Originally Posted By: Guitarhacker
With the laptop, I would recommend that you buy several things.

1. A USB external interface running ASIO.

2. A pair of powered, studio reference monitors.

Depending on what you buy, you're looking at a budget of around $500 for these items. They will, however, allow you to do so much more with your music and recording.

Connect the interface to the laptop and plug the speakers into the interface and you're ready to go

Great advice. While it's possible to spend TONS of money on an audio interface and powered monitors, you might want to consider a quality, entry-level bundle. Here's a terrific one for $310.

PreSonus AudioBox 96 Ultimate Bundle

Available from many suppliers. Here's an Amazon link:

AudioBox 96 Ultimate Bundle from Amazon

The bundle also includes a license to Studio One Artist ($99 value). Great DAW. I use Studio One 5 Pro instead of Real Band.


Last edited by TheMaartian; 12/27/20 05:58 AM.

ThinkPad i9 32GB RAM 7TB SSD; Win11 Pro; PreSonus Studio 1810c; BiaB 2024 Ultra
Studio One 6 Pro; MuseScore 4; Melodyne 5 Studio; Acoustica Premium 7; Guitar Pro 8
Gig Performer 5; NI S61 MK3; Focal Shape 65; Beyerdynamic DT 880 & 770