Equipment / software decisions

[Sk8boi]

Hey -

I am just starting out in home recording. I have a decent understanding of computers, so I am currently pursuing a software solution for recording/mixing. I have a basic understanding of audio editing and mixing, but have mostly worked with other people's recordings on my machine (not being able to record my own as of yet).

Current equipment includes: Intel p4 2ghz machine, shure 57, Sound Forge, ACID 4.0, various guitars, and marshall amp.

I want to: Record guitar & vocals, using *something* to add bass lines / percussion as necessary. The final goal being to have a product which could be pitched to songwriting contests, producers, etc. I am not looking to invest a million dollars to find a perfect sound at this point, although future expandability would certainly be nice.

Options I am considering:

#1 : Picking up an M-Audio sound card, and a DMP3 pre, and using the existing software that I have to create stuff.

#2 : Picking up a different sound card / pre combo (i.e. RNP, Mackie, etc), and using the existing software.

#3 : Picking up an Mbox and learning ProTools, and perhaps supplementing as necessary with ACID loops for other effects (PT doesn't do loops, does it?). This would seem a reasonable choice, if only for the fact that skills learned here might transition to greater things in the future (an HD setup for instance)

#4 : Possibly, depending on how the setup sounds, purchasing an additional microphone or two - like a second Shure 57 and whatever mid-priced vocal mic suits my voice best (no idea at this point, although I have seen the recommended try-out list in the FAQs). The Rode NTK looks pretty neat . . .

SOOOO....

What I wanna know is, knowing what I want, and knowing what YOU know NOW, which of the above solutions (if any) do you think the best bet would be?

Thanks!

SK8

[SPINSTERWUN]

#1 seems to be your most cost effective option. Although, you will still need to get a program for tracking.

spin

[Todzilla]

What's your budget?

What do you hope to achieve?

Just you overdubbing?

How much acoustic recording?