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Here's what I have:HP PavilionWindows XP SP2AMD Athlon 1.2 Ghz224 MB Ram60G memoryCD reader/burnerTracktion 2Midi keyboardASIOHere's what I want to add:EWQL Symphonic Orchestra Silver EditionSystem Requirements:2.4 GB Free Hard Disc Space, DVD DriveMINIMUM REQUIREMENTS (for Native Instruments software)Windows XP/ME/98, Pentium III/Athlon 500 Mhz, 256 MB RAMRECOMMENDED SYSTEM (for Native Instruments software)Windows XP, P III/Athlon 700 MHz, 1 GB RAMCOMPATIBILITYWIN (VST®2.0, DXi2™, ASIO™, MME™, Direct Sound™)QUESTION:- can I add an external DVD reader/burner to my drive?- will this software run on my computer as is? (I'm already red-lining in Tracktion if I have too many tracks or too many effects)- I don't really have the money to buy a new computer, but I'm desperate to have more authentic sounding instrumentationYour advice is appreciated!cheersHummin'bird

Bird, with that kind of system, depending on which Pavilion it is, you should be able to add memory (RAM) and a r/w DVD drive. If you have a computer shop, get them the exact model number of your Pavilion (it's on the back, usually) and they can tell you what it would cost to put in the maximum memory. I run similar software (Garritan Personal Orchestra, which has similar requirements) on a comparable Dell that I upgraded to 1G byte of RAM (around $50) and added a DVD drive. It usually tries to tell me I don't have enough memory when I load instruments, but it works fine.

Hi Hummin'bird,Yea, put as much RAM in your PC as you can. I'm running 4 computers and all have 1GB RAM or more. I recently bought a VisionDAW for EWQLSO Gold that has 2GB RAM.Good luck!Ern

Hey Vikki,Good advise up there about adding more ram. To do audio, you should be measuring ram in the GBs, not the MBs. That will add a lot of juice to your system. Something else that would increase your system's performance would be to get a second hard drive. Running audio off of your system drive really slows things down. You could even add 2 drives, one for audio and another for samples. That would be very helpful if your running lots of samples and audio tracks at the same time.Z

Hi. After reviewing the above info and costing out adding a DVD burner & external harddrive & more memory to my existing computer, I came to the conclusion that I might as well invest that money in getting a faster computer that will do what I want it to do.Here's what I'm looking at:HP Dual Core ComputerProcessor Type -- AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core 4200+ Processor Speed -- 2.2GHz RAM -- 2GB PC4200 DDR2 SDRAM (Exp. To 4GB) Hard Drive -- 200GB Serial ATA (7200RPM) Optical Drives -- 16X DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Graphics Card -- nVidia GeForce 6150LE Available Expansion Bays 1 X 3.5", 1 X 5.25" Available Expansion Slots 2 x PCI, 1 X PCI-Express Cache 512KB L2 Disk Drive -- HP Pocket Media Drive Bay Fax/Modem 56K V.90 Network Card 10/100 Ethernet Preloaded Operating System Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 Sound Card High Definition Audio System Bus 2000MHz It comes with LG L204WT 20.1" LCD Monitor "premium performance and stylish design. A fast 5ms response time and an 2000:1 contrast ratio makes this 20.1" widescreen LCD excellent for gaming, graphic design, and multimedia applications. User who wants clear and accurate picture representation will enjoy this LG L204WT 20.1" widescreen LCD format."And a printer, all for $1000 CA + tax (that's about $890US)"HP 1626n is loaded with an AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 4200+ Processor, 2GB memory, 200GB Serial ATA hard drive, 16X Dual layer DVD+/-RW drive with LightScribe, Integrated Graphics, Integrated Firewire/USB and 9-in-1 card reader. Preloaded with Microsoft Media Center 2005 operating system to manage all your digital music, photo and video. "I've already purchased (Merry Christmas to me) the EWQL Symphonic Orchestra Silver Edition:System Requirements:2.4 GB Free Hard Disc Space, DVD DriveMINIMUM REQUIREMENTS (for Native Instruments software)Windows XP/ME/98, Pentium III/Athlon 500 Mhz, 256 MB RAMRECOMMENDED SYSTEM (for Native Instruments software)Windows XP, P III/Athlon 700 MHz, 1 GB RAMCOMPATIBILITYWIN (VST®2.0, DXi2™, ASIO™, MME™, Direct Sound™)Question: Does it sound like this computer is a good match for the orchestra program? I'll also be running Tracktion 2, with my M-Audio Fastrack mic preamp & my midi keyboard (Yamaha PSR 260). The HP doesn't come with speakers, but I have netech speakers for monitoring.Am I right in thinking this is a good buy for my audio work? Thanks for your help!!cheers,Hummin'bird

Hummingbird, Your HP computer specs sound great( Ran wipes a jealous tear from his eye ) ... except for the Operating System. Many programs and audio devices, M-audio and EAST WEST Orchestra ( in your case), are not supported by the preloaded XP Media Center Edition . I understand it's cheaper to purchase a " factory built system " but if funds allow for it, i would Customize the OS from XP Media Center to XP Home or Pro edition ( Preferably PRO ). Who knows. It might even be a down grade and save you money. Anyway, If you stay with things " as is " i would, at the very least, consult with your device / software manufacturers to determine if their products are supported under Windows XP Media Center Edition. If so ...update your drivers and software accordingly. If not ... ?????? You'd expect this version of windows to be more "audio " friendly. It is, after all, the media center edition... . Funny Well that's my opinion - see what others have to say. Congratulations on your future arrival, RanG

THANKS! I wondered about it but it said "XP" so I wasn't sure. I'm going to find out if I can get it with XP Pro and the extra Ram too. I'll tell them to keep the printer & give me a better operating system!

I agree...home or pro are fine, media center I would avoid. Just to be on the safe side.Otherwise the specs are far above what Silver with Tracktion would require, so there's "room to grow"...always a good thing when purchasing a new machine.

I can't give any advice except you might want to read the thread "Building A Studio Computer". I got lots of excellent advice and the computer's been working great. Good luck and happy future recording to you.

Well, after a lot of hemming and hawing and considering... I finally went for a custom build.Specs.... Processor Type -- AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core 4200+ Processor Speed -- 2.2GHz RAM -- 2GB PC4200 DDR2 SDRAM (Exp. To 4GB or perhaps 8GB) Hard Drive -- 250GB Serial ATA (7200RPM) (Exp to 320GB)Optical Drives -- 16X DVD+/-RW Dual Layer (DVD/CD reader/burner) Graphics Card -- nVidia GeForce 6150LE Cache 512KB L2 (or bigger) Fax/Modem 56K V.90 Network Card 10/100 Ethernet System Bus 2000MHz+several USB ports.Operating System: Windows XP Home(plus motherboard, etc)with 19" LCD monitor, ergonomic keyboard & mouse...Total - $1,399 Canadian +taxOnly thing we haven't priced yet is the soundcard, as it needs to be Midi capable... but they figured it would be around $100. Sound Card High Definition Audio COMPATIBILITY -- WIN (VST®2.0, DXi2™, ASIO™, MME™, Direct Sound™)Grand Total - around $1499 CA (about $1300 US) I'll be gettin' it in a few days!!! Yeah!!!! Whoo whoo!!!! Hummingbird