Thanks for your imput. I should add that I have been using a Tascam 388 (circa 1980's) quite a collectors item, with outboard effects, and haveing a pro download and final mix on a Mac G5 with pro tools. Like I said I want to upgrade. I write folk/ country, Dylan, Beatles type stuff. I looked into a Yamaha AW4416, A DAW like you recomended but the reviews were from poor (to complicated and/ or outdated) to the best thing since sliced bread. 1) can these machines show real time recording on a dedicated computer? And what is a "Simple" software program to work with? What do you think of the G4 cube ..Thanks ....kirby