Is AA2 right for me?

Hello All,

I've recently jumped on the podcasting bandwagon and I'd like to ask if you think that AA2 can do what I want to do.

Basically I want a tool that can record my audio and easily/quickly generate MP3s without a lot of fuss or post-production editing. I'd like something that can also handle live cart-style sound effects, although I understand that I can do that via a third-party tool instead of AA2.

I'll mostly be recording just me, although sometimes it will be a guest and me either live or via telephone. I don't really have any preference as to whether I record each person as an individual track and mix it down when I make the MP3 or whether I record them onto the same track initially.

I have a decent Edirol USB Audio interface, an Aphex compeller, a digital hybrid and some decent mics, so really I'm just looking for a SW recommendation. It seems that AAC will do what I want, but I just wanted to make sure there wasn't something better for my specific requirement (quick time from recording to published MP3) before I plunked down the cash. I have been working with the eval for the past few weeks.

Also, as a weird follow-up question, is their a manual for AA2? I downloaded the eval and I cannot for the life of me find a manual on Adobe's site, and the AA2 help doesn't seem to work.

Thanks everyone,
Brian

Also, as a weird follow-up question, is their a manual for AA2? I downloaded the eval and I cannot for the life of me find a manual on Adobe's site, and the AA2 help doesn't seem to work.

I can't really answer the "is it suitable" question, though I will note there are many (and some here) who do use AA for producing podcasts.  But the help worked fine for me in the AA2 tryout, so I'm not sure why it's not working for you.  There is definitely a hard copy manual shipped with the physical product, if that is what you were asking.