I guess we are arguing sematics, because i have taken this very side many times over at Cakewalk's MC forum, where i spend that better part of 8 years helping newbies setup their system. I have heard the other more experienced users there, tell the new folks that they will never get it going unless they run out and buy a bunch of expensive equipment.

A small Behringer mixer attached to the line in and line out will allow someone to get the process rolling, and do a very decent job. That I agree with, but along that same line (that is how I started by the way) we all know from experience that eventually we realize that a better sound card will make the system more solid, and upgrade the process. Just adding a $149 PCI card (price at that time) made my system purr. I still used the behringer mixer for another 4 years, until one day i bought a Yamaha mixer that i found on the bargain table at Guitar Center. As far as buying a USB interface well, i bought it because it was on sale, and seemed like a good idea at the time. Do i need it, well not really.

Does better gear help you, yes and no, sure it makes the process easier, and you can get better end results, you can have better options, and more choices to use for what you want, but you can do fine without it as well.

I believe you can record and get good results from the PC card/chip, but i believe you get better results from a decent interface. I can build a beautiful home with a hammer and a hand saw, but a compressor, air nailer, and power saw will make it far easier.

For young folks starting out, on a very small budget, ROG ideas are spot on, and i do not want to diminish them at all, he is right on. I have preached this as well. I like oren like the minimalist path for the most part. Nothing i own has been purchased for full price, except my one acoustic guitar. Still having the proper tools sure makes the job easier.

Last edited by Robh; 03/01/12 04:17 PM.
HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini with 16 gig of ram, BiaB 2025, Realband, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 9 32c , Melodyne 5 editor, Presonus Audiobox 1818VSL, Presonus control app.