I'm about to upgrade my setup and need some help w/ software and new computer

Hi all.  Been a while since I've been here.  I've recently gotten back into recording and am looking forward to really revamping my setup.  I'm planning on moving to a 64 bit system and I'm confused about the new Cakewalk software.  I currently have HS6XL. 
when I log onto the Cakewalk site and look at my downloads, it looks like I can upgrade to to X1 Producuer for $99.  If that's the case, it seems like a no brainer considering all the extras you get.  Any advice against that?
 
I'm looking into some off the shelf computers such as Rain, ADK, and Purrrfect Audio.  I'm figuring my budget is around $1,500 max and I want to run dual monitors.  So any input into these types of DAWs would be great.  I have a lot to learn so I'll be researching for a while, but I'm looking forward to it all.
 
Thanks to anyone willing to throw in their two cents!

thanks RobertB.  So HS6XL will actually run in 64bit?  Nice!  That would take care of that for now.  I'm no expert w/the program, but I can stumble my way through it so it'd be nice not to have to switch to a new one just yet.  From what I'm reading 6XL works in Vista...  What about Win7?  It seems like that's a standard OS built into the machines I'm looking at.  Though some have XP 64 bit on them.  My current DAW runs XP and I remember reading that a lot of people prefer this OS, but I'll have to keep reading on Win7.
 
I'm not really in a rush, but I do hope to make a decision w/ in a month or two.  I have to sell off some gear first to raise the funds, so that'll take some time while I keep looking into all this.
 
Thanks again!

upgrade to Sonar X1 Essentials is $79 (from SHS6)
upgrade to Sonar X1 Studio is $149 (from SHS6)
upgrade to Sonar X1 Producer is $299 (from SHS6) (as Bob said).

If I were in your shoes I'd install SHS6 on the system and see how that suits you for now. then upgrade later if you need it.

I'd stay away from Rain, myself, I think they're overpriced for what you get.  I'd stick with building my own or using Jim @ Studiocat or Scott @ ADK.

Beagle


If I were in your shoes I'd install SHS6 on the system and see how that suits you for now. then upgrade later if you need it.

I'd stay away from Rain, myself, I think they're overpriced for what you get.  I'd stick with building my own or using Jim @ Studiocat or Scott @ ADK.

Yeah, from what I've seen, those two companies offer the best bang for the buck and I've seen some really good feedback on Jim's stuff here on this forum in the past few days.
 
Thanks Beagle.  FWIW, you're the guy who pretty much got me to figure out ezdrummer back in the day.  So thanks for your continuous contributions!

I have an EM-0404 right now and it looks like there's drivers for 64 bit compatibility. 

Yes, audio interface is the same as a soundcard. When I say audio interface, I usually mean something better than the chip on the motherboard and better than a SoundBlaster soundcard. I missed that you had the Emu0404. If it has enough inputs on it for you than that would be fine to use. 

I think my initial question is a moot point...  The KB37 is USB so the signal is being processed that way if I understand correctly.  The outs on the KB37 are actually analog outs meant to go to monitors.  So when I'm using the Toneport software of the KB37, I just need to set things up so the KB37 is the input. 

For me to monitor those sounds, I'll still need the analog outs to go into the new sound card, or get a get a headphone amp w/ more than two inputs.  My Presonus HP4 only has the two.  But the actual processed signal of the KB37 is done via USB. 

Sorry for my confusion, but thanks for helping me get to this understanding!

57Gregy


The KB 37 is an audio interface as well as a MIDI controller. You won't need another interface. "I'll still need the analog outs to go into the new sound card"; use the KB 37 as your sound card if there are 64-bit drivers for it. 

Right, but I'd like a little more flexibility in case I wanted to mic up a drum kit which wouldn't be so easy w/ the KB37.

57Gregy


Roger that.
So if you used 2 different audio interfaces, you would have to use the WDM driver since with ASIO drivers you can only use one device at a time.
Not a real problem; many folks use WDM with good results.
I don't know if sending the audio out from the DAW to the KB, then back into the DAW through another sound card will work, though. Feedback? Hmm... I think I'd use an external mixer, both interfaces feeding into the mixer.

I'm thinking I could just record the tracks separate - record the drums first and then go back and do guitars/bass.  The only problem w/ that is having to turn the program off/on in order to change the drivers.
 
I've never used WDM, I'll have to look into that.  Thanks!

57Gregy


Thinking more about this last night, I think I would remove the KB 37 from the audio chain and just use it as a MIDI controller, then use another interface (with more inputs/outputs) for all the audio.

Well, I use it for the Toneport software that has the amp models and effects.  I can use it only for the purposes of getting my guitar and bass tones and then use a different interface for everything else.  The only issue is what I mentioned before - you have to restart the HS program when you want to change ASIO drivers.  Not that huge of a deal.