Hi Tony
It sounds like you were using the standard Windows Multimedia drivers, or a very poor sound card, (Or both) if you have a quality sound card and use ASIO drivers you will find that with the computer you mentioned you will be able to use everything that Hauptwerk has to offer without problems.
Don’t forget all the products you mention can be tested at the Blackpool Keyboard Festival open days, and is a good way to compare before spending your money. (Special deals and pre-owned instruments are also available)
You may also wish to visit the Miditizer website, http://www.virtualorgan.com (It’s free) its main downside is that it has to run stand alone rather then as a VST.
Enjoy whatever you finally decide on

Bill

Hi Tony,
as far as I'm aware , with the PA2x you can actually record samples?? wheras the T2 only plays samples??
You may want to check that out if you intend to do any sampling.

Also if you require using either the T2 or the PA2x as a master keyboard to control your sampler, the T2's controller functions aren't as good as the korgs.

I've used my PA800 as a controller for my sd1 , sd2 soundmodule & psr1500, ie
pa800 plays style parts, I use sd2 or sd1 as soundsource for melody tracks ( or style parts). My PSR couldn't send out the correct program & bank changes to the sd's to be able to be used as a soundsource for rh/Lh melody tracks.

May not be of any importance to you , but thought I'd mention it just in case.

DAbbled for a while with soundfonts & softsynths, haven't as yet tried midiing my laptop to the PA800 for that type of use, but I'm fairly certain I'd able to use the PA800 as a controller for my PC & soundfonts, when I get around to it. Unfortunately I don't think my laptops quite up to scratch for the better software samplers available.

best wishes
Rikki
[QUOTE]Originally posted by tony harbour:
[B]
although i have never used a sampler like Tyros 2 or PA2Xpro so don't know how easy or hard it is to set up preset sounds

Thanks Rikki

Having just found AllegroMusic.co.uk are saying they have info on Tyros 3 , it seems this may be on the horizon , i am willing to pay more for a machine that has advanced 2 models on

So will be now waiting to see what happens , trouble with buying a Tyros 2 now is they still have high p/x value compared to G70 , and if it is about to be superceeded it would mean be tempted twice (ie: T2 then T3) so i'll hang on and spend out once!

(The G70 is still a very good instrument , i'm still finding new things to do it with it approx 4 years on , so in no rush)

THe PA800 seems good on midi , the G70 is pretty good too , although i'm not a keen midi fan - hate extra wiring / setting up! - I'm sure we all would like the perfect instrument all in one!

I've had almost every brand out there, and the Korg PA800 has lasted the longest in my "honnymoon" period so far. I'm still loving this unit more than all the competition.