No MP3 playback, no record, no VST's, no B4...

It will be a good set up for you..

kbrkr:

If you can live with a PCMCIA (Cardbus) card you might try the Indigo "DJ" or "I/O" cards. I have the latter in an older HP similar to your Dell, and it performs marvelously. I much prefer this to the USB/external card options. Onboard laptop sound is usually poor.

Not available in the newer "Express" card format -- so be careful if you are thinking of upgrading the laptop as well.

Sometimes available on Ebay, etc.

I use mine with an Axiom MIDI controller and various VST setups, BIAB, etc.

For studio work, weight and number are moot points.

I have the XK-1, a laptop and three different types of recorders for all the other goodies. I don't know what kind of studio work you do, so I can't judge how efficient your set up is.

As a live, to-go set up I'll stick with my stuff.

I use a E-MU 1616M for my laptop VST setup!

1616m comes as 2 piece unit, Cardbus + Dock with Digi preamps!

Kick's Ass!

Fran good luck with your new rig....
sounds like flexible, efficient winner for sure!

Cajun,

Thanks for the tip. Are there Vista drivers for that card? I'll do a Google search to see If I can find any info. Can you record with the card as well?

Thanks
Al

While we're all talking about our new toys, I gotta give props to a guy I heard tonight at the Madiera Beach American Legion. He played an E-500 with a rickety old Peavey mini amp. He did an OK job and he and his buddies did a good job for the AL crowd.

It's not what you play, but how you play. Isn't that what it always funnels down to?

Sure does Cass....but as you know most here never want to ever post anything they play so whats the sense?........hard to learn from deaf rhetoric all the time......
the music is what its all about baby.

Fran, I am happy to see your slipping back into the software approach......a little at least!!!! Now, if one could only convince Rikki to get rid of all her hardware stuff!!! I could once again rest in peace.

So right, Donny. At least our stuff is out there.

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Cass www.cassponline.com/