Recording jazz quartet on Mac

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My jazz quartet consists of piano, bass (upright), drums and saxophone. We are looking to record some stuff for a demo, and don't want to spend much. Of course we want the best quality we can get, but it doesn't have to be perfect. Just good enough to hopefully generate some initial gigs. Not interested in multitracking, mixing, fancy post-production, etc.

My only previous experience: In a different band (voc, gtr, bass, drums, sax), I recorded some of our live shows using my laptop (MacBook Pro) and Audacity, with a line from the mixing board straight into the computer. The results weren't too bad, except that the mix was off since the levels on the board were set for the live performance, not the recording.

Thinking of taking the same approach to the new project, except this would be just for the sake of recording, which means we can set our levels where they need to be, and also that we wouldn't need our monitors or speakers. Seems to make sense, right? If so, where can I get basic advice on how to mic the piano, bass and drums? (I think we only own four or five mics at the most.)

Someone in the band had the idea to do a simpler approach, just recording into one mic (still through the board) placed in the middle of the group. Does that approach hold water?

Thanks in advance.

 

[TimOBrien]

My obligatory standard reply that I keep in Wordpad:

First off, 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:
Home Recording for Musicians by Jeff Strong - $15
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/07...ce&n=283155&n=507846&s=books&v=glance
(Wish I'd had that when I started; would have saved me lots of money and time and grief)

Good Newbie guides that also explains all the basics:
http://www.tweakheadz.com/guide.htm
http://www.computermusic.co.uk/page/computermusic?entry=free_beginner_pdfs

21 Ways To Assemble a Recording Rig:
http://www.tweakheadz.com/rigs.htm

Also Good Info:
http://www.theprojectstudiohandbook.com/directory.htm

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


Since you're on a Mac I won't go into my standard PC-software suggestions.

But Audacity and Garageband will do you well (especially for the price!)