Nopers, not the car kind...the recording computer kind! I tend to resist computer upgrades as long as I can - if it ain't broke...well, you know. But the old Pentium 4 was really showing its age and just can't keep up with all those software synthesizers and processing tools I've been asking it to run while concocting new songs lately, so it was time.
I looked into a few different options. A new iMac seemed kind of enticing...very elegant computers. But at $1,200 for the cheapest entry-level model (or $2G+ for the cheapest tower-style Mac), it just seemed like I could get a lot more for my money on the PC side. Since I've had great results using Dells for recording PCs in the past, I compared Dell's offerings and decided to go with an Optiplex 755. I found one with an Intel Quad-Core CPU and Windows XP Pro (not ready to make the Vista plunge just yet) at a very reasonable price and was able to get that plus a 22" wide screen flat panel for less than the cost of the entry-level iMac. Schweeeeet.
The time has also come to change recording software. I got my last album done fine with Mackie Tracktion, but despite its nice simple layout, it was starting to feel a bit lacking in features compared to Pro Tools and other software I'd used previously.
So I went through the whole researching process again and finally landed on Sonar 7 Producer Edition. In terms of stability, feature set, and bundled extras, it just seems to have the edge right now. I'll basically be able to do everything in one program that it took 3 different pieces of software to accomplish before, which will speed up my recording process big time. Sonar also takes full advantage of Quad-Core processors (unlike some other programs), which was another strong selling point for me.
Now I just have to hope everything decides to play nice when I set it up and that I don't end up wasting several days working out bugs, of course!
I was already nice enough to myself playing Santa, but I also ordered a few clothes, something I seldom do for myself. Mainly some pants that actually fit me and grab my little behind nice and tight - out with the baggies, in with the ass-huggers!
So there we go...my "Christmas shopping" for myself is all done. Now I just have to finish the last of my shopping for everyone else. I'm actually ahead of the game this year and am about 90% done with that too. Damn, maybe I'm actually going to be ready for the holidays this year?
Nah...no matter how much we try to prepare, we're never really ready for the holidays. One way or another, it always seems to turn into a Christmas Vacation scenario. "Don't throw me down, Clark!" "I'll...try not to, Aunt Bethany." :-)
DV
