plug-ins

Ok, I'm about to upgrade my computer. I have never wanted to intergrate a computer with my music, but I don't have a choice. There are so many plug-in synths out there!! I have a few analog/digital synths, but there are software emulators (plug-ins) that can almost duplicate the same sound as the original. Literally, you can have hundreds of synths inside your computer without physically owning one.
So, what do I need to make it work on my system? I have a dell PC, but I know I need some kind of input/output card for it. I know I can't run the plug-in without a program to make it work. I'm not going to do any recording on the computer, but to those that do use a computer in their setup, what do you recommend? My PC doesn't have midi, but I'm sure I can ismply hook up a USB midi controller to it....right??

you need an audio/midi interface (soundcard) & a vsti host program (sequencer program/DAW that has vst capabilities)

there so many of both these available i'm not to sure where to point you to. as far as sequencing programs go, just look for something simple and cheap that can host vsti's. cubase se or something should probably do you.

i cant remember the name of it, but i'm fairly sure there is a program (that isnt an actual sequencer/DAW) that simply allows you to host vst instruments.. i'm sure someone will know it.

as far as an audio/midi interface, you'd prob be best off giving us your budget, how many outputs you want etc..

also, a lot of interfaces and soundcards come with free software these days, which might provide you with your vst instrument host.

Yes u can hook up a usb controller...

Any audio interface that is made for music production should work fine.. .just read a bunch of reviews etc. online.

The reason u can't just use the stock soundcard or cheap soundblaster is usually because of "latency"... this means the audio connection has a timelag... meaning you hit the key on your controller and the sound comes out a second later, its no good. Decent audio interfaces will have nice low latency, solving the problem.
Latency on midi itself is usually not as bad. (although there is still some minor timing variability that tends to be less 'tight' then a hardware module.)

I second the Chainer recommendation. It lets you run vst plugins with no hassle.....basically turns your pc into a bigass sound module.
but did you want to sequence within the computer; then you'd need more than chainer.

no, I don't want to sequence with the computer, I just want to use the computer for my sound source. I'm looking for a recorder, but I realize that I need more than an 8track recorder. A 16 track recorder would be ok, but a 24 track would be perfect. Looking on ebay for a 24 track recorder gives me expensive results. I really don't want to spend more than $250.00 (I like to do things on a budget) and even an old version of pro-tools would be ok with me. I don't need the newest and best recorder, just something that is easy to use, and sounds good. I know absolutely nothing about using computers except for creatign .MP3's and email (for the most part) but I can get the hang of just about anything that I enjoy using. I have to get something soon, so if anyone has any suggestions, let me know. Easy, cheap, and sounds good with 16+ tracks. remember the budget is $250.00 . . yes, 250. Anyone got something they wanna sell? haha

you want a hardware multitrack? or you wanna do it on software?

hardware wise, akai DPS12 is decent enough. should be able to pick one up for that. it has plenty of virtual tracks to mess with.

I really don't like using a computer to do anything, but for the price, I may have to make the jump. Thye only DAW that I have used and hated are the roland recorders. Way too many menu's, and I couldn't stand hitting the shift key for every little thing. It was like one button did 3 different things. Anything but a roland recorder! I know roland and boss are the same company, but the boss line seems a lot more user friendly, but their 16 track recorder isn't in my price range. I want to record at least 4 tracks at a time.. be under $250, and easy to use. That's my main criteria. I'm currently looking at a korg d-16, fostex d160, and a tascam 2424 (something like that).. Anyone had any experiances with any of these?