Windows XP home or pro?

Ok,so i'm planning building a computer dedicated to recording with...

*plenty of firewire and usb ports
*At least a gigabyte of ram
*decent CPU(athlon 64 3200+ or P4 3.2Ghz)
*E-MU or M-Audio soundcard/s
*Good software(CubaseSX,DFH superior or BFD...mabey Reason)

I'm sure on those things at least...but what about the OS?

Is there increased compatibility or stability with windows xp pro over xp home?Or should I not even bother until the next iteration of windows(2006?)

And no,I can't afford a mac...nevermind,hail the mini mac!

Dude, a mini mac comes in at 500 bucks pre-loaded with Garage band !

There is more under the hood than I have in my G4 Powerbook and that is plenty fast !

I have an emu card and I really like it. It is way better than my old sound blaster live.

Windows XP Pro has web development and networking features you probably won't need at home.

I don't really know if there are other differences, but I have XP pro and it is pretty stable, so I can recommend that.

Nevermind,I just found you can custom configure it!

THANKYOU SIMON AND JON!

If you are going to go the PC rout Id have a very long look at Sonar.
I used it for 2 years and thought it was great.

Also consider must have plugins like Antaries Autotune and Waves Gold. Not cheap but very nice.

Another really good idea for Bass and Vocals is getting a pre amp / channel strip than can interface with your sound card digitally (vis S/PDIF or something). Behringer (ultravoice pro) and ART make reasonably cheap ones and they will infinitely improve the way even an SM57 or an SM58 sounds.

I can defanately vouch for using Sonar. I used to use ACID Pro, but now, it's Sonar all the way baby! :cool:

If I go for sonar,should I get studio or producer edition?The difference in price is negligible if producer edition is better.

Also,does it have a piano roll view or some kind of sequencer gui/ui so I can use DFH superior or BFD drums?Unless there is better software for creating realistic drums sounds and patterns out there that I'm not aware of.

I don't know about DFH superior or BFD drums but the Producers Ed is the one you want and yes it has the piano role interface and operates as a midi sequencer as well as an audio engine.

The only thing to watch out for with Sonar is all the hidden extra costs. Cakewalk love to charge you for everything !

If you are going balls out you might want to consider a copy of Waves gold. Expensive but if you have that and Antaries Autotune there is not much you cant do.

The only bad thing about SOnar is the Audio to midi engine is not that hot (if it is there at al. Another reason for using Apple Logic which will convert your Audio into midi and then either music or tab ! You can write in Music or tab and have it played back through midi. ! Cool hu !

Logic also comes with all its own plugins...oh yea !!

Originally Posted by: Jon BroderickI have an emu card and I really like it. It is way better than my old sound blaster live...

DOc,
Someone who backs your opinon about creative.

The thing with the mac mini is I would be forced to buy an external USB/Firewire interface like an mbox or digi002.

Plus after configuring the mac mini with a gig of ram and the burner drive,it breaks a $1000 usd.The computer I could assemble myself is thus...

Athlon 64 3000+(1.8Ghz)
1 Gig of Ram
200 Gig HD
Dual layer dvd/cd-rw burner
XP pro
M-audio pci-Delta 1010LT sound card

and that runs in at just under a $1000 and is fully upgradable.

So I guess its PC land for me.

Did you look at the apple education discounts ?

1GB ram and a combo drive (CDRW) 771 usd !

M Audio firewire audiophile interface 169 from 8thstreet.

Apple iLife 05 is bundled which provides Garage band (basic recording package).

Logic Express 299 with out an educational discount.

I got 500 bucks off my full copy of logic with an education discount. Lovely !!

Originally Posted by: kingdavidDOc,
Someone who backs your opinon about creative.

Oh Im not alone here !!!

Originally Posted by: Dr_simonOh Im not alone here !!!

Defanately not! I hate my creative card.

Originally Posted by: PRSplayaDefanately not! I hate my creative card.

No shie....!!
OK, I'm decided. No creative for me then!

Whats an education discount?

Do I need to be a student or something?I can't seem to find any info at mac.com

If you are a student or a teacher at a school or university you can use this link:

http://store.apple.com/Catalog/US/Images/routingpage.html