What I think now

To all who helped me, THANKS!

So here is where i'm at for the moment.

Steinberg makes a Cubase-lite version called Cubasis. It's only $69 bucks.
24/ 48 sound, with 48 tracks audio, 64 midi.

Full VST plug-in capability (thanks Jackal), and much much more. Loses some
score function, and other stuff i don't need. Upgrade path available, so i
can eventually get Cubase VST 5.0 (thanks Alison) full-blown for about the
same price.

Echo Mia soundcard. www.audiomidi.com (thanks Mary) salesperson said for my
needs, this is the right card. $200 bucks.

So, i spend under $300 and am now playing with the big boys.

I'm having built in the backyard a brand new brick wall for slamming my head
against as i learn all this new crap.

Thanks everybody!

GeoZ

PS: would anybody mind if i posted a short story that is basically
off-topic, but has Harry Partch mentioned absurdly in it?