Music tech help please

[Rum]

I know we have a couple of musically knowledgeable peeps here, so some advice if I may? I have come into a small sum of money - about 2K UK pounds which I have ring-fenced because I have been planning this for years - for a computer based music creating system.

I have a decent PC with on board sound, so I will need a sound card. I am willing to buy a separate one though if necessary - maybe even a Mac. I already have a Oxygen 61 Midi keyboard which I can't get to work because I don't have a sound card. I have a couple of cheap DAWs (Digital audio) but I am willing to buy say Reason or Ableton or whatnot if necessary.

I am musical - can play keyboards and guitar, so that is fine.

I want to be able to create my own sounds and loops and create my own compositions and save them to play - probably just to myself - its the creating that matters.

So what is the best way to go about achieving this from where I currently stand? Any suggestions appreciated from those who know?

[meex]

Never used it personally, but a gentleman (Ronald Jenkees) that creates music I am fond of, uses this program and it seems pretty amazing.

http://flstudio.image-line.com/documents/whatsnew.html

[Drewish]

You don't need to go mac for music and audio work (and I'm a loyal mac guy saying this.) As far as sound cards go:
http://www.soundblaster.com/products/pr ... 4064&nav=3

[AshtonBlack]

Not my field, sorry.

[owtth]

I'm an idiot when it comes to this stuff too, but a couple of months ago a friend gave me a gift of a Multi-track recorder here's the same one on ebay for $300 mine is about ten years old but it is reasonable quality and great fun and a piece of piss to use. So for 2K get a modern version. Your Midi keyboard will plug right in without the need for any mucking about with sound cards, as will any other instrument or microphone. I've tried direct to PC recording before and it's always left me mired in techno-limbo whereas my ten year old piece of kit is a god-send (Blasphemy). I'm still getting used to it but I can record some of my favourited in about 20 minutes, and am getting ready to "cut" (he said smugly) My own songs.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

If you want to get multi-cultural I can set you up with a set of genuine washtub band instruments for 2K.

[hackenslash]

Did you get sorted in this regard? Music tech is my profession (I teach it and I run a recording studio). I can give some advice if you still need it.