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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>I second the sentiment that all the work that has gone (and
is going) into Planet CCRMA and all the various apps <span class=GramE>is</span>
AWESOME. <span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp;</span>I really only have two
interests, music and computers and I&#8217;m finding that <span class=SpellE>DAWs</span>
really help me bring it all together.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>A little background:<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp;
</span>I play several instruments, sing, write music, and work as a
network/systems administrator and have been using <span class=SpellE>linux</span>
for 5 years now. <span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp;</span>I want to bring in
more of the music to the <span class=SpellE>linux</span> box I have set up with
Planet CCRMA and merge the two worlds even further. <span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp;</span>I&#8217;ve also decided to gain
experience by offering to record music competitions or performances (which I&#8217;ll
be doing in a few weeks) at our local high school or anywhere else they&#8217;ll
have me.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>I&#8217;ve been searching the <span class=SpellE>alsa</span>
pages and <span class=SpellE>googling</span> trying to get some idea of
hardware that would be entry-level and pro quality. <span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp;</span>The <span class=SpellE>alsa</span> pages
are REALLY vague and I get the impression that most devices are only partially
supported.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; </span>So, can anyone recommend
something that works well?<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>&nbsp; </span>I&#8217;m
hoping to find something with the following features (and realizing that I may
not get them all):<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal><span class=GramE><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>24bit/96khz</span></font></span><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> A to D
conversion<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>External unit (so there is no interference from PC circuitry,
unless experience shows this isn&#8217;t really a problem.)<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>At least 4 inputs, 8 would be better<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal><span class=GramE><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Less than $500??</span></font></span><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Good dynamic range<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>I&#8217;ve got a few devices that output SPDIF, so it would
be cool if I could get an input for that too.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Also, if you think my requirements are off, any tips would
be GREATLY appreciated.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>With lots of hard work maybe I&#8217;ll someday own a
recording studio with my <span class=SpellE>linux</span> DAW at the center.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Brian<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

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