slartabartfast
I suspect that an external drive speed of 7200 will not be fully utilized unless there is a USB3 or eSATA  connection. For modest projects 5400 should work.

My thoughts exactly. A USB2 connection (or a USB2 External Drive) won't take advantage of the speed a 7200 drive brings. Unless you have a USB3 connection, or an eSATA connection you would be better off using the internal drive for projects then archiving to an external to keep your space maximized.
 
The other thing to consider (especially on a laptop) is the USB Bus. There might be 2, 3 or 4 ports - but there might only be one bus. That would mean an external USB Audio Interface and a USB Hard Drive would be sharing the pipeline creating a bigger bottleneck. Not to mention - a USB2 bus can be seriously crippled when a USB1.1 device is plugged into it as the bus will drop it's specs and operate at the slower speed for EVERYTHING that is connected. USB3 does not have this limitation - it can handle multiple speeds at one time.
 
Just some things to consider.
 
 
EDIT: I just noticed this is a month old post that got brought back to life. My comment is likely irrelevant by now :)

Kenny, There are lots of videos out that can get you up to speed in no time. There's some free ones at Cake University that are good. The Groove 3 and SWA videos are in depth and real eye openers for a small fee. Scott's Sonar Power books rock but the X3 version isn't out yet. Congrats on the new toys.
 
Rocky 

Hi Dave ,
I just got done going through many of the suggestions and short cuts you posted ....
man....that helped me out a lot  
thank you so much for taking the time to help get me up to speed .
 
Kenny

Another resource you may want to grab is the reference guide (http://www.cakewalk.com/Support/kb/reader.aspx/2007013322 ), it is a massive pdf (2094 pages) but is searchable. The keyboard shortcuts start on page 1575.
 

kennywtelejazz
i have a new dog ...

 
Okay, now we're getting to the really important stuff!    I saw your post about that in the Coffeehouse. Looks like a keeper. Good call; a dog ensures you will  shut down the computer every once in a while and go burn off the studio tan.
 
Glad to hear you're having fun with all you new acquisitions, Kenny.
 
Dave
 

Sanderxpander
But you have Guitar Rig, R-Mix, V-Vocal (was that in 6 already or from 7 and on?), and so on. Plus you ot to use all the upgrades as they came out, many years between 6 and X3.

Perhaps you misunderstood. My comparison was to highlight the great update price for someone in Kenny's position rather than a complaint about my cost. I've been an annual upgraded for our er 15 years and always happy with the price. Cakewalk's pricing encourages those who stopped upgrading to come back by generous upgrade pricing.

tcaylor
Kenny,
 
If you do decide to get a new audio interface for your laptop, take a look at the Focusrite 2i2 ($150).  I have one for my laptop and it was very easy to install and use, also has direct monitoring making latency a non-issue.

Hi Tom, 
I will say that looks pretty good for the price , it is a unit I have thought about getting ....thanks 
 
Kenny
 
 

codamedia

slartabartfast
I suspect that an external drive speed of 7200 will not be fully utilized unless there is a USB3 or eSATA  connection. For modest projects 5400 should work.

My thoughts exactly. A USB2 connection (or a USB2 External Drive) won't take advantage of the speed a 7200 drive brings. Unless you have a USB3 connection, or an eSATA connection you would be better off using the internal drive for projects then archiving to an external to keep your space maximized.
 
The other thing to consider (especially on a laptop) is the USB Bus. There might be 2, 3 or 4 ports - but there might only be one bus. That would mean an external USB Audio Interface and a USB Hard Drive would be sharing the pipeline creating a bigger bottleneck. Not to mention - a USB2 bus can be seriously crippled when a USB1.1 device is plugged into it as the bus will drop it's specs and operate at the slower speed for EVERYTHING that is connected. USB3 does not have this limitation - it can handle multiple speeds at one time.
 
Just some things to consider.
 
 
EDIT: I just noticed this is a month old post that got brought back to life. My comment is likely irrelevant by now :)

Hi codamedia ,
your comments are very relevant   i started this topic before I upgraded  .
here's what i do know for sure about my set up . i have one USB3 slot and one USB 2 slot on my lap top.
 
i had read someplace that USB 2 audio interfaces do not play well w USB 3 , so I put the Yamaha on the USB 2 slot and then put my mouse into the USB 3 slot .....
Now my sound card works (as well as a 16 bit audio card could be expected to work as ) and I have a working mouse .
 
we all know that i will probably have to add the peripherals that i will need in the future ( more USB 3 , and the external HD 's ....)
As it stands now I'm up and running , able to record audio and learn my way around X3 ....for now I'm very happy....
 
thank you for your comments 
 
Kenny
 

bluzdog
Kenny, There are lots of videos out that can get you up to speed in no time. There's some free ones at Cake University that are good. The Groove 3 and SWA videos are in depth and real eye openers for a small fee. Scott's Sonar Power books rock but the X3 version isn't out yet. Congrats on the new toys.
 
Rocky 

Hi Rocky,  I've been spending a lot of time on u tube watching some of the videos...it's a good thing cause my cable package sucks 
I like the Cake University video on getting Drums to sound big....
thanks for the Congrats , 
 
Kenny

mettelus
Another resource you may want to grab is the reference guide (http://www.cakewalk.com/Support/kb/reader.aspx/2007013322 ), it is a massive pdf (2094 pages) but is searchable. The keyboard shortcuts start on page 1575.
 

Hi mettelus, 
Yeah , i grabbed that .....thanks  
 
Kenny