help a real noob

[batzilla]

Okay, I have a G5 iMac 20" (not the intel model) with 2.5 gigs of ram and I want to build a home studio. I have an electric guitar and amp. I'm going to get a synth and a bass guitar.

So heres my deal. I have NO IDEA what to get. I want to do multitrack recording. I have GarageBand but don't mind getting something better. I know NOTHING about MIDI or audio interfaces or drum machines,etc.

I have about $1500 to spend. I'm will be recording drum tracks (should I get a drum machine or drum software ie iDrum?) as well as bass track,guitars,keyboards and voice.

It seems that M-Audio has some cool gear and will work with ProTool M7 (is this a good route??)

Anyways, basically what i'm wondering is what would you do with $1500-$2000? What do I need and why?

Sorry for not being anymore specific but I am a complete noob to all this home studio stuff.

Thanks for any advice!
Dave

 

[TimOBrien]

Immediately get a good beginner recording book (spend $20 before spending hundred$/thousand$) that shows you what you need to get started and how to hook everything up in your studio:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/07...ce&n=283155&n=507846&s=books&v=glance
Wish I'd had that when I got started... would have saved me a lot of time, money and frustration...

Good Newbie guide that also explains all the basics:
http://www.tweakheadz.com/guide.htm

Other recording books:
http://musicbooksplus.com/home-recording-c-31.html


Plenty of software around to record for free to start out on:

Audacity: http://audacity.sourceforge.net

Other freebies and shareware: www.hitsquad.com