🚀 go-pugleaf

I am looking to use my PC (Gateway 483DX2/50) to edit music digitally.  I
need recommendations for the necessary add-on equipment/software.  Let me
first explain exactly what I'm trying to do.  I wish to to cut pieces of
music for ice skating programs (meaning a 2 to 4 1/2 minute piece of music
that a figure skater skates to during a performance). I want to keep as
close as possible to CD quality sound, in stereo.  I want to use my PC
rather than just using a music source and cassette recorder (which is how I
currently do it) because I believe I get get better results using a PC, and
I should be able to alter the music itself using a PC...  In order to do
this, I envision doing the following: 

1) "Record" sections of music from CD or Tape source onto my hard disk. 

2) Edit these music sections to select the exact portion of the section I
wish to use in the final piece. 

3) Make volume adjustments as necessary so the various sections will blend 
seamlessly.

4) Possibly filter either tape noise, or even some of the music itself, to 
aid in blending various sections.

5) Possibly (though less likely, at least initially) mix in synthesized 
sounds as well.

6) Combine all these sections into a skating program of 2 to 4 1/2 
minutes in length.

7) Playback the program to external audio outputs for final recording to 
cassette tape.

8) Save the recorded program for archival purposes.  I would typically use 
my tape backup unit for this (I already have a QIC-80 format unit).

That's what I want to do.  I have a bunch of questions, and I'm also 
looking for specific equipment recommendations.

Questions:

1) Has anyone out there done anything like this?

2) I've been told (by a sales person) that the best system for this is 
	- Turtle Beach Multisound card
	- Turtle Beach Wave for Windows
	- 340MB SCSI hard drive
	- SCSI interface card
	- NEC CDR-74 CD-ROM drive
That's a lot of money!  Is there any way I can do it for less?  

3)The sales guy told me I need a SCSI drive because the data throughput of
my IDE drive is inadequate for the volume of data required for CD recording
and playback. Indeed I tried out a Pro 16 Multimedia System (borrowed a
friend's and installed it on my PC), and there were very noticable gaps in
the music that I attempted to record and playback.  Is there any way I can 
use my IDE drive (and save close to $1K)?

4) As I understand it, when CD audio is played on a CD-ROM drive, it is 
converted from digital to analog in the CD-ROM drive, and then converted 
BACK to digital by the sound board.  Is this correct?  Why do things this 
way?  Seems rather indirect and error prone...

5) Are there any other considerations of which I should be aware?  I 
already know that CD quality music in stereo uses about 10MB per minute...

I would appreciate responses to any of my questions from any knowledgable 
person.  Feel free to respond to only some of my questions, and to save 
space, cut any questions to which you aren't responding.  Please respond 
via email.  I'll post a summary of the info I receive.

Thanks!
John Sheets