I write using my electronic drums and keyboards and add friends on guitar, violin or other instruments (individually). So I would only need 1 channel in but may need to expand some day. Maybe a 4 or 8 I/O device would be better for me though.

Thanks again for the input. I was going to wait for Vista but some of my friends say to hold off until proven.

God bless.

Bob

I have a variation of Jim's setup, and I can't say enough good things about it... I really can't:

Windows XP Pro (32-bit) - Legit Retail Version off EBay $140
Antec P150 Case $120 (260)
Asus P5B Deluxe MB $210 (470)
Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 $220 (690)
G. Skill DDR2 800MHz CAS4 "HZ" Memory, 2x1GB $240 (930)
Sapphire x550 $50 (980)
WD 7200 RPM System Drive & "normal" files $100 (1080)
WD Raptor HD for Samples $100 (1180)
Maxtor 7200 RPM for Audio $120 (1300)
Seagate 7200 RPM for Video $160 (1460)
EMU 1616M PCI Audio Interface $400 (1860)

I used a MOTU 828 Mk1 before the EMU...

It's a silly fast system, and quite stable...
At 3ms latency, 24-bit/48KHz, I can do things like:
4 instances of Sylus RMX
2 instances of Proteus X2
2 instances of DimPro
2 instances of Rapture
2 instances of z3ta+
6-10 audio tracks for outboard recording & acid loops
Per track EQ across the board
4-6 busses with various effects, including some of the heavier ones

And... barely hit 50% CPU with no dropouts...
The Gary ADK Sonar Test gave me 55% at 3ms, with both the FW 828 and the PCI EMU.

I actually created a stress test that more adequately resembles what I do than the ADK test:
2 instances of every instrument plugin I had (with some heavy patches that I'd actually use... 3rd party, and sonar/project5 included), per track eq across the board (overkill, I wouldn't do it this way in real life), multiple audio tracks with effects, and multiple busses with effects across the board and I FINALLY got some clicks...
Bumped the latency to 4 or 5ms, and they went away.

I LOVE it... it's changed my life.
Get one.

Take care,
- zevo