Im a beginner: where to get started?

[elliott2eriksen]

Ok, so im pretty new to recording, but ive been playing music for a few years now. I would like to convert a relatively large bedroom into a basic acoustic recording studio.

I have no equipment, so i need to start from scratch. Ive been reading up on things, and by the looks of it, to get me started, i need these essentials:
-A pre-amp (4 inputs or more)
-vocals microphones
-instruments microphones
-cables

for the preamp, i was thinking about getting:
http://www.thomann.de/gb/alesis_multimix_8_usb_fx.htm

And for microphones, i was thinking about getting a Shure dynamic 57 and a Shure dynamic 58.

Ok, i have quite a few questions:
1. Does the preamp come with a recording software?
2. What cables would i need for the microphones?
3. If i record 4 instrument/ vocals simultaneously, can i then add another 4 after? (ex: me and a friend play guitar and sing [4 tracks] but we also want another friend to play bass and sing [2 tracks] can we add the other friend [the 2 tracks] onto the original [4 tracks]?)
4.Is there any other essential equipment i need? (except for acoustic treatment)
5. Do i need to know anything in particular when starting out/ any tips?
6. Are there any good, simple guides to acoustic recording for beginners like me on the web?

I'll add any more questions if i can think of any. Thanks a lot guys

[gullfo]

welcome! sometimes manufacturers put "lite" or demo software bundles in their product package to entice people to buy. if you can spend some money, you could pick up Roland Cakewalk Home Studio (http://www.cakewalk.com/products/homest ... efault.asp) or for free you could try software called "Audacity" (http://audacity.sourceforge.net/). depending on your PC (if you are on a Mac you could use Garage Band (http://www.apple.com/ilife/garageband/)) you can easily record multiple tracks. you want a dual core processor, 4GB RAM, and a fast (minimum 7200rpm) disk drive. plan on buying some additional disk for backup.
having a decent USB or FireWire mix/pre/I/O unit is important and in most cases, you will be "mixing in the box" so having a sophisticated hardware mixer with automation is a later step. a good pair of audio monitors - Behringer Truth, m-Audio BX8, KRK Rokit 8 etc are all inexpensive and pretty decent. a good set of headphones Audio Technica M40/M50. the Shure mics are excellent. consider some inexpensive large condenser mics (you'll need phantom power for these).

treat your room. one of the most critical bits and often overlooked. plan on building yourself at least 6 absorbers for your room and realistically, 12. there are numerous threads here and many of the folks who operate companies selling treatment products have excellent information on the fundamentals of laying out the room and treating it in various degrees.

plan on spending time on recording.org, the cakewalk forum, and other sites which have numerous read-me threads for beginners.