Thanks John,

I appreciate you taking the time to offer advice.

I forgot to mention that I'm running an Icore 7 Laptop with 6GB RAM and 64bit Windows 7.

I understand what you are saying about using the realtracks, but from what I understand, there are no realtracks for a string section. Hence, I will need to provide it from another source. While I cannot play the keyboard anymore, I can use it to record the correct sequence of notes, and go back and ajust duration and such within the measures using a neat little thing called video mouse (it allows you to control your mouse with your head) .

Mac, again thanks for reaponding.

I've looked at the SD2 and liked some of the sounds it offers, but in my opinion, the flute is just a bit too airy. The one I heard in Personal Orchestra is beautiful. If you're trying to do a celtic type of sound, the SD2 wouldn't quite fit in IMHO. Now that I think about it, there seemed to be a celtic style just introduced. Did that have a flute in realtrack form? I listened to so many of the demos that I have lost track of what's there, LOL.

Another question. While I played the twelve string for years (an ardent flatpicker here), the only reason I learned to do so is my first love is singing. I noticed that PG has the TC Helicon VoiceLive on the hardware page, but I assume it's the VoiceLive2 because the price is exactly the same as the VL2. That seems to be an incredible device for vocals and would be a good buy for what it offers. Having more control over my feet than hands, it would also be easier for me to manage. Does anyone have experience with this device? I know that there was some question about delay to the monitors that could cause issues while recording.

Let me clarify that I have the opportunity now to aquire these things, and probably won't again in the future. This is why I want to figure out what is best for what I want to do, and get what fits my needs while the resources are available.

Thanks,

Charles