Recording Guitar Direct into my Computer

[pisces7378]

Hey guys, I am relatively new, meaning I have been asking dumb questions for the last 2 months or so. Anyway, at first I was a HARDWARE guy and hated computers. Now I have decided to go the computer route. I spoke to my brother that is a computer GOD, and he got me what he said is a "computer that will do all that YOU will ever need it to do. It is a Fujitsu/Siemens PC Scaleo P800
Here are it's spec's
Pent III
800MHz
20 GB Hard Drive
128 MB SDRAM
32 MB AGP Grafik
56k Modem
3.5" Diskette
16 Bit sound

Now here is what I have in terms of hardware:

Roland JV 1010
MIDI Master Keyboard
Acoustic/Electric Guitar
(No Amplifier)
Several Electric guitars

Software:
Logic Audio Platinum

I will use the drum sounds from the JV 1010 and the expansion boards to play the drum and bass lines into the computer software sequencer. But then I want to record my guitar into the computer as well. I also want to record my vocal tracks over all that. I was told at the record store when I wanted to buy a Roland VS 1880, that I might as well buy the software and just use the computer since the VS is basically a COMPUTER itself. I was hooked by the idea. Anyway, now I am finding out that I will have to buy so many sound cards, MIDI interfaces etc... plus the price of the PC, that I will be living on the street with a whole lot of fancy toys with no electrical outlets to plug them in. Now I want to make it perfectly clear that I want to make top quality music. I am not talking abotu spending $400 more dollars on a MIDI interface just because it has some brand name on it. And I work ALL ALONE. So I do not need 16 audio inputs. I just need a few. I only have that one synth/master keyboard set up, so I don't need more than one MIDI-in and out. Now right now anyway. Anyway, what else do I need?
Here is what I think I need:
- Some kind of MIDI interface so that the synth/keyboard will plug into my computer.
- Some kind of sound card, because the 16-bit one that comes in the computer just isn't so good.
- A pre-amp for my guitar with effects built in (distortion reverb flanger etc...)
- A Pre-amp for the microphone. (Vocal tracks)
- Someone said something about needing a mixer???

I pray to God that I have covered it all.

Anyways, does anyone have some good advice on which of these products I REALLY need and which I can live without? Can you go and re-read the spec's on that computer and tell me if ti si adequate before I go and buy a piece of junk. Thanks a million guys. I know these are a lot of LONG and boring questions. Take it easy on me please.

 

[bball jones]

hi pi,
seems like you got everything to be recording right now.

A generic 16 bit card is good enough to get you started, oftentimes they have midi ports built in them as well. Check see if yours does.

As far as guitars go - think about a pod or something similar,
also a mike would be cool.

Mixers are affordable these days too.

 

[robert jaybird]

you dont need a mixer, but a mixer will help preserve your sanity because its much more intuitive than using a mouse.perhaps youd prefer a control surface?check out the cm motor mix,it has automated faders and will interact with your software nicely.

as for mics, check out an sm-57 or rode nt-1.

for pre amps art,pro sonus, and joe meek all make affordable tube preamps.

a midi interface such as motu's fastlane is only about $60 and should work for you.

besides the pod also sheck out the j-station its cheaper and it has an spdif output.to really bring out the pods good stuff record going into a tube pre amp.

peace,
robert