Akai GX-280D-SS + G5?

[johnthefilmer]

I just purchased an Akai GX-280D-SS reel to reel recorder and I have an Apple Dual 2.5GHz G5. I only have a few mics (Shure PG56, Sennheiser e835, Radio Shack Unidirectional) and I don't really know how to start. I want to make a professional-sounding album for my band. I'd like to record everything on analog tape with the Akai and then dump it all on my computer, because recording with GarageBand really sounds awful (http://homepage.mac.com/johnthefilme...eTheater6.html). Will this sound the best? Also, should I get a mixer and more mics to record my drums? What kind of mixer? As you can tell, I really don't know what I'm doing, so any help is great. Thanks.

[scrubs]

Whatever sounds best to you is the way to go. You might want to ask around in the "Analog only" forum at the bottom of the page. Those guys love to talk tape.