PLEEZE HELP!!! What is best for me?

[cab25]

I am a total virgin in the arena of recording. I'd like to make the best decision possible. I play guitar, drums and keyboards and have no intentions for anyone other than myself recording at home. The question is this; since I can play only one instrument at a time what would make the most sense for me (8tracks minimum)? PC vs. Digital recorder ie. Roland 880 etc? My gut instinct tells me to buy an application specific USED pc w/ plenty of ram, hard drive, sound card etc and a program like cakewalk.
Which is quicker to learn pc or "conventional" digital recorders? Which has better quality? Is there a big cost difference? Obviously, you can expand software tracks cheaper - yes? I already own a cd recorder on my computer at work. Can I record/mix-down at home in .wav format and burn cd's at work. If i go the pc route what other hardware do I need? I do own a Yamaha DGstomp w/ midi in and outs and a digital out coxail. (i don't even know what midi is -pathetic huh) Any professional advice would sincerely be appreciated. p.s. this site rocks.

[ametth]

I think in your case a computer would be the way to go. Because with the modular recorders, if you want 8, 16 or more tracks, you have to buy another machine. With the computer you can add more tracks at will (mostly). With the added benefit of Direct X effetcs, you cant go wrong here (well, you can, but we wont get into that). The first thing I would do though is read alot, anything yuo can getyour hands (or webpage) on. Learn all you can about computers, midi, effects, etc...good luck!



-ametth

[cab25]

Thank you for your reply. What software would you consider to be the easiest to get started with. I've dwnldd tryouts from cakewalk (have'nt a clue how to get started) and n-track which seems to be pretty easy so far. Would it be true to state that the more complicated a software recording program is - the more powerful/better it is? Any of your advice is appreciated.

[ametth]

depends on what you want to do with your recording. If you want to just record audio, I would look at Vegas Pro. it's a real easy and powerful program. I you want to mix midi with audio I would look into steinberg nuendo.