So, aside from the platform, you need at a minimum:
- PT Hardware Interface with PT LE
- Monitors
- Headphones
- 1 microphone, 2 would be better
- Computer
- a Room or Space that sounds decent
Right now I have a Digi001 gathering dust, an Mbox (first generation), and a Digi 003 Rack that I just picked up. If you are going to be recording all by yourself or overdubbing friends 1 track at a time, I recommend some version of the Mbox. It is really my favorite interface to work with, completely portable with my laptop and as close as you can get to a Portastudio in Pro Tools.
Watch Craigslist for deals on used PT LE gear. I picked up my Mbox for $150 and the Digi 001 for $300 about 2 years ago.
On the other hand, a friend of mine just got
a Digi 003 Rack through Sweetwater and any time he runs into a problem or something he doesn't understand, he calls the Sweetwater support folks. He says they have been great helping him out.
Whatever platform you decide to run on, READ EVERY COMPATIBILITY DOCUMENT YOU CAN FIND. Then, read it again. Really..... I think many of the problems posted on the DUC are due to folks not picking a system that is Digidesign approved. Even with Pro Tools Free, I bought one of the few laptops they recommended, a Dell Latitude and it worked fine. Same thing goes for external hard drives.
When you install the software, read the READ ME file first. Read ALL of the installation instructions first. Configure your system exactly how the instructions recommend. If you are not that up to speed with computers, get a computer skilled friend to do it for you. Make sure that they follow the instructions to the letter, slowly. Insist on it.... no shortcuts with this installation or you will regret it somewhere down the line.
I recommend committing the computer you use exclusively to audio recording. Turn off the network card if it has one and don't use that computer to surf the web or get e-mail. If you dedicate it to recording, there is no need for antivirus software. ...... one more reason I recommend a Mac....
Mics - Get a Shure SM57 or the equivalent, 2 if you have 2 mic inputs. Yes, there are better mics and yes, you can get a cheap Chinese condenser for the same $. But, the Shure or another dynamic mic like it will not pick up passing motorcyles, the neighbor's dog and your stomach growling.
"If someone could literally from the ground up tell me what I would need to record guitar/bass parts. I have a regular guitar rig that would need to be mic'd and also a Line 6 POD."
A Shure SM57 may not be the absolute best, but it just works!
I record my Pbass via a Sansamp XLR output into the mic preamp of the Mbox. Good rock tone.
Do as I say, not as I do: Do NOT get caught up in the
"what is the best preamp, mic, converter or $XXX.XX" game on the forums. It is a waste of time and money, unless you are really going to try to compete with the pro studios out there. Record with what you have until you are really good with it.
Monitoring - Get a good, COMFORTABLE set of headphones that you won't mind wearing for an hour or so. I have Sennheiser HD280s and I do not recommend them, unless you like to have your head squeezed in a vise. Get monitors of some kind, but don't spend your life savings on them, especially if your room is not treated. I have KRK Rokit 5s, but because I am in an untreated 11' X 11' X 8' room, what I hear is not accurate.
The Room - Don't spend a bunch of money on foam. Figure out a way to hang some quilts or moving blankets behind you when you record. If you want to REALLY help the sound of the room for monitoring, look on the web for forums that explain how to use rockwool or fiberglass to cut down reflections and help tame the bass.
The software: You have everything you need in Pro Tools, reverb, compressors and EQ. Repeat, you have EVERYTHING you need in Pro Tools. Yes, there are better plugins out there and some are even free (Massey demos are great!) But for starting out, don't get caught up in all of the
"Digirack plugins suck man!" threads. USE WHAT YOU HAVE!!!
"Also, what is the learning curve on this? I had a Roland UR8 with Cakewalk in the past and it was really difficult to use. I'd lay down track and they would not be synchronized. (latency issues I think it was called)."
I think Pro Tools is about as intuitive as it gets for recording software. You can be up and recording basic tracks in less than an hour after reading through the "Getting Started" guide. Basic tracking is not that hard as far as the software goes. On the other hand, editing goes as deep as you can stand and beyond. You don't have to know it all to get started and record some good sounding sessions. It is amazing software!
Latency is a problem, but here's how I deal with it:
1. Mute the track you are recording and use the hardware monitoring on the Mbox to hear what you are playing.
2. I learned this the hard way and it took hours of scouring forums to figure out the cause. Never put plugins in a session, especially on the master fader, when you are still recording the basic tracks, expecially rhythm instruments. I had a reverb on an aux channel or something and I was trying to lay down a bass track. It kept being out of time and I knew I wasn't THAT tired and THAT sloppy. Once I took all of the plugins out of the session and lay down a bass track, it was all in sync and I just put the plugins back in. Inactivating the plugins might have worked the same way, I am not sure though.
bilco
well at least we know you were not getting paid for it 
