[kim_otcj]

It was the introduction of the 64-bit version that got me to pull the trigger. And with version 3.2 here now, there’s an even bigger gap between free and licensed Podium. Since you’re doing something ambitious it might be worth the upgrade so you can use multiple cores.

But if money’s tight, it still possible to do a “seamless” album in free. You just have to be a bit clever about how you organize it. You’d definitely want to be using groups, and bouncing groups to free up processing, so you don’t run out of computer juice halfway through.

I will be getting a new PC soon, due to some saving, which will still be single-core…

Have you considered second hand? I picked up a second hand Acer laptop from my local pawn shop for about half the price of a new one (I know that, because the exact same model was still available new — second hand doesn’t mean old). It had been cleaned and the OS reinstalled. Best bargain I ever snaffled, because people still have that “upgrade once a year” mentality with computers. You should be able to do better than a single core.

No MIDI inclination, since I have no way to control it as of yet.

You can still construct midi parts in Podium’s piano roll editor. There are so many free VSTi’s it seems a shame to go without. I understand you might not want to emphasize the electronic stuff, since you’re going for an acoustic sort of album, but occasionally having a few different sounds can add variety and really lift it. And it doesn’t have to be complicated.

ending in a pro-sounding album (for sale) that will open the door for a little more than momentary success.

Sounds great, but don’t count too much on being able to make money. These days, I’m gigging professionally at the local level, but the money I make from it barely covers the costs. I’m happy just to come out ahead and not lose on the deal. It’s a tough market out there at the moment.