Hi all!!!!!!

My apologies if I've posted this in the wrong section.

A number of members responded to my first post with some very helpful answers and suggestions, which I appreciated very much. Today, I have listened to a number of songs in the 'Users' Showcase' and I'm very impressed! There are some really talented people on this forum.

I'm currently working towards purchasing either the Everything Pack or most probably, the Audiophile Edition of BiaB 2012. Why the Audiophile Edition? 1) Because I don't want to have to download any files; 2) Because of the uncompressed files. I have a friend who said she would like to work on a few songs with the view of producing a professional - type CD in the future,(her CD, not mine) so this is where I feel the uncompressed files of the Audiophile Edition would be the better option at this point ... and, I believe uncompressed files are quicker and easier to work with. Some say they can hear the difference between the compressed and uncompressed files; others say they can't hear the difference, but I feel the uncompressed files would be better to work with in regard to a pro-type CD. Feel free to correct me if I am wrong regarding this.

I have a few more questions I want to ask in the hope of being guided in the right direction. Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated. As far as software / hardware, all I have so far is:

- Pending purchase of BiaB.
- Roland A90 EX Master MIDI controller - 1997 model. MIDI connections = In: 2, Thru 1, Independent Out: 4. It has a sound card but no recordable device on it like a Hard Drive for example.
- Kontakt 2.

I will need to get some kind of Audio / MIDI Interface and a Microphone because I will be using acoustic instruments and voice on a number of tracks as well as soft synths, sound libraries etc. I was just wondering what else I will need in order to fully utilize Band-In-A-Box and incorporate BiaB into a fully - functional DAW.

I was also curious as to what other people are using in the way of:
- sound cards / Audio / MIDI interfaces ... (brands and why you chose them ... pros and cons)
- type of keyboards
- studio monitors (speakers)
- type / brand of microphone and why you chose it... pros and cons. (I've worked with Senheiser microphones before and really like them but they cost a lot of $$$$, but I guess you get what you pay for.

I took note of a couple of users suggestions to my first post and checked out the KVR home page and the free downloads. (Many thanks for including the link to KVR). I will be downloading the following from their site sometime soon: Audacity, Crystal and a few others.

I look forward to hearing from anyone who can offer some assistance.

Kindest regards,
Dome

BIAB Audiophile, Reaper, Kontakt Full Edition, Roland A90-EX Master Controller MIDI keyboard, Windows 7 x64