best audio midi setup ?

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Hi all tracktioneers!
I need :help: !
While waiting for T2 I'm gonna decide my audio midi setup. I ask here in the T forum 'cause you are using T as me and you can gimme some good advice for not coming into trouble with T! :)
I own a compaq AMD1.4 256RAM winxp laptop, so I have to go with usb or firewire. I want to be able to record guitar, voice, play keyboard and midi control my vst. Keep in mind: i'm still a beginner! In the last time I considered several options:
m-audio all-in-once ozone
usb audio-midi interface + master keyboard
novation all-in-once+ks-synth xstation
usb audio-midi interface + microKorg

What do you think is the best solution? All-in-one or separated? A small keyboard is enough or is better a 49 keys? Which's the best: m-audio or edirol?
I have to say the xstation and microKorg solutions thrill me for the ability to play a "real" thing and also for the situations when I have some melody in mind and I quickly want to play it (without turning on pc) just to remember the notes (:oops: yes, I can't recognise the notes without playing! :oops:).
But the are plenty of vst out there and buy a real synth seems an expensive solution for a newbie!
Anyway which of the two sounds best? I like retro-newwave-eighties sound and I know xiu xiu http://www.xiuxiu.org use a microKorg, but if the xstation has comparable sound I probably prefer this all-in-one.
Money? The options I've mentioned are all in my possibilities, but I wouldn't invest too much for an activity that is still an hobby!

Ok, so I've posted some questions to satisfy your daily need of helping the poor little newbies out there! :D
:help:
Thank you for any response!

Cheers!

Clang
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My post is boring long? I'll try to put it simple:
Which one would you choose for yout laptop daw?
  • m-audio all-in-once ozone
    usb audio-midi interface + master keyboard
    novation all-in-once+ks-synth xstation
    usb audio-midi interface + microKorg
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If money's a consideration, go for an all in one. I would personally steer away from the MicroKorg as a synth anyhow (small keys make for frustration unless you have proportionately small fingers). I like thee quality that Edirol built into their PCR-1 and I've heard nothing but good things about the sound quality. However, the M-Audio Ozone is cheaper and provides more bang for your buck (XLR input w. a mic preamp in particular). For an all in one solution I would grab the Ozone. If you want a hardware synth, I would recommend you look for something cheap and used (like an old DX 7 or Alpha Juno). It'll be cheaper than the MicroKorg. If you want that retro, electro-rebirth sound, I would stick with the standard software synth packages on the market today. Grab a copy of FM-7 and Battery and you should be good to go.
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thank you l0ss!
What about xstation? Anyone using xstation? Anyone using ozone? I'd like to know of your own setups! If I'm not indiscrete :)
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