need to know if i'm on the right track...

[sniff]

alright,
here's my situation. I would like to be able to record some instruments, guitar, bass, drums, as well as vocals. (say 4 instruments, drums, + vocals) I have tried to do some research on my options, and I THINK I have narrowed it down to two options...bear with me, I am very new to recording and I am basically clueless...

If my observations are correct, I can buy a small mixer, such as the Eurorack UB1202, plug in my instruments and mics, and send that to my soundcard, which is interpreted by my software (i have adobe audition). This would not allow me to record the instruments on seperate tracks, though.

I could also but an I/O card, such as an M-audio audiophile card, plug my instruments into that, and record seperate tracks through my software.

Now i am going to build my own comp very soon, and the specs i have set out for it are as follows:

AMD Athlon 64 3200+ processor
1.5 GB of DDR RAM
200 GB hard drive
Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS PCI soudn card

I am going PC because I know how to use a PC, and i am unfamiliar with MACs

Really I just am not sure if my assumptions are corrects about how to get the instrument signal to my software in the computer. I see the I/O cards for about $200, but I don't know if that is all I need...I like the mixer idea (if it is possible) because I could use it to mix sound for a live performance (as long as I had an amplifier for it) and its relativly cheap. Any information on the subject would be greatly appreciated,
thanks,
-sniff-

 

[guitarboi89]

okay, i would say do it the soundcard way.. its the best quality, gives you a chance to edit after its recorded, and say is your bassist plays a not wrong during your recording you wont have to start again

with the i/o you can record 2 ways:
-all people play/sing at the same time. This is hard to do because it costs more money and theres problems of hearing another instruments sounds on the recording (say you hear the bass in the guitar track). You will need a soundcard with 12 inputs which will cost a lot

-each instrument plays seperately. you need a 6 input soundcard because the drums need many microphones.

with the mixer you wont have any control after its been recorded and can get very tedious unless your playing a song perfectly everytime

ps. you will probably need a mixer if u go down the i/o route to control sound levels going into the soundcard