Need help setting up recording ...

[RG1XXV]

Ok guys, so I play electric guitar and I have the following equipment:

My laptop, recording software (audacity), 2 guitars, Mesa boogie Rack Pre amp, TC electronics G major FX rack and rack Equaliser, Mesa Boogie 2:90 rack Power amp, 2x12 Speaker cabinet, and a SM57 mic.... Ive positioned the SM57 to the cab slightly off centre by the left speaker cone as recommended in the manual.
Now what do I need to do ?? Do I need anything else ?? Im not really sure how or where I set the mic up to record.... Does the mic record my speaker cab and then plug straight into my laptop via USB ??

 

[Seidy]

What you need is audio interface like Focusrite 2i2 or Steinberg UR22. It will replace your current sound card.

 

[RG1XXV]

Do I need a mic pre amp ?? Or can the Mic record directly from my speaker to the interface, then to my laptop ??

 

[mjbphotos]

The audio interface will have a mic preamp in it. Read the sticky threads about computer recording in this section of the forum before buying anything more!