Problem is that costs money especially when I'll be spending extra on good components, quiet running etc.  Plus, at the end of it I'll still only have a system that sounds as good as my current one, just capable of handling more tracks.

So I investigated what was eating my CPU.  Unsurprisingly, it was the plug-ins.  Turn all them off, and the CPU's cruising at under 10% use.  Each reverb is good for nearly 10% on its own.

If only there were some way of offloading all the plug-ins to free up the CPU, and simultaneously getting far better sound.  If only.

Yup, I bought a UAD-1.  It arrives tomorrow, and I am very excited.  The Flexi Pak (linked) is a really cool idea:

For those who don't know, the UAD-1 is a DSP card that is designed to run specific audio plugins.  The card comes with software for all the plugs, but you have to enable each one by purchasing a license.  Now you can buy various packs of plugs to come with the card and works out cheaper than buying the card and the plugs individually, but how do you really know which ones you want?

The Flexi Pak provides a bare-bones set of plugs, but also gives you a $500 voucher to purchase further plugs as you decide what you want (14 day trial for each, you see).  Now that's a great way of buying.

So tomorrow expect a diary either raving about amazing sound, increased CPU headroom, and general awe.

Or, more likely, a diary about how shit computers are, and why don't things just work?