DG,
Thanks. The Mac Mini I'm not sold on. I just want a cheap mac for a few other uses. However... this is what I want (explained better)
Mac Mini: Cubase, only spitting out midi data.
PC 1 & 2: Only acting as sample slaves, producing audio.
PC 3: where the audio ends up. Think of this as the "pro tools machine". I'm not in love with Pro Tools. But I think that explains what I want it for. I'd have any hardware DSP running on this machine. I'd want all/most post-VST dynamic processing on this machine, etc. This is mainly because I tend to find that the more of each task you give a machine, the less well it performs. If I only have a machine doing slave work, it does amazing. Add some effect plugins and the ability to handle even the sample playback diminishes. So I want to keep the processesing of different tasks done by different machines.
I once saw a video where someone uses VEP to make one computer a VST effect rack. I'm assuming it's like that. Although I'd prefer to have a DAW be the effect rack for some of the mixdown, batch (stems) options, familiarity, and more developed mixing features in some cases. VEP is capable. I'm not saying it isn't. I'd just rather do it in a DAW. I'd even rather VSL made a DAW actually lol (another story for another day).
If that can work, I'd love to know. If it can't and you have a better suggestion I'm game. If I need to build a 2-CPU 20 core 3.1 Xeon system I will. But I keep thinking that VEP will allow for a cheaper hardware solution.
-Sean